Preparing For the Start of Preschool

Over the last few weeks, I've been busy preparing for preschool to start. Back on Saturday, August 4, the whole staff participated in a conference for church-based preschool teachers. Thankfully, it was held at a church here in town, so didn't require traveling anywhere.

However, that just happened to be the day that Shad decided to go camping with the guys, so I asked my mom to come stay Friday night and babysit Christopher on Saturday for me. Christopher did great and they ended up having a really good time together.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that I actually enjoyed the conference and wasn't totally bored out of my mind! We all started off in a class with other teachers of the age-group we'll be teaching. I'm going to be working with 2-year olds, so was with my co-worker, Teresa, in the 2-year old teacher's class. In the afternoon, we split up into the elective classes. I chose to take one about biting and another about art.

We then had a break until this week when we decorated our classrooms. Teresa and I met on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings from 8:30-1:00. I brought Christopher along, but found that it was quite difficult when there weren't other kids around for him to play with! I got a few things accomplished, but Christopher kept demanding my attention (getting hurt, wanting me to play with him, etc.), so Teresa ended up doing a lot of the work. Next time I have to do something like that, I'm going to find someone to watch Christopher for me. Thankfully, we finished everything on Wednesday, so don't have to go back until tonight.

We have Open House tonight and tomorrow night from 6:30-8:00. I'll get to meet all the parents (and hopefully kids) and they'll get to pick up information from us.

I already know Christopher's teacher, Mrs. Brenda, since we go to church with her and she's watched Christopher before. Since I'll be busy in the 2-year old class during Open House, I went ahead and picked up my folder of information yesterday. I've found that there are a few more things I need, so will have to get those tonight afterall. One thing I'll have to do before we start on September 4 is to pick up a copy of Christopher's shot record. I wish that I'd known that earlier since we were just there on Monday. They can probably mail it to me, though.

After we're finished with Open House, I think we're done until school starts on Tuesday, September 4. I just realized yesterday that it's less than 2 weeks away! I'm excited and am looking forward to starting. It'll be sort of a new experience for me, so I'll have a lot to learn. Christopher will have a rough first few weeks during naptime since he's not used to sleeping on a mat, but in a crib instead. Plus, he's also not used to sleeping in a room with other people, so that'll probably be hard for him. I just hope that I won't be able to hear him while I'm in my classroom! I've got a feeling that he may have to come home and finish his nap for the first few times. We'll just play it by ear, though.

House Hunting?

Shad found out a couple of weeks ago from a co-worker that there's a place in Lascassas (just outside M'boro city limits) up for sale. It's a double-wide on about 6 acres of land. We really want to buy something in that area with about that much land, so jumped right away. I was pretty skeptical about the fact that it was a double-wide and not a regular house as mobile homes tend to be tornado magnets. I kept an open mind, though, when we went to look at it.

The first thing I noticed was that it's on a permanent brick foundation, which nullifies my fear of safety. According to a friend, as long as it's bolted into the brick foundation, it's no different than a house.

DH and I both really liked the place. However, DH could've cared less about the actual house as he was most concerned about the land. We eventually would want to build our own house on the property, but we'd still have to live in the double-wide until then, which would probably be quite a few years.

The house has 3 bedrooms/2 baths, a living room and a den and a really nice kitchen. I like the idea of a separate living room and den; I could designate one room as a playroom. I love that all except the kitchen and back entryway/laundry area are carpeted since I'm so sick of hardwood floors! The master bedroom is on the opposite side of the house as the other 2 bedrooms, which would be good for us. ;) It has a walk-in closet (yay!) and a master bath with a jacuzzi tub and stand-up shower. It has a separate nook in the kitchen for a computer setup, so we wouldn't have to worry about a computer room or our big 'ol computer desk. I'm wanting to get rid of that thing anyway.

Unfortunately, the price is WAY out of our range. After speaking to the owner, we learned that the contract with the realtor is almost up and that the owner would be willing to negotiate when that happens. We still don't think it's something we could afford. First of all, I think they're asking WAY too much. We haven't done any research, but I think it's not even close to the appraised or even market value. But, what do I know?

With as much as we both want to buy a house on a decent-sized plot of land in Lascassas, I'm not sure that now's the right time. We probably shouldn't have even gone to look at the house and property, but we couldn't help ourselves. Maybe, if we're lucky, we can be out there by the time Christopher starts kindergarten as we really want him to go to Lascassas School (elementary and middle). That's about 5 years away (he'll be about 4 months shy of his 6th birthday), so we've got some time.

Softball season has started again. This time, it's co-ed. We were supposed to have our first game last week, but it was cancelled beforehand since a team dropped out. So, our first game was then supposed to be this past Tuesday...a double-header. However, I found out on Sunday that the schedule had changed again. Our first game was then scheduled for this past Monday at 8:30 instead of Tuesday and it was only a single game. Well, our whole team showed up only to sit and wait for the other team to NOT show up...not a single player. >:( I'm sure with all the schedule changes, they were probably just not aware of when they should've been there. However, I was still pretty aggravated since me being there meant missing Christopher's bedtime. A few of the people on my team wanted to hold a practice instead, but the majority of us threw that idea out! Even at about 9:00 (the previous game went late), it was TOO HOT! I broke a sweat just sitting down waiting for our game! I really wasn't looking forward to playing in that heat! Our next (first?) game is next Tuesday (Aug. 28). However, they need a guy to sub and have a few girls they can call, so when they asked if Shad could play, I just told them to count on him but get another girl to replace me. If it were earlier, we might both could've played, but since it's another 8:30 game (Christopher's bedtime), one of us has to stay home. So, Shad will play in the next game and I'll stay home, but that's fine with me as long as it stays as hot as it's been!

2007 World Breastfeeding Awareness Week - August 1-7

Today, August 1, starts the 2007 World Breastfeeding Awareness Week. I've decided to take part by adding a logo and link on the side of my blog and adding this entry.

Breastfeeding is so natural and a wonderful thing to provide babies! There are still SO many people out there that are uneducated and resort to formula because "they just don't know." I, personally, was unfamiliar with it and didn't know many people firsthand who had ever breastfed. My mother formula-fed all three of her children, so she couldn't offer any advice. In addition to Lactation Consultants at our local hospital, I was lucky to have an online message board (Waiting Women) where I could go for help. Thankfully, I didn't have any problems adjusting to our new temporary lifestyle. Christopher was a champion nurser from Day 1 and I had no discomfort at all. I only had 1 minor hurdle down the road, but overcame that quite easily. However, many women aren't that lucky and have a hard time learning how it all works. Those same women are more likely to give up when they get frustrated. That's where they desperately need all the help and support they can get!

Formula companies seem to have the upper hand. Sure, they say, "Breast is best," but they're ultimately trying to sell their product...formula. I absolutely understand that there are women out there unable to breastfeed and that have to resort to formula. However, I also believe that a woman should at least TRY to breastfeed before giving up.

I was fortunate to breastfeed Christopher until he was almost 17 months old. I only gave it up when I wanted to switch to my regular birth control pill (was told by my doctor that I could go back on it after I'd weaned). Only after I'd almost finished weaning Christopher did I learn that the only side effect of taking regular birth control pills while breastfeeding is a possible decrease in milk supply. If I'd known that BEFORE weaning Christopher, I'd have taken my chances!

We've come a long way in promoting breastfeeding! However, we still have a long way to go! Let's continue to spread the word!