The Moment Every New Mom Dreams Of

Kaitlyn just tackled one of life's hardest lessons. Putting herself to sleep, and staying in bed all night. I always wonder when a baby is "ready" to not need to be rocked or assisted to sleep, but I think the answer for both my babies it was when I realized rocking and soothing them was keeping them awake longer than it was helping them fall asleep. Then I noticed with both girls they would wake up and expect me to rock them again to fall asleep as well. It was taking at least 3 hours total every night to try to get Kaitlyn to sleep. I was exhausted. She was not getting good sleep and I sure wasn't!

I read a book called "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Weissbluth. It helped give me the push and reassurance that it's alright for Kaitlyn to teach herself to sleep on her own, even if it meant having some protesting cries in the process. I did my own personal touch as well and rocked her just long enough for her to drink a bottle, and laid her down tired but awake as well. Between the two, Kaitlyn was sleeping on her own in only 2 1/2 days. Another positive change was her moving from the pack and play in our room to being in Danelle's room.

The entire process was taxing on us both though and very emotional and stressful for me. I am pleased that we are both getting our much needed sleep again. We all all happier, healthier, and better rested and it shows! I plan to enjoy it until the day we decide to have a little #3 to keep us up at night. ;)

April Fools Day

Our family has a little too much fun with April Fools Day. Every year I both plot and plan but dread this day. This year, It seemed that we had more "gags" than scary or messy things which is always nice for a change.

We started the morning out with an innocent breakfast. I made Shayne and Danelle and omelet each and when serving it hung a FAKE disgusting booger hanging down from my nose. It was hilarious! I said, "here is your breakfast, and Elle can you get me a tissue?" She looked up HORRIFIED at what she saw! She ran to the bathroom to get me a tissue while I put down her meal. I have to admit this next part was kind of mean, but when she handed me the tissue, I threw the booger right in her hair. She danced around screaming and very upset until I told her it was a joke! Needless to say she was mad at me for a good part of the morning.

She got me back though. During my shower, her and Shayne turned off my hot water a few times. I later found out they flipped the switch to my bathroom outlets too.

We sure tricked Daddy though too. He had to work that night so we packed him a loving little lunch. The main coarse was fake cockroach and jelly sandwich, and fake mouse in nacho chips. I couldn't stop laughing thinking about him finding it later at work. He thought it was pretty funny, but worried I had done more to the food and didn't eat much of it.

Even Kaitlyn was fooled with some fake dog poopie. Shayne and Elle didn't know if it was real and Kaitlyn had a funny expression watching them look at her with the poop in her mouth! Luckily it was fake because she was chomping on it pretty good!

Shayne and I played one trick together on Elle. I made some banana cream pies, only with hers I made with baby food banana's. First she thought she would joke "me" by smashing the pie in her face... still trying to understand the logic there... but then she tasted it. "I don't like banana pie!" We were laughing and questioning why. She just thought it was yucky! So we told her it was a joke and gave her a real one.

I didn't tell Elle that the sucker I gave her that day was fish flavored because she seemed to really like it. She ate it all the way down to the stick! That was the only prank that didn't workout to plan. All in all it was a fun and funny day. I am glad I got by with only a cold shower and some outlets not working though. Phew! We hope you had a fun one!