Calling all mom's

So I normally wouldn't turn to my blogger friends for advice on mommyhood, but I am desperate today. Here's the situation....MY KIDS DON"T SLEEP...EVER!!

Let me start by saying, I LOVE MY KIDS! I wouldn't trade being a mommy for anything! They are energetic, funny, and sweet kids and God has truly blessed me with them!

Problem #1: Cooper!

• Cooper is an early riser by nature...we know this and deal with his perkiness at 5:30 in the morning. He is also not much of a napper. I am talking MAX 1 1/2 hours during the day. He has been this way since birth! Here's the issue: He wakes up all night long. At least once before midnight and it has been downhill from there. This has been going on and off forever, but the last few MONTHS have been torture. We have pretended to ignore him, done the whole nighttime routine again, and even threatened to lock him in his room for eternity and nothing seems to work! Right now we are working on those ohsolovely 2 year old molars which can be the culprit for some of this madness, but I am not wanting to create a pattern here!! HELP!!

Problem #2: Kylie!

• Like her little brother, Kylie too hates to sleep. She used to sleep just fine! She would take her 2 hour nap during the day and go to bed around 7:30 and sleep until 7ish. NOT ANYMORE. She has recently decided to give up naps. Okay, I can deal with that, she is going to be 4 in a few weeks. But quiet time is a MUST. Unfortunately, on those days she doesn't nap, she is a monster in the afternoon. She needs naps occasionally. Us mommy's know when are kids are just plan sleepy. This is a long and drawn out process of chaos at the mention of nap. Not only does she not nap, but she is giving us a REALLY REALLY hard time at bedtime (saying lay with me, read me a book, rock with me). I have noticed a midnight to VERY early morning pattern of waking with her too. I don't think it is her brother waking her up because she has a fan in her room and it is really difficult to hear anything through it. In the past, Daddy would go in (after 6) and lay down with her, but she refuses now and just wants me. (when i say refuse, I mean screams, yells, hits, and totally looses it). We have tried the whole behavior modification thingy (She earns and looses Kylie dollars). We have also tried the boot camp method and nothing seems to work.
  

My question is: Is this just a phase? Does it have to do with the baby coming? Did I create this somehow?

For those of you who don't know me, know that I used to do this for a living. People would bring their kids to me and say, "what do I do?" Now, these situations were different and many times they were looking for a diagnosis of something or medications, but wouldn't you think I had the answers with my own kids??? I am sleepy and pregnant and desperate for some feedback. Ideas anyone...please!!!

Distraction on a snowy day

We are always looking for fun things to do on a snowy day. Today we are suppose to get 10 inches and starting at noon today we got 1 inch an hour. That being said, we are staying inside!

Here are some crafty things we did today....
1. Kylie has been BEGGING me to get out her jewelry kit she got from my aunt at Christmas. Today seemed like the day. I was surprised at how well she did being that it is for ages 5 and up. She really hnad the hand eye coordination to put those tiny beads on the fishing line.

2. I made my first batch of Rye bread....it didn't turn out as I planned, but it is still yummy. No pics of this though;o(

3. We made cinnamon sugar cookies. I had to itch to make cookies this morning and decided to revise my mom's recipe for sugar cookies by rolling them in cinnamon and sugar! They turned out AWESOME and it is really hard for me to stay away from them!

Isn't this press so cute. I got it for X-mas from my in-laws and thought it would make a cute snow flake design on the top. Not so much....it cooked right in...oh well!

4. While these were cooking, the kids and I made some edible necklaces from a box of fruit loops I found while cleaning out the pantry this morning. Who new we could have so much fun with food.
I did forget to add that the kids now LOVE to dance to some good Bon Jovi music. I will have to get it on video because it is hilarious. Cooper pretty much head bangs and Kylie got this cute little step she does to "Living on a Prayer"...

The kids are now making forts and asking for more entertainment...this mommy is POOPED OUT so they will have to find some solo activities for the next few hours.

3 posts in one day...are you kidding me!!

Look my sister is famous....well not yet....
Can you say Carrie Underwood???
Zach said, "did she have to go to the bathroom??"

The big day

Cooper's birthday started with a cake disaster. And, YES, it was a disaster. I shall for warn you that you should NEVER EVER EVER buy one of these silicone cake pans. Although they are pleasant to the eye, they are deceiving. My first warning should have been that it is a cake with 12 pieces...being that I was making two..it was 24 pieces!!!

Thankfully my SIL had a train pan and offered to make the cake for me!!! What a lifesaver! Deb decorated it for me that day...I think it turned out nice.
Okay...anyways, the party went well. Cooper enjoyed himself and especially loved opening his presents...here are some pics.

Cooper loved his new excuvator...
Eating cake..

Since I totally forgot to get a pic of the fam...here is one with his Nina!


His new sweater my mom knitted him...I wish I could do that!!

While laying in bed this morning, I was going through all of the crafty things I want to accomplish. I saw this craft and thought it was super cute (and super cheap and easy). I am going to give them to the kids for V-day with some chocolates inside. They will be hung inside their rooms for little notes!!



I will be posting lots more craftiness because I am overly sick of being trapped indoors and need to get some of my "energy" out!

Oh and if you have a good recipe which includes both chocolate and raspberries, post it!!

I cannot believe he's 2!

My little monster man is 2 today! Although I did give the wrong story to my friend this morning, here is my account of what occurred that snowy day. I went to the doctor that day DESPERATE to get this baby out and he told me to wait until morning and come in to be induced. I really wanted to go on my own, but enough was enough!! Funny thing happened, I got home and went into labor around 5 in the evening. We took off to the hospital and he arrived around 12:10am! All I could say was, "he has a penis"!! (we didn't know it was a boy)....

Cooper was a very well behaved baby! We thought he had Zach's tempermant until about 6 months ago when he got the name Monster Man! We love our little crazy boy and let me tell you, he is one of the most cuddly little boys I have ever seen! If he could crawl back inside, he would!

Cooper on his first birthday

My little man this morning!!!

Oh and I want you all to wish Jocelyn a Happy Birthday today! Lets see how many comments she can get today!!! Love you Jocey!

One World~ One Heart

Thought I would try something new! This is a worldwide blogger giveaway for crafty items that is put on through one world~one heart. Check it out...just click on the logo above and you too can enter TONS of other giveaways.


I thought I would give away a new craft I have been making lately. This is my "fashion in the kitchen" apron. Who doesn't love polka dots?? It is made from 100% cotton with satin ribbon ties! *note the giveaway is only for the apron!Here are the rules:
1. You must post a comment on this blog with your name and contact info. If you have a blog of your own that is participating, make sure you post a link there too.
2. All names will be entered into a special little hat and one name will be picked on Feb 12th.
3. You may only enter once..multiple entries will be deleted.


Wish you all the best of luck!!

*I forgot to add that I think you should head over to Mrs. Whimsy Love's blog for her giveaways...she got some good ones~her blog is where I learned about OWOH!!

picture perfect

Yes....it's a meme! This one is from Pamela over at The Dayton Time!

Here's the rules:
1. go to your documents
2. go to your 6th file.
3. go to your 6th picture.
4. blog about it.
5. tag 6 friends to do the same.

This is a picture of some english muffin bread, fresh out of the oven! I made it around Halloween if you couldn't tell by the cooling rack. It really was pretty delicious and has inspired me to make some more today. I think this time I will try a new recipe! Let me know what you think...

• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
• 1/2 tablespoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup warm milk
• 1/4 cup water

Do your bread thing...mix it, rise it, and then rise it again in two loaf pans. Then cook it at 400 for 15 mins! I will let you know how it turns out.

Okay now on for tagging others...

1. Julie V
2. Loren
3. Amy L
4. Sophie
5. Julie H
6. Liz

Happy blogging;o)

smooshy face

Here's the little smooshy face! Ain't s/he cute!!! We could use some name suggestions...

Markers don't make friends

Ohhhh what a day! I will start by saying that Mr. Cooper man is on an, "Idon'twanttosleepandgetintoeverythingiamnotsupposetoallday" stage! That being said, Cooper found a pretty little BLACK dry erase marker today and decided to go to town. Now don't get me wrong, it's not like I just leave dry erase markers laying around because I have this massive dry erase bored in my office where I keep a detailed agenda of my day. NO..not at all! Kylie actually admitted later that she had been using the marker on her little mermaid bored earlier in the day and left it on the floor. Lessoned learned...dry erase markers are NOT allowed in the house and other things of permanent nature must be kept in a locked volt!

Back to the story. Kylie was entertained at the table coloring in a valentines heart and this mommy decided to go into the office to write a much overdue email. All was quiet...did you hear me...ALL WAS QUIET. That should have been my first clue, but no, I just figured Cooper was entertaining himself while watching Sesame Street. I was probably away for no longer than 5 mins, but when I walked into the kitchen, I caught a glimpse of Cooper drawing on door with a black stained face. Instead of being the overreacter that I tend to be, I grabbed my camera, while Kylie started cleaning up. I think she feared for her brother and had some mild guilt for leaving the marker unattended. Here's what we found....





These are just a few pictures of what I found. After putting the camera away and getting the oxyclean out, I found he had colored on both FABRIC stolls, the couch, the TV, and his little chair.

And afterwards, he was just as happy as could be...
I wish I could say he remained this happy for the rest of the day, but he refused nap, and all of us mom's know what that means...cranky kid. He did fall asleep at 6:30 this evening, so say some prayers he sleeps ALL NIGHT LONG!!! Okay..off to watch American Idol!!!

*Note that most of the marker came out...the door still needs to be magic erasered!!

weekend in review

As I said in my last post, Kylie and I headed off to Disney on Ice. Kylie LOVED it and actually was disappointed she couldn't go on the ice with the characters. Disney always does a great job at special affects and this was no exception. I would have to say both Kylie and me have the same favorite part which was went all the princesses "danced" together on the ice! Check out some pictures.

It's a small world after all...

The next day, Kylie was pretty sleepy! She slept with daddy in the chair for a loooonnnnggg time!!

I just realized I haven't posted a preggo belly pic yet, so I figured it was time. Here is the little bean at almost 20 weeks. Just so you know, look for ultrasound pics on Thursday...

Fabric Frenzy

Craftiness is in the air today. I have the itch to make something new. Now that I am OBSESSED with this website, I have gotten a lot of new ideas to craft up. Look at all this awesome fabric I got to make whoknowswhat with! There are some ideas in this head of mine, but you will just have to stay tuned for the finished product.


One thing I did make tonight is this awesome kids apron for Miss Kylie's birthday. She loves to bake with me so I figured the proper attire might be a thoughtful gift. It was an easy pattern I found and literally took me only 1/2 hour...ironing included.


Kylie and I are off to see Disney on Ice tomorrow morning so check back for some fun pictures from that! Well I am off to bed...a little person in my house has been waking up EXTREMELY early so sleep is short lived!

who are you?

This mornings devotional focused on a topic I think about frequently. Who are you? I know all of us go through the self-discovery phase of life as teenagers, but what about those who never stop changing...those who continually try on different hats to find what best suits them. I know personally, I find peace in knowing I am who God created me to be and there is nothing anyone can do to change that. Now don't get me wrong...I am not perfect and have fallen short of the expectations given to me by God.

This line in the devotional was a great analogy of accepting who we are...

"God wants you to be you -- You can relax knowing that being yourself is exactly what
 God wants of you. A pencil brings glory to God by being a pencil. But, if you take
a pencil and try to use it like a screwdriver, it won't work and you'll likely break
the pencil. You will find the stress drained from your life when you stop trying to
be somebody you're not and instead start being who God purposefully designed you to
be."

So lets start being (or continue to be) the pencils we were created to be!  How awesome that we were
designed to be JUST as God intended!

The question for today is:

Where are the places in your life where you're still trying to be someone
other than who God shaped you to be?

Top 5 Blessings of 2008

This meme is from my friend of Jocelyn!

Top 5 Blessings of 2008:

1. Watching Kylie and Cooper grow into little people. Kylie learned how to write her name, identify and write the letters of the alphabet, and started ballet. Cooper learned how to walk and talk!! So many good times together and I hope I cherish them forever.

2. Celebrating 5 years of marriage with my wonderful husband!

3. Finding out I was pregos with #3!

4. Learning to have patience and to rely on God through those tough times.

5. Starting new friendships with some lifelong friends! Love you girls;o) and going through those parenting stages with my forever friend, Joce!

Okay...now it's your turn! If you read it consider yourself tagged! Link me in your blog and we will friends!

Snowed/ICED in again

Gotta love CNY where we have already had bizillions of snow day's! Today it's ICE! I don't care so much about the school..but feel for my friends with school aged children...but being trapped in the house ALL THE TIME is getting old! I really shouldn't complain because the sun has been out for the last few days. SUN SUN SUN...ahhhh. I just soak it up when we are blessed with it's presence.

I'm guessing it may be like this again tomorrow and that really isn't cool because it is our first MOPS of the year. My kids (and I) are craving normalicy again and pretty excited about "playing" with our friends. Lets just pray the ice melts!!

We have already made some deliciously yummy chocolate chip muffins which are supposed to be reserved for dinner time (tonight is breakfast for dinner), but I have a feeling they will be demolished before then! Today is jammie day too...so whats better than watching a movie with warm jammies on and warm blankets, eatting muffins, and relaxing...NOTHING! Oh and by the way..I am enjoying one of these yummy treats right now. Great recipe!

Jammie feet!!!

Opps..where's Cooper??


I also wanted to share how my invites turned out! I think they were rather cute!
So I guess that's all for today...I have made a "resolution" to try and post at least 2 times per week! We will see how that goes!