Growing on Up

My baby boy is growing up. He is growing up way too fast actually.  I've been having a really hard time with this reality lately. For the last couple of weeks i've been on the brink of tears and have actually had two mini-breakdowns stemming from the reality that he is getting older and that time is not stopping for me to take all of this in.

Gabriel started preschool this monday.  He has moved up from his toddler class where he had strong friendships and two amazing teachers- Cintia & Rachel and has started his preschool class with new friends and another wonderful teacher, Jelena.

Personally, this is a bittersweet change for me as a parent.  Gabriel moving up to preschool symbolizes so much.  I can still remember him as an infant, as if it was yesterday.  His personality and spirit has not changed since the time I used to hold him in my arms and look into his beautiful and telling eyes.  He is still kind, loving, smart and mischievous.  He is still sensitive, deep feeling, and has his old soul.  We still have a very special and deep mother-son bond that is indescribable with words.  It is because of this special bond I have with him that I know how much he loves his toddler team teachers Cintia and Rachel.

Cintia first became his teacher when his old one left.  Gabriel bonded very quickly and deeply with Cintia.  I could tell that he connected with her and that their relationship would build into something important.  The very first day I met Cintia she told me the sweetest things about Gabriel, things that as his mother I  knew and thought as well.  But, it was her quick insight into my sweet little child that made me quickly realize that she authentically loved and cared for my son.  When I would drop him off in the morning, I always left so relieved because I knew he was in the best hands.  She is amazing.  Cintia is from Brazil and she embodies that warm latin american culture that I often miss. I am so grateful that Gabriel was able to have her as a teacher. 

Rachel became his teacher a few months after Cintia's co-teacher was moved to another department.  Rachel was so open and happy about being the new co-teacher, and I think that infectious bright attitude rubbed onto Gabriel.  He also built a quick and sweet bond with Rachel.  He was sure to include her in our conversations at home, and that's how I knew he loved his new teacher.  Gabriel was quick to give her goodbye hugs when he first met her and it was obvious that he felt comfortable around Rachel.  Rachel has been so kind to us and always willing to listen to us talk about the cute things Gabriel does at home.  Both Cintia and Rachel have made a great team together for Gabriel.  I am so grateful for each of them.  They have been such an important part of our lives. We will miss them greatly...good thing they are just down the hallway! 

As the time approached for Gabriel to have his last week with them, I felt so conflicted inside. Sad for Gabriel because I know that transitions in life are hard.  If they are hard for adults, imagine how confusing they must be for a child.  Cintia and Rachel have done a phenomenal job in supporting him in this new and exciting transition.  We also prepared him a lot at home.  His new teacher Jelena has been so awesome, supportive, and collaborative. Together- Gabriel's toddler teachers, his new preschool teacher, and us have really prepared him for this new exciting chapter in his life.  He has been very excited to enter preschool.  He has had a great week of making new friends and getting to know his new classroom.  I will blog about his preschool experience later.  This post is more importantly dedicated to celebrating a part of his life that has been so special to him and us.   

The collection of pictures below showcase a beautiful story.  He celebrates that he is getting older, and the photos embody the special relationships he has with both Cintia and Rachel. Both his teachers took these goodbye pictures of him, and I am continually impressed by them. I am so grateful I have these photographs to show Gabriel when he is older.  He already loves looking at these pictures and talking about his toddler teachers and his friends in the toddler program. 

 Graduating on Up

Gabriel and all of his toddler class friends.  Missing are his friends Arden and Patrick.

Thank you so much Cintia and Rachel for being such beautiful and authentic people.  Gabriel has been so fortunate to have had you in this chapter of his life. He loves you both dearly. 

'Twas The Season...

 

This time of year is so festive and fun. I love the emphasis that is placed on giving, and really strive to stay away from the commercialization that exist around this holiday season. Thus, I focus on the big message of joy and giving.I try to shop locally, and get gifts that will not only give to the people that receive them, but also have a domino effect on others. This isn't possible for everyone I shop (or make gifts) for, but regardless I try to make each gift meaningful, simply because I am giving. The excitement and deep sense of gratification that I experience when finding gifts for my most loved ones is awesome.

This season always reminds me to serve those around me. Especially, since we are in a much more fortunate place than others. When David and I first got married, we talked about the goals we each had for our family. David mentioned he wanted us to be really close with one another, and I said, I wanted us to not only be close but also focus on expending our bonds outwards with other people in need. I've always dreamed of giving to the community alongside my kids. I want to instill in them the importance of giving, without expectations. When Gabriel was born I was so excited to begin this tradition. This was going to be the first year where we were going to directly involve him in an environment where hardcore service was taking place. I signed up for two different events to do together as a family. One would be the toys for tots 5k. I love running, and finding gifts, so it was a perfect combination. My plan was to take Gabriel to the store, have him help me select a gift for another boy and girl. We would donate them at the 5k event, and then run as a family. However, that was a big fail! The last part of my semester was so intense and busy, I barely had a chance to eat or shower. Unfortunately the event fell in the middle of this madness, and it did not work out. I was really disappointed. But since I've been working on not being so hard on myself, I tried to just roll with the punches on that one.

The next event I volunteered for was a brunch that was organized by a local playwright who wanted to put together the very first Christmas brunch for homeless female veterans and their children. I was beyond thrilled to be a part of such a respectable cause. I figured Gabriel could come, and somehow be a part of all the service. The day before the event, we got an email to not bring our families, if at all possible. It seemed like the brunch and other christmas festivities we were throwing were going to be such a big hit with the homeless women veterans, that they were concerned we would not have enough space. This was completely understandable. So I volunteered on my own. It was such an enriching experience. I'm not a person that is big into military, etc (specifically-the ideology behind war and defense). So I especially made the effort to serve a population that often goes unnoticed by me. This was an attempt to build a strong bond and connection with a group of people (the military) that I've never specifically served. Each of these women have a story, and are presently in tough situations. These are also women that have bravely served this country, and have children to support. I was happy to volunteer and help make this brunch a success for them. I loved my experience.

That also leads me to my next thought. This holiday season really is about uniting all of us. Regardless of the different holiday traditions that we adhere to, we are all celebrating something special. I find the two thoughts below so fitting:

"During the holiday season we become aware of our religious identifications. Amid this, let's also be aware of our Oneness identification. As much as you teach your children how to identify more with their religion, at the same time, also teach them to identify as a person-of-this-world - one with all cultures, all traditions, all religions, all peoples." -Dr. Shefali Tsabary

And I want Gabriel to be able to see things this way:

"As we put our christmas tree next to our menorah, my daughter made a video and said, "and today we celebrate Christmas, but tomorrow Hannukah, and then Purim and then Easter and Diwali. Different festivals, but same cast of characters." We are of One identity. -Dr. Shefali Tsabary

This season was filled with both thoughtfulness, service, and fun. Below are some pictures of what we got into:

           Celebrating my brother and sisters birthdays!

And then we travelled to San Diego for Christmas and had fun at the beach, sea world, and riding around San Diego. Such a beautiful place, and a great time with Dave's parents:

Home

It's January 4th and I'm finally feeling like I am on my semesters break. I only have 10 days left and I'm planning on taking in every moment. Everything was so busy right after I finished my semester a few weeks ago, that I finally feel like I'm in a rested state.

Since I've been on break I've been keeping Gabriel mostly at home. I love it so much. I really miss being a stay at home mom and have still not gotten used to the idea that I'm not at home with Gabriel all the time. I have loved my journey in grad school but it's so intense and this past semester has left me nostalgic of my stay at home mom days. Today was one of those days that I've been especially grateful to be on break. I've loved on my Gabriel all day long. At this moment he is napping on me while I blog via my phone.

I just needed to dedicate a blog post to my gratitude over the very special spirit David and I have. He brightens my day every day. He melts me with his sweetness and big brown eyes. He has taught me so much about unconditional love. Words can't express the deep love and connection Gabriel and I have. Best way to describe it is that he is my baby soulmate. I see so much of myself in him, yet he is an individual...apart from me. Because of this, I understand Gabriel in ways no other person ever will, and vice versa. I don't take any of his smiles, tears, or hugs for granted.

Every minute of the day I am grateful and fortunate to be his mama. I love the two quotes below:

"A mother's love for her child is like nothing else in the world. It knows no law, no pity, it dares all things and crushes down remorselessly all that stands in its path." -Agatha Christie

"Of all the rights of women, the greatest is to be a mother." -Lin Yutang

Happy new years everyone! I start 2012 with my renewed appreciation for motherhood and love. I will blog about the holidays later this week.

Sleeping on me while I blog