Toddler Beds

Dun...Dun..DUNNNNNNNNNN!

I hope you can appreciate the sheer terror and anxiety I felt every time we discussed this. Even when Tate was first climbing out of his bed, we put it off, thinking it was a fluke. We mentioned it to their babysitter and she said he had been doing it for a week after nap time. Crawling out of his pack 'n play and into Gracie's to wake her ;)

Our pediatrician confirmed it, he is going to hurt himself one of these mornings, we have to bite the bullet. I have been hesitant to post because I didn't want to jinx the progress we were making, but I think they are unaffected by my desires anyway.

SO. Mother's Day we took apart their cribs and converted them to toddler beds. Much noise was made about BIG BOY and BIG GIRL beds. They were excited and nervous. I was a little sentimental and very nervous.

Daddy went to work.

They had a lot of fun once they were put together and they could get up and down, and of course, jump around.



That night the usual bed time was 6:30 PM. We followed routine, but they didn't fall asleep until 9PM (despite their iron will to play all night). Tate then woke at 1am, roaming around the room crying, and 4am just crying until he settled himself. Then they woke for the day at 5:45am. We were exhausted.

2nd day, same story, but they also managed to blow a fuse playing with the humidifier.

Since that first night, things have gotten better. Going to sleep seems to be easy-ish, its the early wake up call that has us stumped. You are on the same mattress, why do you need to wake up a half an hour earlier every day?! We have put those black out curtains up (on sale now at Target, FYI) and nada. I think that does help them fall asleep quicker, but still up at 6am with the birds. This 30 minutes has become a challenge as we do not want to get up for work yet/let them out of their room. So we have been putting books in there at night for them to "read" when they get up. The past two mornings Tate has grabbed his blankies and crawled into bed with Gracie. Very cute. This morning, she didn't like it though and was beating him mercilessly when we came in. I think they "get" that we aren't coming in right away, but it's kind of a toss up whether they will take that lying down (excuse the pun). We have screaming and banging on the door some mornings (we installed the safety knob on the inside of their room so they can't get out!) and oh so cute giggles and cuddle time on a pile of blankets on the floor, other days.

So, if I had to grade the transition (which I would because I'm a teacher and all...) I'd give us a B. Room for improvement, but not epic failure.

Fear not, Parents of Toddlers! It can be done! Don't let the bed scare you!

Blessed!

Mother's Day was a wonderful time for me since my hubby is a thoughtful guy. I was so blessed by the kiddos and his love for me. I woke up per usual and felt badly that he had them all by himself, I went out to help and got shooed back to bed! Mother's day was golden right there.

A few minutes later I was greeted bedside by a rather short parade bearing gifts. I got the New Moon dvd (yippee!) a piping hot coffee from Starbucks (he actually went to the drive thru with all of them in their pj's!) and some custom stationary by Sarah and Abraham! I have been drooling over her designs for months (seen above)!

Next, I got treated to homemade strawberry waffles, my favorite breakfast treat and a morning of leisure. I got a few "I love you mommy" 's and those were the sweetest gifts of all. I am such a softy I actually cried a few times during breakfast. :)

But wait! there's more...

After church I got to go out to lunch and a movie with my girlfriends! Nothing says Mother's Day like time without your children. Sorry, but it's the truth. We ate well and saw the "Babies" movie. It was hysterical, adorable, and left us in the perfect mood to back home and cuddle on our own babies.

It was such a blessing to feel loved and appreciated by those I love so dearly. I know I'm lucky because not all mothers get so much as a card. I hope you all got spoiled and loved on as well !

We tried again for an annual Mother's Day picture. It didn't go so well, but I just want to document the day.

Super Cheers!

Our Mickey (and Minnie) Mouse Clubhouse Party was a success!

The weather held out. It didn't rain and wasn't freezing. It wasn't sunny either, but I can't count on that in Seattle in May anyway.We had about 35 people including many, many babies/toddlers. We played with bubbles

and in our new bouncy house:
We drove around all of our cars (I got 3 on Craigslist for $10 a piece!)


I was really proud of the Rainbow cake I made! I baked and Sean decorated, it turned out awesome if I do say so myself!

It took about 2 hours because of baking the individual layers and frosting, but I'll take that over the cupcakes I made from scratch last year.( I was up Until 2am, don't ask).
They loved the cake as far as I can tell, thought Grace still isn't a fan of the singing/candle part.



*Super cute side note: For dinner on their actual birthday we put a candle in their dinner rolls and sang to them. They blew out the candles on their own and really liked it just us. It was a sweet moment for our little family.
I Loved seeing our friends and family in their mouse gear they brought/borrowed or ears I gave them:





I was totally wiped out afterwards and the wreckage was substantial:


But as all moms know, totally worth it for smiles like these!

No excuses.

Sorry I've been AWOL again. 4th grade is kicking my butt.

Plus, the battery on my camera is dead.

AND I have been getting stuff ready for the twinnies' big Mickey Mouse Clubhouse bash this weekend.

Buying any of this? Well it's the truth! Promise to have something of value up on Sunday...ish.

Terrible Two's

I imagine I will have about 1800 posts with this title in the next year. We are on our way, folks. Full blown temper tantrums, screaming, whining, crying over NOTHING. The words blatant defiance come to mind. We're hanging in there, that's about it.

On another note, I want to recap some stuff the kiddos are doing since I never write in the their baby books.

Grace Noel:
Dark horse for the terrible two competition. Crazy, wild tantrums about 3-4 times a day.
Duck/fluff hair that sticks straight up in the back.
Says: Hi baby! Or Hi Benny!" When we get B up in the morning.
Talks about her Bruber (brother-Tate) all the time
Sings in the car, before bed, during nap, etc. Favs include: Wheels on the bus, Bumblebee song, "What a boy" song
Says Ahhhhmeeeeen (for Amen)
Sleeps with a massive pile of blankets she has collected and likes to be buried under them (all but her legs), her "girls", and a pillow
Now stringing together 2 and 3 word phrases that shock me "What daddy doing?" "My daddy open it"
Silly and giggly
Answers MANY questions with no and then finally a YEP!

Tater:
Talks in kind of a husky man voice lately, not sure what that's about
Obsessed with his blankies and Elmo
Loves to get in Benny's face and make him laugh
Does a little shimmy and rolls his arms to tell you he wants to dance
Has less words than Grace, but gaining
Is saying Thank you Daddy and Thank you mama without being told. (LOVE)
Gives kisses and cuddles at random times
Needs a good 15 minutes of quality daddy time after work/daycare
Still sucks his thumb like a madman
Has the best smile ever.

Benny:
Sitting up for longer intervals, but still needs a lot of help.
Giggles and nearly everything G and T do.
Never cries when he falls
Cuddle bug
Says dadadadadada and mamamammama
Sean swears he is trying to say brother when he says bra bra
Eating pureed solids and drinking less formula
Says mmmmmmmmm after EVERY bite
Has one and a half teeth (which is why he's been pretty fussy lately)

They are exhausting, but I adore them.

Benny's Big Day

Sunday turned 8 month old ( I can hardly believe it!) and was dedicated in our church!

I don't have great pictures, which I will probably always regret, but I just didn't think about taking any as we enjoyed our celebration! We have a about 30 people (family and friends) at church with us and then came to our new house for lunch and play time for the toddlers. It was gorgeous out and everyone had a great time. I LOVED getting to host for once and it felt good to have those we love around us on Benny's big day. He did awesome in front of the church and let Pastor Jim walk him around so all could bask in his cuteness. ;)

I actually got a bit teary eyed during the whole thing becasue it seems only yesterday we were dedicating out 6 month old twins! Now, here they were in Sean's arms nearly two, and we have this extra little smiley guy with us. I felt abundantly blessed and I just have to say that.

Now a few blurry pics (my sis is not familiar with my camera):
Here's Benny and Grandpa (my dad) waiting for service to start



My little family up with the pastor.
Picture that was on the screens:

Actual dedication ( not sure why my hair is so stringy...)

Easter

Despite a VERY rough start in the morning (read: screaming toddlers, teething infant, and weepy mom who couldn't find anything to wear) we had a really nice Easter. Went to church, got all gussied up, and had dinner with our "Urban Family" up here. The toddlers had a great time playing and dancing while the adults relaxed and caught up. Now the important part, pictures!

At dinner with their friends Jackson and Shayla. It only took 156 shots to get this one!

Benny and Jack are best buddies already and celebrating their 1st Easter!

Sean with his boys

Benny checking out a "stranger" and chewing his little fingers off.

Blurry family pic at church
A few gratuitous poses for mommy:



Hope you all had a blessed Easter!