Haircuts

Last week I decided that all the children needed a lil' trim. So we picked Jack up from school and headed off to Great Clips. We usually opt for a lady in our neighborhood - who does amazing work...but this was spur of the moment...

They could ALL THREE get cuts at the same time. That's a nice "perk." And it wasn't just any haircut - it was Nolan's FIRST haircut. He did great. And the nice lady was very patient with him.  When he was all done - she scooped up his baby hairs and threw them in a ratty, written-on envelope. It was so third-child-appropriate...I had a good laugh.

Showing off his trim. Tyson likes his hair a little longer in the summer...but I have a feeling I might just talk him into something edgy. Mohawk?!? Stay tuned.

And finally - it's been a while since I had a Josie sleeping pic on the blog. So here it is. The next day she looked at my phone and said, "Hey - you took my picture when I was having a dream about flying!" Makes sense now.

Sleeping Beauty

As mentioned in previous posts - Josie's sleeping habits give Tyson and I a chuckle...almost every night. We find her in some really interesting places.

Basically - if normal people sleep a certain way - Josie would be the opposite of that. Saturday night I was up with Jack for some reason (bad dream?!?) and as I walked by Josie's room I noticed she wasn't in her bed. Panicked for a second, then looked at the floor - and there she was.

And - yes - we do restore her to a normal sleeping position, with covers, etc... AFTER we snap a picture.

Snow Angel

I found Josie like this the other night. I showed her this picture and asked her what she was doing in the morning and she said, "Hmmmm, maybe snow angels?" Yeah, that makes total sense. Especially since it's 90 degrees outside.

I sincerely hope - that when she's 30 and allowed to get married...she finds a husband who respects her need for LOTS of space in bed.

Dear Agnes

Dear Agnes -
I feel like I need to let you know that your parents are plotting against you. I overheard Grandma Nancy tell my mommy that your parents are going to be moving you to your crib soon. Fight it. Don't let them do that to you. It's a trap. Literally. I'm doing my best to revolt here in Michigan. Stay strong in Idaho.
Love,
Nolan

Sleep Training

Excuse the absence. We've been undergoing some "changes" around here lately - starting with sleeping habits. Nolan - has been unofficially kicked out of our bed and into his crib. He thinks this is a terrible idea and disapproves from 7:30-9:30pm...and at other points in the night. Usually by 3am I'm done fighting it and just cave...because he's the third child and those are the rules (RULE: parents cave for the 3rd child).

In other amazing sleep news - Josie has started this really awesome "phase" where she wakes up screaming because she's "afraid of the dark time." These are difficult times. Coffee is good.

Will you be my Valentine?

Valentine's Day was cold. Like REALLY cold and windy. We didn't leave the house. Actually Tyson and Jack went to Jack's soccer game...but the rest of us stayed inside.

Nolan debuted his "Cougars Love Me" shirt - because it's true. Everywhere he goes older women are all up in his business. Josie's preschool is the worst for this. There is something about 2/3 year old girls and babies. Ohhhh and don't even get him started on the MOMS!

This is the picture I snapped when Tyson and Jack were at soccer. It's the Napping Bed. Don't worry - I was lying next to Nolan...because that's how Nolan naps.  With his mom food source nearby.

Napping Problems

We currently have a napping problem in our house. I wish it was the kind of napping problem where everyone actually NAPPED and, like, LOVED to nap. That would be a great problem to have. But no - it's that NO ONE likes napping (except Josie, most of the time). Nolan is a cat napper. Give him 20 minutes in the car and he thinks that's just perfect. This picture was taken after I dropped Jack off at school. Total trip was about 30 minutes...see that face? That face says, "wow, I feel freshed...now hold me."

And then there is the five year old...who I know doesn't need a nap every day...but sometimes, late nights and early mornings catch up to him and he just needs to sleep. But "naps-es are BORING" - according to him. I documented this on Instagram...so that when he's 18 and trying to nap the afternoon away...I can run into his room, throw open the curtains, and say "WAKE UP, JACK! NAPS-ES ARE BORING!!!" I think he will really appreciate it.

Speaking of people who love naps - today is Grandpa Denny's birthday! Happy birthday!! We'll be sending a little something special via the Nancy Express on Saturday (after she returns from Idaho).

Jack and Josie

Our weather has been iffy all week - which meant NO pool, which meant one grumpy pregnant lady. Rain was in the forecast more than usual and if it wasn't raining - it was too cloudy or cool to swim. Come on, Mother Nature - throw us a bone.  We did get some time to play outside. Jos is preparing for the 4th of July already. Very patriotic.

And Jack drew a very tall, very scary monster for his Dad... it had LOTS of feet.

Then one night, as I went to bed, I found Josie sleeping like this. I wasn't sure if she was dreaming that she was riding a bull or declaring herself the winner of a boxing match (presumably against her brother)...but, regardless, it made me smile.

Happy Weekend, everyone! We're off to watch 4 year olds play cluster-soccer.

Toddler Sleeping - Let's Discuss

{Dear future daughter-in-law, welcome. This should be archived into your files. If you have a mini-version of Jack one day...this information will be important.}

So, as many of you know, we struggled with Jack escaping from his crib during our last few weeks at my parents' house. He had given up naps and everyone was miserable. Everyone.

Fast forward to today and I am happy to say we are back on our regular schedule...and Jack sleeps happily in his "big boy bed" (twin bed). Phew. It was actually fairly painless.

Here are the ingredients needed to get Jack to sleep in his room:
1. The ability to think faster than a two year old. Put yourself into Jack's head and then fix anything that he would use against you. Example: there is a sink in Jack's room (it's part of the Jack & Jill Josie bathroom, but there isn't a door on it) I had my brother Joe turn off the water to that sink. Why? Because Jack and water would be a crazy-huge claim on our Homeowner's Policy.


2. Invest in a video baby monitor. Somehow I managed to live without one of these for more than two years...but now I'm not sure what I was thinking. It's amazing. Jack calls it "robot." And we have made a big deal about how "robot" sleeps when Jack plays, but works while Jack sleeps. Robot's job is to tell mommy & daddy when Jack is up. After a few investigations into "Robot" {and a few close-ups of his nostrils} - Jack pretty much leaves robot alone. And I have been able to rest easy knowing he's asleep...in his bed...

3. Locks. Okay, this may seem harsh but Jack gets locked in his room. If you think about it - it's dangerous for him to be able to wander around at night. He sleeps upstairs and we sleep on the main level. Not a good idea for him to try to come downstairs in the dark. Our dogs also sleep in the family room...and while they love Jack (or at least pretend to love him) - I don't want to worry about one of them thinking he's an intruder in the middle of the night. (Cooper is from the streets. He was taught to bite first, ask questions later.) Every night after we tuck him into bed Jack wanders around his room. He checks the doors, sits on the floor, and eventually decides to climb back in bed to fall asleep. I have also put a lock on his closet because he was sneaking in there and it was out of Robot's view.

4. Quiet Toys. Jack has a small box full of books, a train, his magna-doodle, and a VTech Alphabet Toy. When he isn't quite ready for a nap...but mommy is ready for a break - he can read or play with the things in the box. It's been awesome! The other day I watched him read on the floor, play with the train & the Alphabet Toy...then he sang his ABC's and climbed in bed.

They are ALWAYS this neat. Riiiight.

5. Less is more. When it comes to Jack - less is definitely more. He can't handle having a bunch of "stuff" in his room. And quite frankly, I don't think he needs much in there. It's a place for him to be calm and rest. He has plenty of other places in the house for craziness & chaos.

6. Finally, patience is a huge piece. I've had to find more of mine when dealing with my stubborn little guy. I don't want to get too deep...but I've actually asked God {out loud} for more patience on more than one occasion. I think he heard me.