Transitioning to a Big Boy Bed & a video

This post has been a long time coming. Technically we transitioned Liam to his big boy bed back in March. I have to admit that both Nic and I dreaded this milestone after hearing worst case scenarios from just about every parent we talked to! We knew though that once we made the transition there was no going back so we had to just dive all in. 

We finished his big boy room the day before I hit 6 weeks pregnant and planned to reveal his new room to him, give him a week to adapt to an entirely new room with all of his toys in it, and then have him make the transition the next weekend. But nausea took over a day later and I just didn't have the energy for several weeks to be handling that kind of a change when I already knew that he slept so well in his crib.

His last nap in his crib ...

When we finally did transition him it was a Friday night. We chose not to do it at nap time because we figured with it being light outside he'd want to get up out of his bed several times and it turned out to be the right choice for him. We kept his bed time routine the same ... pajamas, brush teeth, and read a couple of stories. In order to also help ease Liam into the transition of having a new baby sister in the fall, Nic has been reading to him at night in case I have to be nursing at that time.

When Nic pulled Liam into his lap on his new bed he thought it was fun to read there! I watched these sweet moments unfold as the two of them read for the first time together in his new bed ...

Then came the hard part, realizing he was staying in there without us. We turned off his lantern so the room went dark and began to lay him down and he immediately started to whimper. We both laid on either side of him, I sang to him, and we both held his hands and comforted him until he settled back down. I slowly began to let go of his hand, gave him another kiss goodnight, and eased my way out of the room. Nic stayed for a bit longer and then did the same and that was that. He never got up, never came out, and slept all the way through the night! Besides him waking up much earlier (a whole 2 hours, 6:30, than he did in his crib) we thought we had it made! Easiest transition ever! Well, not so much. Over the last few months he has good and bad days/nights. Sometimes the moment we leave, he immediately gets up and tries to come out (repeat that process about 4 times before he'll finally go to sleep). Sometimes he wakes up in the night and wanders into our room thinking it is time to get up for the day. Some days he wakes up as early as 6:30 and other days sleeps until 7:30. No matter how consistent we've been every day is a bit different. For a while he cut his nap shorter (about an hour and half) but now it is closer to two and half or three again. Which often means he isn't ready to go to sleep when it is night time. We're working on adjusting this schedule.

We've since learned that he is still not afraid to sleep in the dark! He doesn't like being covered up by his bedding (sheets and duvet) and instead still prefers his baby blankets ... one covering him up "snug as a bug in a rug" and the other two up by his cheeks. He even gathers them all up and carries them out of his room in a big arm full every morning. haha It is the cutest thing ever!

Needless to say, next to sleep training at two months old it has been our biggest transition with Liam yet and I know it won't be our last. We are really thankful that for the most part, those early sleep training days have made him a really good sleeper. If he ever gets up in the night, he is just confused about the time and immediately goes back to sleep after being laid down. Next big transition ... potty training! Bleh! Just as intimidating for us but hopefully goes just as well.

p.s. You can watch the little video I made of Liam's last nap in his crib and first night in his big boy bed HERE!

Friday Summer Favorites

Happy Friday!!! 

We're cruising into the weekend with warm weather and thankful for the first of a few Friday summer favorites, a new pool, to enjoy it with! This one from Target came highly recommended and sold me from the moment I saw a seat and drink holders for this momma. ;) haha We've spent the better part of the week splashing in it to stay cool.

A few other summer favorites ...

Cute maternity swimsuit! I had my eye on it for a while and it went out of stock so I got this one in black (sold out) in the mean time. I like it but despite the side ruching it already feels a bit tight so we'll see how long it lasts into the summer.

Liam has these sunnies and they look so cute on him! I feel pretty lucky that he will wear accessories like hats and sunglasses in the summer time for sun protection.

Father's Day is right around the corner and you can't go wrong with anything from North Face in my opinion. I just got Nic this "stay wild" tee for his birthday and he is loving it so far! I also really love Camp Brand Goods. 

New favorite hair style for summer.

I've been wanting to try homemade popsicles for Liam with smoothies, yogurt, etc. and this popsicle mold in the shape of ice cream cones looks fun! I'm thinking it would be a great way to sneak some veggies in his diet that he won't otherwise eat (eye roll). If you have any favorite recipes, send them my way!

Hope you have a sunny, summer weekend! XO

second baby bumpdate | 25 weeks

How Far Along ...

25 weeks

Gender ...

baby GIRL!

Maternity Clothes ...

All day, every day. This pure body crew tee has become a favorite!

Belly Button & Wedding Ring ...

Belly button in, wedding ring on (unless I spend time outside, my hands swell too much).

Sleep ...

For the last few weeks I have only been able to sleep on my right side on my body pillow. I feel like I can't breathe when I'm on my left which makes for an interesting and sore night as you can imagine spending 8 hours on one arm. Typically I wake up about twice in the night to use the bathroom. 

Best Moment(s) this Week ...

Getting a blow up pool with a seat for this momma to lounge in the sun during hot days while Liam splashes away! BEST.PURCHASE.EVER.!

Miss Anything ...

No tailbone pain and ICE CREAM! I'm trying my best to avoid processed sugar for a while, especially with my glucose test coming up in a week and half. The tailbone pain is manageable with lots of stretching throughout the day.

Movement ...

She kicks the hardest whenever I am eating fruit or dessert (girlfriend loves sweets) and whenever she hears her daddy's voice. She starting to kick more and more throughout the day, even when I'm walking around and I love it so much!

Cravings ...

Mostly sugar since I'm trying to avoid it. haha I also had a Cafe Rio salad for the first time in a really long time the other day and oh my gosh, drooling. 

Feelings & Emotions ...

I'm always so grateful to be pregnant and experiencing this miracle but I will admit that I've had a hard time with feeling so much bigger and more uncomfortable this pregnancy. I don't remember feeling that way until the last 6 weeks or so with Liam but my tummy is already starting to feel heavy. I'm also carrying her so different (much higher, basically right behind my belly button) and it is intimidating wrapping my mind around the fact that it will continue to stretch for another 3 1/2 months. 

Looking Forward to ... 

Making the most of every moment I have with Liam, just the two of us. We painted together today and have plans to spend the rest of the evening in the pool with his new water soakers. Spending time with him is so much fun! I'm also looking forward to finishing baby girl's dresser. Nic has been working so hard painting it and we thought it was ready to bring in on Saturday only to discover that the paint added width to the drawers and they won't open and close well anymore. That sweet man of mine has basically spent his evenings this week coming up with a plan to fix it and I love him so much for it. It is looking just as I dreamed it would!

picture from 24 weeks ...

We love you, baby girl!

Liam at 2 1/2

It has been a while since I shared a snapshot of Liam's milestones and what makes this age "the best age yet" because we all know I say that every time. ;) Although I will admit, 2 year old toddlers have their challenges like the word "NO" which we now hear about 75 times a day and the tantrum throwing that follows when he doesn't get his way b ut for the most part, I love this spunky 2 1/2 year old and here are a few reasons why ...

The majority of the time he calls me "D" and Nic "Dat" but just in the last couple weeks he started to say Mom and Dada and my heart melts into a puddle on the floor every single time I hear it!!!

While he has never actually told me this himself, I'm pretty sure his favorite color is green. Any time he colors, he picks the green crayon/marker.

He's obsessed with his dad, every little thing that he does. He loves running and dancing in circles around the couch with him or going for "choo choo" rides on his back. 

Helping with chores is his favorite time of the day ... vacuuming, cooking, mowing the lawn, he loves every minute of it! Please lie and tell me he'll always feel this way. ;)

If I let him, he would live outside. He loves playing in the sandbox, riding his scooter or wheelie car, going to the park, etc.

He associates any squiggly line/thing with a snake and calls it a "ssssss". So I'm pretty sure snakes are also his favorite animal but let it be known that he is terrified of worms which resemble a snake's shape so the verdict is still out on the one. 

In fact, bugs in general he really doesn't like. Taking after his dad for sure who has a panic attack when he even senses one coming near! haha

Still the pickiest eater of ALL time! But I am pretty much guaranteed a meal win if yogurt, peanut butter, cheddar cheese, fruit, apple sauce, or pizza are involved. He calls all food "num nums".

He challenges me with his stubborn personality, constant need to pick his nose, and desire to stay up until all hours of the night. He definitely got his dad's internal clock and while we put him to bed between 8:30 to 9:00 he comes out of his room a good 4 times and doesn't drift off to sleep until close to 10:30. 

Still takes a solid 2 to 3 hour nap though!!!

His love of tractors, trains, cars, planes, and any moving thing still runs deep! He calls most of them "beep beeps" but can distinguish between them with their different sounds they make. Whenever he sees an airplane flying over our house he chases after it with his arms in the air as if he can reach it.

He recently learned how to draw a flower and it is the cutest thing ever. A circle with a line! haha

He is talking more and more each day, finally using plurals like "two balls". It is so nice to be able to understand more often what he is trying to communicate to us!

Still prefers a bath to a shower which we take together just about every morning.

I could probably go on and on because there are so many little things that make up his cute personality that I love so much! I really can't believe how big he is getting. In fact, I signed him up to start preschool in the fall, where did my baby go?! Which really means that I need to kick my potty training game in gear these next couple months so he is ready for preschool and baby sister to arrive. The potty seat is in our bathroom and I bought m&m's today so I'll keep you updated! He currently won't even sit on his little potty when asked if he wants to so we are starting with baby steps (getting comfortable with sitting on it clothed). This might just be my least favorite thing about 2 1/2. haha

Life Lately

Life has been a mixture of fast and slow moments lately. The weekends for example go by in the blink of an eye and the 90 degree days which are just beginning are painfully slow to get through with a pregnant body. No matter what, I am trying so hard to soak up every single day of summer and the short time Nic and I have left with just Liam. 

We've been really lucky lately with the time Nic has gotten to take off work. I feel like just about every other week for the past couple of months he has had a 3 day weekend to spend with us, one of which was at the beginning of May on a Friday. We spent it at the Idaho Falls Temple Open House! The building has been closed for renovations for the past year and half so we went to see the changes that have been made during that time. We didn't notice as many changes as we thought we would but I know there was some pretty extensive electrical, wiring, etc. that was replaced so not all of it was visible. It was just as beautiful as ever though! Liam quietly walked hand-in-hand with us throughout the entire tour (he did SO great!) and then happily hopped on the bus ride at the end to go back to our car (his favorite part and first time on a bus! haha). A sweet girl offered to take our picture before we left but the sun was so incredibly bright that this was the best we could get ...

While I mentioned the couple of 90 degree days this first week of June, it rained for the better part of May. We spent most mornings doing what we do best, bath time! All three of us (Liam, baby sister, and I)! haha

On the sunny days, we've spent a lot of our time right here ...

We put in this sandbox for Liam last summer but he didn't love as much as he does this year! He begs me to go play in it now and it is filled with endless buckets, shovels, and beep beeps (what Liam likes to call his tractors/trucks). It is so cute how much he has loved wearing sunglasses lately too!

Before the splash pad opened, our evening walk would end with time at the playground. As we would get closer to the park, Liam would point and yell "WEE" (his word for slide). He always has to inspect the slide for bugs (which he is freaked out by) or bark before he can ever go down it. haha This usually requires one or both of us cleaning it off because rarely is it ever up to his appropriate slide standards. 

Most of the time, Rue comes outside with us too. She LOVES the backyard and has been so adventurous out there. She eats dandelions, chews on bark, and hides from Liam. haha We haven't taken her out there in the last few days though because we found a few patches of mushrooms we had to get rid of that were growing in our grass from the darn canal water. 

Pushing her around as usual and yelling, "Rue, that way!"...

On the first night we took her outside, Liam naturally chased her without shoes on right into the bark. He walked on it for only a minute or two but all of us paid for it big time when we had to hand pick about 30 splinters out of each foot. Lesson learned! He's worn shoes ever since.

On our walk last night Liam kept acquiring new sticks whenever he saw one along the path. The small ones he would generously give to Nic and I and the giant ones he would keep for himself. The one in his right hand closely resembled Gandalf's staff and he about took me out with it several different times!

Nearing the end of fall last year, we could not get our patio umbrella out of the holder that sits below the center of the table so we left it in there hoping that it would still be okay come spring. After all the wind storms we've had, I honestly wasn't sure it had survived but Nic was finally able to get it out this weekend and repair it! Of course Liam noticed right away that daddy had a fun "tool" out and wanted to try it too. Nic promised to give it to him after finishing the umbrella. Liam happily carried it around with him all evening long "fixing" things! Nic snuck away for a few minutes and came back with this piece of wood and a few nails to teach Liam how to screw them in. Most incredible dad of the year award!!

Over the weekend we also got our garden planted. I planted sugar snap peas, snow peas, spinach, and romaine lettuce again this year because they turned out so great last year! I'm trying carrots, cucumber, and green beans from seed for the first time so we'll see how they turn out. I was also so happy that my strawberry and raspberry plants survived the winter and are already thriving!!

Other than that, I ordered a little pool for the backyard and it is supposed to be showing up in the mail mid-week! I can hardly wait to get it set up and hope it helps make those 90 degree days just a bit more bearable! Hope you have a great week! XO

splish splash pad

We've been anxiously awaiting the grand opening of our first splash pad in our town since it was announced last summer. The best part, it is within walking distance of our home!! We watched the construction take place all last fall and this spring and were excited when it opened for good on Thursday!

For the last 3 out of 4 days we've eaten dinner, gone for a long walk, and ended the walk at the splash pad until the sun goes down! Liam has never liked showers and has always needed to be be in control when it comes to water on his head so we had low expectations of how much he would actually like it at first. The first night we went he was the only kid there walking circles around and around the outside of the fountains and joyfully splashing in the puddles beneath his feet FAR from the water that could fall on his head. haha Since then though, each night he gets more and more brave and will now put his arms and legs in the water (occasionally will let a few drops fall on his head!). I think by the end of the summer he will be happily playing right in the middle of all of it like all the rest of the kids. 

Nic's SURPRISE 30th

Yesterday our favorite guy in the whole world turned T H I R T Y!!!

Liam and I were still asleep when he left for work for the day so we wanted to make him something special on our driveway to come home to ...

Entering a new decade makes for a pretty special birthday so I decided it seemed only fitting to round up as many co-workers, childhood friends, neighbor friends, and his parents that I could to share this special day with him. I spent a great deal of the day lying to him about where I had to go and what I was doing so I could pull off what felt like a pretty great surprise party! 

I contacted one of his co-workers early in the day to help me keep him at work so I could get everything set up and ready for the party but that stinker wouldn't listen to them or respond to me about his timeline for the day (insert: I had NO idea when he was going to be coming home). There were several times throughout the day that I second guessed my sanity trying to throw this party by myself while 6 months pregnant (examples include: a lady trying to charge me $264 for 14 balloons at Fredmeyer, or the fact that half of those balloons popped while trying to get them in the back of my car, or the mounds and mounds of bird poop covering the picnic tables that I had to scrub clean for guests and food to sit on!) but thanks to a husband who could probably care less about the balloons, a whole heck of a lot of clorox wipes, a few tears, and a retired father-in-law who was willing to help a girl out, everything went off with a bang!

Nic got home from work at 4:15 for the day and I lied and said I had some last minute birthday errands to do. I encouraged him to relax and enjoy the time to himself while I took Liam with me. Then the crazy party prep went down and I left Liam with grandma at the park while people began to show up and I went back home to pick up Nic. Lie #2 was that I dropped Liam off at our friend's house who was babysitting him for the night so we could have a date. He was so excited that I sincerely hoped I didn't disappoint him when he found out that we weren't ACTUALLY going out on a date (thankfully he wasn't, but I still owe him one!). Lie #3 I told him he needed to be blindfolded so the place we were going to dinner would remain a surprise. I drove around in circles until he could no longer figure out where he was. haha Then we finally showed up at the park for the party!

Everyone shouted SURPRISE as I took off his blindfold and he was surrounded by people who love him!! I had his favorite (Wingers sticky fingers) as part of the dinner and Better than "You Know What" cake for dessert. ;)

Besides the many balloons that popped (including the big gold 30 ones that I never did end up getting his picture with), I hung these two posters as part of the party decor ...

Hilarious baby and childhood pictures in the shape of a "30" and a flashback to all the things that were popular in 1987 including 79 cents a gallon for gas and cell phones that were the size of a man's head!! haha

I put the poor man to work cleaning up his own party when it was all said and done ...

And Liam got to drive us home (living his BEST life)!! Before you start to panic, we are about 5 houses down from the park. ;)

We hope you had your BEST birthday yet, Nic Williamson! We are so lucky you are ours and can't wait to spend your next decade of life with you!! Love you!