ABC's

For the last few weeks, Asher and I have been having "school." He'll start pre-k in the Fall and we've been talking a lot about that to him. He's really excited about it! So, I decided we really needed to start working on recognizing the alphabet and letter sounds. I know, I know, I can't believe we haven't started that already, especially since I used to be a teacher. But, I really don't think Asher was ready until just a few months ago. He wasn't interested at all and I didn't want to waste my time or turn him off. We started letter of the week a few weeks ago and do some pretty fun activities.

"B" for broccoli man

Working hard at handwriting


Hunting letters

More letter writing practice. I love this easel!

Some of the activities we do are:

1. handwriting worksheets
2. Sing songs about letters and their sounds
3. make letter books
4. go on a letter hunt
5. coloring pages that go with out letter. Ex. Dinosaur for letter D
6. Look through magazines and books looking for our letter of the week and cutting out pictures that start with that letter.

I use the Internet tons for resources. Here are some sites I like for printables and ideas.

http://www.mrsjonesroom.com/letter/all.html

http://www.first-school.ws/INDEX.HTM

http://www.kidzone.ws/

Sleep and schedules

I'm here! I've been busy, distracted and foggy headed with all this rain. I need some sunshine to wake up!
I've been trying to upload a video for a post for 2 days now with no luck. Looks like I just need to move onto a new topic.

We've stuck very close to home the last few days. I am really trying to get Maryclaire on some sort of schedule, so I haven't ventured out so I can pay close attention to her sleepy signs. Yes, I'm that mom. I like routine. I like predictability. I refuse to schlep my kids around anytime close to sleepy time. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make to have well rested kids.


I'm pretty sure Maryclaire is going through a growth spurt because she has been sleeping crazy late the past few days...think 10:00 and 10:30. Wow! I've been playing with bedtime too because she seems to want to nap around 6-6:30 most evenings...which to me is not naptime anymore-thats bedtime. We've been holding her out until 7:30 and then she won't go down without a major fight. So then I figure we missed the sleepy window and overextended her. Oh, we live and learn, right? It's not fun to anyone when you're spending most of your evening trying to get a baby to sleep.

Just for the record, I have to document Maryclaire's sleep last night because it was amazing! It went something like this:
7:00-nurse to sleep
7:45-woke up when I placed in crib and cries. By 7:55 you were alseep. Your fussing was not bad at all.
3:00am-wake to eat
7:30am-wake to eat and went back to sleep until 10:00.

Wow!! Do the math and that 8 hrs between feedings! I've been getting up around 12am and 4am to feed her everynight for the last several weeks. I would LOVE to be getting up only once a night.

Happy Birthday to my Daddy

Growing up, I thought my Dad was the coolest Dad ever. Really, I did. He had great taste in music. He sported long hippy hair in the seventies. He had cool stories to tell of his youth. He was fun. He could do/fix anything. He called me sweetpea...even when I wasn't sweet....even when I turned 30. Isn't this the way it works with Dads?

On Saturday, we had a little birthday lunch to celebrate my dad's 61 years. We actually had a big family celebration the weekend before that I have no pics of....because of a little girl who was not on her best behavior! So, I made sure to get some on Saturday.

Asher telling Granbuddy about the card he made.

Funny how kids think all presents are for THEM to open.

Daddy's birthday Davey Crockets. Yum!

Granbuddy getting some smiles from Maryclaire.

Asher is clapping his hands for pizza-his favorite!

The sweetest little girl in the world!

Going and Doing

Going and doing...two things we are not having a lot of these days. I can't believe the price of gas has actually got me staying at home more. Tons more. I remember a few years ago when gas was in the mid $2 range and I had a 2 hr round trip commute to school AND was traveling 3.5 hrs each weekend to see Vaughn (definitely pre-kids but we were married). I would cringe filling up at the gas station, but it really didn't slow me down.

But now, at $3.5 plus a gal., we're not going anywhere! We venture out to shop maybe once or twice a week now. We used take multiple trips to my parents house each week, about 15-20 miles away. Now, we don't even go once a week! If things weren't so tight around our house right now, it might not be a big deal, but we're taking tight to a whole new level.

It's not all so bad. Having a newborn definitely slows us down. I have such a tight window to get out and about that mostly I don't even think it's worth it. But, I probably miss the trips to my parent's house the most.

I'm praying the situation in Libya gets better. I'm relived to hear that no ground troops will sent. I'm praying Vaughn's work picks up. It's tough times for a financial adviser in this economic climate. I'm especially thankful God has allowed me to be a good steward of our money.

And when I type it all out, it seems like such a minor sacrifice that we're not "going and doing" much anymore. I have so much to be thankful for.

Happy Friday

Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward."

Psalm 127:3

I just love these kids. So much. They are truly answered prayers, all my hopes and all my dreams.

Happy St. Patrick's Day

A little leprechaun visited our house today during nap time. It left Asher some St. Patrick's Day goodies.

Asher is completely bewildered about this little green hand print on the door.

Hmmmm. A note from Larry Leprechaun. Look in the fridge?

I spy Leprechaun Juice.

Mmmmm, tastes like milk.

A little present from Larry Leprechaun.

For dinner we're having bangers, mash and cabbage. And after the kiddos go to bed we'll have an adult Irish treat. Mmmmm, I love a good beer (i know, i know, so not girly!)

It's been a great day! And, back to blogging means little Miss is back on her naps. Yay!

Happy St. Patty's Day!

Mid-Week Update

Asher has totally been cracking me up lately...for the most part. It's like I'm watching him become this little person right before my very eyes. His newest thing he's learned is how to dress himself. Now, I know a lot, ok, most kids have already learned how to do this by the time they're 3.5, but Asher was a little behind the times. (I think it probably had something to do with the fact he didn't have any NEED to dress himself...I mean I could do everything for him before a certain little someone came along. :)

Anyway, his newest thing is matching his clothes (although he has no idea what matches and what doesn't.) He'll argue with Vaughn and I that they don't and we'll go through a hundred combinations until he settles on something-not so fun when you spend 15 minutes trying to help your kid pick out clothes in the morning.

I think he's heard too many conversations where I'm telling Vaughn that what he dressed Asher in doesn't go together, where as Vaughn will retort something like, "On what planet does blue not match blue?" and I will answer, "Navy blue pants do not go with a royal blue shirt. Blue doesn't always match blue." You've been there, right?

I digress. I got out my camera to take a pic of him playing dress-up (think super heroes people, not princesses!) and he totally started striking all these poses. I have NO IDEA where he's seen someone do this, but I was cracking up. Here are some of his poses.

This one is my fave!

Can you tell what he's doing here? Holding his eyes open so they don't close! I think he's heard me say, "Ack, you're eyes were closed!" a few too many times!

On another note, tonight was Wacky Wednesday at church and the kids were supposed to wear their clothes backwards, inside out, etc. Asher totally would NOT do it! He didn't want to and didn't understand it. He said if he wore his clothes backwards he wouldn't be able to see his shirt. Silly Boy!

Happy 3 Months, Maryclaire!

Sweet girl, the last three months have been such a JOY! I love how much you grow and change everyday. Here are some neat things you have done the the past month.

1. You graduated from our bedroom to your room, from your mini-travel crib to your big girl crib. It was a slow transition, but you did super!

2. You go to bed around 8ish and wake up around 8ish in the morning.


3. You found your hands! You like to suck on them and just look at what they can do.

4. You eat every 3 rs during the day and usually anywhere from 4-6 hrs at night.

5. You are a chatty girl! One of your favorite things to do is talk to us. We love it! We've even gotten a squeal out of you a few times.

6. You are still not a big fan of tummy time, but your head control and neck muscles are still pretty strong.

7. You still have most of your hair...only a little balding in the back.

8. You have made peace with your swing, but still are not a big fan of the bouncy seat.

9. You are still swaddled at night.

10. Right now, you only take one good nap a day, usually around 2. Your other naps are only about 30-45 min. long, We are working on that one.

11. You started grabbing at things like your toys, blankets and clothes.

12. You've become very sensitive to noises. The dogs suddenly barking, a loud speaking voice, the intercom at the grocery store...all make you cry!

13. You are in a size 1 diaper and 0-3 month clothes. They fit you pretty good, but I know you'll outgrow them in a minute!

14. You are SO happy and a really easy baby for the most part. We love to see you smile!

Happy St. Patty's Day! Nobody's going to be pinching these cheeks!


This is my serious face.

Can't wait to see what the next month brings!

New Skills

Both kids are working on some new skills this week and last. We started teaching Asher how to play games on the computer. I thought it would be good for his fine motor skills to use the mouse. Plus, PBS Kids has some really good educational games that I feel good about. Plus, it's something he can work up to do independently. Asher LOVES it! He especially like the Curious George games.

Little Miss is working on becoming good napper. I decided I'm going to let her nap on her tummy. Her arms are too crazy to keep her on her back and she seems to wear herself out more if she fusses on her tummy. NOT that she's fussing that much, but I am giving her the opportunity to settle herself back to sleep. I am desperate for naps longer than 30 minutes! On another note, 2 nights in the last week she only woke up ONCE to eat. Whoohooo!

Sweet girl when she woke up from her nap.

My Little Leonardo

For 3 yrs now, I've been on the hunt for something that will entertain Asher and allow him to play independently. We have a playroom FULL of toys and none of them ever did the trick. I think it's part Asher's personality and probably partly because I've been at home with him since he was born and he's always had my undivided attention...until recently.

For Christmas, I suggested my parents get Asher one of these. It seemed perfect-something he could do independently (notice I don't like saying, "by himself" because I think it sounds bad) and it would foster creativity.

Well, Asher LOVES it! He will play at his easel several times a day.The only thing I have to set up for him is the paints, so he doesn't do that very often. But, he loves the dry erase board and markers, chalk and has even learned how to put the paper up himself so he color with his crayons.This is Asher's portrait of me!

My budding artist!

Guess who else loves it? ME!!! Finally something he will do independently!

Hodge Podge

Blogging has been a little more difficult lately. This pretty little thing has decided she's not much of a napper anymore.
Most days I don't know how I'm going to get my chores done, let alone blog. And as much as I LOVE hanging out with my girl, I need her to take a nap too! No fail, she's going to wake up 30 minutes after I put her down. I foresee some sleep training in our near future.

She's such a great sleeper at night, it's hard for me to complain. I guess if she's going to have sleep issues, I'd rather it be during the day then at night. Can I get an Hallelujah that she slept 5 hours in a row last night?

We had a great weekend. I went to a consignment sale with my sister while our hubby's managed the kids. I picked up a few super cute things for Mc. I didn't have much luck with Asher except for this Superman tee that he has worn everyday since Saturday! I think 3 yr boys must be pretty rough on their clothes!

This was one of my favorite finds for Maryclaire.

I think we'll be seeing Asher in this a LOT!

We didn't even get out of our pj's on Sunday, which was nice, but left me with a to-do list the size of Texas today.

The nice weather we had finally moved out and it's been cold, rainy and overcast for several days now. Boo! We spent lots of time outdoors while it lasted. I have a hard case of spring fever now!

Asher's Alien Friend

When Maryclaire arrived, everyone who came to visit us brought Asher a present. His Aunt Pat brought him this little creature. Asher calls him Alien or Mr. Alien. Mr Alien likes to sit with Asher on the couch, chair, dining table, and I even tuck him into bed some nights. The other morning Asher requested a photo shoot with Alien and Baby Sister. Here are the ones worth posting!

Dr.'s Visits

Asher and Maryclaire both had well visits at the the Dr. the other day. Maryclaire had her two month appt. and Asher had his 3 yr old checkup even though he turned 3 in June. We got behind on his well visits when we moved back to Atlanta and had to find a new pediatrician.


Maryclaire weighed in at 10.2 lbs and 23 inches long. That puts her in the 60th percentile for height and 20% for weight. Maybe she'll stay tall and thin!



Asher weighed 31 lbs and was 37 inches tall. He hadn't gained any weight since he last visit and only grew a little over an inch. He is in the 10th percentile for weight and 8th percentile for height! What a little boy! He's always been on the small side and we usually do notice that most kids his age are bigger than he is. Vaughn and I have already discussed he will be a good soccer player if he stays on the small side.


Both kids checked out just perfect. Poor babies got 7 shots between the two of them. :(
The nurses were so sweet and let me calm Asher down and get him settled before they moved onto Maryclaire's shots. They both took them like champs and only cried for a minute.


However, they were both pitiful, cranky, and crying the rest of the afternoon. I certainly had my work cut out for me! Maryclaire slept all afternoon, but insisted on being held. And poor Asher decided he couldn't walk after all those shots.

Poor babies didn't know what was coming next: Shots!

I was one tired Mama by the time they went to bed!