This post might be just for the grandparents.

Haylie hasn't just been in timeout.  She has plenty of time to play and be a kid.  Lately, she has been really in to putting on clothes.  We watch Elmo everyday and they have kids show how to put on shoes, jackets, hats...so she's been putting on everything she can.  Socks, shoes, pants and jackets.  And I always hear her act like she's teaching someone else how to do it.  "You put your arm in..." 



Haylie wearing Justin's socks.

She's still REALLY into Elmo.  Her birthday is coming up in 2 months (WHAT!) and I'm thinking an Elmo party will make her the happiest 2 year old around.  Either that or stars.  I know, random.  She sings "Winkle, winkle, wittle star" every free second she can and will find the tinest star on anything around.

It's still warm enough in October to play in the sprinklers!  Gotta love Oklahoma weather.



I don't even know where all this dirt came from (I mean, from besides outside), but she was playing hard. 

And because we love Elmo so much, we have him gaze out in the backyard as a past time.

And just so I can document this monumental day, we got over 2" of rain.  What a blessing for this drought crazed land!!

She's Not Even 2.

This is now a familiar sight in our home.

Time out.  Today I hit my limit with letting H push my buttons and making me look like a loser mom who's kid gets away with anything and everything while out in public.  I tell you what - discipline and being consistent takes so much energy!  I am completely drained and I only decided to buckle down at like 2pm.  It sounds like I didn't do any disciplining before.  I did.  I promise.  But I think I let her get away with some stuff that I hoped would stop by just a stern "no" or threat of time out.

Terrible two's have arrived in full force and we haven't even hit that milestone 2nd birthday.  She throws stuff, she screams NO!!, she runs away, she throws fits in aisles at the store, she basically thinks she can do what she wants.

And I think this is bad?  I'm wondering what I'm actually going to do with 2 kids!!  Anyone want to call Supernanny for me in advance??

Or maybe we just won't go out in public.  Ever again.

Traditions

Last night we kind of invited ourselves over to a friend's house for a few minutes.  We are very classy like that.  Anyway, we walked in to the smell of popcorn!  They told us that this is their Sunday night tradition for dinner and they even bought a 40 lb. bag of the kernels to do the self-pop.  We both thought this was pretty cool and realized we haven't started any real traditions yet. 

Growing up, I'd like to think that a semi-tradition was to have tomato soup and grilled cheese on Sunday nights where we got to eat in the living room and watch America's Funniest Home videos.  I have very fond memories of doing this!!

I guess what I'm wondering is, do you and your family have any traditions that you have started (or kept up??)  We promise not, might not, probably will copy them if you have any fun ones!

Let the traditions roll!

We've Decided!

On a nursery theme, that is.  You actually thought we had agreed on a name already?  Silly, so very silly.

A little back information.  Justin is obsessed with Swamp People on some discovery type channel. Since we do not have cable, he watched it on Netflix...and there are only so many episodes.  Hence his sadness when we only could watch about 10 of them.  Darn.

If you aren't familiar with swamp people, just imagine no teeth, no hygiene, you need subtitles to understand what in the world they are saying...all mixed with guns and gators.  It. Is. Awesome. Bleh.

So my idea for the nursery was owls.  They have so much out there and is soooooo cute.  Justin wanted Swamp People or Pawn Stars as a theme.  He's not kidding either, folks.  So as a compromise, I found this as my new inspiration!

Owls AND Alligators!!!  It's a match made in Etsy heaven. 

Sadly, since this is our second child he will not be getting his own room.  He gets to share with our guest room furniture and decor.  So, I'm thinking this room won't take as much $$ as for our little Haylie.

I could be wrong though.  I mean, these alligators and owls could be pretty cute.

What Bathroom Project?

Lately we have been so busy!  Let's see...Caramel has found a new place to get furry.  She LOVES Haylie's new bed...and so does Haylie.  Haylie has done really great.  Staying in, not falling out, ya know, the good stuff.

We also had Haylie's good friend Ava (Va-Va) come over for a semi-sleep over!  The girls did really good.  Ava stayed on her trundle bed and Haylie (for the most part) stayed in her bed.  They were both asleep by 9 pm after about an hour of giggling.

Haylie loves her new shoes I found her at Old Navy.  So much so, that she just laid on the floor wearing them while watching Elmo.  This girl loves shoes.

Oh, wait, we also have a bathroom renovation going on.  Justin has been a powerhouse and working on it pretty much by himself for awhile. My contribution has been going to get the soap dish and shower shelves.  Last night I finally was able to lay some tile with him, after Bug-a-boo went to sleep.  This bathroom seems to be going SO much faster than our other.  It might be because the tiles are a lot bigger so we can cover more footage with just one tile.  Whew.  We have given ourselves a deadline to get it done.  October 13. 

Think we'll make it?  We'll find out!!

It's Big Girl Time!!

We decided it was time for Haylie to move into her big girl bed - after we finally purchased a mattress (or two, since we also have a trundle).  Tonight was really the best night to put it together since we had some crazy busy nights coming up.  That and I think we were impatient to just get it over with.



Little Miss helping Daddy take down the crib



Testing out the bed.  It's a keeper!

Foreshadowing??  Jumping on the new bed.  SOO much fun!

New bedtime routine.  Mommy laying with H while reading a book.

We were prepared to sit outside her room and to go in several times tonight to make sure the new bed worked out.  We did put up a side rail so hopefully she won't fall out and pulled the trundle out a little so she can get up and down on her own.  We said good night and left.  2 seconds after that, I heard her through the wall doing something.  Justin went in and she was sitting in her chair, reading her books.  He put her back in bed.  About 5 minutes later, Justin went to check on her (she responds so much better to him) and she was at least ON her bed but playing with the picture above it.  About 10 minutes later Justin went in to check on her and she IS ASLEEP IN HER BED!!!  Goodness, I hope it goes that smoothly every night.  I'm anxious to see how tomorrow morning goes...if she gets up to read her books on her own or if she cries like she has done for the last 21 months to get out of bed.  I'm hopeful it's a restful night (for everyone!) and a good morning.  Fingers crossed!

Sinking In...

Now that the complete and utter shock of having a boy has kind of sunk in, I'm diving in full force.  Names...nursery decor...cleaning out baby stuff from Haylie's closet and moving it over to guest/baby closet if gender neutral acceptable...mentally preparing myself for cars, trucks, BUGS, dirt, sports, etc...and basically having to get boy everything!  Luckily, my sister and lots of friends have boys so if I ever really need something, I know I can ask them.  (Like, how do I deal with that...thing?!)  Everyone has said that having one of each will be awesome - and I totally agree.  I'm hopeful this baby will be a little more laid back than my drama queen Haylie.  I'm hopeful this baby will not scream with all his might the second he is hungry.  But most of all, I'm hopeful Haylie will love her little brother so much and they will be life-long friends.

I saw this on my friend Miranda's blog and I like it (first I copy her party idea and now her blogging idea...can you tell I like how Miranda thinks?)...so here we go!!

Pregnancy Highlights:

Due Date: February 2, 2012

How far along: 21 weeks (tomorrow!)

Size of baby: the size of a carrot or banana

Gender: BOY!

Cravings: anything with cheese (pizza, french fries, nachos), soft pretzels from Target snack bar, pickles, salt & vinegar chips 

Sleep: Sleeping through the night!  I wake up and my bladder is screaming at me for ignoring it, but it's nice to get a full night's sleep.

Symptoms: Starting to get leg cramps but other than that, I feel GREAT!

Movement: I feel taps, kicks and punches pretty normally.  I love feeling them!

Best moments: Finding out the gender of our baby.  I don't think we can top that reaction for awhile!