1st grade to date

First grade is going so well compared to where we were this time last year. The teacher has only called once to talk about some things that have happened during the day. Other than that, no calls from the counselor, the principal, etc. It really is amazing the difference a year makes. Austin's not only grown physically but he's matured as well. We've noticed in the last few weeks and months that he's verbalizing his feelings more instead of impulsively hitting something or someone. This is much improved over last year.

We are so proud of Austin and how far he's come in a year's time!

There's a bird on your head!

Well, not really. This week, Austin's class was reading Don't Let the Pigeon Drive The Bus. Austin's always loved that book and thought it was just hilarious. His class did all sorts of things based on the book. One of which Austin saying that he said to not let his pigeon go on WipeOut. They colored a pigeon, made a "nest" and tied the whole thing to their heads.

Poop in the potty

Andrew pooped in the potty for the first time tonight! We've been working at home and at school on potty training and Andrew was so excited to get into pull-ups. Andrew is doing well with peeing on the potty but was having trouble with pooping. Tonight was the night! So sad that we get so excited about something so simple as going poop in the potty. It's a huge milestone!

1st day of first grade

Austin is officially a 1st grader! We met with Austin's teacher on Friday afternoon. Luckily, Gene, Austin, and I had already met her last fall when her husband took some family pictures of us. From then on, Austin would go by and visit her and give her hugs. We are so thankful that Austin was placed with a teacher he already knew!

On Thursday night, Austin asked me if his new class would go to the library or play outside. I told him that he could ask Mrs. Fehler on Friday. So, when we went to her classroom, he asked his questions, got the answers, and started looking around and playing with Legos and marbles. He did some assessments to see where he was and luckily he was right where he left off from the end of last year.

We went to the official meet the teacher on Monday afternoon. There weren't a ton of people there which was good. Austin played with Legos (again) with another little boy.

Today, Austin was so excited to go to school. He said his favorite part of the day was playing with Legos and his favorite part of after school was snack and lemonade. We read his 2 books and I signed his agenda saying that we read the books.

We have high hopes for this year! We're praying all goes well!

Surprise, surprise, surprise!

Well, the Fambrough family will be expanding by 1 in March 2011. Yes, we are expecting #3! We weren't planning on having another baby and it's thrown us for a loop. But we're adjusting to the thought of being a family of 5. We told Austin over the weekend and he's hoping for a girl probably because he thinks that a girl wouldn't play with his stuff like Andrew does.

So far, I'm feeling gross. There's no other way to put it. The first trimester has always been rough for me. I'm waiting on 12 weeks to be here and the sickness to be over!

Vacation 2010

Since the oil spill in the Gulf, we decided to try something different this year other than going to the beach. We took our trip late in the summer and we just weren't sure what state the beaches or the water would be in. We went to a nearby lake and rented a house. Overall, it was OK. It really was a nice place. But we took too long a trip there. It's more like a 3 day trip place.

On Sunday morning, we went to the lake and got on the paddle boats until the pool opened. We spent most of the day at the pool. On Monday, the kids didn't want to go to the pool in the morning so we went to the Gadsden Imagination Place. The kids had fun there and it killed some time inside since it was so hot outside. On Tuesday, we went to Noccallula Falls and played putt putt. Wednesday we hung around the pool and Thursday we went to Chick Fil A for lunch and to let the kids play inside. By Friday, we were done and ready to come home.

What about Baby Andrew?

It seems I've been posting a lot about Austin lately and not so much about Andrew. Austin's had a lot going on these days!

We ordered the headboard for Andrew's big boy bed yesterday. He's quickly outgrowing his crib. With the 5 stuffed animals, 2 blankets, one snuggly, and one pillow all in the crib plus Andrew, he doesn't have much room to move around. We're going to be making the transition to big boy bed, hopefully, in the next few days. Austin didn't have trouble moving from crib to big bed, but I have a feeling that Andrew will be different. He'll be the one that gets up and wanders around.

Other than that, not much to report on 'Drew Baby. He's saying all sorts of words and has started saying 4-5 word sentences. This morning I went to his room to get him up and he said "I calling for you Mommy." It's amazing how smart he is.

Who's going to be my Mommy when I grow up?

On the way to summer camp this morning, I had the most interesting and grown up conversation to date with Austin. He asked me "Who's going to be my Mommy when I grow up?" I told him that I would always be his Mommy no matter how big he gets. He said, "No. Who's going to be my Mommy when I grow up?" After a series of clarifying questions, I finally figured out that Austin was asking...who was going to be his wife when he grows up (and his "Mommy").

So, I tried to explain that before Mommy and Daddy got married Daddy was my boyfriend and Mommy was Daddy's girlfriend. Then, I said that after we got married I was Daddy's wife and Daddy was my husband. When you have a baby, you become a Mommy and a Daddy. Austin thought about it for a minute and said "So, I have to find her?" I told him yes, he would have to find her. But he had to find someone he liked a lot and loved a lot because he had to live with her for the rest of his life!

He has blonde skin like me

We've never had a conversation with Austin about why people look different from one another. It's never been something that has been brought up by us or by him. Austin is observant of someone being a boy or a girl or having brown or blonde hair. But not the color of their skin.

Austin had a rough week this week at summer camp. Until now, things have been good behavior wise. This week, Austin hit someone, with his hands and lunch box, and threw other camper's things. One day, Austin came home very upset saying that the counselor had called him a troublemaker. Of course, I was upset by this and called the director of the program.

I asked Austin what the counselor looked like. He said "He had blonde skin like me, was stretched out, and skinny." It was just so funny and so innocent how Austin described the counselor.

2 teeth in 3 days

Austin's had two loose teeth for a month or so. We've been just waiting on them to come out. On Tuesday, he lost the first one. Today, he lost the second one. The tooth fairy must like our house to visit twice in one week!

Summer fun

We've had a great time so far this summer despite the usual Alabama heat and humidity. It has come on with a vengence over the last week or so.

Austin caught his first lightening bugs. He was thrilled. We caught 4 and he kept them in his room for a little while before sending them downstairs for the night.

We've had fun in our blow up pool perfect for hot summer days!

We had a pool party with Ella this weekend. The kids had tons of fun!

Reflections on Kindergarten (and us)

Kindergarten ended today. This school year has so many ups and downs. If someone would have told me a year ago that kindergarten would be so hard, I wouldn't have believed them. On one hand, it's very sad to see this year end. Austin will be going into 1st grade, a grade with a number. Never again will he be in a letter grade or a cute class name like Ladybug or Butterfly. On the other hand, thank GOD this year has ended.

This time last year Austin was ready to go to kindergarten. He was excited and asked me every day when it would start and when he could ride the bus. We had such high hopes for Austin's kindergarten year. We knew he'd impress everyone with his brilliance and just knew he'd make friends easily.

Starting kindergarten was rough to say the least. Almost immediately, Austin started having problems. At first, it was just the transition from a familiar place with familiar faces to a place where he didn't know anything or anyone. Of course there would be a period of transition, of him learning the ropes. We knew that. But things didn't get better, after one week, two weeks, three weeks. Within the first week, Austin was sent to the principal's office, timeout, the counselor, and the teacher was calling us. We were having conferences and felt that we were having to defend Austin (and ourselves) against the school. They weren't challenging him enough, we said, which was true at the time. Austin's a very smart kid and retains a lot of information. If the teacher was giving him a circle to color, he'd have none of this. He enjoys reading encyclopedias at home and books about weather. Plus, he's already colored a circle in preschool.

And, our request wasn't granted when we asked for a teacher who would be firm with Austin. We got a 20-something, cute blonde and very sweet teacher. Maybe this was the issue. Had he been placed in another class, we wouldn't have these problems.

We were convinced that this wasn't the real Austin they were seeing. Austin's a kind, thoughtful kid. There was no way that he'd spit on someone or squirt ketchup in their face or throw rocks at someone or punch someone. Just no way. There were timeouts daily, spankings, privileges taken away, and Austin didn't seem to care. The next day at school it was the same old story. A phone call from the school saying Austin had done this or said that. Now, Austin was marked as the kid that would misbehave, be sent to the principal's office, be written up for something so minor that back in the day a teacher would handle themselves in the classroom.

By October, we finally talked to the pediatrician who referred us to a psychologist. We, along with the teacher, filled out questionnaires about Austin. No surprise that the answers were totally different. The psychologist went to the school and observed Austin and his interactions with his peers and his teacher. At that point, he hadn't made many friends because of his behavior; he'd make other kids uncomfortable with the way he'd play.

We knew ADHD would be the diagnosis before it was even said. We've denied it for a long time but I think we've known all along. From the time that Austin was a toddler, he was so much more active than other toddlers. He'd never sit down long enough to color or paint. The longest he'd sit still was to read a book. He'd get frustrated very easily at not being able to complete a fairly simple task and would get distracted and wander around. He was impulsive, never linking actions with consequences. We'd always review the rules and he'd repeat them but then break one immediately.

After meds were started, we saw changes at school. We started a behavior plan with the school and in combination with the meds, everything was rocking along. Christmas break came and went and with the starting of school started the behaviors all over again. The teacher even asked if we'd changed or discontinued his meds and we hadn't. At Austin's 6 year check up, we talked to the pediatrician again and increased his meds. When we saw how Austin reacted, we backed down and started seeing the psychologist again.

We came to realize that we had to change ourselves and our reactions to Austin and his behavior in order for him to change and feel good about himself. So, we started changing things at home. And changing his diet. It couldn't hurt, right? Changing his diet and our discipline has made Austin happier and our home happier. Who would have thought that cutting out artificial colors and changing to organic produce would make that much of a difference!

The end of the year has been far better than the beginning. Hindsight being what it is, Austin's teacher was exactly what he needed to make the transition to elementary school. She was creative and loving and patient. She taught him a lot about shapes and reading and math which he loves. Austin is already missing her.

We've learned a lot about our Austin and ourselves and our family. We just expected things to go perfectly because that's just how it's supposed to go, right? There were many things that went wrong this year. But there was a lot that was right about this year. Austin has gotten the help that he needs to be successful in school. We have learned how to be better parents, the kind that Austin needs. Austin made some new friends. Austin had his first girlfriend and his first crush. Austin learned how to read. Austin learned how to do simple math. Austin learned about cones and cylinders and prisms. And Austin had a great time at school. Sure, things weren't exactly as we expected. But things turned out exactly as they should.

2 for real loose teeth

I've been waiting on Austin's two bottom middle teeth to start wiggling for a while. Austin always cut his teeth on time (according to the books) and I knew he'd start loosing them on time too. Tonight, Austin said his tooth hurt and I asked him which one. He pointed to the bottom middle tooth and I pushed my finger against it. It wiggled! And it wasn't only one; it was two! We totally weren't prepared for the first lost tooth so it's nice to know that we'll have a little while before these fall out on their own. But he will be going to the dentist next week for his 6 month cleaning so we'll see what Dr. Mike has to say.

Austin was thrilled though to think that he has loose teeth. I, on the other hand, am not so thrilled. Yet another symbol of his growing up. And the thought of pulling a tooth terrifies me. I don't know if I'll be able to do it like my Mom did back in the day. Austin may be making a trip to Nonna's house to get teeth pulled!

Where did the moon go?

Every day Gene and I are amazed at how many words Andrew knows. And how he puts words together to form sentences. Today, on the way home, the moon was in the sky. Andrew said "Mommy, moon in air!" I said "Yes, it is the moon." When we'd go around a curve or turn, the moon would go behind us. Andrew said "Mommy, where'd moon go?" Then when the moon would come back where he could see it, he'd say "There moon is!"

2 year check up

Andrew had his 2 year check up today. Luckily, no shots! Hooray! Andrew weighed almost 30 pounds and was around 36 inches tall. I reason I say "almost" and "around" is because he jumped up and down on the scale and wouldn't hold still. And when they tried to get him to stand with his heels and back against the wall to get his height, he kept turning around to see what the nurse was doing.

Andrew's in the 90th percentile for height and 75th percentile for weight. He has 3 skin issues. He's got eczema which he's always had. He also has folliculitis (a skin infection) and mollescum (a viral infection). We got a cream for the folliculitis but the mollescum will take 12-18 months to get over.

Overall, a good report from Dr. Hamm. Andrew impressed him with his behavioral development and his speech. He's such a smart little boy!

Steel band at DVES

Gene took UAB's steel band to Deer Valley. They played two "concerts," one for K-2nd grade and one for 3rd-5th grade. The kids had a blast! And Gene said that they were the loudest crowd they've ever had for a performance.

Party #2

Andrew's 2nd party was mostly with family. Everyone had a good time and enjoyed the new backyard! Thanks everyone for coming and celebrating with us!

Silly Papa and Uncle Dog

Birthday parties

There is another child in Andrew's class that was born on May 13th and one that was born on May 14th. The other mothers and I decided to have a joint birthday party instead of 3 separate ones. It worked out great! And the kids had a good time too. They all managed to keep their party hats on which was so surprising. Of course, Austin had to come to the party too!

Patiently waiting for the party to start

Smiling for the camera

Andrew is 2!

Andrew is two years old today! I can hardly believe that he's a toddler and not a baby anymore. You are such a sweet and smart boy. You love to read books and you're favorites are Knuffle Bunny, My World, and Goodnight Moon. You've also discovered Cookie Monster and love to pretend to eat cookies like him!

You're favorite shows are Yo Gabba Gabba and the Backyardigans. You're favorite characters are Pablo and Tyrone, but you call Tyrone Tatoo. You dance to the songs they sing and even know some of the words to the songs and sing them yourself!

You love to go outside and play. You love balls, soccer balls mostly. You throw them up in the air and kick them around. You like your lawnmower too and you cut the grass. And you love to swing and do the see saw.

You love your brother, Austin, and want to do everything he does. This is a good and a bad thing. It makes Mommy and Daddy so happy to see how loving you boys are together. But you two get into trouble too. For the most part, you get along well, unless there's something you both want to play with at the same time.

You can count to 13 and you know colors and some letters! I'm amazed at how smart you are! You speak in sentences and you tell Mommy and Daddy what you want with your words.

May 13, 2008

6 Months Old

May 13, 2009 (1 year old)

18 Months Old

May 13, 2010 (2 years old)

Kids in the country

About a month ago, the kids went to spend nights with Nonna and Papa. They had a great time! Austin went fishing with Papa and caught 3 fish!

Andrew "helped" Papa in the garden!