The Fire Drill That Wasn't

I got to school around 12.15. There were a couple of students in the classroom when I arrived, trying to catch up in their cursive books. The rest of the class was in art. I picked them up at 12.35. We got back to our class and they got to work on their math brochures. We had just begun working, when the loudest and most obnoxious beeping filled the air. Fire Drill. My mind instantly flashed to last faculty meeting. I was straining to recall the principal telling us we were having a drill this week. I really couldn't remember her saying it, nor could I remember seeing it on the calender. For a brief moment, I thought maybe it wasn't a drill. That thought was quickly replaced with the thought that I had probably just forgotten it like everything else I forget these days...but there was still that small concern.

The same moment these thoughts were going through my mind, there were 25 bodies who stopped what they were doing and 25 little faces turning to look at me. Many of them asking, "Mrs. Nelson, did you know we were having a drill?" "Mrs. Nelson, is this for real?" "They didn't say this on the announcements." I quickly realized that drill or not, the name of the game was leave the school building in an orderly fashion. As soon as I told my class to line up, they got into their two lines. "Savannah, close the door when you come out." "Miah, start our class down the hall." I called out orders while turning out the lights. We got outside, and got to our place on the blacktop. I realized I didn't have a class list, so I counted the kids instead. "Sit down as soon as I give you a number", I told them. As I counted, many voices called out, "Grace and Emery aren't here today." Sure enough, I counted 25 instead of my full class of 27. At least I knew who was missing and that everyone was accounted for.

I kept the class sitting down, mostly so they wouldn't wander off, but also so other teachers or staff could spot me more easily. Turns out, sometimes they struggle to find me since half of my class is my height, or taller. I noticed the teachers seemed quieter than normal. We weren't super chatty with each other. I didn't want my students to know how much I didn't know about what was happening. I feel like, as a teacher, it is my job to protect them and make them feel safe. In my gut, I didn't think it was a drill, but I didn't want my kids to worry. I could hear some of them joking, "What is the school IS on fire and it explodes?!" and in a fake sad voice, "Oh nooooo, my pencils!!" I kept glancing back at the school building, looking for smoke, expecting to see it billowing out of a window, but hoping to not see it each time I checked. Normally by now, we would have gotten the all-clear to return inside. Instead, our principal walked around and told everyone to scoot back off the black top and onto the grass. London looked up at me and asked, "Mrs. Nelson, did you know this was happening today? Is this a real fire, or a drill." I replied honestly with, "I don't know."

We waited. Finally, we saw the custodian coming out of the building, carrying a big, gray, plastic trashcan at a rather quick pace. I noticed that the can was oddly shaped, almost as though one of the sides was smashed in. As he got closer, I noticed small flames coming out of the top. I wasn't the only one who noticed. Everyone was pointing it to everyone else. Everyones' eyes were following the trashcan. Students were jumping up to get a better look, I continued to remind them to sit down, and stay in the grass. The trashcan was set down near one of the back doors of the cafeteria and the custodian went into the building, returning quickly with a large bucket of water. He emptied the water into the flaming trashcan and the flames were extinguished as smoke billowed out. The students all cheered.

As soon as the fire was out, students began to exclaim, "I KNEW it! I KNEW it wasn't a drill." "Did you see that?! There was a fire in there!" "How did the fire start?" "That was crazy!" A fire truck showed up at our school minutes after. This caused a whole new excitement. Kids were waving and jumping up to see better. The firetruck only stayed for a minute, and the firefighters got out to check the school and get the smoke out. We had to stay outside for a little longer. Some of the classes began to play duck-duck-goose, I told mine more of the story of my first day in Russia. Eventually, they let us back in. Quite the day.

We later learned the fire had started in the 2nd grade bathroom. Luckily, the trashcan had lots of damp paper towels, so it just smoldered until it got outside. No one was hurt, and the only thing damaged was the trashcan. They still don't know who started the fire or if it was purposeful or an accidental fire bug, but I know they will find out soon. For now, I'm just grateful it wasn't anything bigger. I'm glad all of my kids are safe. I'm glad everyone went home today will only an exciting story, and not a scary one.

The Sleep Saga

One of the biggest things I've learned so far from parenthood is that sleep with a baby is different. I still get many hours of sleep, just broken up in chunks. Also, *Disclaimer* I recognize that Peter is, overall, a good sleeper. But when you are used to sleeping for  many hours at a time, and now you only sleep for 2-4 hours at a time, it's rough.

We decided to use a Pack 'n Play instead of a crib for Peter. We have plans to move to China in August, so we figured either we could take it with us- as it folds up quite nicely- or at least it would not take up much room if we needed to store it until we returned to the States. It is small enough so it wouldn't take up too much room and he could sleep in our room right next to our bed. I really liked the idea of co-sleeping. It was comforting to think that he would be nearby, but in his own space. He would be in arms reach, so when he woke up, we'd be right there. For us, the Pack 'n Play seemed great. Also, we found one at a yard sale for cheaper than new, so it seemed like the brilliant plan. Key words- seemed like.

Peter was born, and we had the Pack 'n Play set up. He would fall asleep and we would lay him down. When we were lucky, he would stay asleep, but frequently, no matter how softly we laid him down, or how slowly and carefully we would squirm our arms out from under him, he would wake and cry until we picked him up and calmed him down. He loves to sleep when he is cuddled, but he is not a fan of sleeping alone. There were many nights that one of us would stand by his bed, holding his binky in his mouth to try to get him to sleep...sometimes it worked, sometimes not.

We got into the routine of putting him to sleep by one of us going into our room with him, laying on the bed, holding him on our chest, and wait until he fell asleep. Once asleep, the key was to remain as motionless as possible, until he got into a deep sleep. Then we would slowly wiggle out from under him and lay him on our bed. He usually stayed asleep as long as he was on our mattress. Then when it was time for us to go to sleep, we would find a spot on each side of Peter and go to sleep. Sometimes I would try to put him in his bed once he woke up and ate, but he'd cry, so I'd put him back in our bed. He slept great in our bed, but then I slept poorly. I couldn't sleep soundly because Peter would find me (or sometimes Jonathan) and he would snuggle under my arm, squished right up against me, and I was always nervous he wouldn't be able to breathe, so I was constantly waking up during the night to ensure that I wasn't squishing him. Also, Peter is a kicker, which makes sleeping with him less pleasant.

Peter was sleeping less and less in his bed and more in ours. We decided we needed a different solution. Well, it was more me who needed a different sleep arrangement. Peter and Jonathan both slept fine, but it drove me crazy. I was not dealing well with the lack of sleep. I am fine with him waking up throughout the night to nurse, just not okay with him kicking me out of my bed. One day, I half jokingly said to Jonathan, "We should just pull the extra mattress up and Peter can sleep on that, then after we lay him down, he will stay asleep just like he does in our bed, but it will be his own space." Well, we decided to try it out, there was nothing to lose. Jonathan brought the extra mattress up and put it in the 2nd bedroom. Peter fell asleep in my arms, I laid him down on the mattress, and behold...the baby slept. He didn't even squirm. It was magic. People have told us many different reasons why they thought Peter liked to sleep in our bed, but I'm pretty sure he just likes the feel of a big mattress over his Pank 'n Play.

So, we decided to buy a crib. Maybe it was just the Pack 'n Play mattress (or lack of) that he hated sleeping on. The logic was, we could find a crib, and then go back to co-sleeping with Peter. We wouldn't have to go a fetch him in the middle of the night when he was hungry. It would be the best solution!...right? We started looking at KSL classifieds and Craigslist. After about a week, we found one for sale that was in our price range and nearby. We bought it, and Jonathan assembled it, and we laid Peter in it after he'd fallen asleep.

Peter woke up instantly...crying. We tried it for a few days, and I threw in the towel. This was not working, and I was now more tired and frustrated that we had found and bought a crib for this baby only to have him hate it. So, the next night, Peter was back on his twin mattress, and sleeping like a champ. One day, our friend, Logan was over and he saw the mattress on the floor of Peter's room. He asked, "Oh, have you had someone staying with you?" I was confused until I realized he was talking about Peter's bed. I explained that it was Peter's bed and Logan laughed...he thought it was hilarious. It is. Especially when I see the little babe sleeping on that mattress...it makes him look so itty bitty.

Jonathan convinced me last week to give the crib another go. Turns out, Jonathan is not super fond of getting out of bed in the middle of the night to fetch a crying baby...totally fair. So I gave it another chance, and this time, Peter did ok. So now, we first put Peter to sleep on the twin mattress, and after his first waking up during the night, I feed him and put him in his crib, which is right next to our bed. Sometimes he ends up in our bed instead....and sometimes I leave the boys to snuggle and sleep on Peter's big bed.

3 Months

We have now made it 3 months! Peter is always growing and learning. He is more fun these days. He smiles at us...and anyone else who smiles at him. He has just started to laugh if you laugh with him, and if you are lucky, you can do a call and response laugh with him for a few minutes. He is a lot more aware of sounds and people. He will follow Jonathan or I around with his eyes as we walk around, and he is starting to turn if he hears one of our voices. Peter also makes tons of fantastic sounds these days, and if you make the sound back at him he will continue to "talk" with you for quite some time. He is also really drooly, and sometimes he can make bubbles with his drool. Jonathan sometimes carries Peter on his shoulders, and Peter loves being up high, holding onto Jonathan's hair and sometimes drooling in Jonathan's hair. He's typically a fun and happy baby.

He sleeps for about 3 hours at a time at night, if we are lucky he'll sleep for 4. During the day, he only likes to nap for about 40 minutes if he is not being held, but if you don't set him down, he'll sleep for longer. He is starting to play more- he'll hold onto toys if you put them in his hand, and he'll bat at things hanging in front of him. Also, he rolled over today! He rolled over twice on his mattress and once on the floor. We'll try again tomorrow to see if he really has it figured out or if he just got lucky. He's a great little boy, and we are happy to have him!

Loves:
bath time- he kicks and splashes more now and does not get sad if some water gets on his face
anytime he is being held and paid attention to
anyone who holds him and plays with him- as long as he's not tired
cuddling
listening to the shower
chickens
sitting with mom and dad at the dinner table

Here are some pictures taken a few days ago...

Typical Peter with his monster and only one sock.

On his tummy, being bright-eyed, strong baby and peering at his mom taking pictures.

Recent Loves

Peter loves to be held. I love to hold him....but not always, because my arms get tired, and sometimes I want to do things like to eat food or use the bathroom. Nothing big. But things that are easier to do without a baby in your arms. Peter is not always a fan of the ground. He will lie on the ground for a bit if you are entertaining him, but if you leave, he gets angry. He also hated being laid down to sleep for naps. He could be completely asleep, limp asleep, and if you set him down, BAM, awake baby. It was oddly exhausting for me.

I mentioned this to a friend of mine, and she asked if we had a baby swing. I responded with a negative. She told me that I needed one. She swore by it. She said it was the best thing in the world. She told me it would save my life...and my arms. So, we started looking online to get one used. Lucky for us, a family was going to be moving out of the ward and they were selling lots of their baby things. We got this gem for $20. Turns out, Peter loves it! I love it because he does this in it...

Awwww, cute sleeping baby. I love it more because he also does this in it....

Happy awake baby! As long as he is not hungry, or cranky tired, then he likes being in his swing. He takes naps in it sometimes, and sometimes I just put him in it when I need to get a few things done. There are also 3 little bears that you can put to swing in front of him (you can see them in the 1st swing picture). He loves those little bears. He is starting to bat at them more and more and they make him smile...and that makes mom smile.

Another love that Peter has is the chickens. He likes to watch them. He will just sit and watch and be content. We tell him about the number of chickens, and their colors. We let them out today to roam around and I followed them with Peter so he could watch them. I talked with Peter about how he and chickens are alike and different. They both have mouths, but the chickens have sharp, hard beaks and Peter has soft drooly lips. They both take baths, but Peter takes a bath in water and the chickens take baths in the dirt. I pretend like Peter understands everything I say.

 Watching chickens with dad

Peter fed the chicken a piece of grass...and when I say that, what really happened is Jonathan put a blade of long grass in Peters hand, Peter clutched it in his death grip and Jonathan put the end of the grass near the chicken, who then ate it. After we got back to the house, we found that Peter was still holding onto that little blade of grass. He's got a great grip.

Peter also loves: fans, the bears above his changing table, music, anyone that smiles at him, anyone who will hold him and walk, baths, car rides, when dad makes silly noises, when mom pretends to eat his face, and drinking milk.