Alysa hit a very big milestone this week. She is officially off the Bottle. For a while now, she has had very little interest in it. She was only on 2 bottles a day and it would take a good hour t get the whole thing in her. Kayla didn’t start holding the bottle herself until we started to transition her to a cup at a year. Well, Alysa is apparently more independent and started in September. So we had to lay her on the floor for her to drink her bottle. But she wanted to get up and walk around. So she would be walking around sucking on the bottle, but holding it like it’s her straw cup, so she was getting nothing out of it. So Friday, I just didn’t give her a bottle. She was perfectly content to take that hour b4 her afternoon nap and b4 bed walking around with her cup. So Wala! No more bottle. She takes a few ounces less, but I know that will build up as she gets more adjusted. But it is less of a struggle now.

It’s both exciting and very sad for me to say that I have mailed out the application and deposit for Kayla’s Montessori School. I am always excited to welcome each new phase and stage of her life and development. But I can honestly say I am not ready for her to go off to school. She’s getting so big. Ok, granted, we have 10 months left. But still… It’s now set in stone. My Baby is growing up.

And of course, all of this is compounded by her Dairy Allergy. It’s terrifying to let her off into the world w/o me following her around to make sure she comes in contact with NO dairy. But I feel confident that this school will take it seriously. There will be a meeting closer to the start with the Director and teachers. They will need to know ALL the details of what can/can’t be done, etc. But they seem to be “on the ball” and from the discussions I’ve had with the Director, I’m comfortable that they take it seriously. So there will be nothing left for us to do, but jump in with both feet. We will give them all the tools they need to keep her safe and will trust in their ability unless they show us otherwise. And of course, our fingers are crossed that she will outgrow this despicable allergy b4 she starts preschool.

We are excited she’ll be going to a Montessori school. It is what I always planned for my kids. Jerome, not so much – but the whole idea of preschool is new to him. But he’s learning about the Montessori Philosophy and I know he will see the wonderful benefits of it first-hand as Kayla’s independence and learning capabilities blossom there.

They are growing up so fast and I'm not sure we're ready for that. But we are so enjoying every bit of it...