Baby Boot Camp

I can't remember who I was talking to about sleep training Kathryn - they called it Baby Boot Camp. I stole that phrase and have been using it all weekend. Our plan for this weekend was to do a some sleep training for Miss Kathryn, to hopefully get her to sleep in some long stretches. Ryan spent some time with my parents to help ease into this process, although with the exception of her first few nights sharing a room with him, he has not been bothered by her at all (I think. It's hard to tell if a 2 year old is moody from being awoken at night, or just being a typical 2 year old, ya know?). For a couple of months now we have been progressively feeding her less quantity at night, to help her adjust to this change. It must have worked because there was really no need for the Boot Camp. Without much prompting, she started sleeping 10-12 hours at night. Waking a few times to lightly fuss and falling back to sleep on her own. If she is anything like Ryan was, this won't be the end to the night time waking, but I hope we are laying some down some good habits for quality sleep in the future. A tiny part of me will miss bringing her to bed with me and having her wake up next to me, cooing and smiling. I still want to do that for the sweetness of it, the closeness. But, I think that is fooling her and allowing both of us to not sleep well. I know I am a better Mommy to her when I have had decent sleep. So, I hope, as I do with all parenting decisions that I am doing the right thing.

Now on to the pictures.

There are two things I cannot resist taking pictures of:

Baby baths and children sleeping. I have a ton of both. Kathryn got her first kitchen sink bath since she is sitting so well now. No bending for me, yay!

Here's one of Ryan exactly 2 years ago on March 2, 2008

(boy I don't miss that rental house sink at all. All the caulking was flaking off and it was impossible to clean!) High chair pic . . . .

. . . . and one of Ryan in January 2008

Fun, fun and wow that's tiring

Celebrated my 39th (yikes!!) birthday this past weekend with friends in Eastern Washington. A 3 year old, two 2.5 year olds and a 6 month old managed to wear me out! The three oldest are all boys and it's so much fun watching all three interact. Amazing how similar they can be, yet so different too. Being away from home is an adventure - it's a heck of a lot of work to prepare for and unpack from, but once there, sitting back and relaxing is easy. Paul and I are learning that we may not be able to make it work with our current vehicle, a Jeep Liberty. It was stuffed (and I mean stuffed) with 4 people, a poodle and all our paraphernalia! As the kids grow, there is no way we will be able to fit. I asked Paul if we dare consider a mini van (don't laugh Korryn, you probably knew it was in my future when I teased you about getting one!!) but we are not quite there yet. Plus, we want a 4 wheel drive and I don't think mini vans come equipped with that. Paul and our friends worked on getting me my favorite meal - good old hamburgers and french fries for my birthday dinner. Then cupcakes to finish the night off, and they were too good! As much as I was dreading 39 - it's been good so far. Pictures... in random order:

Paul & Joey coaching Ryan and Evan (only 3 weeks apart in age) on their sledding technique.

I love this photo. Joey had so much fun romping in the snow. Since she still makes me feel guilty for having two children and ruining her life as she knew it, a photo likes this makes me smile. Fear and Loathing in Eastern Washington? Ryan found those glasses in the deep recesses of the couch. He thought they were awesome!

Post cereal and carrots dinner.

Aaron reading some stories to Evan and Alec

I don't remember who gave us Kathryn's outfit in this photo, but it's super cute!

The boys

The girls

Nearly all the photo's that were taken were of the kids! Very few of the adults got represented, but that's alright, it's all about them anyway.

Something genetic?

Ryan - on 2/1/08

Kathryn - today at nap time.

On the mend. . .

A small glimpse into our recent daily activities.

For you pediatric nurses out there - the Delsym was not for the kids, it was Paul's. Although I was sure wishin' for some kid approved cough meds this past week!

Lots of laying around.

Phew. . . it's been a week. . .

Kudos to Paul - he got the brunt of being the caregiver to two sick and cranky children most of this week. Poor Ryan, he came down with a fever on Tuesday and it persisted through today. I was at work today when I got a call from Paul suggesting it was time to have Ryan evaluated by one of our doctors. I'm glad we did. He's a bit wheezy, although all upper respiratory, no need for breathing medications. He has an angry looking, but not infected quite yet, ear. What he has could be viral still, but since his fever has been quite unrelenting the doctor and I decided it was best to start some antibiotics. A first for him. He's made it his 2.5 years without the need for any intervention medically! So, on a Z-pack he went. I gave it to him when I got home from work about 5:45 and he asked to brush teeth and go to bed. He cried about 20 minutes later, and when I went to check on him he said he wanted Kathryn to go ni-night in the room with him!! I about melted, how sweet is that?!

Kathryn is also sick, but it has not gotten her as bad (yet - and please please please let it avoid her). She has a gnarly cough, but is coping well. She's sleeping a bit less and a lot less tolerant of being put down to play or sit, but that's not that out of character for her..... my little high maintenance baby girl.

Back before Ryan got sick, at our Superbowl indoor picnic. Enjoying a plate of nachos.

After he and Kathryn came down with fevers, nap time for all of us. Ryan, even sick is still on is nap strike, so he was watching Sesame Street. (Although I think he took a nap for Paul today). Yes, that is a kitty on my hip!

Wednesday - he stayed in jammies all day.

Way Fun!

Ryan's friend Alec turned 3 this past weekend and was sweet enough to invite us to his birthday party at a "bouncy house" as Ryan calls it. Ryan had a blast - but I think I had more fun than he did. I've never done anything like that before and I really let loose and had a ball. I paid for it later with some really sore muscles, especially in my arms from pulling myself up the big slides and carrying Ryan on a few of those climbs. So worth it though, I highly recommend this to any stressed out adult. There is no way one cannot have fun on these things!

Thank you Lindsay and Rob! Congrats to you two on 3 years of parenting your little man. He's a sweetheart!

Little Miss getting a few small bounces in as well.

I had to add this picture too. That look on Ryan's face is becoming a classic in this house. It's the look I get when he thinks I am silly, or not making sense to him. I got it a lot when I had laryngitis and could not speak at full volume, making him think I was goofing around. I can imagine this look in a few years, along with eyes rolling and a "Whatever Mom!" coming from him. He was telling me I was all done taking his picture and done making "Kaff-rin" sit next to him.

Unexpected free time

I'm home today from work, unexpectedly. I must have picked up a virus of sorts, and it attacked my vocal cords, rendering me quiet. I can't speak in anything above a whisper and even that is work. It's an odd thing, not being able to talk. I have never experienced laryngitis quite like this. Ryan thinks it's great and is totally not taking me seriously, because to him, whispering is funny. I am thankful Paul is home, he is keeping the peace! I have such guilt over calling in sick to work. But realistically there is nothing I could do in patient care that does not require talking. It's weird to be home, feel fine and know I have called in sick. I have enjoyed it some however. I usually plan my days off... will do laundry this day, shopping this day, etc etc. With no plans I found myself enjoying Ryan more than I usually do. Playing with him, not thinking I have to get this or that done. It's been a nice little respite.

This past weekend we took Ryan to ride the Seattle Monorail just for fun and ended up doing some other touristy things in the process.

Ryan and Kathryn on the Monorail

Enjoying some really yummy Snoqualmie Ridge Ice Cream at the market.

Seattle's International Fountain. Fun place, we'll have to go back in the summer when it's warm and play in the water.