The Little Sheaffers Update

Things you say you’re going to do for all your kids: write everything down, chronicling their world and yours as a parent.

Things you do with one kid: try to write most things down, chronicling her world and yours as a parent.

Things you do with two kids: sometimes remember to write down garbledy-gooped words in a way that sort of makes sense if your poor reader has Jedi mind powers.

So in the spirit of garbledy-goop, let’s do the Highlight Reel re: the small humans in our house:

Addie started pre school! For those who follow the over-posting that occurs on facebook, yes, Adalyn cried her first few days. Loudly. Sadly. In the way that kind of twists your gut as you keep walking down the hall way away from your bawling child as other parents give you looks that range from sympathy and support to “Dude, I’m so glad that’s not me this year.”   However, we seem to have turned a corner! Her imaginary friend, Shang, went with her one Thursday and she’s been perfectly fine since. Maybe I should have worn a cape before, like Shang does. 

 After knowing what she was doing every minute of the day, every day, it was really strange having these few hours for which I had to rely mainly on sweet Mrs. Downtain’s lunchbox notes and Adalyn’s relaying of information. Things we’ve gleaned from conversations about school with her:

• ·      She sits in a yellow chair to eat.
• ·      A loud girl had to go to timeout.
• ·      She puts the doll babies to sleep and gives them cupcakes.
• ·      Analeigh wears tartle (sparkle) shoes.
• ·      Addie cries sometimes, but feels better when she plays.
• ·      Gavin has a lunch box.
• ·      H sounds like huh-huh-huh!
• ·      She fell at the playground and ‘brush it off.’
• ·      Building with blocks is cool.

Bria is learning too! She also cries, but has discovered that life ain’t so bad most of the time. Things we’ve learned from our conversations with Bria:

• ·      Hands are yummy.
• ·      Pajama zippers are yummy.
• ·      Chew toys are yummy.
• ·      Grace’s arm is yummy.
• ·      Our hands are yummy.
• ·      The bouncer is yummy.
• ·      Addie’s face is yummy.
• ·      The ergo carrier is yummy.
• ·      Rice cereal is not yummy, but bearable.

Adalyn is also rocking the gymnastic world big-girl style. This means instead of chasing the kids around as though we are herding a group of insanely hyper kittens, the parents now send the kids in with Mr. Rob for 50 minutes while we sit and watch from a half-wall/window area, waving and clapping when they look over at us.  We were flabbergasted the first day, because the weirdest thing was happening.  We were sitting. The girls were listening. To a grown up. Like, doing what he was saying to do. Run. Jump. Hop like a bunny. Stretch. Etc. Listening!!!! We marveled at this, and said how it made us feel so proud, looking out there and going “That’s my kid.”  Then about 15 minutes later, I look over at Adalyn and she’s digging out a wedgie, picking her nose, and taking off her pants while Mr. Rob was trying to get her to walk on a balance beam, and I felt much better. “Oh yeah, that’s my kid!”

Of course, in the Sheaffer household we are still adjusting to the whole new tiny human. Bria has been a solid reminder that babies are like puppies. A lot of poop, a lot of pee, a lot of adorable. A lot of tricks that are never performed in front of an audience. The baby/puppy smell creating happiness. They wiggle; they chew; they play. Kisses come with incredible amounts of drool, all over your face.  Rolling over is exciting. And when they fall asleep on you, it’s delightful.

Both kids seem to enjoy singing a lot. Bria finds it hilarious. Adalyn finds it necessary. Usually when Sheaff and I are talking about something that is far too boring for Adalyn’s taste. If we are so lucky as to continue having an adult conversation, you’ll often hear from the other room some rendition from one of her favorite musicals:

-“DOE, A DEER, FEMALE, RAY! SUN! JAM AND BREAD!”  or “STEP IN TIME STEP IN TIME FLAP YOUR ELBOWS STEP IN TIME!”  She often runs around shirtless, in black “Mulan” pants (my favorite princess costume) yelling “LET’S GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!” while looking for Mushu. She also has started scrubbing the floor while singing Hard Knock Life. I have been very encouraging of this. (Auntie Mar Mar has even stepped in as the world’s best Sandy).

Folks still ask, of course, if Adalyn likes being a big sister. (No one asks Bria if she likes being a little sister, but I’m pretty sure she’s okay with it).  The interesting thing is I’m not sure if Adalyn would remember her world before. She’s simply absorbed Bria into her days as though she has always been there, waiting to wear a “Bert” hat so she can play Mary Poppins, smiling for pictures on the front porch, or reading stories in the bed with us.   As many of you know, Adalyn has quite the destructionist side, so this gentle, kind and compassionate big sister thing is pretty heartwarming to watch.  I’m sure she will gently, kindly, and patiently teach Bria the art of creating mini disasters soon enough! Folks also ask if they look alike. Addie is on left, Bria on the right. Apparently - Addie rocks the hair, Bria rocks the ears. :D 

In the meantime, stay tuned, and let it be known I wrote something down about these kids’ lives. Two points for Mom!