A Sad Day

Well, I have always known that someday the greatness would come to an end.  And if this week is any indication, my run of sleeping in is sadly, finally over. 

My children have decided to start getting up at 7 or shortly thereafter.  

I know a lot of people have it much earlier, and would do a back handspring to sleep until 7.  But for me, the queen of the non morning people this is a very, very sad realization.  I am hoping this is a phase somehow related to the transition to a big brother room and big boy bed, but I realize it may be the end of an era. 

Luckily, Avery takes awhile to wake up like his Mamma and is happy to chill in the bed for a few minutes while I find my happy face.  Hank would really like to jump start and play, but he is learning that Mamma needs a minute (or 20) to get it together.  It also makes me sad because it means we have to start putting these little buddies to bed earlier, boo we like to play after dinner not go straight to bed. 

This realization has lead to several others.  Mostly, these boys are growing up. 

Look what Ave can do

I realize this isn't perfect, but for my boy who couldn't have cared less about his letters even late this spring, this is a very BIG kid thing to do. 

And this is picture of his little brother doing a very BIG kid thing, too.

Our little non-talker is already improving by leaps and bounds thanks to his weekly visits from Miss Ho-Wee as he likes to call her.  Here is proudly singing the ABC's in his best high soprano voice.  A few weeks ago you would have no clue what he was saying, but now you can pretty much get most of the ABC's and even part of the next time won't you sing with me. 

Ugh, they have got to stop growing so fast.  It is killing their hormonal Mamma. 

It is beginning to feel like spring around here.  I hope it stays!  But, it has made me realize we are still the allergy /asthma house.  I am so very thankful for our allergy/asthma specialist who found the right daily medicines to keep my boys happy and healthy so far this year, but I don't know of anything that can beat the crazy weather and blooming that is going around here the past few days.  Poor Avery succumbed and was s-i-c-k the first part of this week.  He was so sick he barely even spoke to Dr. Y when we went to see him.  You know my boy always has something to say.

Thanks to the creators of Xopenex and a lot of TLC and inside time :( we are on the mend!  But, I realize that spring is here and we are going to have to be very diligent about our medicine and know that fun time outside might equal breathing treatment time inside.  But, more than anything I realize I am blessed!  I sure do love these little guys!

Most Productive Weekend Ever

Two weekends ago we had the most productive weekend ever.  I use the term we rather loosely.  I did provide some meals, sort of keep the kids entertained, and I did gather most of the materials ahead of time for Linde. 

But Aunt Linde did this all in one day. 

The big brother room went from drab to fab in no time flat.  Hopefully I will get my act together soon and get the stuff up on the walls and then I will try to show a few more pictures.  I LOVE the stripes.  I think they are just the right thing to give the room some spunk, but keep it manly and simple as well.  I am truly amazed at how she cranked out these stripes.  I would have taken a million times longer to tape and retape and measure again and again, much less be brave enough to do the actual painting.  And, while she was doing all this she chatted with the boys and gave them jobs to make them feel special. 

Michael and his dad also worked their tails off that weekend.  I may have mentioned/thrown them under the bus for the fact that the plaster job on Hank's walls didn't work so well....
So, they slaved and slaved to pull down all the plaster covered panels and put up brand new sheet rock.

They carefully took Hank's name off the wall to save for the big brother room.  Michael gets a gold star for also saving a panel.  He had the great idea of saving it and marking the boys' height on it, that way we will always have a piece of our first home with us wherever we go and we won't have to be sad to leave their growth chart.  I have to say it helped a lot with how much it broke my heart to take down one of the two cutest nurseries ever. 

Here are the walls before the new sheet rock, but after the paneling.  I forgot to get a sheet rock picture. 

Michael and his Dad for sure get a gold star because they let the boys help and watch a ton.  It meant the world to them both, they felt so grown up and loved being special helpers.  I am very glad they lived through the day and had a great time!

Happy Valentines Day!

We hope you are sharing today with someone you love!!

Aren't They Cute?

I think the boys have enjoyed the shaving kits and bubble bath they got in their stockings this year!

 Only real men can shave in a pink bathtub!

An update on all my nervousness....
-the big boy room is going pretty well.  Linde came and painted and it is AWESOME!  She will come back soon and help me put things on the wall and then I will show you the fabulousness.  
-sleeping in there isn't too bad either.  I did laugh really hard when Avery called out in a panic because Hank had climbed up in his bed Monday night.  Hank does require one spanking most afternoons to convince him to stay in bed for his nap.  He's a little stubborn. 
-I think we are closer to a boy name.  But, I'm still not ready to commit. 
-Hank started speech this week.  I am so relieved.  It was really nice to have someone honestly say he does need some help, not just tell me everything is fine when I knew it wasn't.  He doesn't have anything earth shatteringly wrong.  But, he couldn't hear for most of last spring, so it's time to make up for that.  
-We are blessed and I am remembering that every day!!!

We Survived!

Well, little Mr has given up his crib.  

 At first he said what????

 then he thought some freedom might be nice

and he was ready!  

Avery was an awesome biggest brother and pumped for the change.  The first night was rough.  Poor Michael, I left him alone and headed out to the movies.  I promise I didn't mean for it to work out that way.  

Several days later I got mine when Hank realized he could crawl out of his bed instead of taking a nap.  

But, overall I have to say the transition went pretty smoothly. 

Hanky is a wild sleeper, it must be a second born thing, my sister is, too. 

Avery sleeps pretty still, but sadly the fish at the corner of his bed had to go.  Hanky was not having the middle of the night music, and I can't say that I blame him.  

And because I am OCD I love how they ended up.  Left to right they are in both alphabetical and birth order.  :)

Aunt Linde is coming to make the big brother room fabulous this weekend, so I will show you pictures when it is not boring and white anymore!!!