Cold Turkey

 

Carson was 4 months old when he slept through the night, and could hold his bottle on his own. I was so proud of this new skill and I credited his long night sleeps to that bed bottle. When he would wake, I could hear him whimper and as I made my way to his room, in a zombie state he would stop and I would hear the suckling of that bottle. It was his soothie, and mine. But my baby is no longer a baby. He has transitioned into a spunky, wild, rambunctious toddler. It was time to move on from the bottles and onto the sippy cups. After a couple days with the sippy I decided it was time to face the bed bottle. I did our regular bed time routine and instead of handing him a bottle I handed him his sippy. He began to drink from it and realized that this was not his norm of the night. He threw it out of the crib while yelling at me. I persisted and persisted and had no luck. I caved and made the walk of shame to the kitchen to make him his bottle. He smiled a giant smile(the one that melts my heart) as I gave it to him and I left his room defeated. This minor experience had me feeling low. I know its not THAT big of a deal but it hit me that I created this. As a parent I just want to make him happy and love him and just have him in good spirits.. always. However as I was picking up toys I was having dark images of that mom who hands her 5 year old a bottle to hit the hay. I'm a little determined when it comes to getting what I want so my scheming plan began. My stubborn Turkey was going to go cold turkey. There would be no bottle. He would learn to love that sippy. And the ultimate challenge would be getting him down without anything but a kiss goodnight. What a rough couple nights we had. But tonight was a GLORIOUS night indeed. We went right into bed and asleep. I'm still an ear to ear smile about this. I am so proud of my little turkey! He really has done so good. And even though I have made the makers of Nubby sippy cups incredibly rich we have found the sippy of choice. And he seems to be transitioning well. I am just full of love for him and although it is bittersweet to see those bottles packed away I am over joyed by his progression.

Yard Work

I adore this.

I'm sitting on my couch listening to Clint and Lace study. Clint is humming the tune of Star Wars so that she will remember the answer Empire. He really has no idea how much I love him...

Utah

After 2 days in the hospital and 3 blessings for my son Clint actually talked me into going to women's conference. I had planned it earlier last month and canceled when Carson was doing so poor. He was on the up swing or so everyone kept telling me Ü Very Very hard but I figured it could only benefit me at this point. Poor Christine with my on again off again phone calls. But we made it in Utah, the day was brisk and sweater worthy which I love! Trees where blooming with gorgeous flowers and boy are those some beautiful mountains Utah has! I couldn't get over them! We did classes, some shopping, sleeping and some more shopping... ah yes it was awesome. My two highlights, one from each day were... 1st day: Humanitarian work. It is amazing you have hundreds of women standing in line, others busy at work putting together items that go to the needy across the world. Christine and I put together school bags for kids who would probably never have one with out the LDS Church lending a helping hand. I wish I had take a pictures of all the women serving. It was astounding! Day2: Elder Perry of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles. spoke to all the women: Christine and I got crummy seats at first... I didn't even care I was so eager to hear him talk. There were floor seats open that Christine said we should try and get. I asked a lady and Bam! just like that we get the floor! 30 feet away! Superb! He is such a remarkable man. His talk was so insightful and what I was looking for the whole conference! Christine is hilarious and had me cracking up most the trip I love how she says out loud exactly what I am thinking but to afraid to say! She is an example to me and the spirit she brings into our friendship is really pro founding. I can't thank her enough for taking me there and showing me the ropes. Love her. When although it was a fabulous trip it seemed long. I missed my cheeky kid and just wanted to give him some lovin. His smile melts my heart, especially when its because I put it there!