Big boy bed for a little boy

We transitioned EV into a big girl bed really early.  For EV it was because she was starting to swing her leg up onto the crib and I was worried she would fall out.  But because the transition went so well with her, we decided to transition Emmett into a big boy bed early as well.  While discussing what type of bed to get Emmett during dinner, EV chimes in that she would really love to have the bed from the Berenstain Bears and sleep on the top like Sister Bear.  When she said that, we thought a bunk bed would be a great idea (plus I've always wanted one growing up too).


So, over Thanksgiving weekend, I was looking at the many sales going on and I noticed that Wayfair was having a huge sale.  I came across the perfect bunk bed for only $250!!  Papa bear and I talked it over and thought that there's no way we could beat that price, so we made the plunge and purchased it.  EV was so excited and even Emmett was excited when the mattress came.  We did a test run with to see how Emmett would do sleeping in the mattress and he did great!

When it arrived, we quickly assembled it and put both kids into the bed.  Unfortunately, EV didn't make it long because she was scared of the dark and couldn't sleep with the door closed.  Last time we left the door open, Emmett wandered the hallways, and plus he can only sleep in the dark.  So, sadly for now, EV will have to only use the top bunk for naps and playtime.

On a more positive note, Emmett did great with the transition.  It only took two nights and now he sleeps in his bunk as if he's slept in it from birth.  He is so tiny in such a big bed but we are proud of how well he has adjusted to such a big change.

Emmett at 18 months, you are loving life.  You are a passionate (as your pediatrician called it), fun-loving kid.  You are still one of the pickiest eaters and will completely throw a fit (this is where the so-called passion comes in) if you find something you don't like in your food.  You love your sister (whom you call na-na) but it's not always sunny and bright.  You guys also fight hard (again that passion); you pull her hair, bite her, and push her away, but will get even more upset if she walks away or leaves the room.  You love people, you have the most amazing smile, and you are just a positive kid.  After a long hard day, you and your sister melt my heart with your twinkling eyes and your eagerness to please.  I love you so much and am so grateful for how you bring so much joy into our lives.  We can't imagine our family without you!!

I'm not a good teacher

Since becoming a parent, I've learned many lessons.  I've been humbled and struck by how little I know about so many things.  One of the major lessons I've learned this year is how much I suck at teaching.  I always knew it was not a strength of mine but boy am I bad at it.  When EV was really young, it was a lot easier, but now that she's learning more difficult things, I am really appreciating her teachers more each day.


Let me give you an example.  EV has been taking piano lessons this year.  She loves it!  The first couple of months was easy, but it's starting to get more difficult.  She has to actually concentrate and try.  So, as we start a new piece, she starts playing a bunch of notes.  They are all wrong.  I ask her what notes she's supposed to play.  She tells me, she proceeds to play, and again it's all wrong.  I get mad, "What's the matter?  Why are you playing those notes when you just told me the notes are A, B, C?"  She mutters something under her breath and proceeds to play, this time some of it is right but most is still wrong.  I'm even more mad, "Pay attention!  Read the notes!  What are you doing?"  She now has tears in her eyes but somehow we both get through it and 20 minutes later she's playing the piece as if she knew how to play the piece the whole time. 


Now, I'm not proud of my anger, I'm actually really ashamed.  I've apologized more to EV this past year than I have to anyone.  Ask my sister, she'll tell you how I hate to apologize.  It just shows how much Jesus I need so I can calm down, be more patient, show more gentleness and self-control.  I know everyone has their own gifts and talents, mine obviously isn't teaching.  I am so grateful that EV has had so many wonderful teachers in her life that are patient, loving, understanding, and gentle with her.  I am also so thankful that for the most part EV is a quick learner.  It'll be interesting to see how Emmett is but I have a feeling that I may need more than patience with this little boy.

New schools all around

EV started Kindergarten the second week of August and Emmett starts preschool at a new school closer to our home in Sept. And for some reason, it is much more emotional for me than it is for them.


EV loves learning.  She is not your typical 5 year old.  She is such an overachiever and I am often asking her to stop with the practicing or having to tell her no she cannot do anymore math problems.  So, inevitably, she was super excited to start school.  She stopped going to camp three weeks before the start of school because I didn't want her to be over-stimulated which meant, she was bored. 

I on the other-hand was nervous.  Would she be able to get off the bus and find her class okay?  She can be so shy and standoffish with new people, would she be able to communicate any difficulties or concerns she has to her teacher?  Would she be able to get her lunch okay?  Question after question.  But when she came off that school bus beaming with the biggest smile on her face, I knew she rocked her first day.  She confidently walked herself to her classroom, she was bathroom monitor and earned 3 "fishsticks" (if you earn 5 you can pick a prize out of the treasure chest), she got her lunch on her own, and she made new friends.  The next day she even approached a kid in her class from her bus because he looked lost and asked him if he wanted her to walk with him. 


I am so proud of my Evangeline but I am still sad.  I'm sad because she's growing up too fast.  I'm sad because she doesn't need me to do the little things for her.  I'm sad because when she gets on the bus, she doesn't turn around to say bye.  I'm also excited to see all the new things she will learn and experience.  I'm excited to see her after school everyday and hear how the day went.  I guess this is what you call bittersweet.

Now Emmett is starting a new school too and it makes me even more nervous.  Ha!  We loved his old school but with EV in elementary school, we needed to have him closer to home.  His old school was a well-oiled machine and they provided everything.  This school is smaller (much smaller) and there's a lot more we have to do on our end (like pack his lunch).  We have lots of good friends that have their kids here, so in general we feel good about it.  But it still makes me nervous.


Emmett is really growing into his own.  He is such a sweet and gentle baby but he also makes known what he likes and doesn't like.  He loves to shake his head "no," he loves to dance, he loves to copy hand motions that we do.  His current obsession is reading, so from the moment he opens his eyes to the moment he goes down to bed, he says "booooo" for book. His favorite is a color flip book.  He loves to eat but only the things he likes.  He can eat fruit all day, every day.  He likes bread and pasta.  He likes tofu.  He hates meat.  Those are his only constants.  Other things are good one day but not so good the next.  It makes mealtime a real struggle.  He cruises from one furniture to the other and he likes to use his walker but has no real interest in walking.  He likes to throw balls and climb just about anything.  He always has the biggest smile on his face.  He also is good at whining and throwing a fit.  He wants to do EVERYTHING noona does, he follows her around everywhere and wants to do it all.  He's her biggest fan.  It's been fun seeing his personality blossom and also seeing E&E handle sibling conflict.  Emmett has no problems pushing, pulling, and screaming at his noona.  EV gets upset when Emmett doesn't do what she says but she loves taking care of him and being able to make decisions regarding him (albeit very limited).

Already the end of summer...

I cannot believe we wrapped up summer and have already started school.  So much has happened and it just flew right by.  EV had camp, piano, and ice skating lessons.  Emmett had his first birthday and learned to stand on his own.  They both had playdates, birthday parties, trips to the children's museum, the zoo, the park, and the pool.  We also had lightening strike our house and a trip to urgent care to pop an elbow back in.  All memorable and moments that allowed us to grow as a family.


To close out the summer, we went on a road trip down to Cape San Blas.  This is my favorite beach.  It's quiet, clean, and just absolutely breathtaking.  We only had one purpose and motive--to relax!  No activities planned other than go to the beach, sleep, eat and repeat.  I was worried because the forecast was predicting rain for our whole trip.  And although it did rain, it was still time well spent.  None of us were ready to come home and we all wished we could stay a little longer.  It just meant that our time was good. 

The 6 hour car ride was hardest for Emmett going there.  I wanted to work in the morning so we left around lunchtime which meant we needed to just go.  Note to self, there isn't any place to stop after you pass Columbus (which is when I needed to use to restroom bad).  We had about an hour left and Emmett lost it.  When we finally arrived at Port St. Joe, he was hysterical and couldn't stop crying.  I never saw him that upset.  Thankfully, we ate at a restaurant with good food and helped soothe him.  Afterwards we went to the grocery store before getting back into the car to get to our condo.  We got in right as the sun was setting and was able to enjoy that as a family.

The next few days were just beach, food, and sleep.  When it rained, we slept; when it was clear, we went to the beach.  The ride back was much easier.  We drove 3 hours, stopped and had lunch, then drove another 3 hours. Once we came back, it was back to reality and we hit the ground running.

Emmett's first birthday

I cannot believe that it's already been a year since Emmett's been born.  It's so cliché but time flies especially with baby number 2.  As I look back on this past year, I feel so blessed and my heart is so full.  I am grateful for my family, friends, co-workers, church, and those that continue to surround us in prayer, love and support.  It is true when then say it takes a village to raise children.  Without you we would be drowning but because of you we are able to enjoy these moments.  So, a big thank you and we love you!!

My sister once told me that whatever I do for my firstborn I must do for my secondborn.  And I agree with her.  When we had EV I never even thought I would be able to have a second.  It was such a struggle to get pregnant with her, she was our miracle baby and I couldn't imagine a miracle happening twice.  So, we went all out for her.  I am glad that we did because with every celebration it's an opportunity to give thanks to God and for our family and friends.  Well, we have been blessed to experience two miracles in our lifetime, their names are Evangeline and Emmett.  So, as I promised my sister, we had a first birthday celebration as equal to EV's to celebrate Emmett.  No more, no less.  Happy first birthday, my son.  You are loved and cherished.  I hope and pray that you grow to become a man of God, integrity, humility, love, and gentleness.  Your smile melts my heart everyday and it makes me proud to be called your momma!! 

Memorial Day Weekend Shenanigans

This weekend was jammed packed with activities.  We went strawberry picking and fed some goats on the farm:

Then made brownies topped with ice cream and strawberries:

We went to the East Roswell Park splashpad to cool off:

The next day, we went camping in a tent for the first time:

This lake was so much fun, we could have spent days here just playing in the water, hanging out by the firepit, and spending time as a family.  We will definitely do this again soon!!

We visited the Tocoa Falls waterfall and discovered a geocache before heading towards our timeshare where we spent the afternoon hanging out at the pool, discovering new paths, and more geocaching.

For dinner we went to the cupboard cafe for some southern cooking before closing out the night with a movie. 

I love these moments with my family and it was a nice opportunity to get away before starting all our summer activities.  I love seeing their faces light up when discovering new things and when they are enjoying themselves.  It's a good trip when your five year old says she wants to go camping again!!  Next up is Camp All American!!