August: welcoming change

August is going to be a month of great change for the Cecil Family! Two extremely big events are scheduled to take place:

1- We will be welcoming our second baby boy into this world, and
2- Lucas is scheduled to begin Preschool!

I am excited, yet skeptical at the same time. It's as if to say our lives are never going to be the same after this August. Which, in all reality, is completely true!

I have quite a few mixed emotions about these upcoming events, but I am excited nonetheless. I feel somewhat guilty...as if we are replacing Lucas because he is no longer a baby. I know that is not the case at all, but I'm still in disbelief that my first born son is entering into the world of school!

As I mentioned before, Lucas missed the cut-off requirement for nearly every preschool in Anchorage. And believe me...I called them all. I met the lady in charge of registration for Anchorage Cooperative Preschool recently and she gave me her personal contact information because she really wanted to help. Low and behold, she came through!!

They are completely working with me to ensure Lucas can attend school during this 2011-2012 school year. Classes begin in August and I will be required to attend with him every day until he physically turns three in November. That way, they can't get in trouble for not following protocol. Although this is going to be a bit of a challenge with a new baby, it is only 2 days a week and they are completely fine with me bringing baby along! I couldn't ask for more!

The philosophy of this school is different than most that I looked into. Family involvement and commitment is mandatory. It is for parents who wish to be an active part of their children's preschool experience and who are willing to work together to make it a success. Basically, the families are the owners of the school. It's a non-profit organization in which the families help educate, manage and raise funds for the school. Although the teacher is in charge of the curriculum, parental input is completely encouraged!

And best yet...a summer play group is now in affect for all students to meet weekly and get to know each other before the school year begins! The families strive to have a close connection with each other and do many activities outside of the classroom. They even coordinated a big camping trip for Memorial Day weekend. How awesome is that?

So, August - although I am excited for you to come, I am fine with you taking your time. We can't wait to meet our little baby boy, but I still have so much prep to do! And even though I am beyond thrilled to have found a great school for Lucas, I am not exactly prepared to consider him a big kid. He will forever be my baby.

Alaska Baby & Toddler Fair

Yesterday was the annual Alaska Baby & Toddler Fair, and since I'm about to have one of each here in a few months, I figured I'd better attend! I almost didn't go considering I didn't have my little man in tow, but I'm very thankful that I did. It didn't differ much from last year and most of the same vendors were present, but this time around I actually got something out of attending.

I was able to speak one-on-one with a chiropractor who specializes in pregnancy and I'm convinced more than ever that my back needs some adjusting. I used to be seen by a chiropractor religiously back in California, and even through the first half of my pregnancy with Lucas. It makes it difficult that this service is purely an out of pocket cost (which sure adds up!) but I know that it helps my body perform at its best. The lady was super sweet and very knowledgeable. I'm excited to show Levi all my paperwork and make a consultation.

And most importantly...I found Lucas a school!! Anchorage Cooperative Preschool. I saw the booth with a big "now enrolling" sign and was skeptical to even approach. I was immediately discouraged when they informed me that they follow the Anchorage School District schedule and enrollment guidelines, but went ahead and told them my situation anyways. It must have been my lucky day because the lady in charge of enrollment was right there at the table! They told me that they'd be more than happy to work with me in trying to get Lucas in this year. As mentioned before, the state requires the child to be three on or before September 1st. Unfortunately, Lucas doesn't turn three until November 8th. So as a means around this rule, they said that I could attend class with him from the start of the school year until he turns 3! Plus, for me attending with him, I will not have to pay any tuition because they would view us more as "observers" rather than an attending student.

This isn't the exact situation I wanted, but I think it'll be a great experience for him. The preschool program is only two days a week from 9-12 so I think this will be a nice transition for him away from home. I'm not ready to fully give him up just yet, so this is a nice little compromise! They said that I'm more than welcome to bring my baby in arms along to class as well, and that having an infant would in no way keep me/us from attending. She also reminded me that being potty trained is a requirement, but reassured me that if I am present while he is still learning, that is perfectly acceptable!

The last thing that I really liked about this school was the payment schedule. I knew we'd be paying for Lucas to go to preschool, but this place was very reasonable. Granted he will only be going twice a week, but I wont have to start paying tuition until he starts going solely on his own. There were three tiers of tuition and I was so thrilled to see that the cost for each student varies based on the amount of parental participation. For those who commit to volunteering in the classroom a certain number of hours a month, they receive tuition that is nearly half as cheap as those who don't. I am glad to have found a school that wants the parents to be involved and that was so kind and willing to work with me. I think this will be a wonderful transition for my son and I am excited to start preschool this August...with both my boys!

Back to school.

I'm normally pretty excited about school, but this morning sickness nightmare has made getting through the day almost unbearable. And adding school back on top of everything isn't something I was prepared for. We tried to plan it so that I was in the second trimester as this semester started...but we all know that didn't work out.

Classes officially started on Monday and I am taking quite the intense load this spring. I am working to finish my Psychology minor and will be done doing so just in time for baby. I was fortunate enough to get each of my 4 courses online...but that sure doesn't mean they are any easier. I am currently taking a Philosophy course and three Psychology classes (Abnormal, Personality, and Human Relations). Two of my psych classes are upper division courses so this load would have been intense even if I weren't sick and busy being a mommy and caregiver.

On a quick education note, I decided against doing the Direct-Entry Midwife courses. Instead, I've decided to pursue the Certified Nurse Midwife option! As soon as I graduate from nursing school, I will embark on a two-year path to getting my Masters in Midwifery! There are a few schools that allow you to get your Master's online, but Levi is being overly supportive and is giving me free range to decide our living situation. We may just move out of state for me to work on this journey when the time comes.

And onto my little man!

I found some wonderful preschool books for Lucas at Target. Although they are rated for ages 3-5, he is doing wonderful!!


I think I've created a monster because all my child wants to do anymore is school work. He's come in to our room before the sun has risen on a few occasions yelling, "I want to do homework, please!"

He caught on so fast to these books and we completed one in just three days! The second one we are working on is a lot of fun and he loves finding the images to circle.

This was one of my favorite pages that we did recently. I just love the sloppy color work!


At least Lucas' homework is exciting! Mine is full of lots of reading and discussion board posts (which are quite annoying when everyone in my class writes as if they are still in high school). I'm happy to escape my busy load every day to help him. Wish us both luck!