The Teachable 2s on 2s DAY

"It's 2s DAY!" exclaimed little Berkley Ella while on the phone to Grandma. Yeah, I thought to myself she is beginning to read. My mother/teacher experiment is catching on! Just a little combination of symbols, phonetic spelling and connecting to real life experiences that happen on particular days! Ok, so I can't say that I am the creator of this "inventive" spelling, but it does seem to be working for my SWEET 2 year old.

Two's, two's.....the "teachable two's," as her Sunday School teacher likes to call this age. Catchy, I thought when first hearing her positive approach to the usual negative "terrible two's." It's true....never underestimate the sponge-like mind of a two year old. They are capable of SO much and WANT 2 learn 2. We are seizing this opportunity and have been learning the days of the week.

Being a logical thinker, Berkley quickly picked up "shapes" on her own around 1 and a half. We then started finding colors in the world around us and this morning she explained to me that there was an airplane flying up in the blue sky.

The teacher in me has many ideas...but I am letting her guide her own learning. ABC's are coming along, as I hear her own version of the little song improving with each passing day. But, for this little learner the days of the week are more her slice of pie (for now at least). So, each night before bed we review the present day, talk about the next, and write the next day down in our own 2 year old way.

Since turning two I have been pondering some adjectives to describe my SWEET little Berkley and here they are in random order:

Observant
Compassionate
Organized
Friendly
Girly
Active
Determined
Attentive (to details)
Categorizes/Classifies
Thinker

I haven't "retired" from my job as a teacher, I just have my own students now living under our own roof. What a blessing 2 spend each moment of each day enjoying life and learning together! We can create our own curriculm, take our own field trips, learn on our own time schedule, and let my 2 SWEET students guide their own learning.

As for today, it's 2s DAY and we've counted Protein Bars in the grocery basket, been to the library to return and borrowed books, touched a "real" firetruck.....so many opportunities for my 2 SWEETS, especially my little SWEET born on 2sDAY, June 19th 2007-Berkley Ella who recently turned 2 and would be happy to tell you that today is "2s DAY!"

Cherries on Top of my Sunday

Ok, so I really don't like those "fake," red, rubby cherries Texans "claim" as Cherries....but, it sounded like a catchy little title-so here is a short list of my cherries on top:

Berkley asking her teacher if she could go potty (twice)at Sunday School this morning-her first day in Sunday School not wearing diapers! YEAH!!

Major cooing, giggling and talking.

Berkley saying her name- "Beekley Ewwa"

Major cuddling in church this morning.

Berkley and Major taking an afternoon nap at the sametime each day for four days in a row! YEAH!

Now, those are some great cherries to add to any Sunday!

Sweet Pea #2

Ok, so one would think that being a second time mommy-to-be, I would have been a little more aware of any "pre-labor" happenings. Charlie, Berkley and I all went in on March 19th for my 11am, 37 weeks OB visit. To our great surprise, I was dialated nearly 5cm and about 80% efaced-in laymans terms-many people would have already been admitted into the hospital waiting to give birth. But oh no-not me! I had not had any symptoms. Due to our "great surprise" with little Berkley Ella, our Doctor advised us to go in if I had contractions five minutes apart for an hour straight. No need to start to keeping track now, I thought. I could still have three weeks to go. I decided to not try and think about the fact that many people were suggesting that I could be driving to the hospital at any time. Later that afternoon, painless contractions started in-much like our experience nearly 21 months ago with little Berkley Ella. No need to rush to the hospital and lay there any longer than necessary. So, we decided to go for a walk around the neighborhood. Walking increased the frequency of the contractions-which is common whether you are in "true labor" or not. So, I did as the Dr. ordered-drank plenty of water, laid down for 45 minutes and then decided that this could be it.

Finding my pre-packed suitcase in the bottom of our closet, I added some last minute items and I told Charlie that we weren't callling anyone-for fear of this not being "the real thing." This time we did decide to take around suitcase with us-"but we are going to leave it in the car," I insisted. By the time we were loading up the car, I was pretty sure that this was the real thing. Yet, no pain! Thank goodness. Upon arriving at Labor and Delivery, the nurses didn't seem to believe that I was in labor. We waited for an open room and within 15 minutes discovered that I was definately in labor. Getting out the cell phone, we quickly called my mom and Mike and within 10 minutes they happily greeted us in our birth room.

Sweet Major Maddox quietly entered the world on Friday, March 20th at 1:20am. All was peaceful and surreal. He was such a tiny bundle at 5lbs and 14 oz and 18 inches long. We cuddled and held him until he was taken to the nursery. I didn't sleep a wink, longing to hold my sweet little one again.

He is a dream baby. A perfect baby. Sweet. Calm. Quiet. Undemanding. Enjoys talking and cooing-sometimes more than eating. Berkley loves little Major and is quite the "mother" to him. Retrieving his pacifier and once even some tylenol because she decided his "tummy hurt."

I enjoy every moment with my little baby boy. The second time around I know that they do grow so quickly and I want to cherish each moment with my little precious Sweet Pea.

Contractions?! HUH?!

One year and 364 days ago, unbeknownest to myself I was in labor with our first little sweet pea. I must admit that prior to motherhood I was a "by-the book" type of girl. The "book" had an extensive list helping one to know when to rush to the hospital. No, my water hadn't broken....no, I wasn't having pain....hmm...what was going on I thought. Deciding to call the hospital late that Monday evening was when things started to zoom into perpetual motion. "Dehydration" was the likely cause according to the Labor and Delivery nurse on the other line. After drinking "plenty" of water, resting on my side for over an hour-my stomach was still tightening for and loosening. "Weird," I thought as Charlie and I sat up in bed. He was determined that things were fine-but how could I just fall asleep? After another twenty minute debate on what to do....we zoomed off around 11 :30pm. Besides wondering why Charlie was driving so wrecklessly at this hour, I thought that we definately should have left earlier because now we probably wouldn't be home until 1am.

After arriving at the Birthplace, we were greeted by the friendly voice on the other line-Sherry. After a few little tests, she announced, "girl, you are in labor! We have one room left!" Good thing I was laying down, I seriously felt a rush of adrenaline flowing from head to toe. What?!! I still have 16 days to go! I didn't even bring my purse! The prepacked suitcase was lying untouched in our master closet! Our first little sweet pea-Berkley Ella Scott made her grand entrance into the world on June 19th, 2007-a moment I will NEVER forget. She has filled our house with laughter and our hearts with joy! Tomorrow we will celebrate the day of her birth-two short years ago! I can't wait to share more about our sweet experiences with our first little sweet pea. Everyday I could write a novel about our little one! Happy Birthday Eve sweet Berkley Ella!