Who needs a crib?

When we come stay at my parents house, there is only one place Makinley will sleep: my dad's walk-in closet. It's crazy, but true. Any time we try to put her in any other location in the house, whether it be the crib, or the pack-n-play somewhere else, she refuses to sleep and I'm up ALL night long with her. The last two nights that we have been here, I have laid Mak down in my dad's closet at 8 and I've had to WAKE HER UP at 8:45 the next morning. She has slept through both of my parents getting ready for work....in the bathroom that the closet is in! That is how deeply she goes to sleep! Whatever works, right? It's just too bad that a perfectly good crib isn't being used!

Time Change + No Paci = Tired Tripp

Tripp is tired. So is Mommy. He has done SO good without his paci as far as asking/crying for it. He has not mentioned it since Sunday at naptime. However, it is taking an extremely long time for him to fall asleep without it. Naptime is going decently, but bedtime is a nightmare. I really think the time change has something to do with it as well. It is taking him up to 2 hours to fall asleep without it. And he wants me to lay with him until he's asleep. I'm so proud of him for not begging and pitching a fit for a paci, but I have to admit it's hard for me not to get him one. Just because I know he would fall asleep quickly with it. Don't worry. I'm staying strong. I'm just really tired.

Foot Loose and Paci Free!

Yep. You read the title right. Tripp has not had a paci in 24 hours!!! When he woke up yesterday morning (with his paci in his mouth) and we sang him "Happy Birthday", I asked him how old he was. He told us 3. I said "And 3 year olds don't use what?" and he said "PACI'S"!!! All day long he kept saying that 3 year olds don't use pacis. He never asked for one the whole time he was up playing. At about 2, I could tell that he really needed to lay down for a nap (and so did mommy), so I took him in my room. We had a minor melt down at that point. He asked for his paci several times and got very upset when I told him no. I had to give myself a pep talk to not go get them out of their hiding place! The sweetest thing? He finally reached over and took my hand and rubbed my thumb the way he usually rubs his paci and fell asleep! So, that was accomplishment number 1. He's NEVER napped at our house without a paci. The rest of the afternoon was a breeze. At about 8:30, I took him in his room to try to put him to bed (has the time change messed up anyone else?). When we first walked in his room, he said, "Mommy, do I get to have a paci?" I told him no and we snuggled down to read. He NEVER asked for his paci again. Bless his heart, he had the hardest time going to sleep though. I knew better than to try to leave the room because he would have freaked out. I settled in and got comfortable. I have to admit that there were several times I was tempted to go get him his paci, but I kept reminding myself how big he was being. He was determined he wasn't going to ask for one and I was so proud of him. He finally fell asleep at about 10. At 2:30, he woke up and I thought he would freak out. I got him and put him in bed with us and he went right back to sleep without asking for it at all. Do you understand what a HUGE accomplishment this is in our house? I'm a little nervous because we are spending the next two nights at my parents house. I can't backtrack now, but I pray he does okay!

Feeling Very Nostalgic

Newborn

First Birthday 2nd Birthday


3rd Birthday

Dear Tripp,

Where in the world have the last 3 years gone? To say that it's hard to believe that today is your 3rd birthday is a huge understatement. I keep finding myself looking at the clock and remembering exactly what I was doing this time 3 years ago. In fact, as I'm typing this, 3 years ago at this time I was anxiously awaiting my epidural!

Growing up, all I ever wanted was to be a mommy (and a wife :-)), and on March 8, 2006, that dream came true. You came unwillingly into this world and immediately began trying to show us who's boss! In the last 3 years you have challenged, thrilled, and shown us exactly what love really is. I can honestly say I didn't know it was possible to love as much as I love you.

Every night for about 15 months you wanted us to read you a book called "Let Me Hold You Longer". It's a sweet book about cherishing a child's "lasts". I know we have hundreds of "firsts" still ahead of us, but I also realize that I've already experienced some of your "lasts". The last time that I gave you a bottle, the last time that you crawled, the last time you slept in your crib, and the last time you wore a diaper during the day are just a few. As the book says, I want to "hold on to every precious last" because I know time is going to get away from me.

You and your sister are truly God's greatest gifts to me. As He continues to mold you and shape you, I pray that you are drawn closer and closer to Him. I pray that as you get older, you come to understand that the only One who can fill the void you will have in your life will be the Precious Savior that saw fit to give you to us. There will never be a day that I don't lay you at the feet of His throne and pray His protection and blessings on you. I honestly cannot wait to see exactly where life takes you....but I really wish it would slow down some!

I love you, my favorite boy!!!!! I am honored to be the one you call "Mommy"!!!! Happy Birthday!

Bringing the Outside In

It's getting harder and harder to deal with the cold weather. We are all itching for Spring to get here and warmer days to stick around. When the weather is nice, my kids spend 90% of their day outside when they are at Mrs. Barbara's and they couldn't be happier. The days when they have to be cooped up inside all day become very long! Needless to say, it's been long days since Sunday! Most of their outside toys are stored in my garage right now, and every day they see their slide when we get home and park. Today, I let them bring the slide inside and it entertained them for an hour. Up, down, up, down. I figure if we can't go out and enjoy the slide, we'll bring it in and enjoy it. On a side note, I REALLY wish we had our backyard sodded and fenced in for the Spring and Summer. It would be so nice to be able to sit on the deck, read, and let them play free. Oh well...maybe next year.

I'm so hot, I gotta wear shades (that I left on for two solid hours, including playtime at Chick-Fil-A for dinner)

Move out of my way!

I'm sure her brother hit, pushed, or bossed her around!
This face gets me a lot of things I want and I'm learning to perfect it!

Trainin' 'Em Early

One day I will gladly turn over this chore! Teammwork will make it so much easier!