Update on The Girls

Lacey has a new obsession with Cinderella. We rented Cinderella 3 a couple of weeks ago and she wanted to watch it constantly. It was insane. Very cute, but insane. So, it was returned (late) a few days ago. Grandma stopped at WalMart and bought the original Cinderella for her. She LOVES it. She says "princess mommy please". And she pronounces it "princense" (notice the extra "n"). While I was at the mall yesterday, I wandered into the Disney Store and they had PJs on sale. So, now Lacey has Cinderella jammies, too. She was so excited about them last night. And, this morning, she refused to get dressed and wore them to daycare. (Keep in mind they are long sleeve and long pants and it's in the upper 80's today.) We sent a dress, too. It is so much fun to watch Lacey watch the movie.....I love hearing her giggle at the mice and hearing her say "it will be okay princense, don't be scared". A-dorable.

Leah is doing great. She is still a great little sleeper - generally from 8:00 p.m. to 4:00 or 5:00 a.m., then nurses and back to sleep for 3-4 more hours (until 8:30 usually). Bliss. I'm going to start waking her up around 8:00 early next week....then 7:30....to slowly get her adjusted to her new schedule. I have to wake her at 6:15 for daycare starting on Sept. 17. Ugh. (No, she probably won't stay asleep....she sleeps swaddled and will need to have a diaper change, eat and be put in the carseat.)

Leah is so much more "awake" during the day now. Full of smiles and coo's. Lacey loves to play with her.

We bought a used crib last weekend and I am so happy! We got it for $100 (incl. mattress) and it is in great shape. So, that is set up in Leah's room and she transitioned to it easily. I'm relieved that we can let Lacey stay in her crib now. Most advice that I've read is to leave them in the crib until around age 3, if you can. So, I'm thrilled. She's confined. And, she can let us know when she's ready for her big bed. No pressure from me.

Lacey....potty training (no) and big bed (no)

Well, I think we have decided that we aren't even going to mention the potty or the bed. Apparently, when Lisa brings up the potty, Lacey "frowns". And, we've had no success here either....other than her wanting to sit on it for 5 seconds so she can waste TP and flush. ;-) She is content to sit in a diaper that is so wet it will soak through...she won't tell us and she fights getting changed. When she's pooped, she'll usually tell us, but not always cooperate for a change. When she is naked for a bit after her bath, she'll ask for a diaper when she has to pee. We've suggested the potty and it's "no momma...diaper change!". And, then, the diaper fills up a ton...so she can totally hold it.

About the bed....still no interest. I ask almost every night "crib or bed?" and she always wants the crib. We were going to force it in another month or so, but I'm starting to think that we'll end up with big issues if we do.

I've thought she was adapting so well with Leah....and I think she is....but I'm also seeing some issues there. If she is really tired (5:00 a.m. for example), and Leah wakes, I'll say "I need to feed Leah" and she'll jump into my arms crying.

Why, you ask, am I up with her at 5:00 a.m.? Because we are having big sleep issues with Lacey now. She wakes almost every night sometime before midnight and then wakes again around 4:00 or 5:00. At that point, I've taken her to our bed a couple of times because she won't go back to sleep. And, I can't stay in her room because I can't hear Leah in there (over Lacey's white noise machine). And, she's normally wanting "momma" and not Butch. I think she has realized she can get my undivided attention at these times. Which makes me feel bad about not giving her enough attention during the day. This weekend, Lacey & I are going to the Amish market by ourselves and leaving Daddy & Leah at home. Next month, I'm going to take a day off to take her (by herself) to the fair. I'm going to try to be better about some of that stuff. It's hard with breastfeeding, but she is obviously missing me.

Anyway......back to the main point of the post. No mention of potty or bed for 2 weeks. I want to give it a complete rest before attempting any discussion again. A friend recently said that there was something to be said about waiting until the toddler is ready for potty training. She waited on her son (who is a few weeks older than Lacey) and had it done in just a few days. I hope it is that easy for us when the time comes.

Sleep, Weekend, Oatmeal Cookies, Etc.

Things are going well here. Leah has been sleeping really well. 8-10 hours each night since Friday. She gets wrapped tight in her Miracle Blanket and can still manage to get an arm out every once in a while! I've explained the MB to a few people, but included the link since I know it sounds crazy!

This morning she took her first 2 hour nap in her bed. (She has really been napping in her swing or bouncy seat or on us until now. Everytime we've tried the bed, she wakes quickly.)

Lacey woke twice last night with nightmares. Butch went in at 2:00 and I went in at 3:30, then brought her to our bed at 4:00 b/c after I put her back in bed at 3:45, she screamed again after 5 minutes. Even in our bed, she was crying our "no" in her sleep. Ugh. I hope she doesn't always have nightmares.

The weekend was good. We went to the Baltimore Aquarium on Sunday and met up with Butch's friend, Barb and her family (hubby Brian and son Joe). Lacey had a ball. She sacked out in the car within 5 minutes after leaving.

Saturday was beautiful here, but Lacey had no interest in playing outdoors. Strange. She LOVES to be outside usually, but never even stepped foot out that day.

Last night we went to Dee's house for dinner and cake for Kristin's birthday. Yum-o.

I've been making oatmeal cookies again today. It's a recipe that uses brewer's yeast and flax seed and I've also been using part whole wheat flour to make it more healthy. They are so freakin' good. Oatmeal is supposed to be good for your milk supply, so I give myself the OK to go a little crazy with them. ;-) I'm planning to start walking this week, though. And, I joined weight watchers online. I'm only about 7 pounds more than my pre-preg weight, but want to start eating better and exercising.

Monday Night at the Hamilton House

8:30 - Lacey in bed
9:00 - Leah in bed
10:00 - Me in bed
12:30 - Lacey screaming...nightmare
1:30 - Leah crying....needs diaper change & fed
2:00 - Me back in bed
3:00 - Butch sneezing and blowing his nose
4:30 - Leah crying....needs diaper change & fed
5:30 - Lacey calling for Butch
6:20 - Leah crying
6:45 - Lacey up, too

Ugh. If only Lacey could sleep through without nightmares we'd be better. I can't complain. Leah is sleeping well, so I'll take it. It's amazing how your body adjusts to no sleep. Oh - and even when I could have been sleeping, I didn't fall back to sleep easily. Thinking about Dad's party, the Harry Potter book, things to do, etc.