First Day of Kindergarten

Savannah's first day of Kindergarten was a success. She woke up ready for school. Even I was ready to drop her off and see the school in action. Monday and Tuesdays were half days which made for an easy transition. Going forward, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are full days and Tuesdays and Thursdays are optional half days. Wouldn't you know that we are the only family planning on picking our child up early on the half days. It really surprises me. The full days seem sooooo long. Even Savannah said she that she asked her teacher how many more hours were left in her day. It was the hardest drop off yet. I can't stand leaving Savannah in someone else's hands for seven hours.

It has been nice walking Savannah up to the school each morning. I stay until her line walks to her classroom. It is a small school with only 100 students which makes it feel familiar and safe. Teacher Michelle is standing out in the school yard each morning when we arrive which makes Savannah feel right at home.

There are some pretty strong personalities in Savannah's class that are going to give Teacher Michelle a run for her money. I am concerned about how this dynamic may effect the class but Savannah doesn't seem to mind. She lets me know if anyone misbehaves which has always been boys (????) thus far. Oddly, Savannah told me that she sits at the table with all boys sometimes because, "I don't really care where I sit Mommy. It is no big deal." It appears that Savannah is growing up and able to handle loud and chaotic behavior from others. I am completely floored that she is happy to sit down at a table full of boys.

I think West Chester Friends is a wonderful and small community of fantastic people. We are excited to go to an all school picnic tomorrow and meet other families. I am already getting to know some parents of Savannah's classmates. I feel that we have made a good decision for Savannah while at the same time recognizing that there isn't a perfect school.




An afternoon snuggle turned into an afternoon nap. I guess this shows me that she still needs some afternoons at home.

Off to Kindergarten

This weekend has been all about Savannah. I just can't believe that she is going to Kindergarten tomorrow. We wanted to make her feel extra special, deeply loved, and fully supported so Alex and I booked a night in Philly with just our big girl.

Before heading out, we took Savannah to meet Teacher Michelle who will be her Kindergarten teacher at West Chester Friends. At a later date, I will provide the details that surrounded our decision of sending Savannah to private school, but for now, I have my fingers crossed that this is the perfect school for our sweet, kind, and academic girl.

After spending a heavenly weekend with Savannah, I am in awe of how amazing she truly is. (I am a teary mess and am going to try to get my thoughts down here but there isn't a guarantee that it will make sense.) Never in a million years did I dream of Savannah when pregnant. I guess I didn't know that Savannahs existed. This child is remarkably kind, sensitive of other's feelings, and bright. She is everything I would have I would have chosen if choosing was an option. Never once have I seen defiance or a tantrum - honest to goodness! She was our rock when the twins were in the NICU and has continued to carry me through hard times. Over the past two years, Savannah has become my best friend. Without Daddy to see us through our days, Savannah and I have become extremely close. She tells me at least ten times a day that she loves me and feels lucky to have me as her mother. I try to explain that raising her is an honor but know that she won't quite get it until she, herself, is a mother.

I remember the first time held Savannah. It was a few hours after I had her via c-section. While laying there in the OR and looking at this baby across the way, I was filled with confusion. There wasn't a bond, a touch, or any connection. Two hours later Alex handed her to me and I pressed her up against my cheek. We stayed like that for quite awhile. It was that first touch that made me a Mommy. Her touch is imprinted on my cheek and I can still feel it to this day. I always tell Savannah that she is my dream come true. I always dreamed of becoming a mother and after long and difficult road, Savannah made that dream a reality.

So how do I send this amazing little girl off to Kindergarten? I'm not quite sure. I tucked her into bed to night and read her a tearful version of The Kissing Hand. As tears streamed down my cheeks I realized that I needed a kissing hand more than she. Our girl is ready for Kindergarten and excited about her new teacher, friends, and school. I don't see tears, fear, or apprehension. I am the one with the void and tears. For tomorrow, I will bravely walk her to her classroom door, kiss her goodbye and pray that Teacher Michelle recognizes Savannah's many gifts. This is yet one more step of letting go.

Lila's First Day of School

Lila started her first day at The Brandywine School of Early Learning. I was expecting lots of tears accompanied by a death grip but was pleasantly surprised.

She had no interest in leaving the house this morning. She would have rather stayed nestled on Grandpa's lap counting his money. I eventually convinced her to come outside for pictures which seemed to lift her spirits about school.

Lila was the last classmate to arrive. I have learned that dropping in all of the chaos on the first day just adds to the stress. There wasn't a tear to be found in her classroom of 14 kids. Once entering the classroom she was asking, "Hold you me, Mommy." That is her version of, "Hold me please." I asked her to find her name and hang her backpack up but she wasn't going to do it. She was also expected to find her name tag and put it in the attendance basket. She was rather annoyed by all of these requests and flicked the little die cut school house with her name on it on the ground. I then told her she had to be nice which resulted in her picking it up and placing it in the proper spot. I snuck out while she sat at the table with Mrs. Jones and a few other classmates to begin a pattern block activity. It was a day of no tears.

It is very hard to believe that I did this same walk with Savannah three years ago. Not only were my emotions running high due to sending my first child off to preschool but I was frazzled, new, NICU mom. I can't stress enough how lucky we are. Three years ago we were asking questions such as, "Will our girls walk and talk?" or "Is there a chance that our girls will go to a mainstream school?" I think Lila Grace is an amazing success story. She walked into school like any other typical child this morning. I don't think the parents would have any idea of her background. Of course the school staff knows as they were part of our support community when the girls were born. I had a tear in my eye when Mrs. Sweeney saw me walk Lila down the hallway. She exclaimed "I can't believe her turn has come. Look at her!" I agree, just look at my girl!!

Daddy's Helper

As fall is upon us, I tend to get weepy over the littlest things. It seems like the NICU was a bad dream at times but lately, the girls have catapulted my thoughts back into our lives three years ago. I think it is because they are the age Savannah was when the they were born. So many of the activities, things they say and facial expressions remind of Savannah when she was three. Of course, Savannah's third year of life was really defined by us trying to juggle spending time with her and visiting the NICU. What a blessing it is to have the twins turn three and not be consumed by paralyzing fear and grief. That is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to blessings. Who would have thought that my little Lila Grace, who three years ago was the one with her hazy lungs up on the x-ray monitor when entering the NICU (a privilege only given to the baby with the worst lung function of the day), would be hoofin' it behind her daddy in the back yard?

Turning 6 Too Soon (literally)

Savannah celebrated an early 6th birthday at my parent's house. I tried to convince her that she would be 5 again but she had no interest in my line of thinking. How is she this old? We have finally moved away from Elmo, she still wanted to wear the Elmo hat, and surprisingly has taken to Barbie. Yes, this is the same girl who never has played with dolls until recently. I ordered a Barbie ice cream cake (I am still rather shocked that I did this since I have avoided Barbie like the plague for my entire life). Uncle Adam and family were there to celebrate as well as the females of the Dion-Lamont clan. It was quite festive considering it was a last minute thought.


Lila Grace, eloquently serenaded Savannah with a Happy Birthday song. Very, very sweet! I love the picture.


"Look Mommy, I get real presents on my early birthday!"
Finally, some time to enjoy her gifts.

Savannah's Pool Time

Savannah spent every day in the pool while at Grammy and Papa's. She became quite the swimmer. To our surprise, she could go down the water slides independently and swim to the side of the pool (it was over her head). She also overcame her apprehension of jumping into 10' deep water. Don't know how this differs from 5' but obviously the psychology of the two is not the same. Savannah geared herself up and jumped right in. By her second day in the deep end with daddy, she was trying to dive.



The 10' jump






I am very proud of all of her progress but I am even more happy that the fear of water is no longer a factor. The water is finally her element!

Water Slides

Our girls loved the water slides at Grammy and Papa's. This year they were very apprehensive to go down them which resulted in us just taking them up the stairs kicking knowing full well that they would thank us for it later. That they did. We were such pros by our last day that Alex and I were able to time a simultaneous water entry. Well, almost.