The past few days that I've gone to pick up Anna Claire, she cries almost immediately upon seeing me. This has happened in the past, but not nearly to this magnitude.
Yesterday, the previous teacher introduced me then said "Anna Claire cries everyday, everyday, when her mom picks her up." She said "everyday" twice for emphasis I guess. That stung.
Today was the worst. When I walked into the classroom, a teacher (who I love) was holding Anna Claire. I reached out to take her, and she turned away from me, buried her head into the teacher's chest and cried even harder. I attempted two more times only to be met with the same reaction. Another teacher (who I also love) finally said, "You need to take your baby. Take your baby." I took Anna Claire and left in tears. I'm tearing up right now just thinking about it.
I have gone over it again and again in my mind, which I know better not to do, but I guess I'm just trying to figure out what I can do to prevent it from happening again. It's way too heartbreaking.
I should add that I have the happiest baby in the class (or at least I'm told) and that as soon as we get in the car, she is talking to me, singing and laughing. And Anna Claire is super happy at home. I guess that's why I'm at a total loss as to why she is not as happy to see me as I am to see her, after being apart for 8 hours.
Larry and I were talking about it, and wonder if it's because she misses Leah. My arrival may remind her that Leah is gone. She and I would chat for awhile, so she had some transition time before leaving. Since Leah left I've just been signing her out and taking off. Now that there are two teachers in place that I feel comfortable with, maybe I can hang around and transition again. It's certainly something to try. I'll keep you posted.
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Boo-Boo Lip. :(
This morning I took Anna Claire outside to play and enjoy the sunshine. She is NOT wanting to hold my hand anymore, so against my better judgment, I let her head out toward the backyard and trailed right behind her.
We weren't outside for 5 minutes before we had a fall and busted lip. Anna Claire was fine after a couple of minutes. Mommy, on the other hand, was still teary-eyed 10-15 minutes after the fact.
I guess I could have prevented it, and grabbed that little hand anyway, but I do have a determined little girl who wants to do it "mysel", and I feel inclined to let her try.
We weren't outside for 5 minutes before we had a fall and busted lip. Anna Claire was fine after a couple of minutes. Mommy, on the other hand, was still teary-eyed 10-15 minutes after the fact.
I guess I could have prevented it, and grabbed that little hand anyway, but I do have a determined little girl who wants to do it "mysel", and I feel inclined to let her try.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Anna Claire's Duet with Kitty
Here, Anna Claire and Kitty make their debut. I thought it was absolutely precious and was so excited to capture it on video. Had to share!
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Books, Books, Books!
What do you at home all day with your toddler? Mine wants to read!
Today Anna Claire had me read Someday three times (Why does the tear-jerker have to be my child's favorite? I still can't get through it with dry eyes!), Over in the Meadow by Ezra Jack Keats, twice, Twinkle Toes by Karen Katz three times, and Dora the Explorer: Super Babies, three times.
She also had me read Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Night Cars, Pat the Bunny (We read "Judy's Book" three times, lol), Gingerbread Man, Peek-a-Boo, I Love You, Winnie the Pooh: Opposites, Pooh's Sled Ride and the whole nursery rhymes pop-up book. I know there were others, but these are the ones that come to mind.
Pooh's Sled Ride WAS Anna Claire's favorite book for weeks, but it's funny how books fall in and out of favor with her. She will have me read favorites OVER and OVER until she burns herself out on them. Tonight when I read Pooh, she kept saying "Nigh nigh" which is Anna Claire-speak for "let's get this over with." I'm gonna miss reading it to her, because when we got to the part where Christopher Robin held Piglet tight, Anna Claire would always exclaim "tigh! tigh!", grab my hands and pull them around her waist, insisting that I hold her "tigh" too. Sadly, I will be returning Pooh to the Public Library on its due date, and maybe on the lookout for a Valentine's Day one.
To wrap up our day of reading, of course at bedtime I read Anna Claire a bedtime story, Lullaby, Lullaby, Little One, one of the three bedtime books we keep on rotation (to include Goodnight Moon and Sleep, Baby, Sleep.
I love reading to her, and perhaps more than that, I love that she loves being read to.
Today Anna Claire had me read Someday three times (Why does the tear-jerker have to be my child's favorite? I still can't get through it with dry eyes!), Over in the Meadow by Ezra Jack Keats, twice, Twinkle Toes by Karen Katz three times, and Dora the Explorer: Super Babies, three times.
She also had me read Teddy Bear, Teddy Bear, Night Cars, Pat the Bunny (We read "Judy's Book" three times, lol), Gingerbread Man, Peek-a-Boo, I Love You, Winnie the Pooh: Opposites, Pooh's Sled Ride and the whole nursery rhymes pop-up book. I know there were others, but these are the ones that come to mind.
Pooh's Sled Ride WAS Anna Claire's favorite book for weeks, but it's funny how books fall in and out of favor with her. She will have me read favorites OVER and OVER until she burns herself out on them. Tonight when I read Pooh, she kept saying "Nigh nigh" which is Anna Claire-speak for "let's get this over with." I'm gonna miss reading it to her, because when we got to the part where Christopher Robin held Piglet tight, Anna Claire would always exclaim "tigh! tigh!", grab my hands and pull them around her waist, insisting that I hold her "tigh" too. Sadly, I will be returning Pooh to the Public Library on its due date, and maybe on the lookout for a Valentine's Day one.
To wrap up our day of reading, of course at bedtime I read Anna Claire a bedtime story, Lullaby, Lullaby, Little One, one of the three bedtime books we keep on rotation (to include Goodnight Moon and Sleep, Baby, Sleep.
I love reading to her, and perhaps more than that, I love that she loves being read to.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Whoa, Whoa! We're Still Groovin'
These poor birds are so confused with this crazy Tennessee weather. Bad for the birds, exciting for Anna Claire. She loves seeing so many birds in the sky each morning on our drive to school. She heard me say "whoa!" once a few months ago when we spotted THOUSANDS of birds overhead. Ever since, whenever we see birds, 10 or 10,000, she will exclaim, "Whoa whoa! Whoa whoa!"
I also love how Anna Claire still "grooves" every morning on her way to school. Her favorite songs to groove to are Hollaback Girl (she also loves chanting "Nana!" during the part where the spell "banana") and I Gotta Feeling (Kidz Bop versions of both songs).
For those not in the know, "grooving" is AC's signature dance move, where she bobs her head side to side, in sort of a circular motion.
The term grooving was coined by Larry Averitt. Grooving originated approximately six months ago when listening to the theme song to Nick Jr's Little Bill.
I will try to upload a video of the grooving when I can.
I also love how Anna Claire still "grooves" every morning on her way to school. Her favorite songs to groove to are Hollaback Girl (she also loves chanting "Nana!" during the part where the spell "banana") and I Gotta Feeling (Kidz Bop versions of both songs).
For those not in the know, "grooving" is AC's signature dance move, where she bobs her head side to side, in sort of a circular motion.
The term grooving was coined by Larry Averitt. Grooving originated approximately six months ago when listening to the theme song to Nick Jr's Little Bill.
I will try to upload a video of the grooving when I can.
Friday, January 14, 2011
We'll miss you, Miss Leah
My heart is heavier today than I anticipated, knowing that today was Miss Leah's last day as Anna Claire's teacher.
I do have total faith in the owners to choose great teachers for our children and already like and trust Anna Claire's new teacher, Miss Ashley, so that is a huge plus. However, it takes time to build the level of trust and communication that I felt we had with Leah.
I felt I could tell or ask Leah anything, and loved that she was always completely honest with us about Anna Claire. She also took the time to tell me funny anecdotes that happened that day, and just made me feel connected to whatever was happening with my little girl in the class that day. More surprisingly, young Leah, almost half my age, has managed to become my friend in a relatively short period time.
Leah wrote a farewell letter to each child's family, and I'd like share an excerpt from the letter she wrote to ours:
I will miss you, Leah. These babies have been well-loved and nurtured, and the end result, for me, is my happy walker, Anna Claire. Thank you for everything and keep in touch!
I do have total faith in the owners to choose great teachers for our children and already like and trust Anna Claire's new teacher, Miss Ashley, so that is a huge plus. However, it takes time to build the level of trust and communication that I felt we had with Leah.
I felt I could tell or ask Leah anything, and loved that she was always completely honest with us about Anna Claire. She also took the time to tell me funny anecdotes that happened that day, and just made me feel connected to whatever was happening with my little girl in the class that day. More surprisingly, young Leah, almost half my age, has managed to become my friend in a relatively short period time.
Leah wrote a farewell letter to each child's family, and I'd like share an excerpt from the letter she wrote to ours:
I cannot even begin to explain how much I am going to miss your little girl. Anna Claire has taught me so much, and has reallly shown me how fast you can falll in love with children....Being able to witness her walk was my only wish I had before I left...seeing her grow up into a toddler has definitely been rewarding and fulfilling.
I will miss you, Leah. These babies have been well-loved and nurtured, and the end result, for me, is my happy walker, Anna Claire. Thank you for everything and keep in touch!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Everything is Night Night.
Teachers at both school and church have commented to me that Anna Claire says "nigh nigh" (night night) all the time. And they would be correct. She does.
I have found though, that "nigh nigh" means many, many different things, and almost never means she's tired. I would say, for one, Anna Claire is most definitely confusing night night for bye bye. I would also say she is personifying inanimate objects, and to her, it can mean something is over.
When credits roll on one of her shows, or when a closing song begins playing, that TV show is "nigh nigh." For example, when the Fresh Beat Band begins to sing "Great Day", they are "nigh nigh".
In the car, when a song is almost over, it is "nigh nigh."
When someone leaves the room or is about to leave the room, they are nigh nigh.
My favorite nigh nigh use is when we are at the doctor's office and Dr. Roads needs to check Anna Claire's ears or nose, which she dislikes, she chants "nigh nigh, nigh nigh, nigh nigh, nigh nigh!" until he is done. Same thing when I have to take her temp. It's too funny.
I have used "nigh nigh" for my own self-serving purposes. For example, when I want her to leave the suction cup fishies alone on the bottom of the tub, I tell her they are nigh nigh. She will reply, "Awww....nigh nigh!" And manuever around them in the bathtub so she does not wake them up. It is SO cute.
Another way this has served us - when we need Anna Claire to put away a toy, all we have to do is tell her it's time for it to go night night. And she's good with it! No tears or power struggle. EVER.
Although we are working with her on understanding the difference between bye bye and night night, I personally love nigh nigh!
I have found though, that "nigh nigh" means many, many different things, and almost never means she's tired. I would say, for one, Anna Claire is most definitely confusing night night for bye bye. I would also say she is personifying inanimate objects, and to her, it can mean something is over.
When credits roll on one of her shows, or when a closing song begins playing, that TV show is "nigh nigh." For example, when the Fresh Beat Band begins to sing "Great Day", they are "nigh nigh".
In the car, when a song is almost over, it is "nigh nigh."
When someone leaves the room or is about to leave the room, they are nigh nigh.
My favorite nigh nigh use is when we are at the doctor's office and Dr. Roads needs to check Anna Claire's ears or nose, which she dislikes, she chants "nigh nigh, nigh nigh, nigh nigh, nigh nigh!" until he is done. Same thing when I have to take her temp. It's too funny.
I have used "nigh nigh" for my own self-serving purposes. For example, when I want her to leave the suction cup fishies alone on the bottom of the tub, I tell her they are nigh nigh. She will reply, "Awww....nigh nigh!" And manuever around them in the bathtub so she does not wake them up. It is SO cute.
Another way this has served us - when we need Anna Claire to put away a toy, all we have to do is tell her it's time for it to go night night. And she's good with it! No tears or power struggle. EVER.
Although we are working with her on understanding the difference between bye bye and night night, I personally love nigh nigh!
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