Sleep Wars

Maddie is definitely a challenge when it comes to naptime and bedtime, and we've tried it all. The latest "theory" was to put her back to bed over and over without saying anything to her. Apparently it should work after about a week or so, and it should take progressively less time each night. Well I got to where I was spending at least an hour before naptime AND before bedtime. I was losing my mind!! Yesterday I called Mom crying on the phone because it had been an hour and 15 minutes, and I was still putting my little angel back to bed. I was sooooo angry that she wouldn't just stay put. Then in the midst of that Jay went poopy in the potty, which was great, but he decided to try and wipe himself for the first time. He was pretty proud of himself, and it was very cute, but then he said "Mommy, there's poopy on the floor." I had already tracked it across the carpet. It was the straw that broke the camel's back.

Maddie is now in a "crib" so to speak. She has a twin mattress on the floor with a large gate all the way around it. She did much better last night...slept all the way through....thank God!

Also on a brighter note....Jay saw some posters of horses at Hobby Lobby yesterday afternoon and said "Mommy, let's say a prayer. Close your eyes." He then proceeded to thank God for horses and various other things I couldn't understand. It was awesome!

Uneventful Day

There's nothing too much to report on today. It's been gloomy here in St. Louis for about a week. The kids are just getting over illnesses...both with pink eye, Maddie with a sinus infection, and Jay with a double ear infection. I guess that's what happens when Jay has a t-ball game at 8:30 in the morning with a freezing cold breeze blowing. But that happened to be his very first game, and he couldn't miss it!! It was awesome. I've never loved being out on a baseball field as much as this including when I was infatuated with James and sat out in the bleachers rain, snow, or shine. :)

Grammie and Jerry ("Pop") are in town now which has been a lot of fun. The kids have been eating up the attention. I think I must have the best husband in the world because it feels like he's been taking care of one or both kids by himself a lot lately in order to let me do "girl stuff" with Jessica (who came into town to visit me last week) and then with Grammie, Mom, and Kelli (to checkout a winery for a potential wedding location and to try on wedding dresses at David's Bridal). He then took them again at his suggestion for me to go with them to a movie. I feel so rejuvinated getting to do these things as it's been a while. He is a true partner, and I thank God for him every single day. I am reminded today what a blessing it is to have two healthy, happy children along with a healthy, happy marriage.

We're headed over to Mom's tonight to have dinner and dessert with the whole crew over there. Grammie and Pop leave on Thursday.

Bragging from a Proud Mommy

So much has happened in the past year. Jay and Maddie are best friends. We've moved from our house in the city to an apartment in Fenton near Mom and Bill. It's so nice not to have a project to work on 24/7, and we're loving our new life here. We were able to pay off one of our loans (YIPEE!). The kids are now sharing a room, and I think it's going to be hard to ever separate them in the future. We actually put them in the bottom bunk together for the last couple of nights hoping it would help Maddie stay in bed and sleep better through the night, and so far it seems to be working. We actually had a full night's sleep last night!

Jay is completely potty trained. He's amazing. Mom and I took him to visit his soon-to-be preschool about a week after his 3rd b-day, and he joined right in the circle of kids singing songs...not the least bit of hesitation. Then he didn't want to leave. I then told him that preschoolers don't wear diapers "and if you're going to be a preschooler you're going to have to go peepee in the potty." That and a little container of peanut butter m&m's in the bathroom (per Nana's suggestion) is all it took. I think he's maybe had 3 accidents during the night since then...incredible.

Jay is very into being a cowboy (and a baseball player) now, so both of the kids take turns climbing on the ottoman to "ride it" yelling "yeehaw!" Maddie has picked right up on this and thinks that anything she puts on her head = cowboy hat. She says yeehaw too, and it's just too cute. Yesterday Jay told Maddie (sounding kind of resigned), "Okay, Maddie, I'll be a horsie" and proceeded to run around the house on all fours with Maddie running after him trying to grab the back of his pants. These two have me and James hysterical half the time.

Maddie got her ears pierced a few weeks ago (at 15 mos.), and this child didn't even flinch! Mimi took big brother to another part of the mall so Jay didn't have to watch (but mostly because Mimi didn't want to watch), and Aunt Bubba stayed with me and Maddie. She was so hardcore, and they look absolutely beautiful. She loves them, and she loves bracelets and brushing on "makeup" while Mommy puts hers on. She also loves wearing dresses. You can just see her hip movements change when she's told she looks pretty. We're in for trouble.

Jay has just started t-ball. He's had a couple of practices so far, but his first game was rained out last Saturday. We're hoping for better luck this weekend. He does soooo well, and he LOVES it. Daddy just has to work with him a little more on running the bases. He tends to want to run right to 2nd and keep going....soooo cute.

Maddie is starting to say "I love you." We tell her "I love ya!" and she tries to say it back. She also loves to hand you things and so "go," which means "here ya go." She says "Jay," "Mommy," "Dada." She's also trying to say Mimi, Gaga, and Bubba. I think she can say "Heddie." This child can climb like none other. Maddie is fearless, which makes for a great time at the park but might also make for some ER visits later in life (sending up prayers about that one). I can't wait for it to get a little bit warmer so we can start going to the pool. I think the kids are going to have a great time together.

Both of the kids are actually napping right now, so I'm going to try to get something accomplished.