Big girl bed!

Since I posted last things have changed a bit here. Jer is on the road during the week for the next few months so mommy dearest is in full charge. It is hard but I have great friends who are very thoughtful to help out now and again. I don't know how single moms do it. Last week Maggie climbed out of her crib and hit her head pretty good so I decided to go to a toddler bed. My mother in law suggested Duck Duck Goose and since it was opening for the presale I tracked down a pass so I could get first pick. Thanks Jordan! Well I was looking for a $40 toddler bed but instead I bought a sleigh bed with a trundle...a bit more than I was going to spend : ) I just thought what is the point of buying something for a short while when I could get a great deal on a gently used bed...with a trundle. When Jer got home on Friday we went to LR to pick it up. As I moved the crib out of the way I realized I never took pictures of her crib and canopy. So I snapped a few shots of the canopy. Her bumper and crib bedding had been replaced with not so matching practical blankets so I didn't include them in the picture.
Then kids 'helped' Daddy with the bed. It is kinda sad letting the crib go. When Parker moved into a bed it was because Maggie was on the way. Now I don't have a baby anymore. (sorta)
This is a picture of the bedding I picked out. It was harder than I thought to find something I liked. I really liked all the whimsical birds from her nursery but it seemed all the girl bedding I found looked the same...floral pink. I can't stand princess stuff so that was not even an option. For a little girl it is either butterflies, flowers (daisies), or princess. If you don't care for any of that it is slim pickins! It is supposed to be here tomorrow and if I am a better blogger than I have been lately I will post a pic of it all made up.


Maggie slept in her bed for the first time Monday night and did great. She slept until 9 AM. I went in to wake her up and take her picture. Sorry the picture stinks but it is from the video camera...I couldn't handle both so I used it instead.

Kites and an award

It has been so long since I posted and I really have no excuse. We had a really windy day recently and I had promised Parker that we would fly kites as soon as it was warmer and windy. I am pretty big on the nap schedule thing but after school and lunch we decided we couldn't wait till nap was over. The weather around here is so unpredictable you just gotta go with it. Parker did great. It was so windy that I really didn't have to help all that much. Which was a good thing since it was one of those days that the mail man wanted to talk and the Jahovah witnesses did too. Ha. They have been after me since college I swear! As usual Mags was content doing her own thing...pulling around a wagon collecting nuts and random pieces of mulch...basic 21 month old projects. She did take a seat to be Parker's cheerleader. It is days like these that make me wonder why I am so blessed. Gotta love that belly!


I think the only reason he wasn't upset here was because he knew I could reach it.




And...

I recieved an award!


Adrienne sent me this award. Not sure I deserve this one because my attitude not always lemony fresh! But I love her for it anyway! Thanks. I do have gratitude to my God. I know everything that is good in my life is from Him!

Here are the rules:



1. Put the logo on your blog.


2. Nominate 8 other blogs which show great attitude and or gratititude.


3. Link to the nominees.


4. Let them know by leaving them a comment.


5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your reward.

I nominate:

Amy
Jordan
Ashley
Mandy

Hide and no seek...

Today we got the play dough out. Sometimes I feel bad for Parker because Maggie is too young to know how to play with a lot of fun things so she ends up messing up his creation or stealing the tools. I guess those are the things that build the older siblings character. This is Maggie with the play dough roller hiding from me. Every time I called her name like I was looking for her she looked down a little further and leaned in the closet a little more. It was so funny. As soon as she saw I had a camera she turned around and cheesed for the camera.
Parker made me a cake! I just love play dough cake!

Preschool

For anyone who knows me knows my precious baby boy has had a rough first semester of preschool. I, being a former teacher and former class pet was truly horrified by the wildness of my perfect child. I could not believe for example he 1. stuck his tongue out at the preschool director 2. Slapped his teacher of the bum! 3. and countless other minor infractions during the course of the semester. I have been extremely emotional about the whole thing. I have been unable to talk to his teacher about it without tearing up...which has made things slightly awkward. LOL. During the course of my bible study last week I discovered this whole thing is NOT that big a deal. The problem has been my attitude. I learned I can not control my son. It doesn't mean I can't discipline him but I can't control him and I can't let his behavior control me. I have given it to God. I am working on responding instead of reacting and would you believe he has had WONDERFUL reports this week. Another teacher actually stopped me to compliment his behavior at recess. Recess is where most of his problems seem to happen. I know he won't always have perfect days. He is three. But I have decided I will not agonize over his behavior any longer. I will be diligent in discipline and leave the rest up to God. I think God knew what he was up to because this week happened to be Parker's turn to be "Star Student" This entitles him 3 blissful days of bringing snack, leading the line, sharing show and tell, AND

holding the flag! For snack his crazy mom thought it was 'N' week but really it was 'O' so the Nemo fruit snacks, Nutty bars, and Nilla Cakesters were a waste. ugh...it pays to be organized! So Parker and I made orange jello jigglers, and oreos to make amends for Wednesday's and Friday's class. I guess I can say that preschool has definitely been a learning experience....I just hope I am not the only one learning.

Big gol Pannys!

Maggie has become infatuated with the potty lately. She pee-peed in the potty a few mornings in a row. Since we are stuck inside with bad weather I decided we would try out our new panties. I was convinced (still am) that little boy underwear is the cutest thing ever but Maggie in panties is almost a tie.

The title of this entry comes from my niece Anna. When she was learning to talk my mom kept Parker and her while I was still working. My mom was folding laundry which included her underwear. Anna kept saying what my mom thought was "Big Ole Panties!" My sister laughed when mom told her what Anna said. Then figured out she was saying "Big girl panties!" Too funny!

Update: in the less then ten minutes from her initial visit to the potty, my taking the picture, and starting this post....a puddle on the floor and a very confused 20 month old. Oh well she only has three pair. This potty training session will go by quickly!

Examples of those questions/arguments:

"Mom, what are they doing?"

"It looks like they are cutting down trees."

"No they're not.......Well if they are why are they doing that?"

"Maybe they are going to use the wood to make a house or paper. We use wood to make lots of things."

"Like zoos?"

"I guess some things at the zoo are made from wood."

" I bet they are building a zoo there." (keep in mind this is on a rural road in Bryant)

"I don't think they are building a zoo right here."

"Yes they are! Why would you say that Mom?"

I knew as I wrote my post yesterday I wanted to remember those conversations that happen 100 times a day. So this is for me....one of those things I will look back and laugh at but right now drive you up the wall when they occur sooooo often. I love that kid!

Speaking of cute!

Today at nap time I found Maggie in Parker's bed. She said,"night night, bubba" I said you want to sleep with Parker. " uh huh" She then points to the bookshelf and says "I uh book." Her communication blows me away. Parker could list hundreds of nouns at this age. He did not speak to communicate at her age. It was totally to list. He loved word books, so does she, but she wants to talk about the pictures. It is amazing to me. She can tell me she is hot or cold. She can tell me, "i wan down/up" She can ask me to open or close something. She even says thank you without being prompted. I have definitely seen babies more advanced them my two but I still think mine are brilliant...and being exceptionally sweet doesn't hurt either. We went to lunch the other day and ran into a girl I went to high school with. She has cerebral palsy and is slightly MR. Parker knew right away she was different and was a little scared. As soon as I introduced her to the kids he was so sweet. He told her about T-ball in the spring and I could tell it lightened her day. Or maybe it was just me being proud that he wasn't hiding behind me.

As far as communication goes with little ones...I am so excited that Maggie can tell me what she wants. I am sure in a year or so I will be wishing for a rest to her tongue. I know some ...okay most days with Parker end that way. He can ask questions that have no answer and then argue when you try your best to give him an answer that makes sense. Remind me of my pride of her vocabulary next year!