Category: Phase 3 of X

Many phases exist in life. Strictly speaking on the subject of family, I consider infancy Phase 1 and toddler hood is Phase 2. Once kids start school, parents enter Phase 3. How many Phases in parenthood? Who knows. But, I am going to talk about my experience within these phases.

Memories and Classic Books

~ Lenore Diane ~ Leave a comment
Two Girls Having Coffee, By Julian Bailey

I went to dinner with a friend, and we talked about how our kids are entering new phases in life. First, my son starts going to school Aug 2nd. And second, and more monumental, both my friend’s daughter and my boss’ daughter recently became card carrying members of the ‘monthly’ club. With that, my friend and I began to talk about when we became members of the ‘monthly’ club. We thought it was funny because we remembered the where and when we started. And, we both assumed most women remembered their where and when.

My friend and I continued walking down memory lane, recalling more memories of our own childhood and young adulthood. (No worries, Friend, I have no plans of telling our tales. Though, seriously, I am still laughing about ‘fish eyes‘ and blushing as I remember J – um, anywho…) Suffice it to say, I am amazed I am alive today. And, due to some of my past experiences, I am amazed my emotional/mental issues aren’t more intense.

Our conversation changed from memories to books, with my friend telling me about a book she read and really enjoyed. The book was written by Judy Blume. And as soon as she said ‘Judy Blume’ I flashed back to all the Judy Blume books from our childhood: Deenie, Iggie’s House, Blubber, Are you there God? It’s me Maragaret, etc. And, I remembered one Summer when my cousin and I flipped through the pages of Judy Blume’s book ‘Wifey‘. My cousin and I heard there were some steamy sex scenes in ‘Wifey‘, so we would sneak into her parents’ bedroom searching through her Mom’s copy of the book. Ah, adolescence.

After meeting with my friend, I made a point to go to the library and check out the book she recommended, ‘Summer Sisters‘. I took my boys with me, so they could pick out new books. My youngest, who just randomly pulls books off the shelf, handed me a copy of a Hardy Boys mystery. I explained to my 4yr old that the book he picked was too old for him, and I put the book back on the shelf.

Suddenly, I started to get excited. Again, Judy Blume’s books for a younger audience popped into my head, and I found myself wanting to read the books again. Adolescence was going to find me again, through my boys. Why not jog my brain with books from the past? In fact, I think reading some Hardy Boys books to the boys would be fun  . . . in a year or two.

I know there are newer books out there, similar to Hardy Boys and Blubber, but I am hoping my kids will explore the ‘classics’, too. Who knows, I may start reading the ‘Fudge’ series to my boys in the next couple of weeks. Why not let them hear the ‘Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing‘? I’m sure as heck not going to tell them the tales of my youth, well – not all the tales.

Laundry and Notes

~ Lenore Diane ~ Leave a comment

So, I am realizing two more components to Phase 3 (when kids begin school) includes an increase in laundry and notes.

When my boys were first born, we received countless outfits from friends and family. Because my boys had such a large wardrobe, I didn’t have to do laundry more than once a week. And, life pretty much consisted of changing diapers, nursing and napping. I was not overly active, during the first 12 months of my boys’ life.

Today? Well, the boys have fewer clothes, as the baby gifts are a thing of the past. The boys are also more active than their pooping, napping and nursing days. Having to change their clothes more than once a day is not uncommon, due to playing in the mud, water, etc. And, due to the smaller wardrobe, laundry is done at least twice a week.

In addition to an increase in activity for my boys, my activity level has increased. My paid gig keeps me busy, as does tending to the boys, tending to Rob, keeping house, etc. Today, while starting the third load of laundry, I realized I had notes scattered throughout the house. Little reminders here and there, helping me to keep from forgetting what tasks I have to tackle.

Call prospects for paid gig. Check paid invoices for paid gig. Get bday card for Dalton. Order cakes from Brusters. Pay bills. Mail insurance paperwork. Pick up flea/tick meds from vet. The 3×3 notes are everywhere. Sadly, these lists don’t ensure proper processing. After I dropped the boys off this morning, my first task was to go to the grocery store (list in hand). And now, I realize I forgot to buy something that was written on the list, which means I am creating a new note, reminding me not to forget what I forgot this morning.

Now, please excuse me. The bedsheets are dry, so I need to move what is in the washing machine into the dryer, and add another load to the washer. Then I need to make the boys’ beds. First, I had better write the note about what I forgot this morning. What was it again? Don’t hate me because of my glamorous life.

Swim Little Fishies

~ Lenore Diane ~ 1 Comment

I love Infant Swimming Resource (ISR). More importantly, my boys love ISR. Well, my boys love it after a day or two; initially, they didn’t much like going under water.

We have an in-ground pool in our backyard, and the boys have been in our pool several times. Though, last year, we decided to close the pool for good, because it was too expensive for us to maintain. Anyway, backyard pool or neighborhood pool, accidents can happen. Making sure the boys took swim lessons was important to me. See, when I was a little over 1yr old, I fell in our family pool. My Mom, who just stepped away for a second, heard the splash and came running out to find me at the bottom of the pool. She pulled me out, and well – clearly I am fine. OK, whether I am ‘fine’ may be debatable, but I am alive and well.

When I am around pools with my boys, I want to be confident they know how to swim to the side of the pool and get themselves out of the pool. I knew of YMCA swimming lessons, as well as a local aquatic center near our house. Still, I asked friends for other referrals. I was interested in finding out about one-on-one lessons. My friend, Andrea, mentioned ISR. She had her daughter take lessons through the program. After accessing the website, I checked to see if there were any ISR teachers in my area. And sure enough, I found someone who was close enough to take the boys.

Of course, I found this woman late last year, after outdoor swimming lessons season. Even with no lessons, we still enjoyed the pool and our trip to the shore. However, the boys were in their life vests at all times. I was excited when Michelle contacted me in February, letting me know she was starting to schedule swimming lessons this year. I felt like a little kid, as I anxiously awaited for the last week of April and the first week of swimming lessons.

Our first week of swimming lessons has been so much fun. As I said earlier, Joe and Charlie were a bit hesitant at first, especially when instructed to go under the water. But, with each passing day, the boys have done better and better. By Wednesday, Joe was eager to go under, swim to the steps and float on his back. Though Charlie cried when getting in the pool, he quickly calmed down and was smiling as he swam to the steps and floated on his back. My husband took the boys to swim lessons today, so I could head to my boss’ house. I hate that I had to miss even one lesson. Rob said that both Joe and Charlie were eager to get in the pool and swim. Charlie did not shed a single tear. (I am sorry I missed it.)

One of the most amazing parts of taking the boys to their swimming lessons is seeing the infants learn to swim. Joe and Charlie are 5yrs and 3 1/2 years old. The little girl who has her lesson before the boys is only 14 months old. And, the little boy who has his lesson after the boys is around 6 months old. And, when Michelle puts these ‘babies’ in the pool, it is incredible to see their natural swimming instinct kick into gear. I watched as these two babies literally moved their arms and kicked their legs in order to get to the steps. Amazing.

If you have little ones and have considered swimming lessons for your little ones, I strongly recommend you look into an ISR certified trainer/teacher. You’ll be amazed, and your little one(s) will become pool and swim safe.  I am finding this to be a great and fun moment in the boys’ life, and I look forward to taking them to their lesson tomorrow.