Princess Preview

Hallie's princess Halloween costume arrived this week, and she loves it. Sara's should arrive this week.

Success!

The transition from baby bed to big girl bed has been far harder for my big girl than I thought it would be. She has been very adaptable all her little life--switching effortlessly from bottle to cup, potty training, going to new classes at school... But for some reason this change has really stumped her. She says she loves her big girl bed, but the actuality is she has been unable to sleep all the way through the night in it. And at first even getting her to go to sleep at bedtime was a huge struggle.

We resorted to a sticker chart earlier this week, and it has really seemed to help with the going to bed process. What can I say? Hallie can be bought...with just a few stickers. :) And if you look closely you will see that last night we got to put stickers in the "Stay in Bed" column! She slept in her big girl bed all night without getting up! We are so proud of her. (As a side note, the sticker chart has really helped her organize her nighttime routine. She knows what comes next because she knows what earns her a sticker. She can't wait to brush her teeth cooperatively, put her jammies on, etc.)

Also, Sara slept in Hallie's room last night in her old crib. Whether this helped her stay in bed or not we aren't sure, but we certainly aren't going to question it. Both girls slept well. They are going to be such sweet friends and I think they'll love sharing a room.

IT'S A........

BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

That's right! I saw little Brooks (Jason Brooks Head, Jr., to be specific) kicking around this morning! I was so excited I squealed, and the ultrasound tech had to laugh.

A couple of notes about this:

First, Hallie knew all along. She's been telling people for weeks that we were having a baby boy named Brooks--to the point that we've had to clarify that we didn't really know that yet.

Second, we got to find out early because Jason talked me into asking my doctor. He knew she wouldn't mind. When I thanked her for indulging us, she laughed and said it was "the least she could do." Ha!

Nana and Papa Visit

Nana and Papa arrived yesterday afternoon, and the girls are having a great time playing with them. Singing songs, making cookies, and lots of reading books.

Tutu!

Twirling

I found this tutu at a consignment sale yesterday. My ballerina loves it...almost as much as I love her in it.

We're Famous.

When Jason and Papa took the girls to our neighborhood Publix this evening, one of the cashiers took a look at Hallie (who had been harassing Sara the entire shopping trip--taking her paci out of her mouth, "hugging"--read: smothering--her in the cart until Sara turned purple in the face...you get the idea) and said, "That one's always doing something to her sister." The bagger gave a hearty "mmm-hmm," and a neighboring cashier said, "Yeah, they're always getting into it."

Great. I think we have to find a new grocery store. Or maybe we should order our groceries online. Can you do that?

This Just In: Toni Wins

Just wanted to let you know that Miss Toni has officially won Sara over. All week this week, when I've dropped Sara off, I just put her down, and she waddled over to Toni. No fit, no crying...it's blissful.

This morning I was going to sneak out, but Toni told her I was leaving and to give me a hug. Sara toddled back to me with a big grin, gave me a sweet hug and kiss, and then walked back over to where Toni was sitting. Such a big girl.

Little Sicko

The Bee has been at home sick the past couple of days. She had a fever, so the day care sent her home on Tuesday, and Daddy and I traded shifts today so we could both get a little work done and hang out with our pitiful little one. I'm pleased to report that by this evening she was chasing Hallie and laughing, so I think we're through the worst of it. But she sure was lethargic this morning...very pitiful, considering the "Miss Independent" (nickname courtesy of Miss Toni) that she usually is.

Bossy Britches

When we arrived at school today, Hallie's friend Claire immediately showed Hallie that she had panties on. I was a little puzzled, and Miss Malania explained that yesterday she was talking with Claire ("Claire-Bear" to H) about wearing panties and going to the potty. Hallie overheard, and told Claire that she should wear panties; purple panties like Hallie's; and that Hallie would get her some. Hallie went to her own bag and pulled out a spare pare of purple panties that matched hers for Claire-Bear to wear. Claire has reportedly worn panties and pottied since.

Big Girl Bed

We've put this off as long as we possibly could...but it's time for our big girl to have a big girl bed. So, we ordered one and Jason assembled it today.

When Baby # 3 arrives in March, he/she will get the nursery, which is currently Sara's room. That means my two girls will be sharing Hallie's room in a month or so (we want to have plenty of time to adjust to this change before all the other changes in the Spring). If their rambunctious playtime tonight in Hallie's room is any indication, it could be quite a little party room. They were giggling at each other incessantly, and I was reminded how thankful I am that they have each other.

So, tonight is Night # 1 in the big girl bed. Wish us luck...

Halloween Update

Hallie announced this morning that she and "Seh-wa" would both be "pincesses" for Halloween. Turns out I needn't have pondered the decision at all. I am now on a hunt for "pincess" dresses...

More Labor Day Fun

Labor Day Fun at Gigi's

Who? Me?

Helping Gray open his birthday presents. Happy Birthday, Uncle Gray!

This rocking horse was ridden by her mommy, her aunt, and her uncle (who may or may not have ridden it with just a cowboy hat on once upon a time).

Shopping Trip

On Saturday of this gloriously-long weekend, Sara and Mommy went to Sam's. This was entirely uneventful except for one little realization: shopping with Sara is not like shopping with Hallie. And next time I'll really make the most of this fact. This time, though, I spent the trip telling Sara what we were buying, why the cars in the parking lot were crazy, and when we missed our turn.

And then, somewhere in the middle of Sam's, it hit me: Sara didn't care. She was happy to sit with her paci in her mouth, smile at her mommy, and check out the scenery. She didn't want an explanation of her surroundings in play-by-play fashion. Wow. I stopped my narration and just soaked in the silence for a few minutes. Bliss.

You know I love my Hallie Bug, who not only wants an explanation, but wants to give anyone and everyone HER idea of what we're doing and why. She completely cracks me up.

But I think I'm going to have to find some Mommy and Sara shopping time next Saturday, too...