Kindergarten blues

I wish I could say I was just that distraught over JW's first day of kindergarten that his first day's blog became my last post. I did draft a few incomplete blogs along the way that were never posted. This day seemed most appropriate for another post. 

Today marks JW's last day of kindergarten. It was an uphill battle full of challenges for all of us. Days following my last post we were tested each morning before school. I'll never forget the dreadful day they had to pull him off of me kicking, crying and drag him into the building. Other days the battle would start before heading out the door - "I'm not going". Shoes would disappear and suddenly no where to be found. Moodiness was at an all time high and it seemed to go on forever. 

It was a team effort at home and at school with his wonderful Kindergarten teachers. It took reassurance from all of us that it was all going to be okay. That his day was what he made of it. He had to decide to have a good day. 

He's grown so much since those difficult weeks starting Kindergarten. He's grown into a little boy with a big heart for his friends, a love for learning new things, and a sense of pride in all he's accomplished leading up to today. A day that has brought back that same knot in my stomach. He's had such a memorable year and grown so much. Even he was nervous this morning knowing it was his last day. A big thank you to his teachers! Especially Mrs. Rachel who took the time to listen and support him through it all. 

We are so very proud of our first born!! 

Kindergarten is only the beginning...

I haven't written in awhile and so I will add one more thing to everyone's newsfeed about the first day of school. 

JW isn't one you hear as much about. Especially on my blog. He is our more down to earth and easy going child. He's Mr Independent who spends his days being creative and indulging his active imagination. He's my "little Monk". You know, the incredibly awesome show featuring Tony Shaloub as Adrian Monk - OCD ex police officer. That's him and me all rolled into one with a little bit of his father's temperament. 

But almost 6 years ago he was the first born that rocked our world. And almost 6 years ago I struggled to understand why he was born premature. We lived in fear and worry for the first few weeks of his life, one scare after another in the NICU. And the feeling I felt leaving him at the end of visiting hours each day was a terrible one. It left a knot in the pit of my stomach. I just wanted to have my baby home with me and never let him go. Well that knot came back as he and I said our goodbyes this morning. 

He's only ever been left with my mother or the occasional family member babysitting for a few hours. After all the tears he shed this week I was prepared for the waterworks. But he choked them back and gave me the biggest hug I think he's ever given me and simply said "I love you Mama". I couldn't look back as I walked out. And that's when I noticed the knot. 

My cup runneth over with love for him and his big heart!

He doesn't handle everything well just yet. Disappointment is hard for him because he strives for order and perfection. But he will learn. He will learn just how proud we are of him no matter what!

To the beat of his own drum

My eldest son is our witty one. My daughter and middle child, our little diva. Don't the middle children have to be? ;)

And then there is Michael Anthony Gallman; who personally requests that everyone address him using his full name. Many know he was a BIG surprise for us. The gift that keeps on giving, I know now he will continue to surprise all those around him with his many humorous antics. He can charm the best of them.

Three Sundays ago I prepared as if going to battle: snacks, coloring books, crayons, toys - anything to keep them preoccupied. With each child this became more of a challenge, leaving me wondering why I try? I haven't heard a sermon in years and neither have the family and friends we sit around. Usually I'm quick enough and have enough reflex to out maneuver any mishap that may arise. However, this particular Sunday both boys were testing waters. As the prayer reached its end and all our attention focused on the eldest (mad over crayons), Tony looks at me and says three words. Three words I've come to dread, "there goes Michael".

I look down to see his feet disappear under the pew, and rows of people popping up out of their seat scrambling to grab speedy. As I run down the aisle following the fingers and standing church members all I can think is how will I ever live this down? No longer aware of what is going on up front, I manage to head him off. Michael spots my feet, pops up laughing like a loon and grinning from ear to ear. Just in time my uncle snatches him from behind. Mortified and a bit in shock I still managed to laugh with everyone else. I'm sure a lot of prayers went up that day for us ;)

God must have a sense of humor to give us the surprise that keeps on surprising. A child like none I've met before. Michael spends his days looking for the next big adventure. The latest adventure -Tonight I turn around to find him bare bottom in the air, head in the child's potty seat studying the inside of the toilet. My initial reaction was yanking him out of the toilet and scolding him. But half way through "do you know how nasty that is...why on earth would you do that" I begin to laugh. And laughing together is what we did (as I cleaned him up of course).

A look back at four years of Katie

It's amazing how personalities can change and evolve in a young child. As my daughter turns four I can't help but look back at the many stages of Katie Beth Gallman with a smile on my face. Early on as newlyweds, I use to joke with tony about only having boys because girls would be far more difficult. I was quite the challenge growing up and feared a mini me.

The two ultrasounds I remember most were with Katie's pregnancy. The first being the initial one where I heard her heartbeat for the first time. Something told me this might be a girl but after hearing that heartbeat I began to think of all the wonderful things having a daughter meant and cried right there in the doctors office. The second ultrasound was the one where we learned it was indeed a girl. Feeling a bit panicked at first I wondered how bad could a mini me be. My mother warned me one day I'd get it all back, all the trouble I caused would come back two fold. But who cares we had a baby girl.

I remember she sounded like a cat meowing early on but over the years her vocal chords have gotten much stronger. Her screams remind me that loud mouth children don't lose that with age. I didn't. Until Katie hit the age of 18 months neither tony nor I slept. Early on it was Katie's reflux that kept her up and so she slept in baby seats or on a pillow next to us. At some point this set the standard for Katie's night owl tendencies. As soon as this child could walk she let us know just how child proofed our house wasn't. So we made this place look like Fort Knox within months. Every child safety gate, lock, tie, and guard was put in place for her. She knew night life as early as two. We'd find her in corners of the house the next morning with toys everywhere. But the biggest adventure to date was when we awoke to find after stacking furniture to get to it, Katie took a permanent blue marker up and down walls, doors, and furniture around the house. She hit four rooms that night. After that she helped herself to a whole batch of cupcakes on the counter and was making preparations to cook herself a grand a old meal when I stumbled half asleep into the kitchen. All the while my oldest was kicked back watching the whole thing from the floor. His statement to us was Katie woke me up and I told her no. Obviously I've never forgotten that particular escapade, along with many others. Katherine Elizabeth, our little adventurer, has not had many night adventures since.

Today, she is a sassy mini me with a heart of gold who spends her days being a little mama to her brothers. A bit more shy around people than she used to be. She prefers to study people and ask questions later. Yes, she has studied many of you. She will break out in random fits of giggles and give no reason, just giggle. She dances and sings her little heart out around the house. She is dramatic, stubborn, sweet, loving, beautiful and today as we celebrate four years of her life I couldn't be more proud of her. Thank you God for knowing my heart better than I and blessing us with our sweet girl.

Those sweet moments

Today I had one of those heart melting moments with Michael. He is our curious little troublemaker. As always I warned him if he didn't stop throwing something he was going to his room and I kept my promise. After a short time it got real quiet in his room. So I waited and then checked; only to find him curled up in his brothers bed, with his brothers blanket, and holding a car his brother had been sleeping with. I asked him if he was trying to be like "bubba" and he grinned that Michael grin, yep. After a while I took JW to the side and told him what I found Michael doing, explaining to him that Michael wanted to be just like him. It was like a light bulb went off and he walked over gave his baby brother the biggest hug and kiss completely making Michael's day.

There is a purpose to my lengthy story: One of Michaels daily goals is to get his brothers attention. Good or bad. He just wants his big bro to notice him. His sister has always been there by his side. She's never rough with him and quite the little mama to him. But there is some sort of brotherly bond that I truly enjoy watching develop between my oldest and youngest.

No doubt my three will be inseparable. And that my friends, makes me smile! :)

Hands free revolution - part two

Why hands free?

My eldest son is my motivation. This last year has been a difficult one for him. Never being one to demand attention as much as the other two and very independent as early as age 2, he kind of got lost in the crowd here at the Gallman house. At age 4, he was suddenly demanding to be heard and begging for attention.

Now, Facebook is just one of many ways we are changing things up at home. Most importantly I'm learning to stop what I'm doing and listen. If that means putting work, cooking, cleaning, or laundry on hold...I'm trying. And he's noticing. His random hugs, smiles, and loving words let me know he sees the effort. And so I will only try that much harder.

I hold on to this fear that out of three kids, someone might always feel left out. But then I watch them and I see these three have a bond that will never be broken. I thank God for that!

Sadly...You can not break an addiction without a little backsliding. So this past week and weekend were NOT Facebook free by any means but I plan to compensate by making tomorrow's holiday with the family absent of any and all things Facebook.

More to come on this journey of becoming hands free...

The hands free revolution

The hands free revolution is a Facebook group I was introduced too months ago and a concept I found intimidating but much needed.

Before I go any further, let me say I have been a Facebook member since its early college years. When it was for college students only and simply a fun way to to keep up with your fellow students. It somehow evolved into a primary method of communication for the entire planet. A bit scary.

Today, we live in a society where people just go, go all day long. Technology has matched that pace, making it incredibly easy to keep up with life while on the move. You have the ease of social interaction with a large group of people at one time, minus much interaction. A simple like, a comment, or a status update.

Years later, as a working mother of three it has become more an absolute waste of my time. Any free moment I would find myself drawn to it. I do keep in touch with many people via Facebook and would never want to lose that. But I realized hands free interactions with my children and my family were becoming obsolete. So much so my children were prefacing their questions with put your phone down mama.

Last week was a test for myself. Could I do it? Initially I set the bar high; I was going to log off for a week or two But as all good intentions go...it was evidently too high. I successfully logged out every night and all day Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Just that short amount of time did wonders. I found myself filling that free time with time spent playing with the kids. They noticed too and their excitement made it all worthwhile. I heard every question and word they told me. And who couldn't use a little less Facebook drama?