Mother of two: Aerial view

Josie is sick sick sick, or in her words "too awful to even lay down." It has been a little tricky this morning, but J finally agreed that cuddling with my leg would suffice while B hung out on the opposite "no cough zone" shoulder.
Germs have the worst timing! Let's hope they at least have enough manners not to spread past Josie onto her little sister, parents, grandparents, cousins, tio & tia this weekend!

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A peek at Montessori

Truthfully it is a bit shocking that I got all the way through a Bachelors, Masters and Doctorate in education with nothing more than a mere mention of Montessori methods along the way. I taught in the public schools for six years and assumed that is how we would educate our own children. However, when it came time to find a preschool for Josephine, we quickly realized there was a better option for her. Like so many other things, learning styles are unique and varied. And what works best for one child would be disastrous for another. For Josie, it is her meticulous nature and strong sense of curiosity coupled with our goals for her confidence and independence that make Montessori the perfect fit for our family.  Her first year in preschool is winding down, and we has been such a joy to watch her thrive in this environment.

These photos are from the Family Work Day. We were all invited to school on a Sunday to have our kids share a typical work cycle with us.

Continents on the World Map

Rolling up her mat before moving on to her next work

Bea snoozes with class pet Carrot the Bunny

Math work, in this case "counting to infinity" according to Josie

Setting up some work in the Practical Life Area

Silver Polishing

This video shows Josie doing some sensorial work with the smelling bottles. I filmed her from behind the two-way mirror last week during an observation visit.


And I must say that opening her backpack each day is one of my favorite things. It is the best invitation a parent can give child: "Tell me about this." Yesterday I found wadded up fabric at the bottom of her bag and she proudly revealed it was her handmade spacesuit. Here is her explanation.


What a wonderful gift Montessori methods (which can be put to use by any educator or parent) give to children  - time to be free to explore their own curiosities and work independently in an environment that is set up for exploration and discovery!

Six weeks old...

...and still sleeping quite a bit.

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A peek inside the six-week postpartum mind

*Photo

A lot has certainly changed in the past six weeks. In some ways, I can't believe six whole weeks have already passed. And in others, I feel like Beatrice has been here with us forever.

Rather I shared it with anyone or not (did I?!) I gave myself the first six weeks with the goal of just "being" with Beatrice and not worrying too much about what was coming next. I wasn't totally true to that promise to myself (sure I've been a little stressed all along) but now that the real six week mark is here, I've got to get my head out of the sand about a few things.

 I've got to figure out when I'm going back to work, figure out the best childcare arrangement/schedule for the girls for the summer and find a long-term childcare solution (in the form of a new nanny). Then there's the promise for a swingset for Josie which is going to require MASSIVE yard renovations first (do you think people would honestly show up with shovels in hand if we promised pizza and beer?) and also the vegetable garden (oh no, maybe I should've been reading gardening books while on bedrest).  And then there's the personal stuff - the in-between sizes post-natal clothes fiasco and major hormonal changes that have turned my skin into something very closely resembling a teenage boy just hitting puberty.  Sprinkle in the obligatory dose of mama-guilt we all experience for lots of reasons that we know we shouldn't but just do anyway and well, I'm sorta kinda an absolute freaking mess at the moment.  Picture your best toddler tantrum and that's what is brewing. Really, I just feel like putting my hands on my hips, stomping my feet and yelling "You can't make me!" to the world right now. Luckily, I remember this with Josie and know that this too shall pass.  (Oh and poo - just realized I need to schedule my six week postpartum doctor's appt. Add that to the list.)  So, I'm clearly venting but that's what happens at 2pm when I just ate breakfast and have yet to brush my teeth. And alas I am blogging instead of hopping in the shower so - ha - I have no one to blame but myself.  I guess I just had to get all of this out of my system. So, there it is. Phew! I feel better and now I can move back toward my happy place. Bea is sleeping soundly and I better at least get out of my pajamas before it's time to go get Josie Posie from school.  No one said it was easy, but it's definitely all worth it.

Six Weeks and Smiling

Little Beatrice sure has come a long way in six short weeks from that first "Meet Beatrice" video of her just beginning to open her eyes and take a look at the world. Now she's a shiny happy six week old. Enjoy!

Cuddlin on the couch...

...watching Backyardigans

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Comparing the Bug & the Bee

I can't resist sharing these photos of Josephine & Beatrice. There are times when I think Bea will grow up to look just like Josie and others when I think they will look very different. Have a look and let me know what you think.

Josie's Hospital Photo - One Day Old

Bea's Hospital Photo - One Day Old

Josie at One Week Old

Bea at One Week Old

Josie at One Month Old

Bea at One Month Old

So...I'm really looking forward to your feedback on this one. I certainly have my thoughts about whether or not they look alike - what do you all think? :)

Week with Grandma

With the exception of Bea's full birth story, I think this post will officially have me all caught up on the blog. (Well, almost...I just thought of something else I forgot. Stay tuned for that.) 

Grandma swooped in to save the day for my first week alone with Beatrice once Lou returned to work. He had a full week at home with Josie and I when she was first born, but the cards didn't fall that way this time. Most of Lou's week off was spent in the hospital since I was induced at the beginning of the week and that really only left us with two full days at home just the three of us. My mom came the next week - week two - and we impressed ourselves! There was a trip to the hair salon, to the mall, to lunch, out to get coffee and to the park with both girls.  (My oh my how much easier the second one is than the first! I barely left my bedroom during Josie's second week - let alone venturing out all over town.) 
Grandma definitely spent plenty of time helping out around the house and with Beatrice during the day, but her biggest job was keeping Josie entertained and amused and she did that with FLYING COLORS! Once Josie realized Grandma was there this time just to play and not to babysit while we were away at the hospital, she was all over Grandma.  And they spent LOADS of time together - having a blast! Here are some of my favorite photos from that week.

Grandma taught Josie how to play baseball in the backyard.  They spent about an hour playing catch and learning proper pitching. Girl Power!

They also played "Bengal Tiger."  Grandma has spent a lot of time practicing her Cincinnati "Who Dey" Bengal growl - doesn't she look fierce? And doesn't Josie look impressed and amused? And aren't Grandmas the best?!

Grandma also taught Josie how to work the computer by herself so she could play the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse stories:

And we made fruit kabobs:

This one cracked us up! Josie took Grandma's camera and we later found a bunch of photos of DR. OZ that Josie had photographed from the cover of a magazine. Who doesn't love Dr. Oz?

Here is Josie modeling her pajamas for us one night before bed - look closely - nothing matches - everything is mismatched down to the socks and slippers. Silly little goose!

And of course there was lots of time with Sweet Sweet Bea!

Grandma even captured Bea giving her first kiss to Josie!

And cuddling with DD:

Yay for Grandparents!

Thanks for all of your help Grandma! You have two very lucky little Grand-daughters! xo

Fashionista

Here we have Josephine modeling the outfit she dressed herself in for school this morning.

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Five weeks old

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...and smiling

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