Bye Bye Paci

A couple weeks ago we decided to take the plunge and quit the paci cold turkey.  I was terrified - the afternoon naps for all of us were so desperately needed.  What would I do with a screaming baby who just wanted to find comfort in her paci?

We made an impromptu "Bye bye paci" song, saying "go to the babies".  Chandler just adored the song and couldn't stop singing it!  The moment of truth - setting her down in the crib and seeing what happened.  I shut the door - no crying, no screaming, just a girl talking to herself.  I checked on her a few minutes later - same thing.  This had to be too good to be true.

Turns out she fell asleep just fine and has done so ever since.  Sometimes we need to sing the song and talk about giving the pacis to the babies, but she's been a rock star!  It made me realize that sometimes, as parents, we hold onto to "comforts" for our kids, because it's really us that's scared.  Another realization that kids are flexible!

2 Year Stats

Last week I took Chandler to the doc for her 2-year check-up.  I was the most nervous for this one, because the 2-year shots are the worst and Steve wouldn't be there with me.  Shortly after we arrived, the nurse told us, "No shots!"  Woo hoo!  Somehow Brooklynn got the short end of the stick and had 2- and 3-year shots. 

Every time you go to a check-up they have a developmental/physical questionnaire to fill out.  I have to admit, Chandler blew this out of the water this time.  One question - can she walk up the stairs with holding the railing.  Chandler - she refuses to hold a railing and walks up and down the stairs one foot per stair.  Another question - can she put two words together?  Chandler - speaks in full sentences.

Now, not to say she's a genius or anything, but having an older sister sure makes a difference in her progress!  I'm expecting baby #3 to come out talking, walking, and potty-trained!

Stats
Height - 35.5 inches (85th percentile)
Weight - 29.5 lbs (83rd percentile)

So everything looks great!  The doctor had no concerns, but did recommend we get rid of the paci at night before the baby comes.  Not looking forward to that!

Happy Happy Birthday!

I know it sounds cliche, but I really can't believe my little baby is already 2!  In some ways it feels like she's been two for awhile.  I mean the girl is potty-trained, speaks in complete sentences, and is pretty tall.  Our toughest obstacle was trying to convince her it was her birthday.  She kept saying, "No, happy to Gabby."  And then, "No, happy to Taren."  But we finally convinced her, and she was ecstatic.

I made her some special "2" birthday pancakes on Friday, and Steve took the day off to celebrate with us.

We went to the rec center pool for the girls' favorite - swimming!  They both even went down the slide this time. 

Then it was home for naps and re-energize for a night of Chuck E. Cheese.  We'd never taken the girls there before (I know...crazy), but they absolutely loved it!

Their favorite ride - the school bus

Enjoying some yummy pizza

She was pretty excited to meet the man himself.  (I know the expression doesn't capture excitement)

Then we came home for our family celebration of cake and presents.  Of course we had to have doughnuts in this family!

Afterwards

Present time!

And the celebrations weren't over, because Sunday we had the family party.  The girls loved seeing everyone and celebrating together.  Makenzie even wrote and serenaded Chandler a birthday song - it was cute.

Chandler's hot dog cake!  I couldn't decide what to make her, so we decided to ask her, and of course she said, "Hot dog cake!"  I couldn't resist, and she loved it!

Time to dig in

Thing 3.....uh oh....what are we thinking?

If you haven't heard by now (or live under a rock), yes, we are expecting.....again!  Now this time there were no tears shed but the anxiety was still there.  Do we really know what we're getting ourselves into?  The adjustment from 1 kid to 2, was tough.  Will this be just as tough or even tougher?  Time will tell.........

I had been given a book on how to ensure we'd have a boy this time.  I was ready to follow every suggestion to make sure I got my momma's boy.  Of course that didn't happen, so we'll be expecting another girl, but we're happy with either!  Of course if we have 3 girls, I'll be stocking up on booze for the teenage years!

The reaction we've gotten from most people is "Cool, congrats" with a look of shear terror on their faces.  Of course I'm sure they're wondering how a teacher of sex ed in a middle school could have two oops surprise pregnancies.  Pretty scary!  

I was finally starting to feel like the "supermom" I wanted to be - I could take both girls anywhere, anytime and not lose them or my sanity.  Hell, I have two potty-trained kids who are super nappers.  Could life get any better?  Now it's all going to be flipped upside-down, and we'll start over with diaper blowouts and functioning on little sleep.

I've accepted this and know it'll be a blessing to have a little one around again.  Having two "surprises" has taught me the biggest lesson - I cannot control every aspect of my life.  There is a plan for me and my family, and I just need to roll with the punches.  I've lost my control-freakishness (at least a little), and it feels relieving. 

I can call my 2 little babies "oops" babies, because that is what they were but now I know they are truly blessings that I'm extremely grateful for!  Although we control our destiny, there are always circumstances we cannot control (no matter how hard we try), and we need to be able to recognize those and make the best of it!

Pregnancy update:

Due date:  May 2 - 11 (don't know exactly when you're surprised)

Weeks along:  About 13

Weight gain:  Leaving this one blank....let's just say it's already been addressed by the doc

Gender:  We're going for the surprise again.  We're both thinking girl again!

This pregnancy has been my toughest yet - always tired and nauseous!  Baby looks great - heart rate of 170 bpm and about 6 cm long.

Had to do it to match the family!

Latest ultrasound of our finger-sucker

Uh oh!  We are in trouble.......But Brooklynn is excited the baby takes after her!

We will control our destiny, and make sure there are no more Weslings after this one!  Thank God I can control that!

And Finally Halloween......

And Halloween finally came on Monday!  I took the girls to Steve's work to show off their cute costumes and then down to mom's work to show them off some more!  After a morning of sugar they crashed and then woke up ready to do it all again that evening.  The weather was beautiful - one of the warmest Halloweens I remember.  When we were kids, it never failed to snow on Halloween, but since we've been taking the girls, no snow.  Knock on wood!

They had a great time trick-or-treating, but after all the Halloween events I think the novelty wore off a little.  Oh well!

 Meeting up with our neighbors