First Day

We made it! We've officially begun our lives in Nice. Our deepest gratitude to our friend Deb who traveled with us and the kids and stayed for a few days to help us. We literally couldn't have done it without her. I've made a permanent mental note to beg, hire, whatever it takes to have someone move with us to help the transition, at least as long as I have little kids. It was an immeasurable help and blessing to have her!

Henry started his first day of maternelle (a.k.a. preschool) on Friday. He's going just in the mornings. I'm hoping he'll pick up French there. We thought he'd at least understand French from spending last school year in the garderie at our school, but so far he apparently isn't responding to French yet. We watched French cartoons all summer long hoping that would get him ready too. I'm sure one day it will all just click.

Justin started his MBA program today. There are about 40 students from 20 nations in his cohort. It's an intensive program that has him in class 9-5:30 everyday until May. This week they head to the mountains for two days of team building. They must all reach the summit while working together. I smell several metaphors coming out of this.

This means I have begun my first day as a full time mom of two. It was quite a day. I haven't been solo in over a year. I had a list of things to try and accomplish before picking Henry up from school. I tried all three (I won't bore you with details) but was re-directed on all of them. No problem. I can reset those things and accomplish them tomorrow. I picked up Henry from school with Evie in good spirits. Henry had pee peed in his pants and in the extra set we brought to school so we were walking home in pee-pants. Evie started wailing when I put her back in the stroller to go home. Henry wanted me to hold him and threw fits the entire walk home for which he received a record number of spankings from me. I had two screaming kids while walking through our apartment neighborhood (it's quite large) and even spanked Henry in site of a woman who I caught staring and then looking away. Normally this keeps me from following through on a spank but today I couldn't have cared less. We got inside, I was sweating and pissed. I put Henry in his room where he continued to throw his fit, gave Evie some bottle to try to get her to stop her wailing and took some deep breaths.

After some time had passed I told Henry he could come out of his room. He said, 'Sowwy momma, sowwy. Hug.' I was so thankful to hear him choose to apologize on his own and that he didn't hold it against me for having to spank him for his behavior. He understood he had done something wrong and was sorry for it. A great victory!

The rest of the day was pleasant. We have been eating our meals at the table. Henry has been into praying for his meal. He starts with the Lord's Prayer and then the Superman version of mealtime Grace (sung to the tune of the Superman theme: 'Thank you Lord for giving us food! Thank you Lord for giving us food! For the friends we meet and the food (or insert specific item here like potatoes) we eat! Thank you LORD for giving us food! Amen.') All three of us had a nap. I got some chores done. And Justin got home a bit earlier than expected.

What I think I learned today is that I'm having to set a tough standard for Henry here at the beginning of this new season with me as the sole parent for most of the day. I've depended on Justin so much during my pregnancy and then the first weeks of Evie's life to take care of Henry. He's just stronger and more patient (and for a time more mobile and available). Now it's all me. I must take control here in the beginning which will feel like a lot of punishing and discipline but I think it will lead to more pleasant future for all of us.

I love my first born so much. I want him to be a man who has self control, honor, respect for others, generosity, love, compassion, humility, the whole enchilada. It's my job this year to see these things begin to take root. Pray for us!