Ready for the New Year...

I read this great blog post today, and it inspired me to dust off my laptop and update my own.  click here to see it.  The author is Mormon (naturally) they have the best "organizing/money saving/stay-at-home-mommy" blogs.  Seeing as I'm married to one, I should probably step up my game a little.

I love how the author refers to pregnancy/life with an infant as "survival mode."  I have heard this before, and, oh my gosh, it is SO true.  Sometimes your other children are just going to have to watch a gazillion episodes of Dora because you are breastfeeding, changing diapers, and walking around a screaming infant. Don't beat yourself up over it, you are not alone.  Sometimes it doesn't seem that way because there are way too many "perfect" moms and families in the blogosphere. Lies.  All. Lies.  ;-)
Things have been REALLY busy around here.  Thanksgiving, Christmas, and now 2 birthday's coming up in the next 2 weeks.  I can't believe my little man will be ONE!  He has just brought so much joy to our family.

My sweet little birthday boy

Reese (age 2), and Zoe (4)

My sister, my friend

Family picture.  November 2012

I hope everyone has a HAPPY and SAFE New Year!  I have some resolutions I'm about to start some serious work on... including, but not limited to:  losing 10 pounds, putting my iPhone away more so my kids don't think it's a permanent attachment, ORGANIZATION, and spend less, save more! <---- take note, US of A.  :-)

Stationery card

Be Merry Prints Christmas Card

Make unique Christmas cards this year at Shutterfly.com.

View the entire collection of cards.

Bye Bye Binkie

Let me just start off by saying (again), that I am never ever moving again.  A little advice to all of you thinking of moving, if you have 3 kids and/or an infant... DON'T DO IT!   We have been here almost exactly a month, and I would say most of our boxes are still sitting in the garage.  Pathetic confession:  I have spent close to an hour searching through boxes in the garage for a single item.  Yes, I know, I could have unpacked several of those boxes in that time.  Sad, but true.  Oh well, it will get done.  Eventually.  Right now I am perfectly content spending my evenings watching The Voice from my comfy sofa. It's fall ya'll!  Must see TV!!!!!!!!!!!! 
That's my house update.
Other business:  REESE IS A BIG GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!!  We have taken the binkie away, and I swear that child is happier without it...and she can speak! It all happened one day about two weeks ago.  She threw about a gazillion tantrums in a single day over not being able to find her binkie.  I was going nuts listening to her scream while frantically searching for any pacifier I could get my hands on.  That night, I couldn't find one at all.  I have no idea what happened to them.  It was bedtime, Reese was throwing a fit, Jay was at baseball practice, and there was  no binkie in sight.  Somehow I managed to calm Reese down long enough to tell her about the "Binkie Fairy."  For those of you who have never met the Binkie Fairy, let me tell you, she is awesome.  If you will give up all your binkies to her so she can take them to the newborn little babies, then she will leave you a super fabulous gift like a Hello Kitty balloon and some M&M's.  Get this, she will even remember big sister;)  Somehow we managed to get Reese to bed that night sans pacifier, and sure enough....

Shockingly, Reese really hasn't had a problem without her binkie.  Sleeping or otherwise... and this was a girl who pretty much spent all day with one in each hand, and a third in her mouth.  ALL.DAY.LONG.  Who knew???

Some other updates:

We are loving the new house.  Here is Bryce having some summer fun in the back yard.

I really do think he's the next Brad Pitt.  THAT FACE!!!!!!!!!

He loves water

 

Here are some pics of Bryce and his new favorite thing.  Being pulled around in a toy wagon by his big sisters.  This has entertained us for multiple afternoons.

 

Hi!!!

 Who me???

Not really sure when the tamborine came into play...

 

Bryce has been teething for about 2 weeks now, and he is miserable.  He is getting 3 in all at one time.  This will give him a total of 5 (he is 8 months old).  All of my children had full sets of teeth by their first birthdays.



 Cheeeeese!!!!!!!

 

Here's a couple of funny photos from bath time...

 

 She is my moody child





 All eyes on me, in the center of the ring, just like a cir-cus!!!!! 

The Big Move Part 1

Well, I guess "big move" is a little bit of an over statement since our new house is probably hardly 5 miles from our old house.  Well, it's not ours yet... we have a contract on it.  In the mean time we are staying at (drum roll please) an extended stay!!!!!!!!!!  Woohoo!  Jay and I have discussed moving for the past two or three years, but never pulled the trigger.  Every summer we have our realtor come take a look at the house, discuss how the market is, and then decide, Nah...  We never intended to stay in our house forever, and now finally seemed like the right time.  Super low interest rates + Zoe starts K in a year *tear.*  We sold our house in 2 days, and the new buyers wanted to close ASAP... that I was not prepared for.  Less than a month later, here I am, homeless :(  Our room is basically a one bedroom furnished apt...yes, with 5 people living in it... and MEG!  I shouldn't complain because it is only temporary, and some people have permanent conditions way worse than this... BUT, sweet little Reese keeps wandering around the room aimlessly, then looking at me with her big eyes and saying, "Momma, wanna go hooome."  Awwwwwwwwwww... this is especially heartbreaking since Reese rarely speaks in sentences, so she has something important to say when she does.  I.E... a favorite is "Momma, Where is my BINK-EEE???" 

Here is why my hosue sold in 2 days..it's BEAUTIFUL!!! Iam biased, I know.  I had a chest heaving/sobbing meltdown the day we left... I am a creature of habit, and leaving the house was really hard.  I will probably be in my next house until my kids place me in a "home," or I become insanely wealthy.

My current "home sweet home"

Reese about 2 minutes after declaring she "wanted to go home."  She went and curled up on the sofa!! Heartbreaking!!!

Well, you can't see Bryce very well because of the flash.  He had finally fallen asleep after I walked him around for about half an hour.  He is so out of his element.

summer blues

I think nursing is the best possible degree I could have gotten to prepare myself for motherhood.  12 hour shifts, on your feet all day, no lunch, poop duty,thankless, underpaid... yep, that about sums up both of my jobs.  I don't think anything could have prepared me for having three kids. It is a challenge to say the least.  It is go-go-go all day every day.  I've decided to take a step back from that though (the go-go-go, not the parenting!)... Zoe has been out of school for a couple of weeks now (she only went twice a week, so no biggie)... but all day every day she complains about being bored! (or hungry!)... it's enough to drive a mom nuts!  And we do a lot of activities!  Playdates, gymnastics, etc... Today she kept complaining about being bored, and had the saddest look on her face.  I nearly loaded all the kids up in the car to take them to jump street, or somewhere else they love to burn off some energy, but then I stopped myself.  She doesn't have to be constantly doing something!!  She had already been to gymnastics!  So I told her what my mom used to tell me, "you don't have to be entertained all the time!!!"  They need to learn how to play by themselves and entertain themselves!  Use their imaginations (and for the love of God, leave me alone for 5 minutes!) ;)  I had big plans to head out to Walmart tonight to stock up on construction paper, crayons, markers, etc... since ours is getting kind of low... but now that the kids are in bed (always a beating)... I think I will be hanging with mattress the rest of evening, thank you very much.

Here is a little of what has been going on with us lately...

Zoe on her last day of preschool!  I wanted to post this next to her first day pic, but it is saved on a seperate computer:(  She has changed so much though!

Reese's 2nd birthday.  Elmo themed, duh!

Not so happy because our big day was windy and chilly!

Cookie bouquet by Black Flour.  Beautiful and DE-LISH!  I made the little "2" centerpiece myself with skittles and a hobby lobby jar (pinterest find)

sand buckets with goodies inside as party favors

I did the cupcakes myself

Party guest, Madison Taylor!

Ella Claire!

Singing "Happy Birthday"

We had to put her cupcake in a bucket so the wind wouldn't blow out the candles!

Presents!

She loved the babydoll Maddie got her!

In May we took a trip up to Roswell for my MIL's birthday (she loves being called MIL!)... and Bryce got to meet his great grandma and grandpa Alsup for the first time!

We headed up to Cloud Croft and found this golf course!!!!!!!  Someone was kicking himself for  not bringing his clubs...

Hiking in Ruidoso!  Doesn't Reese look like such a big girl here???

Potty Training Day 2

Reese has been doing pretty good with the potty training.  She only had about 4 accidents today...which is saying something because she probably went to the bathroom 20 total times or more.  Why do kids pee so much?? I started to get anxious half way through the day, because she wasn't going on her own accord... she would go when I prompted her (every 2 hours), but if she had to go in between those times, it would usually be running down her leg as she said "uh oh momma, pee pee." haha.  That is actually a GOOD thing because she realized she was going... on Day 1 sometimes she would pee, and just sit in it until I noticed.  Ugh.  Everytime she had an accident I would run her to the potty where she would always have a little left over for the toilet.  By this evening (about 5 pm), she FINALLY was going on her own without me prompting her (including a #2!!!!!!!!!!!  This is a huge deal, people)... I think it is really starting to click with her.  This is exactly how it went with Zoe too, tomorrow should be virtually accident free if Reese follows the same course.  We shall see.......................

Aren't her shoes cute??? $4.50, Divine Consign

I have to give Reese some props, because she has been doing this with pretty much no reward system.  She lost interest in the recycled Easter basket candy, so I stopped giving it to her.  When Zoe was training, I had a big basket of dollar store toys and goodies.  She would get to pick something out everytime she went.  She would literally sit on the toilet for an hour, and make me put the basket right in front of her so she could pick something out while she tried to go.  So cute.  Memories :)  I have plans to get some goodies for Reese.  She definitely deserves them.

If anyone else has started the potty training process let me know how it is going and what tips and tricks are working for you!  This is a tough time and we've got to stick together ;)

Potty Training

I am finally doing it.  I have been saying for weeks now that I am going to start potty training Reese, but something has always gotten in the way... beautiful weather, house guests, road trips... but no more excuses. This week I am staying home and getting rid of the diapers!!
We woke up this morning and first thing I told Reese was that she is a big girl now, and doesn't need any more diapers. Then I took off her diaper, and put on one of her pretty Rapunzel panties that Santa left in her stocking:)  This is a HUGE step for those starting to potty train, and I think where a lot of moms go wrong (IMHO)... once you take that diaper off and put panties on for the first time, that is it.  DO NOT PUT THE DIAPER BACK ON.  No matter how frustrated you get!  This is such an important step, because you do not want to confuse your toddler.  Leaving the big girl (or boy) undies on lets them know that it is time to stop using diapers, and time to start using the potty.  I highly reccomend NOT using pull ups.  I don't know what marketing genius came up with that farce, but, my God, it is just another diaper. 

Here she is in her big girl panties!

This is where the second step I use comes in to play as well.  Once you put that first pair of panties on, prepare to not leave your house (or your childs side) for at least 3 days, if not more.  There will be LOTS of accidents at first... it is frustrating.  You will want to leave your house... you will want to quit, and put a diaper back on your child (thinking, "there is NO WAY they are ready, they have peed all over my house, all day, they need a diaper!)...don't do it!  The first day is the worst, but it will get better.
That being said... be sure your child exhibits signs of readiness before you start the process.  I wanted to potty train Zoe SO bad, but experienced Moms kept telling me, "wait for the signs."  What signs?!?!!!  They said I would just know.  Then one morning when I was trying to put a diaper on her, she just straight up told me she didn't want to wear them anymore.  Looked like a sign to me.  I put panties on her and that was it.  About 3 hours later I sorely regreted that decision when I was cleaning pee off my floor for what felt like the millionth time.  But I kept at it.  I never took the panties off, and by the third day she was completely trained and didn't have her first accident for 6 months.  She was 26 months old.  Here is what worked for me:

SIGNS YOUR CHILD IS READY:

1. Waking up with dry diapers from naps and bedtime
2. Long stretches of time with a dry diaper (2+ hours)
3. Verbal interest in using the potty
4. Active interest in using the potty (points at it, sits on it, likes to watch you use the potty)

Here is another helpful check list ---->   click here!

HOW I POTTY TRAINED:

1. Put the panties on, and don't take them off.  Make a huge deal out of it.  WOW!  YOU'RE SUCH A BIG GIRL!!! yada, yada
2. Make sure they have a sippy cup all day, so they will have to urinate frequently.  Some parents even feed them salty food all day long to aid in this.  Offer toileting every 1-2 hours.  Make them sit on the potty every 2 hours whether they say they have to go or not. Make a HUGE deal every time they pee!  Make a REALLY HUGE deal if they poop! ;)
3.  I am a big advocate of the rewards system.  My girls got/get a special treat/toy everytime they go. 
4. STAY HOME!  This is really important.  You don't want to be  more than a few feet from a potty for the first few days, trust me.  Map out a good week when you don't have anything going on. 
5. When they have an accident, don't make a big deal of it.  Say, "that's okay, everyone has accdidents." Make them sit on the potty right away (so they know what they were supposed to do)... then put clean underwear on them.

We have the "baby bjorn" potty.  We also have those potty seat inserts for each of our toilets.

Anyways, I wasn't even planning on writting this post, but Zoe is at preschool... Bryce is sleeping, and Reese and I will be holed up all day potty traing, so it gave me something to do.  I read a ton of blogs for potty training advice when I trained Zoe.  I took bits and pieces from different moms, and used what worked for me.  Maybe this will be helpful for some people...even though I am pretty sure no one reads this.  If it can help even ONE mom, it will be worth the past twenty minutes:)  In the meantime I will keep everyone updated on how Reese is doing.  So far it has been 4 hours... she has gone twice successfully, and scored a mini cadburry cream egg each time -that's right, I am rewarding her with treats from her own Easter basket~ HA!  We have had one accident complete with panty change.  Wish me luck! 

A Spring Fling!

Spring has been here in the DFW area for awhile now... with beautiful weather and perfect temperatures!  A couple of weeks ago me and some friends took the opportunity to meet at The Preserve at Arbor Hills in Plano and have a little picnic lunch and let the kiddies play. 
The best part of this playdate was seeing some of my old nursing friends from Zale.  I LOVE these girls.  Even though we don't see each other often, we always pick up right where we left off.  We all just get along so well, with similar personalities.  Makes sense...after all, we chose the same career path (nursing), the same specialty (ICU), and the same facility (Zale Lipshy)...there is something to be said for friends who have similar life paths as you:) 
In true Zale fashion everyone was a good half hour late.  Britney (who I should have warned) was the first one there... I came next, about 20 minutes later than our planned meet time, and everyone else trickled in after that.  Everyone had a great time!


Reese in the swing

Why so serious?

Why is Ella having more fun than me??

This photo is just cute

Of course it wouldn't be a playdate if we didn't violate poor Ella...

Here's my curly sue...

Zoe and good buddy Barret!

Slide time!

Reese, Ella, and Brooke (it was Brooke's 2nd birthday!!)

Happy Gabe!

Zoe and Reese were kind enough to let Ella play with their trash...that's about as good as their sharing gets!

How beautiful is sweet Madeline Miller??

A lot of people keep asking me how it's been with 3 kids.  I'm not going to lie, it hasn't been easy.  The funny thing is, when I just have 2 of them with me it seems so EASY to get out and get things done (something I thought was SO HARD when there really was just two of them)  I remember thinking how hard having one baby was, until I had 2!! Funny how things work like that.  So, here is my new plan... I need to borrow someone's kid for a week or so (Callum,  maybe??) so that I realize how easy 3 kids are, after having 4!!! haha... I think that's a plan that just might work;)