The First of 1st Days...

Well today marks the first of many... first days of school. Whew, it only took 4 and half years to get here. Looking back, this day felt like forever away from my life. Today got here so fast. Seems like I should still be getting Jaxon ready for our afternoon snuggle time with books before a nice long nap, instead of dropping him off and heading home for an afternoon by myself. I don't know who was more nervous...me or him! I love having my children home with me and I am so blessed to be there sole care-giver during the day here in the comfort of our home. While heading off to preschool is a great thing, it is also a little hard for me to let go. I am excited for Jaxon to learn new things, meet new people, gain some independence, develop some new skills, and have fun in a new environment. But as I am learning in life... most great things come with a little bit of hard part to it. This transition in our life is a wonderful time and new opportunity to learn together as parent and child... but it also is the ending of one chapter as we begin a new one. And thats a little sad to me.
I noticed there were mostly two types of moms dropping their children off today at preschool... there were the ones almost gitty with glee as they led their children to the door and I even heard one mention she is headed out to go shopping by herself while her little one is gone...and there were the moms who held their child's hand tightly and walked slowly to the door wondering if they really had to leave after their child went inside. Both moms gave big hugs and smiles as they let their child go and you would never know if one of them was just losing it inside... but, as these two types of moms drove away...one drove confidently into the road and onto the next thing and the other type of mom wasn't sure if she should be driving at all since she could barely see through all the tears. You can guess which one I was? :)
The drive home was sad and the first hour after I laid Austin down was too quiet and weird. However, I filled my time with baking cookies for an after school treat and thinking of all the great things we've done the last 4 years...my son and I.
3:20 actually came quick... and Jaxon came bouncing out all smiles to greet his gitty filled mom eager to pick him up. He had a great time! Talked all the way home and I couldn't have been more pleased with his first day of preschool experience. He'll never know how hard today was for me... but he will know how much we love to see him grow and become just who God made him to be. And, if that means continuing to let him go at different stages in life... then get me a life-time supply of Kleenex, because I'm pretty sure I'm "that" mom! One 1st day down...13 more to go! :-)

Jaxon at sneak-peak day at preschool.

Jaxon today...heading over to preschool! (yes, he did his own hair!)

The Hansen boys... dropping Jaxon off at school.

8 months and counting...

It is crazy to think Austin is closer to one year old then being a new born. Austin's baby stages are flying by faster then Jaxon's did and I am trying hard to capture all his moments and really live in today. Austin went from being a rolly polly baby that could hardly sit up by 7 months old, to being...well, still rolly polly...but now he is sitting up, crawling, scooting, pulling himself up to standing, laughing, grabbing, and just being too fun! I usually find him standing in his crib yelling out at me when he's supposed to be napping and he loves to play peek a boo behind doors. He's still a happy baby and I really can not complain about 1 thing about him. He's just been so great! Such a good baby!!
We spent his 8 month day at the aquatic center. It was the last day it was open for the season. It was a fun summer spent by the pool :) Preschool is just around the corner and we're trying to switch gears and be ready for fall. I can not believe I am taking Jaxon to preschool next week. I am not going to write about it because truth is... I would probably start crying if I let myself go there. I have loved being home with both my boys and 4 years have gone by so fast...it's time to start letting go just a bit as Jaxon walks into a new chapter in his little life. Today's blog includes some pictures of Jaxon at and around 8 months... I thought it would be fun to compare the babes and remember Jaxon at what just seems as yesterday. Do you think they look alike? I sure see it and then I also see their very own characteristics! Jaxon is on the left and Austin is on the right. Hold onto your lasts... the firsts all come soon enough :)

Mom and boys at the last day at the pool!

Austin 8 months old!

doesn't his face look so old here!?!?!

Smiley 8 month old :)

More Family Photos...

I recently got our CD filled with our family pictures from a couple weeks ago... There were 175 images and I loved almost all of them! Here are a few (or a lot a few!)!! Can't believe how big our boys are. I'm really looking forward to getting some of these framed and on our walls soon. I love photos anyways and always have pictures going up on our walls...it's so nice to have some of ALL of us. Our most recent family photo is of us with Jaxon when he was 6 months old. Time to update, huh!?! Hope you're all having a great week! More updates on our last few weeks later... time to read books with the big boy right now :)