1. What’s one thing in the past month you would have changed?
I would've forced myself to go to Seattle when it was nice out, even just to walk around downtown.
2. What was your favorite thing that happened in March?
The extra days off Josh got to have :) love spending time with him!
3. What are you looking forward to in April?
Nothing really.
4. What is your favorite thing about Spring?
Tulips! Baby animals! New life! It feels like a new beginning every time!
5. What is your ultimate guilty pleasure?
Music from when I grew up. I still love it! I love blasting it no matter where I am!
Thank you Wife of a Sailor for hosting!
Friday, April 5, 2013
Thursday, April 4, 2013
The Liebster Awards!
Hey y'all! Amanda over at My Very Own Modern Family nominated me for a Liebster Award!
I'm honored! Thank you Amanda!
Here are the rules!
~Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
~Answer the questions the nominator set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've nominated to answer.
~Choose 11 blogs and link them in your post.
~Go to their page and tell them.
~No tags back!
11 Things About Me:
1. I am an animal lover! Don't care what kind of animal it is, I love it!
2. I am a list maker. I make tons of lists for everything! It's really not safe for the planet, but I can't do without my lists!
3. I love to cook! I haven't made my own recipes yet, but I love to try others' recipes! I can change them to my own liking fairly easily and do it often.
4. I still love to dance! I miss tap classes to death! I'm loving Zumba because of how closely related to dance it is. The only type of dance I don't really miss is pointe. I can do without the broken toes, blisters, ankle pain, etc. it brings, but I love to watch it still!
5. I have had 6 surgeries in my life. Only one I consider major surgery and that is only because it could've ended with me never being able to walk again. (which I walked less than a month later, into the office, in flip flops, with a thin layer of snow on the ground, and surprised my doctor in a huge way!)
6. I can connect better with adults (Not just 18+, but those that would be considered a true elder of mine) and males better than anyone else. I never really had too many female friends after about 4th/5th grade. Once the girls started liking the boys, they stopped liking me and the drama ensued! Even before that, I would rather be with the boys playing football, tag, etc. than being with the girls. Dance was horrible for me in the "friendship" aspect since I only ever had 1 true friend while dancing. She's still a friend, though not as close of a friend as we used to be. However, the people who got me through the toughest times of my life....teachers. I still talk to my Kindergarten teacher on a regular basis. I was able to babysit her kids a few times. My daughter is named after her daughter (She graduates college in a little over a month!). I also still rely on my 10-12 grade English teacher at times. She really helped me through the toughest time of my life. The only way I get along with females for the most part (though it's starting to slightly change as everyone is getting older) is if they are at least 10 years older than me, but usually 15-20 years older is more comfortable. I guess it's just whenever they're done with the drama, I'm good with them. I've been over drama for years.
7. I was raised Catholic, stopped practicing just two weeks after I was confirmed, was extremely mad at God for a few years, then started going back to the Catholic church when I was in my first year of college when my Mimi couldn't go anymore (I went to keep my Pipi company mostly). I only lasted about 3 weeks in the Catholic church again before I went to church with Josh and fell in love and felt at home in my faith. I went through their Bible Information Class and became a member of the WELS Lutheran church. Best decision of my life. I still have my own beliefs when it comes to some things, and I question my beliefs constantly...it's just a part of how I grew up and was taught religion (we based our beliefs on Catholicism, but we formed our own opinions and beliefs also).
8. I talk WAY too much! I blame my brothers! They didn't let me talk until I was about 4 years old. I also ramble quite a bit, either when I'm nervous or tired...though sometimes I don't need a reason at all!
9. I have this blessing/curse thing where I can see both sides very clearly and have to decide where I stand. I feel it's a blessing in most cases, but sometimes I see it as a curse (mostly when it comes to a religious standpoint) because what I feel is right, and what my religion feels is right doesn't always coincide. If anyone wants to hear about anything more on this, just ask, though I doubt anyone will...it's quite boring.
10. I hate people who bash other people, especially on our President. I was not a happy camper when GW Bush was in office. He was not my pick for President. I did NOT go around and bash on him every chance I got! I respected that he was our President and lived my life, not worried about every little thing he did that I didn't like. I DID vote for Obama and am happy with him as my President. I do not regret my choice of voting for him. I do not expect everyone to feel the same as me, especially those whom voted for someone else, however I do expect a certain human decency and maturity to take place when talking about him. I think I expect too much from my fellow humans because I was raised with respect and common decency...a lesson I wish many others would learn. I still *mostly* live by "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all." The only time I break that is when I'm talking to Josh about boat wives...I'm not even going to start on the experiences I've had with them....
11. I am absolutely, positively TERRIFIED of Josh getting out of the Navy. There is so much uncertainty in our country, especially with the economy, that I have no clue how we're going to manage to live in the civilian world. Yes, Josh is a Nuke and can get a job pretty much anywhere, in any part of the country, possibly the world, BUT we want to stay where we are. We were looking forward to trying to get a job at the shipyard, and now there are talks of them closing the shipyard. So not cool! Don't know what we're going to do. I'm trying to accept the very good possibility of us having to move again. I'm trying to be positive about it, but I love where we are. I love the people here, I love my house, I love our church....THIS IS HOME. I don't want to leave home.
The 11 Questions I was asked:
1.What is one thing you do when no one else is looking?
Pick my nose. I hate when there are crusty boogers in my nose...it irritates me to no end. No, I do not eat them.
2. Are you a books or movies type of person?
I love books, but I'm a slow reader. Lately I haven't been reading at all. I need to pick up a book again. I miss reading. It seems when I do, my kids suddenly need me for something, anything. It never fails. They could be sleeping and 5 minutes into my book, one of them is screaming for me. So, I've been enjoying movies much more as of late.
3. What is one characteristic about yourself that you love?
I am honest. Sometimes I keep things to myself, especially at church or around certain people, but all in all, I am an open book and I am honest about everything. If I'm specifically asked a question about something I know the person may not like the answer to, I'll still answer it honestly, what they do with that answer is completely up to them.
4. What is one characteristic about yourself that you hate?
My own body image. Since being married, I've gained almost a whole me. I know the reason and am working on it, but it's hard with my problems on top of it. I don't talk about my weight or my physical appearance much (as far as I'm remembering) but it sucks. I used to be a dancer. I weighed a perfect 120 all through high school. I never thought I was fat back then, I thought I had a rockin' body! When I was forced to quit dancing (thank you ankle injury!) I was good for a little while, but then I started gaining weight...and it never stopped. I never quit eating the junk I could eat while I was dancing 10 - 16 hours a week. It's still my weakness.
5. Most surprising thing about being a mom?
How much my own kids irritate the crap out of me. I love them, but man oh man! They are at the point where it's constant arguing, attitude, and fighting! I feel like I have two teenagers on my hands instead of preschoolers!
6. Do you have siblings? What is your birth order?
I have two amazing older brothers. Kacee is the oldest and Jon the middle child with me being the only girl and baby of the family :)
7. Do you like to read horoscopes or do you consider it all a bunch of bunk?
I enjoy reading them, but I don't put any stock into them...they are a bunch of bunk to me.
8. If you could live anywhere in the country (US) where would you choose?
I am exactly where I want to live! I love that the Navy put us here...now I just hope we don't have to move when he gets out next year!
9. Favorite restaurant?
BD's Mongolian BBQ I have to eat there at least once every time I go back to Michigan! Usually we get to twice or more since it is my favorite and we don't have anything that truly compares out here! Luckily we don't have to drive an hour and a half, or even 45 minutes, to get it anymore! They opened one up just 20 minutes from my mom's house! YAY!
10. Are you tech savvy?
Not savvy, but I'm not ignorant on tech stuff. My husband was a computer tech before he joined the Navy. If you put the pieces of a computer in front of me, I have a pretty good idea on how to put it together to make it work. Josh still builds his own computers. I can also set up and figure out my own iPad, iPod, camera, TV, DVD, PS3, etc. I'm just glad I don't HAVE to since Josh is usually around when we buy the new stuff and he does it for me.
11. What is your favorite outfit?
Comfortable clothes! I still wear my maternity lounge pants my Aunt Patty gave me when I was pregnant with Caralyn, just because they are SO comfortable! Baggy sweatshirts are a must in my wardrobe too! I love having lazy days where I don't really get dressed. I also love my athletic clothes. The tight stretchy pants, t-shrits, tank tops....so comfy! I just don't like them after they've been sweatified...though sometimes I'll change into new athletic clothes just so I can continue being comfortable after a workout.
Now for actual going out and doing anything kinds of clothes, I like my bigger (flowy, long) shirts and a comfortable pair of jeans. Or a long flowy dress. I'm not much into tight clothes at the moment since I don't look as good as I did back in the day.
My 11 Questions for my nominees:
1. Separation of Church and State...do you think there is such a thing anymore?
2. What is your stance on the gun "issue"?
3. What is your favorite color and why?
4. What TV shows do you watch? Any you would suggest?
5. What song can get you moving no matter what?
6. Are you religious? If so, what religion do you follow?
7. What is your favorite recipe? (Pictures welcome too!)
8. What is your favorite holiday?
9. What is your favorite form of exercise?
10. What do you like most about being a parent? Least?
11. What kinds of books do you like? What is your favorite book?
The 11 Bloggers I'm nominating:
1. Nicole at Thoughts Of A Mother
2. Angie at I Organize You
3. Jami at Little Moments Like This
4. Poe at Many Waters
5. Molly Danger at Married My Airman
6. JG at Me and My Soldierman
7. Allie at My Marine and Me
8. Momma at She Can't Shut Up
9. Julie at Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life
10. Pamela at Troop Petrie
11. Heather at Two Monkeys and a Ladybug
I'm honored! Thank you Amanda!
Here are the rules!
~Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
~Answer the questions the nominator set for you plus create 11 questions for the people you've nominated to answer.
~Choose 11 blogs and link them in your post.
~Go to their page and tell them.
~No tags back!
11 Things About Me:
1. I am an animal lover! Don't care what kind of animal it is, I love it!
2. I am a list maker. I make tons of lists for everything! It's really not safe for the planet, but I can't do without my lists!
3. I love to cook! I haven't made my own recipes yet, but I love to try others' recipes! I can change them to my own liking fairly easily and do it often.
4. I still love to dance! I miss tap classes to death! I'm loving Zumba because of how closely related to dance it is. The only type of dance I don't really miss is pointe. I can do without the broken toes, blisters, ankle pain, etc. it brings, but I love to watch it still!
5. I have had 6 surgeries in my life. Only one I consider major surgery and that is only because it could've ended with me never being able to walk again. (which I walked less than a month later, into the office, in flip flops, with a thin layer of snow on the ground, and surprised my doctor in a huge way!)
6. I can connect better with adults (Not just 18+, but those that would be considered a true elder of mine) and males better than anyone else. I never really had too many female friends after about 4th/5th grade. Once the girls started liking the boys, they stopped liking me and the drama ensued! Even before that, I would rather be with the boys playing football, tag, etc. than being with the girls. Dance was horrible for me in the "friendship" aspect since I only ever had 1 true friend while dancing. She's still a friend, though not as close of a friend as we used to be. However, the people who got me through the toughest times of my life....teachers. I still talk to my Kindergarten teacher on a regular basis. I was able to babysit her kids a few times. My daughter is named after her daughter (She graduates college in a little over a month!). I also still rely on my 10-12 grade English teacher at times. She really helped me through the toughest time of my life. The only way I get along with females for the most part (though it's starting to slightly change as everyone is getting older) is if they are at least 10 years older than me, but usually 15-20 years older is more comfortable. I guess it's just whenever they're done with the drama, I'm good with them. I've been over drama for years.
7. I was raised Catholic, stopped practicing just two weeks after I was confirmed, was extremely mad at God for a few years, then started going back to the Catholic church when I was in my first year of college when my Mimi couldn't go anymore (I went to keep my Pipi company mostly). I only lasted about 3 weeks in the Catholic church again before I went to church with Josh and fell in love and felt at home in my faith. I went through their Bible Information Class and became a member of the WELS Lutheran church. Best decision of my life. I still have my own beliefs when it comes to some things, and I question my beliefs constantly...it's just a part of how I grew up and was taught religion (we based our beliefs on Catholicism, but we formed our own opinions and beliefs also).
8. I talk WAY too much! I blame my brothers! They didn't let me talk until I was about 4 years old. I also ramble quite a bit, either when I'm nervous or tired...though sometimes I don't need a reason at all!
9. I have this blessing/curse thing where I can see both sides very clearly and have to decide where I stand. I feel it's a blessing in most cases, but sometimes I see it as a curse (mostly when it comes to a religious standpoint) because what I feel is right, and what my religion feels is right doesn't always coincide. If anyone wants to hear about anything more on this, just ask, though I doubt anyone will...it's quite boring.
10. I hate people who bash other people, especially on our President. I was not a happy camper when GW Bush was in office. He was not my pick for President. I did NOT go around and bash on him every chance I got! I respected that he was our President and lived my life, not worried about every little thing he did that I didn't like. I DID vote for Obama and am happy with him as my President. I do not regret my choice of voting for him. I do not expect everyone to feel the same as me, especially those whom voted for someone else, however I do expect a certain human decency and maturity to take place when talking about him. I think I expect too much from my fellow humans because I was raised with respect and common decency...a lesson I wish many others would learn. I still *mostly* live by "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all." The only time I break that is when I'm talking to Josh about boat wives...I'm not even going to start on the experiences I've had with them....
11. I am absolutely, positively TERRIFIED of Josh getting out of the Navy. There is so much uncertainty in our country, especially with the economy, that I have no clue how we're going to manage to live in the civilian world. Yes, Josh is a Nuke and can get a job pretty much anywhere, in any part of the country, possibly the world, BUT we want to stay where we are. We were looking forward to trying to get a job at the shipyard, and now there are talks of them closing the shipyard. So not cool! Don't know what we're going to do. I'm trying to accept the very good possibility of us having to move again. I'm trying to be positive about it, but I love where we are. I love the people here, I love my house, I love our church....THIS IS HOME. I don't want to leave home.
The 11 Questions I was asked:
1.What is one thing you do when no one else is looking?
Pick my nose. I hate when there are crusty boogers in my nose...it irritates me to no end. No, I do not eat them.
2. Are you a books or movies type of person?
I love books, but I'm a slow reader. Lately I haven't been reading at all. I need to pick up a book again. I miss reading. It seems when I do, my kids suddenly need me for something, anything. It never fails. They could be sleeping and 5 minutes into my book, one of them is screaming for me. So, I've been enjoying movies much more as of late.
3. What is one characteristic about yourself that you love?
I am honest. Sometimes I keep things to myself, especially at church or around certain people, but all in all, I am an open book and I am honest about everything. If I'm specifically asked a question about something I know the person may not like the answer to, I'll still answer it honestly, what they do with that answer is completely up to them.
4. What is one characteristic about yourself that you hate?
My own body image. Since being married, I've gained almost a whole me. I know the reason and am working on it, but it's hard with my problems on top of it. I don't talk about my weight or my physical appearance much (as far as I'm remembering) but it sucks. I used to be a dancer. I weighed a perfect 120 all through high school. I never thought I was fat back then, I thought I had a rockin' body! When I was forced to quit dancing (thank you ankle injury!) I was good for a little while, but then I started gaining weight...and it never stopped. I never quit eating the junk I could eat while I was dancing 10 - 16 hours a week. It's still my weakness.
5. Most surprising thing about being a mom?
How much my own kids irritate the crap out of me. I love them, but man oh man! They are at the point where it's constant arguing, attitude, and fighting! I feel like I have two teenagers on my hands instead of preschoolers!
6. Do you have siblings? What is your birth order?
I have two amazing older brothers. Kacee is the oldest and Jon the middle child with me being the only girl and baby of the family :)
7. Do you like to read horoscopes or do you consider it all a bunch of bunk?
I enjoy reading them, but I don't put any stock into them...they are a bunch of bunk to me.
8. If you could live anywhere in the country (US) where would you choose?
I am exactly where I want to live! I love that the Navy put us here...now I just hope we don't have to move when he gets out next year!
9. Favorite restaurant?
BD's Mongolian BBQ I have to eat there at least once every time I go back to Michigan! Usually we get to twice or more since it is my favorite and we don't have anything that truly compares out here! Luckily we don't have to drive an hour and a half, or even 45 minutes, to get it anymore! They opened one up just 20 minutes from my mom's house! YAY!
10. Are you tech savvy?
Not savvy, but I'm not ignorant on tech stuff. My husband was a computer tech before he joined the Navy. If you put the pieces of a computer in front of me, I have a pretty good idea on how to put it together to make it work. Josh still builds his own computers. I can also set up and figure out my own iPad, iPod, camera, TV, DVD, PS3, etc. I'm just glad I don't HAVE to since Josh is usually around when we buy the new stuff and he does it for me.
11. What is your favorite outfit?
Comfortable clothes! I still wear my maternity lounge pants my Aunt Patty gave me when I was pregnant with Caralyn, just because they are SO comfortable! Baggy sweatshirts are a must in my wardrobe too! I love having lazy days where I don't really get dressed. I also love my athletic clothes. The tight stretchy pants, t-shrits, tank tops....so comfy! I just don't like them after they've been sweatified...though sometimes I'll change into new athletic clothes just so I can continue being comfortable after a workout.
Now for actual going out and doing anything kinds of clothes, I like my bigger (flowy, long) shirts and a comfortable pair of jeans. Or a long flowy dress. I'm not much into tight clothes at the moment since I don't look as good as I did back in the day.
My 11 Questions for my nominees:
1. Separation of Church and State...do you think there is such a thing anymore?
2. What is your stance on the gun "issue"?
3. What is your favorite color and why?
4. What TV shows do you watch? Any you would suggest?
5. What song can get you moving no matter what?
6. Are you religious? If so, what religion do you follow?
7. What is your favorite recipe? (Pictures welcome too!)
8. What is your favorite holiday?
9. What is your favorite form of exercise?
10. What do you like most about being a parent? Least?
11. What kinds of books do you like? What is your favorite book?
The 11 Bloggers I'm nominating:
1. Nicole at Thoughts Of A Mother
2. Angie at I Organize You
3. Jami at Little Moments Like This
4. Poe at Many Waters
5. Molly Danger at Married My Airman
6. JG at Me and My Soldierman
7. Allie at My Marine and Me
8. Momma at She Can't Shut Up
9. Julie at Soldier's Wife, Crazy Life
10. Pamela at Troop Petrie
11. Heather at Two Monkeys and a Ladybug
Friday, March 8, 2013
March Who Madness Days 4-8
Day 4. Favorite Villain
The Weeping Angels...hands down...so creepy, but such a great villain!
Day 5. Favorite Alien
Sontarans....They're freaking potatoes...they're hilarious! I love them!
Day 6. Favorite Special Episode
I have two....A Christmas Carol and The Snowmen...both Christmas specials. I can't choose which I like better!
Day 7. Favorite Season
I don't actually have one! I've loved them all the same! I haven't actually missed an episode yet I don't think. My husband knows if I fall asleep while we're watching them, he best save them. I have to either keep them or make sure I write down which episodes he's missed while he's under the water too...
Day 8. Least Favorite Season
Again, I don't have one. I think I'll like the originals a lot less than I like the ones I started with, but we shall see someday when I watch the originals :)
Sunday, March 3, 2013
March Who Madness is here!
I'm a little behind on March Who Madness, but I will catch up very quickly! I am doing Days 1-3 today. So without further ado...
Day 1. Favorite Doctor.
I have to say I love these last few doctors. The new ones. Doctors 9 through 11. It took me awhile to get used to David Tennant as The Doctor instead of Barty Crouch Jr. I kept waiting for him to do his little tongue thing. I had JUST gotten used to it and stopped expecting the tongue and they switched to Matt Smith. He grew on me fairly fast. I absolutely LOVED Christopher Eccleston though too!
Day 2. Favorite Companion.
I have liked a few of the companions too, but no one (to me) beats Amy and Rory! I loved them sooooo much!
Day 3. Least Favorite Companion.
I think my least favorite has been Donna. She was okay and all, but talk about whiny! She eventually grew on me, but I still don't like her that much.
And there you have it!
I haven't watched the older Doctor Who episodes yet, so my posts will be on the newer ones. Sorry about that. I just haven't had time to sit and actually watch anything I want to watch. Someday....that's all I can say!
Friday, February 8, 2013
What's in a name? (Link up)
I came across My Very Own Modern Family through another real life friend who write blogs at She Can't Shut Up. I decided to do this link up (even though I'm late!), just because I needed to write, and this was something I love. Names.... I have two girl names and a boy name picked out in case something happens and God decides to give me another child. One name my husband will never let me name my girl though, so I've secretly named my Pilot that name. LoL!
So here I am...names...my name, my husband's name, my kids' names. I love them all. My cat's name, not so much, but it suits him somehow. Names are a huge part of life. It seems as though we name EVERYTHING. Like I stated above, I've even secretly named my car. My parents name their cars too. My dad's Jeep is Jose. I don't remember what my mom's Jeep is, but I know she has a name. We even have nicknames for some of our friends and whatnot (some that those friends should probably never know, though that's not the case with my friends...they all know what we nicknamed them IF we have a nickname for them).
Let's start off easy. My name. My mom had been set on naming me Karen Francis for awhile. She loved the name. That is until...dun dun dun...my Mimi (dad's mom) pointed out the initials... KFC.. That ended that name and they moved on to another...Stephanie Eileen. Stephanie was my mom's FAVORITE girls name. Of course...hardly anyone knows me as Stephanie. Why? My dad nicknamed me Stevie at birth. My parents and brothers are really the only ones who can get away with calling me Stephanie without me getting furious at them. Of course, in professional life (doctors, banks, etc.) I am Stephanie and I live with it. I've thought about changing my name legally to Stevie, but it's really just too much of a hassle and it really doesn't impact me too much since really, almost no one knows me as Stephanie. I think even my in-laws were surprised at first to find out Stevie was a nickname and not my real name.
From www.sheknows.com
The meaning of Stephanie is:
So here I am...names...my name, my husband's name, my kids' names. I love them all. My cat's name, not so much, but it suits him somehow. Names are a huge part of life. It seems as though we name EVERYTHING. Like I stated above, I've even secretly named my car. My parents name their cars too. My dad's Jeep is Jose. I don't remember what my mom's Jeep is, but I know she has a name. We even have nicknames for some of our friends and whatnot (some that those friends should probably never know, though that's not the case with my friends...they all know what we nicknamed them IF we have a nickname for them).
Let's start off easy. My name. My mom had been set on naming me Karen Francis for awhile. She loved the name. That is until...dun dun dun...my Mimi (dad's mom) pointed out the initials... KFC.. That ended that name and they moved on to another...Stephanie Eileen. Stephanie was my mom's FAVORITE girls name. Of course...hardly anyone knows me as Stephanie. Why? My dad nicknamed me Stevie at birth. My parents and brothers are really the only ones who can get away with calling me Stephanie without me getting furious at them. Of course, in professional life (doctors, banks, etc.) I am Stephanie and I live with it. I've thought about changing my name legally to Stevie, but it's really just too much of a hassle and it really doesn't impact me too much since really, almost no one knows me as Stephanie. I think even my in-laws were surprised at first to find out Stevie was a nickname and not my real name.
From www.sheknows.com
The meaning of Stephanie is:
Crown; victorious.
Friday, February 1, 2013
MilSpouse (first) Friday Fill-In
If you're a MilSpouse and would like to participate, please check out Wife of a Sailor! Remember to link up after you're finished so we can all check out your answers! Have fun!
1. What’s one thing in the past month you would have changed?
I don't know that I would've changed anything. Maybe I would've spent some more time with a couple friends in Michigan, but I think January went very well for me.
2. What was your favorite thing that happened in January?
I started it out in Michigan with Josh, Cara, Ric and our families. It was so nice to start the year that way.
3. What are you looking forward to in February?
Starting my workout plan for this year, spending some quality family time with Cara, Ric and Josh too. This will probably be the last month that happens for awhile.
4. What are your plans for Valentine’s Day?
I don't really celebrate Valentine's Day. My grandma passed away in 1999 on Valentine's Day and it hasn't really meant much to me since. Josh is happy about this, but we do still give cards to each other just about every year.
I think my biggest plans are for the day before. I'm hosting my church's Mom's & Friend's Group's Valentine's Party. I still have NO clue what to do for it, but I'm working on it slowly but surely.
5. What is your best advice for a MilSpouse whose spouse is deployed for Valentine’s Day?
Go out anyway! Take yourself out on a much deserved date! Go out with a friend if you don't want to be alone. Just because they're gone doesn't mean you're not loved, it just means you're apart for now.
Saturday, January 26, 2013
Sleeping Arrangements
I made a huge mistake when Caralyn was a baby. I let her sleep with us. At first it was because I couldn't hear her breathe even though she was 5 feet from my head. Then it was because it was easier to nurse at night with her already in bed with us. It was also easier to give her the bottle for both of us when she was in bed with us.
The bottles ended not long after Alaric was born. We did try putting her in the crib when she was a little over a year old. She got super sick a week later and was back in bed with us. Alaric has never really wanted to be in bed with us. He likes his own space and doesn't like being touched while he's sleeping, except recently he's wanted to crawl into bed with us at 6AM to sleep an extra hour or two. If Josh has left for work, I let him. It lets me sleep just a little longer in the morning.
Caralyn is four years old now. A little more than that. This past Monday we decided she was going to start sleeping in her own bed. I was a little hesitant because Josh had to work the next morning so I would be left to do all the work after we went to bed. Four years, One month, Two weeks we slept in the same bed together (she slept alone for a total of about two weeks in the 4 years 1 month and 4 weeks she had been alive...just 3 days shy of a full 2 months). I think it's been harder on me to let her sleep in her own bed than it is for her to sleep in her own bed.
The first night, she woke up twice. I was in her room a total of maybe 3 minutes between those two times. She woke up again around 6:30AM I believe and I brought her into my room so she would go back to sleep with me. Josh wasn't home so it wasn't a big deal. I wasn't ready to be up yet.
The rest of the nights she's slept until at least 7:00AM, many times later than that. Last night was a different story. She woke up enough to warrant me getting out of bed three times. A fourth was needed because Alaric woke her up at 6:00AM when he cried because I wouldn't let him in bed with me and put him back in his bed. She went right to sleep and is still sleeping at almost 7:20AM.
Alaric...now that is another thing we changed. He has been able to climb out of his crib for a month or two now. He's never been hurt or anything, but after we came home from Michigan we decided we wanted to make a change. That change didn't happen too fast, but it finally happened. Again, on Monday night, we changed his crib into a toddler bed. I was only hesitant because I had seen so many horror stories about the transition from crib to big kid bed. I lucked out. From day one he has slept all night in his bed, never getting out for anything. He still does his morning "crawl out of bed and go to mommy's room" ritual, but if it's too early, I put him back into his own bed. If it's not (or if Josh is already gone for work), he stays in bed with me and cuddles, sometimes falling back to sleep.
I feel so blessed by this. Caralyn isn't happy that she's sleeping alone, but she's got her flashlight, Pinkie (the scentsy pig she renamed) and Fluffy (a pink stuffed bunny) in bed with her, so she's good. She also has her Tinkerbell nightlight and the Dora projection nightlight on for her. She does very well and even puts herself back to sleep if the bad dream isn't too bad. Alaric is just amazing. He sleeps with his Mickey Mouse nightlight (I need to get a new nightlight for him...I don't like this one), his giant Mickey Mouse stuffed animal (Thank you Uncle Kacee!), his Scentsy Monkey and his owl. He doesn't get out of bed until morning. He doesn't fight us at bedtime (neither does Caralyn). I have some pretty darn good kids.
The only other thing I have to add is...it feels really weird being in a queen size bed with just one other person, who doesn't take up all the room in the world. Though, I haven't gotten away from my edge of the bed and he has decided to take the middle of the bed to be closer to me. I'm not sure how I'm going to do with his next underway. I haven't slept alone since I was pregnant with Caralyn, even then Sparrow usually slept with me. Sparrow has taken to sleeping in one of the kids' rooms at night or on the couch...he's not too interested in sleeping with me anymore. I think I may need to get myself a giant stuffed animal before he leaves.
The bottles ended not long after Alaric was born. We did try putting her in the crib when she was a little over a year old. She got super sick a week later and was back in bed with us. Alaric has never really wanted to be in bed with us. He likes his own space and doesn't like being touched while he's sleeping, except recently he's wanted to crawl into bed with us at 6AM to sleep an extra hour or two. If Josh has left for work, I let him. It lets me sleep just a little longer in the morning.
Caralyn is four years old now. A little more than that. This past Monday we decided she was going to start sleeping in her own bed. I was a little hesitant because Josh had to work the next morning so I would be left to do all the work after we went to bed. Four years, One month, Two weeks we slept in the same bed together (she slept alone for a total of about two weeks in the 4 years 1 month and 4 weeks she had been alive...just 3 days shy of a full 2 months). I think it's been harder on me to let her sleep in her own bed than it is for her to sleep in her own bed.
The first night, she woke up twice. I was in her room a total of maybe 3 minutes between those two times. She woke up again around 6:30AM I believe and I brought her into my room so she would go back to sleep with me. Josh wasn't home so it wasn't a big deal. I wasn't ready to be up yet.
The rest of the nights she's slept until at least 7:00AM, many times later than that. Last night was a different story. She woke up enough to warrant me getting out of bed three times. A fourth was needed because Alaric woke her up at 6:00AM when he cried because I wouldn't let him in bed with me and put him back in his bed. She went right to sleep and is still sleeping at almost 7:20AM.
Alaric...now that is another thing we changed. He has been able to climb out of his crib for a month or two now. He's never been hurt or anything, but after we came home from Michigan we decided we wanted to make a change. That change didn't happen too fast, but it finally happened. Again, on Monday night, we changed his crib into a toddler bed. I was only hesitant because I had seen so many horror stories about the transition from crib to big kid bed. I lucked out. From day one he has slept all night in his bed, never getting out for anything. He still does his morning "crawl out of bed and go to mommy's room" ritual, but if it's too early, I put him back into his own bed. If it's not (or if Josh is already gone for work), he stays in bed with me and cuddles, sometimes falling back to sleep.
I feel so blessed by this. Caralyn isn't happy that she's sleeping alone, but she's got her flashlight, Pinkie (the scentsy pig she renamed) and Fluffy (a pink stuffed bunny) in bed with her, so she's good. She also has her Tinkerbell nightlight and the Dora projection nightlight on for her. She does very well and even puts herself back to sleep if the bad dream isn't too bad. Alaric is just amazing. He sleeps with his Mickey Mouse nightlight (I need to get a new nightlight for him...I don't like this one), his giant Mickey Mouse stuffed animal (Thank you Uncle Kacee!), his Scentsy Monkey and his owl. He doesn't get out of bed until morning. He doesn't fight us at bedtime (neither does Caralyn). I have some pretty darn good kids.
The only other thing I have to add is...it feels really weird being in a queen size bed with just one other person, who doesn't take up all the room in the world. Though, I haven't gotten away from my edge of the bed and he has decided to take the middle of the bed to be closer to me. I'm not sure how I'm going to do with his next underway. I haven't slept alone since I was pregnant with Caralyn, even then Sparrow usually slept with me. Sparrow has taken to sleeping in one of the kids' rooms at night or on the couch...he's not too interested in sleeping with me anymore. I think I may need to get myself a giant stuffed animal before he leaves.
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