The search is over. We enrolled Cavan the day we went for the open house. And the open house was meant for kindergarten, not playgroup. And started Cavan 2 days after his 1st encounter with the environment. He was happy to be left alone playing and scribbling while we were making enquiries and doing registration in the other room. Wanted to start him a week later but Clem said since Cavan was comfortable with the place, start him asap while the good memory was still there. Seize the day!

I left the task of sending Cavan to PG to Clem and my father. They would be less anxious than the kancheong spider mother. According to Clem, as soon as Cavan reached the classroom, he helped himself to the toys and asked them to leave, "You go, you go."

My boy has grown up.

A take-yourself passport photo for PG

Well, he's always been able to adapt rather easily to changing environment. This is evident from our trips, when we weaned him off his pacifier at 21 mos (only cried for 2 nights), and when we banished him from our bed to sleep on his own. It helped that he's a fuss-free boy.

Phew, another item settled before #2 comes...Can tick my checklist:
* Cavan to sleep on his own- check
* Send him to PG- check

transition

Ok, it's time. Cavan had to sleep on his own. But the cowardice mother had withdrawal syndrome. If we moved him to the other room, it's too cruel! Why not let him sleep on the floor next to our bed?


Frankly speaking, I enjoyed co-sleeping with Cavan despite the tight-squeeze in a Q-sized bed. Despite having my face slapped by his hand. Despite having my body prodded by his leg. I loved it when we had small talk before sleeping. I loved smelling his head and kissing his cheek while he slept. I enjoyed the mornings when we lie about in bed, looking sleepily at each other, whispering dreamy words.





As with all things, we have to move on. Moreover, I kept having to be watchful throughout the nights to prevent Cavan from kicking my bulgy tummy. Managed to grab his leg a few times at night.


Creating the path of least resistance, we let him choose his fav bedsheet- Cars. He was marvelling about it and retorted he wanted to sleep in it.


Came the crux:
Night #1: Lay happily on his mattress. After bedtime story and good night song, he promptly grabbed his pillow and bolster and scrambled up our bed. He thought that was a pre-bedtime area? No, this is YOUR bed. We said. After much fussing, Clem had no choice but to sleep with him.



Night #2: Clem slept with him on the mattress. Once Cavan fell asleep, he moved up to the bed. I slept late so by the time I reached the bedroom, I saw the 2 of them on the bed! I woke Clem up and exclaimed how could he have given in and let Cavan up! He replied that he didn't. Cavan must have climbed up himself.


Night #3: I slept late again and I heard a commotion in the room. On entering the room, I saw Cavan half lying on the bed, half standing on his mattress. Asleep. Again we moved him down.


This transition must have taken a few nights. After which, Cavan settled in his new mattress. I am still trying to settle down with an emptier bed.


Sigh.

Preparing for #2

#2 is due to come next month. People asked if I'm ready. Me ready? I'm more pre-occupied with whether Cavan is ready. Aiya no prob lah, kind friends offered. Cavan seems to like babies a lot!

True.

Cavan loves to go to babies and stroke their little faces. He would ask mommies about their babies. Whenever he sees someone pushing a stroller, he would run up to them to see their babies. Even when he flips a book and sees a pic of a baby, he would kiss the pic.

Yes. He likes babies a lot. But he can say goodbye to these. For #2, she's here to stay. Different story.

Maybe I worry too much. But the last thing I want, is to rob my dear son of his sense of security. I'm so afraid that he will transform from an affable little boy to one that is withdrawn and whiny, as I so often heard from parents who had #2.

Pray that we as parents will be sensitive to his needs and behaviour. Hope our parents and friends will be too.