Decisions, Decisions

I'm stressed out about Claire's sleeping arrangements.  I don't think I'm ready for her to be 100% big bed.  She has slept in it every nap and night since Saturday.  However, she insists that I "sleep" (lay down) with her until she falls asleep.  It turns into an hour of her tossing and turning, copying how I'm laying then telling me to look at her, covering her up 10000 times...  I've tried not staying in there, but she screams at the top of her lungs until I go in there.  I've held out about 15 minutes.
Tonight she actually got out of bed.  Justin took her back and told her if she got out one more time, she was going to her crib.  She cried and cried and I broke down and went in.  She was sitting at the edge of the bed, scared to get out.  I felt awful, so I stayed 10 minutes until she finally fell asleep.

This morning at 5am, she fell out of bed.  She moves so much... of course the area we didn't have blocked off, she fell.  It was at the end of the bed.  She wasn't hurt, that bed is low, but she ended up coming into our room.

She also threw a fit at nap time and said she wanted to sleep in the den.  She slept here for almost two hours.  She is starting to play me and I don't like it.

I'm kinda thinking she can nap in the big bed and sleep in her crib at night?  I like them apart at nap.
What to do???

Weight Watchers

It works.  I know it does.  Back in 2006/7 I lost 18 lbs and became a lifetime member.  I continued going to meetings until I found out I was pregnant.  I went back in April 2011, but was a drop out bc I did not like the new plan.

Fast forward two years and I'm ready to make some changes.  I was fortunate enough to lose a lot of weight while I was breastfeeding (pumping) for 10 months, but it has slowly came back on.  I would love to lose 15 lbs, but 10 is my realistic goal.

My goal is to regain control of my eating habits.  Smaller portions and not having dessert multiple times a day every night.

I am going to try very hard to be honest with my tracking.  I know that writing down everything I eat will open my eyes to what(and how much) I'm putting in. It's going to help not take bites of Max and Claire's breakfast, lunch and dinner as I'm making them or having a handful (or bag) of popcorn while watching TV.

I'm also going to put away the scale.  I weigh myself every morning before leaving our bedroom.  I am going to be confident in myself and just do my weekly weigh-ins at WW.

I went to the meeting at 9:30, so I didn't start until lunch.  I did good for my first day back.  We even ate dinner as a family instead of eating at 8/8:30 after the kids have gone to bed. Instead of cookies or some other junk for dessert, I had an apple and a few strawberries.

I can do this.  I can do this!

The past couple of days we have been busy playing with my nieces, who also happen to be twins!

Not easy to get a smile from four toddlers!

They are obsessed with their cousins!

Claire's favorite "flower"

"help! no someone tell her enough!"

I think I have mentioned that Max and Claire's sleeping patterns have not been as good since we gave our pacis to the Easter Bunny. Last night they both ended up in our bed (don't judge).  This makes for a long night and a little sliver for me to sleep on.  We only have a queen bed - not big enough for four people.  Anyways, tonight, without a lot of thought, we put Claire in the guest bedroom on a queen bed.  We pushed it against the wall and put a pillow barricade on the other.  Max thought it was cool at first, then quickly changed his mind.  Claire fell right asleep.  Max screamed and cried for a while - in his crib.  Really hoping for a peaceful night.  This might be Claire's new bed!

Sweet cheeks (nap time in our bed)

Watching the Meerkats  

Earlier today we met one of my best friends and her son at The Natural Science Center.  They had the best time!  Max loved petting the sheep and brushing the goat!  Claire liked watching the meerkats! We have a really nice Science Center.  There is a play area for toddlers, petting zoo, lots of animals, dinosaurs and a bunch of science stuff.  I ended up sighing up for a membership today. We will definitely get our money worth!

Lately

So, I've been slacking.  I've been lazy.  I've been tired.  I've been walked over....by my children.  That may be one reason I don't blog as much.  They are wearing me thin.  I want this to be positive, but recently our days are full of tantrums and short naps.  They have been napping less, going to bed later and waking up earlier.  No paci? Is that still the problem, or is this just signs of getting older?

Claire's attitude is ridiculous (although many times I have to turn around bc I'm laughing).  She can be so sweet, then a second later is a terror.  She's been saying some funny things.  Tonight as I was putting her to bed she said, "no shower, Mommy" (while pointing her finger at me) "go to the den".  She thinks that if I take a shower I am leaving.  So most nights she tells me not to shower and not to go anywhere. I couldn't believe she pointed her finger at me tonight!  Bedtime routine aslo takes forever.  After five books, she wants to sing three plus songs then I have to tuck her in like a baby, then she turns to the opposite of crib and wants me to cover her again...etc goes on for 15 min. and in between Max is asking the same things.  "I want a hug" "No kiss mommy, just hug" "ok, kiss mommy" on and on an on.

Today I got my hair done.  I've been debating whether or not to cut my hair and after lots of pep talk, I cut it off.

It's a tad shorter than I was hoping, but I am happy.  It feels (and looks) so much healthier!  And why is it every time I sit in the chair at the salon, I notice and extra chin and more wrinkles.  I thought this wasn't supposed to happen for at least 10-20 more years ;)

My brother was in town today and dropped his girls off for a few hours.  We had about an hour to play before my twinados woke up.

Payne twins

Claire joined in on the fun!

Claire was so good with them.  She shared and played so nicely.  I was very proud of her. I wish we got to play with them more often!

Milestones

Big things happening around here people, big things! The past few days Max and Claire have been wanting to sit on the potty.  Until today, we didn't have a little potty or seat for them, so thanks to Target, we have a potty seat!

Sesame Street Seat from Target

I thought having a seat they both liked would help encourage and make it fun to go potty.  I am NOT potty training, but since they are interested, we can at least move in that direction.  If things go well, I'll attempt to this summer when school lets out.
They were super excited to try it out.  They asked to go at least three times.  Finally, on the third attempt, Claire pee peed in the potty!  She was so excited!

Other updates:
Claire is a piece of work.  Miss smarty pants.  She is one, sassy girl!  Girlfriend has been throwing tantrums like no other - usually falling to her knees then falling face forward and crying and kicking.  Fun times!  She knows her ABCs, counts to 8, but knows how to count to 10!, has an amazing memory, pays attention to every detail - always observing, loves her baby dolls.
She is in time out a lot and getting her to stay put for two minutes is miserable.  She likes to put her toe on the line or just over to piss me off.  She talks a LOT!  Recently, when I put her to bed, she says, "no shower Mommy" or "no get dressed".  She doesn't like when I leave. She still mimics what I do.  She asks questions when she doesn't understand or know someone.  She knows most of her friends' mom's names and if she doesn't, she asks, "What's Cooper's Mommy's name"

Max now has curls!  It's so cute!  He looks so grown up.  He still loves to turn knobs, likes to drink from a big boy cup (and does great), pour water back and forth between cups, run around the house, throw balls and play outside.  He loves trucks, motorcycles and cars and points every one out.  Major Mama's boy!  Still sticks close to me around new people and hates when I leave.  Nighttime they both want me to be the one to put them down.  His tantrums have gotten a little better.  He loves to dance and likes me to have fun music while I'm driving.  He gives the best hugs and kisses.

Paci Update:
Two weeks going strong!  Every once in a while when they are fussy or real tired, they will ask for it.  Nap time is the most difficult for Max.  It takes him a lot longer to fall asleep.  Claire actually had a fit bc the doll the Easter Bunny brought her was missing her paci. #momfail.  Should not have bought a doll with a paci when we were giving up pacis!  Thanks for giving me the push to go all the way with the paci!

Gate City Half Marathon

This Saturday I ran in my second half marathon.  The weather was beautiful, as was the course.  We ran through downtown Greensboro and through beautiful neighborhoods.  It was, however, VERY hilly.  I think starting mile 4, the hills were constant.

I was nervous going in because I had only ran two long runs, 8 miles and 9 miles, majority being 4-5 miles at a time.  However, I had a PR! 2:04:03! That's three minutes faster than the Thanksgiving half I did in November!  I would love to get closer to the 2 hr mark!  Around mile 4 I started talking to another runner.  We cheered each other on the rest of the way, definitely making the time go by quicker!

With Speedy - 1:40!!!

My cheerleader's "cheese" face

Our Cheerleaders!

I was/am extremely sore after the race. I could barely bend my knee.... It's safe to say I am sore from my waist down. Today is better, but still tight.  I plan on getting a massage when the kids go back to school Tuesday!

Saturday afternoon was beautiful so we washed cars.  Max and Claire loved helping wash the car!

Thankfully, Nanny and Poppy let Max and Claire come over for a sleep over and we went out to dinner with friends and were kids free this morning! It was so nice of them considering today is their 34th wedding anniversary!  Sadly, they had to put down their 12 year old Golden Retriever after we left.  Never an easy decision to make on your best friend :(

Back to routine this week and thankfully we will have spring like temperatures!!

Festivities

Friday night we went to a friend's house for an Easter egg hunt and dinner and there was even a surprise visit from the EB!  Claire enjoyed picking up eggs and Max spent his time jumping on the big trampoline.

Here comes Peter Cottontail!

Bear was not happy to see the EB!

Friday night was also the last night with their beloved boppy.

Saturday night went perfect.  Max fussed for about 10 minutes, then was out!  Sunday was a different story.  Max did not nap at all and Claire took a very short one.  Each time we got in the car or getting ready for nap they would ask for their boppy.  We had to remind them each time that they gave them to the EB.  Last night was heavy tears for about 30 min - same for today's nap.  It will take some time for them to learn to soothe themselves without their boppy.  It's hard to hear.  I would love to be able to give it to them but know we can't :( It's just hard hearing them cry that hard and miss something so much!

Church Easter Egg hunt

Sweet girl!

Handsome Buds!

We also got to spend some time with my Brother and his family.  Originally, my parents were going to head to VA to see them, but my Dad's back went out and couldn't travel.  It is always great to see them and see how much my nieces have grown.  Wish we could see them more often.

Payne and Fredrick twins
Not easy to take a pic with four toddlers!