First Year of Preschool!!

It's amazing to think that another school year has come to an end!!! WOW! Time flies!! On Friday, Addie finished her first year of preschool and what an amazing year it has been for her. In August she was unsure, to put it mildly, about starting this new adventure.  In all honesty we all were.  I remember walking into Open House very, very hesitant about starting preschool.  I pretty much had just about every reason/excuse ready to go about why we should NOT do this (some maybe even a little far fetched:) !!  We walked into her classroom and it was absolutely ADORABLE!!

(Note:  I really should update more often.... I'm putting A LOT of faith in my memory:)

 

Addie walked right over and found the babies.  She sat down on the floor and started playing.  Her teacher, Ms. Steen, sat right down and played with her.  I was all ready to be the crazy mom, BUT Addie was really comfortable and it settled my nerves just a bit! 

....and even back then, Addie showed a little bit of her silly personality! :)

I left Open House feeling a little bit more comfortable about the whole situation!!

The next morning in her pretty dress and little backpack....we were (semi)  ready for the First Day of School!!!

We walked into the classroom and Addie once again started playing..  She seemed really content!  TONS of new, fun stuff to play with.... every 3 year old's dream, right?!

We stayed with her for awhile and then Ms. Sylvia started entertaining her, so we hesitantly snuck out!!!  Matt went to work and Drew and I went to breakfast.  I was SHOCKED at how "ok" she was.  Pleased, but shocked.....

Not too long after that my phone rang...I remember hearing Ms. Steen's voice and my heart sinking.  Apparently Addie wasn't too thrilled with the preschool thing after all.  She was MAD....and one thing about Addie is when she's not happy, she's darn near impossible to console.  I didn't know what to do!! It killed me and right away I KNEW we had made the wrong decision.  I tried to act calm, trust the situation, and try to let her ride it out!!  All her teachers thought I was nuts by that point anyway, so what the heck?! :)  I couldn't wait for time to come to pick her up.  I struggled with sending her back, but everyone else (well maybe not her teachers) thought it was something she needed to get through.  So we did....and she cried....day after day.  Matt took her to school everyday  because there was NO WAY I would have been able to do it.  We would have run off to the beach everyday or something!! 

Before too long it got a little easier.  Everyday got better and better.  Then one day Addie actually wanted to go to school.  I was amazed....and happy!   I'm so glad I didn't listen to myself (just this once anyway) because I couldn't have been more wrong about it all.

Addie had a wonderful first year of preschool!  In my greatest and most hopeful dreams, I couldn't have imagined it any better.  She was blessed with the most fabulous teachers a child could ever have.... after the first few weeks we moved forward and never really looked back.  I never hesitated leaving Addie at school as I knew she was in loving and caring hands.   She has learned and progressed so much in such a short time.  I can't believe how fast this year has gone, but I am so thankful that she has another year of preschool to learn and grow and be loved!! 

This year she has gone from a shy toddler....to a bubbly, sweet, loving, and feisty little girl.  She has conquered some pretty big obstacles this year, but it made my year to see her sitting up with all of her friends at school on the last day of the year.  There were times where I wasn't sure we would get there, but she was there....she made it through and it is all OVER!  All major obstacles out of the way and she will continue to move mountains next year....

With Ms. Juli on her first day back to school after 6 weeks off!!!

She was SO happy to see Ms. Juli and Ms. Karla......

She loves Ms. Kristie (except when she sings:)  OR tries to make her speak!!!!

With "Steen"  as Addie calls her (normally followed by a HUGE smile and giggle)  The other day Drew was asking Addie about her school friends and asked her who her BEST friend was and she immediately smiled and said "Steen" :)  They have a pretty special bond I must say!!!!

 

Ms. Sylvia trying to keep Addie calm as her friends were singing their graduation songs.  Addie wasn't too sure about the whole song thing.....

....but she was definitely all about the cookies afterwards!!!! 

Last day of school.... BOY has she grown!  Love her more and more every single day and am so proud of her... she is the strongest little girl I know and she has had to fight for everything she has and everything she is.  I am so grateful that I am able to sit here today and write this post looking forward to what lies ahead.  Watch out world....this girl is pretty amazing!!!!

Congratulations baby girl on finishing your first year of preschool!!!!! 

Dear Addie,

This week you will celebrate your 4th Birthday! You are going to be FOUR years old. No matter how many times I write it, I can't believe it! It just doesn't seem possible!! Where has the time gone? Four years ago you came into this world as a sweet, innocent, feisty baby and we have watched you develop into a beautiful little girl. You are amazing, Addie! There are so many things I love about you.... so many ways you inspire me and so many things you have taught me in just four years. My life was forever changed on the day I saw you first time.

You have experienced so much more in 4 years than many others experience in a lifetime. Your tiny body has been through so much, yet only the slightest bit of a scar remains. Whatever challenge you have been faced with, you have been determined to fight your way through it...YOUR way! You've challenged every rule book, medical journal and doctor! You keep everyone on their toes.... never knowing exactly what to expect from you. You have fought through the tubes and lines, endless pokes and pricks, countless medications, and pain and discomfort and become a healthy, happy, vibrant girl.

You have always had the most amazing and carefree smile! It's contagious.... when you smile, it seems to make me forget all of my fears and know that everything is going to be okay. I remember many times during your first year of life, while you were sedated and had the breathing tube in, and just when I'd think I was going to break down, you would open your big, brown eyes and flash a nice big smile right through the tubes and wires. It would only last a second, but it would give me so much hope that everything was going to be okay!

You are so strong, Addie. The strongest person I have ever met! Just feeling your strength gives me just enough to get by during the toughest times. I wish everyday that it could be me instead of you.... I wish I could take away all the pain you've ever experienced. But, I can't and I don't think I could ever have as much strength as you have. No matter what the circumstance your strong will shines right through. You never let anyone forget that YOU are in charge.

You are amazingly loving. Whether it's picking you up from school, or just going outside for a minute, I am always greeted with several "mama's" and tons of hugs. It melts my heart EVERY SINGLE TIME! You have a heart of gold. You love so many people and it is impossible not to love you back! You would do just about anything you possibly could to brighten someone else's day. You make your way around a room making sure that everyone gets their share of Addie time!


You LOVE your brother so much.... you like to torture him, and even though he gets mad at you, he loves you very, very much too!

In August you started preschool. I was so nervous to let you go, even for such a short amount of time. You were unsure at first, to say the least. But over the past 8 months you have adjusted nicely and learned to love every second of your time there. You have won the hearts of ALL of your teachers and pretty much have them wrapped around your little finger! You have grown so much and in so many ways since you started school. I'm amazed at the difference in you and know that it was the best decision we've ever made! There is NO doubt that you love "Steen" ....

....and I'm pretty sure she likes you too! :)

Yesterday we celebrated 4 of the most wonderful and amazing years of my life. Four years since we were given an amazing gift. Addie you have taught us all so much during that time. I am a stronger, more patient, more forgiving, more loving person because of you. You have shown me what life is all about. You have taught me the importance of living and enjoying each and every day as there is never a guarantee of tomorrow. You are an inspiration to me.... you smile through the pain and laugh through the tears. You are persistent and have never been defeated. You often take your own course, with plenty of obstacles, but you always win in the end. You are unique, you have your own sense of style and are never afraid to express yourself.... I hope that is something that will never change. You are one very special little girl, Miss Addie, and there will never be anyone else quite like you! I hope you never afraid to be the best you that you can be. You are a miracle... there are so many reasons why you shouldn't still be here, but yet you are.... stronger and more vivacious every single day. You have been so healthy and you never let your disability get in your way.... you walk around with your little heart like you own the world. You aren't afraid to take chances or make mistakes... that inspires me so much and I SO love that about you! You are careful who you let into your world...you are slow to trust at times, but once you've decided you can trust someone, they win a forever place in your amazing heart. You have a great sense of style, a beautiful personality and you make my world a much better place!

This year your birthday is a little bittersweet... This week we will celebrate you and spoil you rotten..... and next week you will embark on your next big journey. The last step in giving you as close to a normal life as possible. You have a rough few weeks ahead of you. I can't even tell you how hard it will be to hand you over to the surgeons and leave you and your life in their hands. But I will stay strong for you, just like you have taught me so well to do. I will hold back the tears and give you a smile that assures you that everything will be okay. Addie, you have taught us all so much, and I believe with everything I have in me, that you still have so much to teach us. You have overcome so much and been cheated out of so much. You deserve to be here.... I need you and there are so many others who need you to help show them what life is all about. So stay strong and fight harder than you've ever fought in your life! You can do this!!

I love you so much baby girl.... I have been so blessed to have you in my life the last 4 years and look forward to many more years with you. You have so many angels looking out for you.... both up in heaven and here on Earth. And always remember that no matter what battle you are fighting you are never, ever alone!

New....

It's a New Year....(okay well a few days into a new year)

Time for....

New Goals
New Experiences
New Obstacles to Overcome...(and some NOT so new, but we will have to get through them anyway!)
New Memories to Make
New Friendships to Grow
New Trips to Look Forward To
New Things to Organize
New Memories to Make
New Fun to be Had
New Decisions to Make and...
....Many New Stories to Share (and I'm really, really going to try to keep up on this blog more)!


I'm looking forward to many things this year has in store for us, nervous about some parts, grateful for so much, and happy to spend a great year with FABULOUS people!!!

HAPPY 2012!!