...enough...Day 4

Okay, she didn't sleep through the night, but I only had to pick her up and sway with her about 5 minutes or so, then I put her down and she went right back to sleep! Maybe tonight I can just pat her back and start her aquarium.

...enough...Day 3

I have to admit, I was skeptical. Deep down, I didn't think it would work. She is so stubborn. Last night we were only up for less than 15 minutes! I went in, held her and calmed her down for about 5 or 6 minutes...put her down...she fussed a little...patted her on the back...turned her ocean aquarium on (I had been doing this all along, but just realized there is an ocean sound)...and off she went. She did pull at my shirt when I first went in and picked her up; she wanted to climb on me instead of be comforted. Maybe she'll actually sleep all night tonight??!! I won't count my chickens before they hatch, though.

...enough...Day 2

Last night wasn't as bad. She woke up about 1:30 and there was less crying and screaming on her part, less picking her up on my part. I thought for sure I had her down, left her room and turned around to see that Kyler had left his room and come to ours. I picked him up out of our bed and returned him to his room, then the princess started fussing again. I let her for about 10 minutes because it was mild and she was just kind of whimpering...then she started getting worse so I went back in, held her for about 2 or 3 minutes, then put her back down and she went to sleep. This whole process lasted about 45 minutes or so. Much better than the hour last night. We'll see how night three goes!

I've had enough...Day One

The princess is going to be dethroned. At almost 9 months old, she is still not sleeping through the night and I'm about done with it. She started out a great sleeper. Sleeping 5-6 hours straight at 7 or 8 weeks. Then at about 4 months, it stopped. 5 months started sleeping again. 6 months...stopped...and hasn't looked back. NEVER had this problem with Kyler. He slept through the night at 5 1/2 months and has been a great sleeper ever since (except he comes in our bed in the middle of the night). I've decided to try a combination of methods. She's not a cry-it-out kinda girl (she just gets hysterical) and I'm not a no-cry kinda girl. Last night I finally had the strength to try and get her back to sleep without feeding her. At first I picked her up and held her until she was calm, then laid her down...she screamed...picked her back up and swayed...put her back down...she screamed...picked her back up and swayed and sang...put her back down...she screamed...(This cycle went on for about 30 minutes or so. There's not a clock in her room so I'm just guessing.)...finally laid her down and she seemed to stay calm like she was going to go back to sleep...ha, ha, ha...started crying...at least she's not screaming...leave room and let her cry...go back in after about 8 minutes...pick her up...sway...sing...lay down...cry...pick up...sway...lay down...wait, is she asleep...maybe...maybe...YES!
Finally after an hour she went to sleep. I was so proud that I was able to stay strong and not get angry. We'll see how tonight goes...keep you posted!

1st letter to Santa

Kyler is finally old enough to know about Santa, what he does, and tell him what he wants. We are loving every minute. I had a great idea since Kyler couldn't write, yet. Instead of my husband or I writing his letter to Santa, what if we cut out pictures of what he wanted and let him glue them to the paper. Then we can either take it to mall Santa or we can give it to the mail carrier to give to Santa. Here is what we came up with this morning.




Now, we have to explain to him that just because it's on your list does NOT mean that you will get it. It's just to give Santa an idea of what you like. I'm sure that will go over great!

Black Friday

I have various ideas about why they call the Friday after Thanksgiving "Black Friday." Perhaps it's because that's when all the stores that have a loss for the year jump up into "the black," maybe it's because people get up while it's still black outside (as in, not even approaching daylight or even dawn) to get the best deals, or maybe it's because that's the attitude many people have on this day.
My family got up at 5:30 am on Friday (mainly because that's when the princess decided she was hungry) and was out of the house by 6:00. We were off! Ray and I have always loved to go out on this day because it helps get us in the holiday spirit. We haven't gotten up early the last couple of years because our son was young and I just didn't see the point. This year, we went for it since we are all up before 6 almost every morning anyway. We rarely buy anything, just walk around and be in the crowds. I saw more families snapping at each other and other people just flat out being rude. It was so sad. This is a mere 12 hours after you just loved on your family and spent a day giving thanks, and now many people are back to the idea that they are all that matters. Getting stuff, saving money, getting stuff, all about me, me, me, me.
Personally, this was a day that was about my family. In all the chaos and craziness, I loved spending time with my family. My most memorable moment will be looking back on that day and remembering that my son and I are CRAZY! We went to go see a movie and when it was over, we started dancing like lunatics to the credits (we were the only ones in the theater). The princess was asleep and my husband was just sitting there looking at us. We had so much fun. Then I just stood there and looked at my son dancing, my husband watching him, my daughter asleep in her stroller and thought...this is MY family and I LOVE them so much. Hope you had a weekend of giving thanks and not getting things.

Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Birthday to Me

Thanksgiving is a time of food, fellowship, football, and reflection. I always look forward to this time of year for several reasons; the "official" kickoff to the holiday season, lots of food, great football games, and, most importantly, my birthday (on Saturday)! Okay, so my birthday is not the most important thing about Thanksgiving, but it always lands in the same week, so my mind is always there. So...in honor of my 29th birthday here are 29 things I am thankful for (in no particular order past number 3):

1. My Lord and Savior for giving his life so that I can live life abundantly and worship him for all of eternity.
2. My husband for loving me despite all my faults.
3. My children for allowing me to love them.
4. my parents and in-laws that live close enough to provide wonderful advice and free babysitting!
5. puddle hopping with my son after the rain
6. 3 1/2 years of teaching with the best faculty at the best middle school in Mid Tenn
7. the freedom to worship my God without persecution
8. my son's voice when he says "Hi, mommy. I missed you sooo much!"
9. the way my daughter smells after her bath
10. the way the leaves change colors in the fall
11. flip-flops
12. jeans with stretch
13. my husband's strong arms around me when I'm having a meltdown
14. the ability to stay home with my kids and still run my own business
15. my friends' ability to know when something is wrong despite what I tell them
16. Sister Schubert's rolls
17. my ability to hear music
18. my ability to perform beautiful music and worship my God with my voice
19. my son's curiousity
20. my daughter's laugh...and cry
21. ponytail holders
22. that my husband has the "fun" side covered with the kids so I don't feel so guilty about being the serious one
23. my brother, father, and several cousins who proudly serve our country in the Army National Guard, Air Force, and Navy
24. Pete and Jodi Brennan and their ministry in Brazil. I hope we can join them again soon.
25. my past and the ability to learn from it
26. my husband's honesty and drive to do better
27. the fact that we have clothes, food, a car, and shelter
28. the technology that allows me to stay in touch with friends all over the world and share my thoughts with you
29. CHOCOLATE!

I hope you have a great Thanksgiving. Take the time to really think about what you're thankful for beyond friends and family.

Gobble, Gobble!