Sickie

Poor B is sick again! His immune system has been on overdrive since last July and it seems like he catches every cold within a 100 mile radias. Although Christian's rehire date was pushed back, it has been a blessing to have the help. I start my third trimester in a week and if I had to wake up at night and be super mom during the day I would be sick for sure. I am hoping this is a short lived cold so he can have fun during holy week, there are a lot of activities planned.
The hardest part of having a little sickie is that you only have a limited amount of ways you can help. We gave him Tylenol, vapo rub and we are running a vaporizer but nothing seems to really help. Ahhh sometimes being a parent means helplessly holding your kiddo while he coughs and sneezes. I hope Christian and I stay healthy and that B is healthy again soon.

Sleep Frustration

Sleeping has been a challenge for my 2 1/2 year old son. The whole first year he was up between 2-5 times a night. At 1 we tried the Ferber method and it worked like a charm. He slept from 7-7 every night. Right before he turned 2 I had a miscarriage and we decided it was best for my son and I to move to SoCal to be closer to my husband who works as a firefighter down there, ( at the time we were living in NorCal with my parents) for two and a half months we bounced from one house to another every week or two. It was a nightmare on his schedule, although we tried to keep things "normal".

Then we found a place to rent for the last three months of fire season and we thought we could finally get back on track...no such luck. It was so cold we had him sleep with us in our bed.... A big step backwards.

In January we decided to move back to my hometown and settle for good. Although we have created stability for him again, sleep has still been a big problem, whether it is naps or bed time. It doesn't help that my husband and I have different styles of parenting, a big obstacle as well.

We decided I would be in charge of bed time. I tried Ferber again, it did work at first until he remembered he had toys in his room. We didn't want him to have milk before bed because of cavities so we compromised with ice water, he would wake up wet from a leaky diaper. My husband and I would pat his back until he was a sleep then every time he woke up at night he would want us to pat until he went back to sleep.

I was becoming frustrated, especially since we have a baby on the way in June, we need this sleep thing fixed ASAP. So tonight I decided to do our normal routine then let him play until he passed out. At 9:30 he was begging for "night night" I told him to turn on his sleep sheep and pull up the blankets a go to bed. You know what.... He did!!!!!

Ohhhh momma's been played. Hoping this is the solution and it works long term.

Mom is learning how to manage the two's

I am starting to settle into a routine and make friends. I have found a great MOPS group and within the group a smaller group of women is studying the book Positive Discipline. I am only on chapter four but I love it! It is parenting without conventional punishment that makes the child feel bad about themselves. I am learning how to curb misbehavior, which surprise surprise happens with a 2 year old. I am learning how to take a mommy timeout for the sake of both B's and my sanity later. Braydon maybe learning how to behave and interact with others but I am learning right along with him. Let's hope we both have a quick learning curve before the baby comes.

Off day

Today was just an off day. Last night I couldn't sleep well because my back was killing me and Braydon kept waking up, which caused the whole day to start late. Barely had time to eat, feed Braydon, get us dressed and make the bed before we had to leave for our first gymnastics class. When we got to class his juice spilled all over the floor when I was filling out the paper work and we made it to class late. Once in class I realized something was off, the other two boys were three and a half and four, Braydon stuck out like a sore thumb at only two and a half. I thought it was a mommy and me class but no other moms were with their kids. Turns out the receptionist had signed us up for the wrong class and the one we needed is full... We are on a wait list for a couple of weeks.

Then we visited my grandparents. Even though I called my grandma the night before to let her know that I was going to be late she called my cell twice in a panic. When we got there she told me she thought we were in an accident and didn't know if Christian could reach her. I realized after I left that I had forgotten my cell phone there. Need to call tomorrow.

Finally we got home and Braydon wouldn't take a nap, but I was exhausted so I laid down and boys hung out. I cooked dinner, got the snacks ready for our family movie night and we enjoyed the Lion King. Thankfully Braydon went down easy. Now time to relax and pray tomorrow goes smoother.

New Year, New Start

This year is full of possibilities! We moved to Visalia, CA and we are renting a fantastic 3bd 2 bath apartment. I am 17 weeks pregnant and found a great Dr. here. (It was hard to say goodbye to my other OBGYN because she was so fantastic!) and we are getting ready for the new chapter in our life.

I am hoping to get into a routine soon and post some fun pictures of family. But for now I am just excited about the possibilities of 2012.

Potty Training

We are three weeks into potty training Braydon. It is a slow moving process. He goes when we put him on the potty, but when you ask him if he needs to go he says "no!" and then has an accident on my couch.

Today was a success not only did he potty on a public potty at Disneyland he pooped for the first time in his potty. Ahh little successes for a mother.

Life in the Labbee Home

Oh My Oh My! So much has happened! Early July I miscarried our second baby. At the time I was in Northern CA and Christian was already working in Southern CA with Cal Fire. We wanted to be closer to each other so our quest for an inexpensive rental for our family began. We lived with my friend and her three girls for a month. It was good to be together as a family but we yearned for our own place to call home. For the next two months I went from place to place house sitting for friends, visiting relatives and friends. We had given up hope the end of August that we would ever find a place for us. Thankfully that is when God intervened. My friend Alisa had a guest space for us to rent. It was such a relief! There was enough space for Braydon to have his own room and for us to set up a sewing station, living area and bed, like a little studio for Christian and I.

We moved in September 15th. We are still trying to get all of our stuff into our little place. We had it stored at three houses and a storage unit. I haven't seen most of my stuff for a year!!!! I am discovering new treasures everyday! Like our wedding pictures, baby pictures of Braydon.... our sofa!

It is so nice to feel like we have a fresh start. It is a little space but it is our home. Christian will be starting his paramedic program in a few months and Braydon grows like a weed everyday! Opening myself up to good things and blessings!