Spring!

We are enjoying these early, albeit hot, early days of Spring. This morning a pair of birds were fighting/courting around the birdhouse in our back yard. I became overly excited because since John made the birdhouse with our nieces Chloey and Abbey over 2 years ago, not a single bird has ever landed on it, let alone peeked inside. I thought for sure they had deemed the dwelling the perfect spot to call home and start a little family. However, after over an hour of a very loud and energetic display all over our yard, they disappeared and have yet to return.

The tulips John planted in the Fall have finally bloomed and are so beautiful! I think tomorrow I will snip a few so we can enjoy them inside too!

Easter Cuties

I took over 200 pictures on Easter! It was so hard to narrow it down to just a few favorites.

 

 

It's Potty Time!

That's right! Nicolaus is learning to use the potty. We are on day 5, and I have to say he is doing great so far. From all the information I have read, I knew he was ready. He stays dry for long periods of time; he knows what pee-pee and poo-poo are and calls them by name; he tells us when he has gone and needs a diaper change; and he can pull up and down his pants fairly well. In addition, he communicates excellently for a two-year-old; initiates all sorts of pretend play; and wants to do everything all on his own. The experts say all these things are important. Additionally, the Karen Katz book A Potty For Me that was a gift from Nanny is one of his faveorite books at storytime. So when he went #1 and #2 on the potty on Monday, I asked him if he wants to wear big kid underwear instead of diapers and he was all about it. He picked out his own Yo Gabba Gabba and Toy Story underwear and the training began. The first day he had two accidents and the second day he had four, but since then he has stayed dry except for a teeny dribble here and there. Hooray for Nicolaus! We are still using diapers at night until he gets the daytime routine down. Those same experts say night training takes longer to master anyway. Our little boy is getting so big!

April Showers...

Okay, so May has not arrived yet, but all the rain we have been getting has certainly been great for the new plants and blossoms popping up all around us. Aren't these hyacinths lovely! I've been dying to plant hyacinth bulbs since we moved in five years ago and John (with a little help from Nicolaus of course) planted some in the Fall. They make our whole house smell heavenly. If I were going to be a spring bride, I would most definitely have a hyacinth bouquet with a little lavender thrown in there too... (We have two lavender bushes as well).

Happy Spring!

11 Months!

* 19 lbs
* Sleeping through the night 10-13 hours!
* Transitioning to one nap per day
* 5 teeth
* Can eat many things by herself...pancakes are her new favorite
* Gives kisses
* Says "Mama, Dada, Kitty Cat, and Ball."
* Loves putting everything into boxes and baskets
* Cruising around furniture
* Enjoys playtime when Nicolaus is napping--free reign and torture free!

I'm Trying, Really I Am

I was so motivated last week to get back into my workout routine, but (there is always a but isn't there, which means my big BUTT will always be there too) John's back was still bothering him and both kids came down with yet another cold. Little Miss Carleigh is actually on an Albuterol inhaler four times a day right now. Ugh! Lets just say it is a two person (not including Carleigh) task to get her to take it (Thanks Amy!). I did manage to go on a 2 mile walk with the kiddos on Thursday. I guess that's something. I have a thyroid uptake scan and ultrasound tomorrow to figure out why my TSH levels are way too low. It is a fasting test so no eating after midnight until 11:00 am! Maybe that will help with some weight loss.

Bye-Bye Sissa!

Yesterday was a big day in our house...I mean HUGE. Nicolaus said goodbye to his pacifier, or his "sissa" as he likes to call it. In the morning I asked him if he wanted to be a big boy and say goodbye to his sissa and he said, "Yes." So I seized the moment, shoved it in my pocket and told him how proud Mommy is of him. He asked for it a few times and I just reminded him that he said goodbye to it and that Mommy is really proud of her big boy. Then came naptime. He didn't ask for it, but he threw a huge fit, basically as if he were refusing to nap. Yelling, screaming, banging on the crib. How his sister slept through forty-five minutes of that I have no idea. I stood firm though, and eventually he fell asleep for about an hour and a half. He did not ask for it again, not even at bedtime when Daddy read him stories and put him down for the night. Plus, he slept through the night until close to 7am.

Today he has asked for it a couple times, but when I remind him how he said bye-bye to his sissa, he comments that his Mommy is so proud with a huge grin on his face. I really love this little guy. He is getting to be such a big boy. (Geeze, am I ready for him to grow up?) So, no longer will we have pictures like those below where I want to capture his beautiful smile, but instead get a mouthful of plastic. No more will I have to chase after it in the grocery when he has thrown it from the cart. Never again will I have to feel around on the floor in the dark when he wakes up in the middle of the night asking for it. Bye-bye Sissa!