Thursday, September 24, 2015
Tuesday, September 22, 2015
Our Life in Pictures, Part 1
I take a lot of pictures of the boys. A lot. They are rarely seen by anyone but me, but I thought I'd share some of my favorites from the past few months! Enjoy.
Thursday, September 10, 2015
Sam starts Pre-school
Today Sam had his first day of 3-4 year old preschool!
Since we enrolled him in mid-July, he has gone back and forth between being so excited to being very hesitant, in true Sam form. It always takes him awhile to process new things, but once he is on board with something, it goes so well. I appreciate this little quality about him; it reminds me so much of myself. Change and new things are always really scary to me, but once I get through them the first time, I am ok.
We went to a couple of playdates over the last few weeks with his classmates and teachers before school actually started. He is in a small class - only eight students and he is one of only two boys. The playdates went well - he did great on our first visit and left me easily to follow his teacher for a few minutes to his classroom. Our second visit was a bit more tearful, but he still went easily to his teacher who did a great job encouraging him and making him feel special.
And then today arrived - the first day of school! He was excited to wear his new backpack and even packed his stuffed dog to tag along for the adventure. My aunt and uncle were visiting from Virginia so they offered to watch Everett and Levi for us so Tim and I could take Sam alone.
We were the first ones to arrive (in true Ulbrich fashion). Sam seemed pretty comfortable in the building, although quiet. Finally, his teacher came to collect the students and she quickly greeted Sam. Tim bent down and kissed Sam's head and then Sam looked up and me and choked up and whispered, "Goodbye." I could tell his voice was wavering and tears soon followed. I hugged him tightly and reminded him of our fun evening adventures we had planned to celebrate his first day and then his teacher scooped him up in her arms and off he went.
I think my heart hurt more seeing his face look up and me and witnessing a new emotion in him - bravery. He was trying so hard to be brave and strong. I was proud of him for trying something new and scary and for not crying right away.
For me, the car ride back home was a bit hard. It was settling in that this was all real and that my first born was off on a new adventure - away from me and our home for the first time. Thankfully, his first day was only an hour and a half, so we were soon back on our way to pick him up!
When we got back to school, his teacher came out first and went over what they learned and did during their time which was so helpful. It helped me feel like I was still in control because I want so much to know what that little boy of mine is up to! Sam didn't have much to say on the way home and soon took a nap after we got back. He did, thankfully, open up to me on our car ride later that evening and he was so excited about his day and kept going on and on about everything he did and things he wanted to tell his teachers! As we tucked him in tonight, he asked if he could go to school tomorrow. I'm hopeful for next week when he goes for the full two-and-a-half hours, two times next week.
And here are some photos from our first day ~
Since we enrolled him in mid-July, he has gone back and forth between being so excited to being very hesitant, in true Sam form. It always takes him awhile to process new things, but once he is on board with something, it goes so well. I appreciate this little quality about him; it reminds me so much of myself. Change and new things are always really scary to me, but once I get through them the first time, I am ok.
We went to a couple of playdates over the last few weeks with his classmates and teachers before school actually started. He is in a small class - only eight students and he is one of only two boys. The playdates went well - he did great on our first visit and left me easily to follow his teacher for a few minutes to his classroom. Our second visit was a bit more tearful, but he still went easily to his teacher who did a great job encouraging him and making him feel special.
And then today arrived - the first day of school! He was excited to wear his new backpack and even packed his stuffed dog to tag along for the adventure. My aunt and uncle were visiting from Virginia so they offered to watch Everett and Levi for us so Tim and I could take Sam alone.
We were the first ones to arrive (in true Ulbrich fashion). Sam seemed pretty comfortable in the building, although quiet. Finally, his teacher came to collect the students and she quickly greeted Sam. Tim bent down and kissed Sam's head and then Sam looked up and me and choked up and whispered, "Goodbye." I could tell his voice was wavering and tears soon followed. I hugged him tightly and reminded him of our fun evening adventures we had planned to celebrate his first day and then his teacher scooped him up in her arms and off he went.
I think my heart hurt more seeing his face look up and me and witnessing a new emotion in him - bravery. He was trying so hard to be brave and strong. I was proud of him for trying something new and scary and for not crying right away.
For me, the car ride back home was a bit hard. It was settling in that this was all real and that my first born was off on a new adventure - away from me and our home for the first time. Thankfully, his first day was only an hour and a half, so we were soon back on our way to pick him up!
When we got back to school, his teacher came out first and went over what they learned and did during their time which was so helpful. It helped me feel like I was still in control because I want so much to know what that little boy of mine is up to! Sam didn't have much to say on the way home and soon took a nap after we got back. He did, thankfully, open up to me on our car ride later that evening and he was so excited about his day and kept going on and on about everything he did and things he wanted to tell his teachers! As we tucked him in tonight, he asked if he could go to school tomorrow. I'm hopeful for next week when he goes for the full two-and-a-half hours, two times next week.
And here are some photos from our first day ~
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