Cha-cha-changes

The summer is almost over and it has been a full one--full of changes for our family and especially the boys.

We started potty training in June and it is going really well. We have been having *less* accidents lately. Micah is doing really well. I think Benji has a pea sized bladder and that accounts for his more frequent accidents.

We switched the boys to toddler beds about a month ago. I was TERRIFIED of doing this and had put it off for months even though the boys were well over 2 and Micah was skilled as a climber. I was afraid of the boys never napping again once they had the whole room at their disposal or that they would climb the walls at night and wreck havoc while we were asleep. But overall, the transition as been really smooth. The boys LOVE their toddler beds (we just took the front off of their convertible cribs). We rearranged their room to make things a little safer (mostly to ease my mind) and finally put up some decorations so their room looks adorable now. We only had a few nights where we had to put them to bed twice (or five) times and now they are fully transitioned. And they continue to take their 3 hour nap in the afternoon. Thank you God. The only down side has been that they are getting up a lot earlier in the morning and then coming into  my room all happy and chipper to wake up their very groggy mommy.

Our final BIG change is coming in a few weeks. We have enrolled the boys in a full-time Early Learning Center for the fall. They start on August 23rd. The ELC is at our church so they are already really familiar with the setting. They will be going 5 days a week from 8-5. I am sad just writing that. But we know (hope?) that while I am finishing up grad school this is the best option for us. Having both boys in the ELC is actually cheaper than having our two nannies last semester so I will actually be able to take home a little bit (about $100) of my pay check each month instead of paying $200+ in addition to my entire monthly pay.

I think the boys will love preschool once they get used to the schedule. They love learning and making friends and I know they will be able to do so many more cool activities than we are able to do at home.

It is such a struggle as a SAHM to balance what one of my friends once called "being" and "doing" as a mom. "Being" meaning being a mommy--playing, reading, teaching, loving. The "doing" seems to take up so much more of my day--cleaning, cooking, cleaning up messes, potty training, paying bills, laundry, etc. etc. etc. Sigh. It is so hard to find that balance between spending qualities time with my kids, keep up with the house, taking care of myself (eating and showering, anyone? Exercise is pretty much impossible), and stealing a few moments for myself (e-mail, facebook, sewing).

So, I think (hope?) that the ELC will be good for me too. I know (again, hope?) that I will be able to take care of myself and the house and get my school work and teaching work done more efficiently in the time I do have at home while the boys are at school. I think I will be fighting guilt a lot though.

Like a said, big changes for us this summer. And even more coming up this fall.