First of all. Veto. I veto all of this ‘getting bigger’ nonsense. I used to hate it when mom’s were always griping about how sad they were about kids growing up. I seriously used to roll my eyes so hard at all that silly talk. I.Take.It.All.Back.
Alison and Reed both moved up classes today. Ali jumped ahead a room and she is now on the preschool side and not the day care side. I can’t believe my tiny little 2 year old is in preschool. I wasn’t prepared for that one.
Reed also moved up and he is now in the kinder prep class. I had no idea, but this is a legit kinder prep class. They have workbooks. They do math. And science. And reading. And homework!!! They even get to go on field trips!!! I am so, so thankful for all the kinder prep Reed will get this year. He is so stubborn and resistant to change. I think this will make all the difference for him. I think he will have a much easier transition into kinder after being in the class he’s in this year. I hate that I was so clueless about the changes that were coming, but I am so thankful for the kids school. When I’m sad about working, I remind myself of the fantastic instruction they are getting each day. Makes it a whole lot easier to run the rat race everyday.
There isn’t just one picture from this morning. You have to see all of them to understand their sweet little personalities. Gosh I love them all so stinking much. Thank you Lord for entrusting these little souls in our care. I couldn’t ask for anything more!!!
(Jake doesn’t start day care until Sept. 3. I still get 3 more days at home with him!!!)
Well, shortly after setting up Ali and Reed in the same room, Alison began having “bed envy”. There were a few times were Reed slept in our bed for a weekend nap, so Ali took the chance to sleep in Reed’s bed. Once she got the taste of the bigger space and freedom from the crib, there was no looking back. In fact, this kinda backfired when she fought and cried at night when she wanted to sleep in Reed’s bed again.
So, we made the same progression as we did with Reed. First we took the side off the crib to see how much she would roll, and to get her used to staying in bed when we ask her to lay down. We are certain we got very lucky with Reed in this respect since he NEVER got out of his bed at night. To our surprise, she actually rolled out of her bed less than Reed did. But we did catch her one morning UNDERNEATH the bed and still asleep!! (Many of her Baldwin relatives have similar stories from their youth, so this only added to the legacy)
Over the next few weeks, Ali did very well (all things considered) adapting to the new bed. The challenges were more centered around getting the two of them settled down for bedtime in the same room. We have gone back and forth putting Ali down first or just getting both of them in the room to settle down at the same time
This past weekend, we actually made the jump to Ali REAL “Big Girl” bed. We have actually had it in the garage for some time now, since Julie bought it on a bargain she couldn’t refuse. So, I took the day off of work to rearrange their room and switch to her new bed.
She looks so tiny in this new twin-size bed, but she is certainly happy and doing well.
In preparation for Baby #3, we have moved Alison into the same room with Reed. We pulled Reed’s brown crib out of the garage and set it up in his room. We have been building this idea for several months with each of them, and there has been no sign of conflict, especially with Reed. The two of them have been playing together so much better these days as their friendship is growing. We no longer have to watch that Ali will get beat up, in fact, she can fend for herself against her big brother rather well.
So, last Sunday afternoon, I pulled the crib out to setup in time for afternoon naps. Both kids got super excited as I was putting it together, and we tried our best to field the barrage of questions from Reed. Afterwards, they played a little, but wound down for naps in each of their beds.
The challenge here will be either getting both kids on the same schedule, or adjusting our routine with Reed to allow Ali to go down first, and then get Reed into bed without disturbing her. We will update this post as it develops. For now, they are both excited and this will no doubt grow their relationship (and probably form a sibling alliance against the powers that be).
Alison and I had the best morning on Saturday. Reed wanted to stay home and play, so Alison and I headed to visit DB at Starbucks. Alison is so into accessories right now. She wore two necklaces, boots, her puffy jacket and sunglasses for our morning outing. Here are some pictures from Starbucks.
After DB finished her lunch break (at 9:45!) Ali and I headed to Nordstrom Rack so I could buy some shoes with my Christmas gift certificate. Alison was definitely in her element. Before I show you the pictures I want you to know that we have never been shoe shopping before. This is all innate ability to shop well.
The first picture are the first shoes she put on. She declared those to be ‘too big’, so she put them back in the box and back on the shelf where she grabbed them (all by herself). She then proceeded to try on about 8 pairs of shoes…all in either neon or bright yellow or green. Every.single.pair. I missed several of the shoes she put on, but here is a little picture collage of the shoes she tried on. The best part was that I kept walking behind us to make sure I cleaned up any mess she had made…she didn’t make a mess at all! She put every box back on the shelf where she got it. So stinking funny.
And yes, she wore the sunglasses the entire time we were in the Rack.
There is a hilarious new fad in our household right now.
“Shake-a-booty” is just what it sounds like… bend your knees a bit, stick your rear-end out a little, tuck your elbows in… and wiggle your behind while you pump your arms a bit. This little move started during one of the many “dance party” events in our living room where the kids showcase their latest dance moves to random music selections. It was Reed that coined the move first and even gave it the name. We died laughing, and when you give that strong of a reaction to something, the kids are going to do it over and over and over.
Now that little move has transpired to bath time.
When either kid is getting ready for bath (ie: stripping naked in the bathroom while I am getting the bath water ready), they proceed to go streaking through the house and “Shake-a-booty” in front of Mommy, who is usually in the living room. It is absolutely hilarious to see Alison get so excited after I get her diaper off to look up at me and say (in a mischievous tone), “Shake-a-booty” before she darts out of the bathroom. The next thing I hear is Julie busting out laughing and giggling as they run back to the bathroom.
Oh my sweet, sassy little girl. How are you already 2 years old? First of all, your personality turned 2 about a week ago. All of a sudden you went from my sweet compliant happy baby…to a toddler who loves to tell me ‘no’ (still with the sassy smile) and not give me kisses. I can handle all of it, but you HAVE to stop holding out on the kisses!!!
You love your brother more than anything. If Reed does it, you are definitely going to do it too. This is not such a great thing for Mom and Dad since Reed is quite a punk. You can also hold your own against him. He plays pretty rough with you and you usually take it and then give him a swift kick in the leg…or bottom…or arm, really whatever is closest. I don’t want you two to fight, but it is strangely making you love each other more.
You absolutely love to make us laugh. You are into putting on Daddy’s hat and Mommy’s shoes (even the heels, yikes!) and walking around to make us laugh. We need to take more video of your little voice and the funny things you say, because you.are.funny. You also love to tell us when something is funny. Everything is either ‘very’ hot, or ‘very’ cold or ‘very’ funny. You love the word ‘very’. Cracks me up.
Other than your brother I would have to say that Duke and Yaya are your favorite people. You like to make a phone out of all sorts of things…shoes, blocks, toy phones, my phone, etc. The person you ALWAYS call is Yaya. After you talk to Yaya you always ask for Duke.
At the doctor on Friday we got your 2 year stats. You are in the 40th percentile in both height and weight. Still a skinny little 25 pounds, and 33 3/8 inches. If the rule of thumb is right you will be around 5ft, 6in as a grownup.
You love Elmo and Pooh bear, and pink and purple. Basically I think you just love to talk. Anything you can identify and talk about you will do so.
You love anything with carbs and sugar. Enjoy it now little one! The only thing we have a hard time getting you to eat is vegetables. You do a great job with meat and fruit and dairy and bread (of course). I have to say your favorite food are probably scrambled eggs and ‘squishy’ yogurt. It could be a whole lot worse…
You FINALLY sleep well. You are trying to give up your afternoon nap, but we aren’t going to let that happen just yet. Thankfully you sleep really well at night and wake up happy and sweet.
I’m afraid you really are ready to start potty training. We need to find a long weekend that we can devote to being at home and then get started on that process. Reed is your biggest cheerleader about potty training. For whatever reason he really wants you to use the potty.
All in all…I love you little girl. I was so nervous about having a girl after the crazy sisters I have (I was never the crazy one, just had to make sure that was clear!) but you are truly a gift. I can’t imagine my life without you and I dearly love watching you grow up.
I apologize all the time that I don’t update the blog enough, so I’m going to stop apologizing every time I DO update. That’s just annoying.
Alison turned the ripe old age of 18 months 2 weeks ago. The next day she took me into the bathroom and went poop and pee on the potty. I might have freaked out a little. I am not ready for that yet. Then she woke me up at midnight to change her barely wet diaper. I am definitely NOT ready for that!! The next day at school she made her teachers take her to the potty. Good Lord. Thankfully, she hasn’t pushed it anymore since then. She’s just really whiney if she has poop in her diaper (and I can’t blame her for that!)
She is already learning about lady things. The other day she walked into the kitchen wearing her sun hat and my purse. If only my eyes could automatically take a picture every time something awesome happens…I didn’t get the picture.
My sweet little girl is turning into quite the sassy toddler. She is figuring out how to defend herself against her brother. I don’t want her to fight…but I am excited for her to stand up for herself. She is learning to bite and scratch…NOT a fan of that!! She brought Reed to tears yesterday from the bite she gave him. Yuck. Not ready for fighting.
Reed is turning into a big boy right before our eyes. He can now get completely dressed. And he can buckle himself into his car seat. And as proud as I am, I still love when he crawls into my lap to read a story, or for a quick cuddle. He has the funniest sense of humor right now, and I really want to videotape him all the time. He is at the fun age when sill things absolutely crack him up. He has just discovered Jake and the Neverland Pirates. There is one episode that Cubby says this pit of tar is ‘stinky’. Reed almost fell off the couch from laughing so hard. He asked me to rewind it so he could hear it again. Love this age. He also says the funniest things and I REALLY want to do a better job of writing those funny things down. If someone calls him Reed Baldwin he will say ‘my name isn’t Reed Baldwin. It’s Reed Banana-head-muffin’ and then he doesn’t laugh, because he is dead serious. So I laugh. Just cracks me up.
Unfortunately Reed is becoming very physically aggressive. As much as we address the issue with him, we don’t seem to be getting through. He gets sent to the office once or twice a week for punching other kids. Even at home he is constantly punching things. I realize he is a boy and I have no experience with 3 year old boys…but I can’t have him become a bully or be the mean kid at school. Does anyone have any constructive advice for me? I have no idea how to teach him to control his impulses and how to teach him that attacking other kids, or me, or Alison is not the way to show your emotions. Sorry to turn this update negative, but we just dont’ know what to do. Normally I would call my trusted pediatrician…but he isn’t here anymore to give me advice 🙁
All in all, the kids are growing and learning and turning into such sweet little people (aside from the violence issues. I swear we don’t let them watch violence on tv and we aren’t violent people at all.) Alison has this sweet little smile that melts my heart everytime, and when Reed puts his arm around Ali to protect her or spontaneously blows raspberries on her belly to make her laugh it fills my heart to overflowing. I can’t imagine life getting better than it is right now!!!
