So Proud!

Maia is growing up! She has been transitioning to the T1 room (toddler one) at daycare, and doing great! The transition process at Generations includes starting at their home base (for her, the infant room, where she has been since she started at 12 weeks) and spending an hour or two each day in the next room up, gradually increasing their time as the child tolerates it. When they seem overwhelmed, or like they're ready to go back, they are brought back to their home base for the remainder of the day. The differences between the infant room and the T1 room is largely about age and structure. The infant schedule is all needs-based. They get a diaper when they need it, or every two hours (whichever comes first). They are fed and have naps when they need them. The toddlers have a schedule: free play in the morning until 8:30 am, then they prepare for the next event. Snack time is precipitated by hand washing. Snack time is then followed by diaper changing, and then they have "Circle Time" where the kids sing songs and learn about something new each day, with a theme each week (Ocean week: Starfish day). They spend time working on sensory development (playing in sand or rice or water, or painting), gross motor (playing outside), fine motor (crafts), and take a two hour nap after lunch. And they go to visit the residents at the retirement village more frequently than the infants do. The napping thing is a BIG challenge for Maia, but she is gradually acclimating herself. She's going through a growth spurt right now, so she is actually sleeping more, and getting better at soothing herself back to sleep (now that I've finally decided to NOT get up when she wakes at 5 am like she does most every day. She has been getting herself back to sleep and we're now waking her when we're ready for her to get up). So lots of changes for Maia in the last month. Growth spurt (leaving 9 mos clothes behind for in 12 months, except 12 month tops are still too long - leaving size 2 shoes behind, although 3s are still a little big). No more bottles: all sippies with whole cow's milk. Moving up to a new room at daycare, and losing her favorite daycare provider, Danica (who is moving on to supervise an after school program south of town) - who has been the only person she'd rather be with than Ray & I. A few quick stories about Maia at daycare: 1. They visited the residents this week, and I was told "She was a hit!" She apparently went around the circle saying "hai!" to everyone, and danced a lot! (Or did squats in time to the music and flapped her arms). They said the residents thought she was great. 2. Upon waking from her naps this week, she will sit up and say loudly "hai!" with a large grin on her face. Her new teachers will shush her and lay with her to get her to rest quietly until nap time is over. They say they have to try very hard not to laugh. 3. She has been reunited with her girls: Claire (2 months older than her) and Celia (4 months older). Maia and Claire are peas in a pod - similar size, similar hair (although different colors): petite, active girly-girls. Claire moved up to the T1 room about a month ago, and Maia has missed her. Yesterday when Claire discovered Maia was in the room, she walked up to her and gave her a big hug. Actually, the room is mostly filled with girls, only 2 boys.