A Big Girl Bed

I have to say - I have been quite remiss in journaling Mae's journey toward independent sleep compared to how well I documented Ace's.  Perhaps because this mommy is tired after two littles who aren't huge fans of sleeping.   Nonetheless it is Mae's story and I should write her story and how it plays out. 

And so a bit of back story to go with the post.  :)    When Mae was 11 months old we got her a 'floor bed' - went a bit of the way of the Montessorri line of thinking and found her a 3" mattress and placed it on the floor.  Never having had a crib since we co-slept this was a good height to start out with.    She nursed to sleep the first night and slept the first stint of sleep in her own bed. 

This worked pretty well for a few weeks but she would wake up seemingly quicker and quicker.  I recall that Ace seemed to have trouble staying asleep in his 'bed' when it was just a mattress on the floor and so I went on the hunt for a toddler bed that was low to the ground and when she was 13 months old she got her first (mini) big-girl-bed. 

As she got older, she got wise to the fact she could get OUT of the bed and often that led to a power struggle and so one day I broke out the pack and play and she quickly went to sleep 'on her own' and with 'self soothing' - no tears required, just got bored and slept.   As a result the second half of her second year if she wasn't co-sleeping with us, she was asleep in the PnP and often she'd sleep through the night in there.   Almost always napped there.  

I decided I need to break that habit and she also was starting to grow up enough that she needed the space in her room and the PnP needed to be retired as a permanent fixture in her room and so with much hesitation mommy folded it up and returned to the disciplined efforts of Mae sleeping in her toddler bed and starting in February we started the slow process of total elimination of sleeping in our room at any point in the night.  (Very slow.)    This also meant that when she got sick in March I chose to sleep in her room so that we wouldn't lose the ground we had gained on the effort to keep her in our own bed.   It was then when I decided she needed a bigger bed so there'd be room for mommy too!

Her final nap in her toddler bed.

So the hunt was on - everything was procured and I put her bed together.  She was so excited to have a big girl bed and very much following in suit with her brother - she's slept every night (nearly) all night since she's gotten her bed.   She's growing up and is doing so great!   We are all so proud. 

 

Mae loves to climb on her bed, she's only fallen out once (we put a bean bag down below so it's a soft spot to land) and she's a quick learner to avoid it in the future.   She's adorable and I love her.   Although I already miss looking over at her and seeing her smiling in her sleep, or having her cuddle me as we sleep.   It's one more sign my baby is growing up.  Although to help me not miss it as much I can focus on moments like these that we went through.  Oh sweet girl.

My Littles

Dearest Ace and Mae,

Mommy loves you so much.  It seems impossible that you've grown so fast and that you find ways to surprise me every day.    I love being your mommy!  

Ace -  you're constantly fixated on something and have an compulsive desire to satisfy it.  Sometimes that means that you'll get into trouble for excessive pestering - you've heard the phrase 'asked and answered'  a few times in recent months.   But I love that you have drive and determination to set your mind on something and seek out multiple ways to accomplish it.    Yes, often this is finding a way to go play video games - but sometimes it's to play outside, to watch a movie, to stay up past your bedtime to read.   You are afraid to fail and I encourage you to not let that stop you.  Always try even if it means temporary defeat - see it as an opportunity to strive toward betterment on the road to greatness.   I adore listening to you learn to read.   Nothing makes my heart melt more, Ace than when you stop in the middle of life to say "Mom, I love you."  I love you too, Bear!

Mae - you're my sweet baby girl.   You have tenacity and attitude rolled up into a ball of cuteness that makes it hard to get mad at you.   Although I do wish you'd sit down in your car seat for me.    I love that you, like your brother, have a desire for books.   I love your sense of fashion and your driven purpose to dress yourself.  Mommy tries to allow you the freedom to pick your style.  It's important, even if the adults find your outfit choices to be puzzling.     You're such a tiny articulate little girl.  Full sentences, big words, bundled into your time frame is a sense of wonder for many and amusement and pride for mommy.    Your soothing comfort is to touch mommy's tummy and while I know our time for that is nearing an end, I  love it and I love you, Mae.

I love that the two of you play so well together - that you laugh hysterically at each other's antics, you tickle and wrestle, and that you Ace allow your little sister to copy you without frustration.    Sure you have your moments - often surrounding Mae wishing to 'share' something of yours Ace - but for the most part you love each other and want to spend time together.

Why do I pen this letter to you?   Because I love you and I want you (and I) to remember in years to come the little things that made you special in the now.   You two are growing so fast.   Mae, you constantly are already telling us you're three - even though you just turned 2 a few months ago.  Ace, you'll be 5 soon and starting kindergarten.   Time is so fast and yet so cherished.    You two have my heart and as I said - I love being your mommy.

Love,

Your mommy

March in Photos

Vacation, Easter, visits from friends, and a birthday party to photograph!  Lots of fun had in March!

Spring?

He waited all winter for snow... and it never came.  Two days into spring through we awoke to this...

 

Confusion in the seasons is beautiful!

Ace wanted to build a snowman all winter and the snow this spring was perfect for it!

Dad stayed home from work for a while to play in the snow too!

After lots of fun it's time for warm oatmeal and hot apple cider!

Happy Spring, everyone!

Still Smiling

How do you say goodbye to someone that you've known for nearly a decade?   Who in the last two years impacted your life more in that short time than ever before...   Who in two years lived more life than some do in a lifetime...   Who never let cancer take her smile...  Today Katie is resting.  Katie is near the end of this ugly road she's been forced to walk.  Today when I went to see Katie, she still smiled. 

 

Cancer is ugly, it's mean, and it's ruthless and yet it still doesn't have control.   Katie decides and with that Katie wins.  We may never have a clear understanding of our purpose here.  However, we fortunate enough to know Katie and love her have been given the gift to see the impact and perhaps her very purpose on this earth - to show hope, love, grace, determination and most of all - the beautiful mother she's been to Kennedy.  Kennedy is Katie's heart, her love, her life and the part of her that will go on in this world.  Katie accomplished so much in her lifetime, but Kennedy was her most cherished accomplishment and a beautiful legacy.

 

Katie, as I said today - I love you.   I love that you 'stole' my wedding date and in turn 'gave me' an extra week of a honeymoon as a result... (After Loving Husband and I got engaged we picked August 7th, but then found out that Ryan and Katie were getting married that day and as a result we got married the weekend before and since LH was in their wedding - we had to delay our destination-honeymoon by a week, thus giving me an 'extra week' of a honeymoon stateside.)  I love that our girls play so well together.   I love that in these last two years we've become closer friends. 

Thank you for sharing your love, your story, your time with not only me - but everyone.   Thank you for being you.  Sometimes that meant being down right embarrassed and annoyed by your husband who is rocking out to karaoke at Dana's house.  To watching football sometimes more intently than the men in the room.   To always being generous whether at baby showers, birthdays, hosting parties, etc..   Thank you for the privilege to capture your memories this last year with Kennedy. 

May your final time on this earth be peaceful - may your goodbyes be all that you hoped and planned for them to be.   May your continue to never let cancer take your smile in this final stage, even if it's only on the inside.  It was beautiful today, my friend.  Go with God.

2008 at Ace's baby shower.  Not my finest, but I think Katie looks stunning.

Rapidly Approaching 5...

It doesn't seem possible that my first born is registered for kindergarten - but it's true!   He will begin his journey in primary education.   He's already changed so much since his 4th birthday.   He's learning to read, he's writing more and able to copy just about anything.    He is learning to count to 100 and is pretty close to getting it down.   He has written out his numbers up to 66 without any assistance - he probably could continue on and get to 100 but he's been distracted by other parts of life!

Ace loves his Pre-K class and most days loves to go to school and see his friends.  Although every now and then he claims illness and doesn't want to go - but the fight is typically minimal.     He is for the most part a good kid in school, he has gotten into 'trouble' a couple of times for being too loud/wild but otherwise the report is that he is very thoughtful and kind.   Whenever I drop him off he is often very sweet saying "See you in a little while, Mom.  Have a good day!"  and followed by a big hug - that often if I am still in range he seeks to repeat and give me more. 

Ace is a bookworm in the making.  He loves storytime, books read to him, and he's venturing into reading on his own...ever so slowly.  Yes, Ace has completed two BOB books with minimal help from me and continues to love to be read to.  He is very much into listening to chapter books and loves the continued story aspect - although he doesn't always remember what happened previously but he appreciates the idea.   We have read: The Invention of Hugo Cabret (the first half so far),  Stuart Little, Charlotte's Web (just started this one) and I think his favorite thus far was: Tollins: Explosive Tales for Children.   

Mae and Ace get along pretty well and he is quick to forgive when Sister has wronged him.  "I forgive you, Sister."   Sometimes it's not the most enthusiastic forgiveness but he doesn't withhold it and they often quickly make up.    He has his moments of frustration that often result in tears when his sister is frustrating him to the brink - but generally he's a good sharer, kind and patient.   

Once Ace turned 4 he gained responsibilities and chores and he's been doing pretty good and often asks for more chores.  The chores that are consistently his are:  making his bed, clearing his place after a meal, brushing his teeth in the morning, and in recent weeks we've added in feeding Pixel.    He doesn't always do them without asking, but sometimes he does and it makes my heart smile at his willingness to help.   I love that he often asks for more chores.   It's sweet.

Ace loves to play outside, play video games, and most recently he loves to do Reading Eggs that helps with his learning to read.    It's great to watch him play and use his imagination.  My favorite is that he is always looking for flowers to give me - whenever he is outside.   He is just a sweet sweet boy.

Ace and his father have recently embarked on the discovery of Star Wars and introducing him into that world and he is always eager to do that with his dad.   At the moment he doesn't seem to have a favorite anything - he likes a handful of shows that stream on Netflix,  he loves to do school at home and learn new things, and loves for us to read to him.  

Summer is rapidly approaching and my boy will be five before I know it.   What will the next few years bring for us - I'm excited to find out!!

Dr. Seuss Food & Fun

Dr. Seuss is so much fun to read, bizarrely tongue-twisting, a whole world of adventure and weirdness!  I love it!    So on Dr. Seuss' Birthday this year (which happened to fall on a Saturday) I went all out on oddly themed Dr. Seuss food and drink!    To see my other post about Seuss-y School go here where there is another ideal for food there as well.

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish:  

Pink Ink Drink!

I have a hard time choosing between three books of Dr. Seuss that are my favorite:  Ten Apples Up on Top,   One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish, and Green Eggs and Ham.   All have special memories for me - but I think if I must choose OFTFRFBF (now that's an acronym for sure!)  truly encompasses Dr. Seuss in a broad peek into the worlds he created.    Within it there is a Mink who drinks pink ink and so with a little food dye and some pink straws the kid's milk was transformed!   They loved it!  Mmmm ink!

Green Eggs and Ham:

Crack 6 eggs into a bowl and dump a whole lotta green food dye in.  Then scramble them up!   Ace was a bit bummed I didn't dye the ham, but he recovered quickly when the aforementioned drink emerged to accompany it.    After the kids were mostly through with their food - I brought out this book and we read through it.   (As a good tip, it's a motivator if the oddly colored eggs aren't a hit.)  In our house - I've never seen our kids gulp scrambled eggs down again.  I might dye food more often! 

The Cat in The Hat:

Jam Hat Pancakes!

When dinner rolled around it was time for some festive food again that was Seussical!  So I stirred up some more ink for them to drink and went to flipping some flap jacks in a smaller size.   Then to get a more precise size I broke out the biscuit cutters and cut them into one shape and then laid with strawberry jam.    They were a huge hit with Ace.  Mae.. just made herself sticky and needed an alternative.   "No like it!"

The Lorax:

Bath Time in the Truffula Forest

As Mae went onto consume something less Seussical for her dinner - I drew them a bath and was inspired by the foam circles that I had used for a previous polkadot themed bath they had a while back.   So I went to the craft room to find other foam and found some tree trunk material, clouds, and some orange and yellow and in 5 minutes cut up supplements for the forest.     Went and set that all up while the kids remained at the table and then when they were done let them see their new bath world.    They spent some of their time deforesting the walls and it was fun to talk about that.  During their bath I played the soundtrack from The Lorax.    They had a great time!

 

Bedtime was followed up by reading The Cat in the Hat, and we finished by reading OFTFRFBF. ;)   Ending our evening with the following:

"And now good night. It is time to sleep. 

So we will sleep with our pet Zeep. 

Today is gone. Today was fun.

Tomorrow is another one. 

Every day, from here to there,

funny things are everywhere."  

- Dr. Seuss

One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.