Potty Training

Hello my darling! We started our naked bootcamp potty training this weekend! It was the perfect weekend because we got a crazy spring snow storm! It started snowing Friday night and it's still snowing now on Sunday afternoon. We've gotten at least 11 inches. 

I made you a Potty Chart with stickers and I put together a jar full of treats. We brought all your toys into the kitchen, along with blankets, I made snacks and had yummy foods in the house, we rented fun movies/shows and were ready for a fun weekend in the house. 

You peed on the floor a few times and then Saturday evening you finally ran to the potty and PEED on the potty!!! Daddy and I were so proud! You got treats and added a sticker to your chart. 

Then today you PEED on the potty almost right away! I was so proud of you!! So you got another treat and sticker for your chart. Daddy was so happy when he woke up and you showed him your sticker. 

Now you're napping sweetly upstairs as daddy makes you a sledding ramp to play on after you wake up. 

We LOVE you muffin!!!! About 6 more weeks until your sister arrives. We have some exciting months ahead. 

Austin trip

Hello darling! We went to Austin for spring break last week. Daddy and I were having our babymoon, before we become a family of four.

We spent the weekend at YaYa's house altogether, you loved being at YaYa's playing outside on the big slide. We took you to Central Market to play on the playground and chase the birdies. You got very upset at one bird for stealing your blueberry...you ran after the birdie and told him, "No!" It was very cute. You hung from the monkey bars, and enjoyed the Texas sun.

We went over to the Curby's and got to see everyone, including Neicey and your Godmother, Enna. We played in the backyard, looked at Julie's garden, played with Penelope, the kitty, and ate yummy food.

On Monday morning mommy and daddy left to start our babymoon. You stayed with YaYa through Thursday morning. You went to Zilker Park, rode the Zilker Zephyr train with YaYa, picked up Crash and went to Julie's again. You read books together, played, went to story-time at the library, went strawberry picking at Sweet Berry Farms on Tuesday, went to Neicey's Tuesday night, swam in the hot tub, helped YaYa with errands. You had a blast spending quality time with your YaYa and cousin Crash.

Then Thursday, YaYa brought you to our hotel downtown, we ate breakfast tacos together and we showed you our hotel. Then we met Papa, Gigi and Crash for lunch at Shady Grove. We all had a yummy lunch and played in the sun before Papa & Gigi took you both to the Thinkery museum. Then Papa took you back to his house in New Braunfels for a few days.

Daddy, YaYa, and I drove to Papa's house on Saturday morning to be with you for the day. You were napping when we arrived, but Papa and Gigi said you had such a fun time together. You played in the pool, went to the park, helped with errands. Spent awesome quality time with your Papa & Gigi. On Saturday, Crash, Uncle Chase and Jager arrived, then Crash's other cousins: Logan & Kennison arrived with their Nina. And Gigi's family arrived. We all ate yummy food, played outside, you got in the pool and we had a big Easter egg hunt. It was so fun watching you hunt for eggs this year, you were excited about the whole thing. It was a great day for family.

Sunday was Easter, you woke up and saw your Easter pail all filled up. So many awesome things: The Land Before Time movie, sidewalk chalk, jelly beans, bunny animal crackers, bunny gummy bears, a book about welcoming a new baby in the family, a book about Easter, all kinds of fun games and stuffed animals. Yaya, mommy, daddy and the Easter Bunny did a good job this year! But we made sure to remember Easter Sunday is about Jesus, he sacrificed his life for us and rose to show our sins would be forgiven. We are so thankful for his life, his sacrifice and his word. It's how we can enjoy all the beauty everyday.

Then Uncle Matt came over, you played with him in the backyard, and we ate a yummy brunch. You were all dressed up in a beautiful Easter dress YaYa

bought you, along with adorable tights and white fancy shoes. Eventually, Uncle Chase, Crash and Jager arrived. You helped Crash open his Easter basket, and you kiddos played. We got some special family pictures before we had to head back to Colorado.

You were great in the car, we just love our little girl. Daddy and I loved trading off sitting in the ack seat by you so we could play, talk, and watch fun movies. We love you so much Halen. You

make our lives better in every way possible. Daddy and I look at each other all the time and ask, "How did we get so lucky?" We cherish every moment with you.

We want the next 8 weeks to be special since it will be our last time as a family of three. But being a family of four will be so wonderful, you are going to love having a little sister.

Love you my muffin,

Mama

Big Girl Bed

Daddy went out and bought you your big girl bed today! You've been out of your crib since you were 16 months old, for six months you slept on your crib mattress on the floor. But we decided it was finally time, for you to have your own big girl bed.

We decided on a white trundle bed, it has drawers below you and we can add a mattress for future sleepovers.

Daddy brought it home on Thursday night and immediately started putting it together, you wanted to help with every step. You would hand daddy his tools and sit in his lap to observe his work. It took him two nights to finish. Then I bought you sheets and on Saturday night we made your new bed and we were so excited to show you. We brought you upstairs and showed you your new BIG GIRL bed with excitement and your response was, "No." And you walked into our room. I coerced you back into your room, we got in jammies, read books and I snuggled with you until you fell asleep.

Then you woke around 1:00 a.m. and I went back into your room to snuggle with you, you woke again at 2:30 a.m. and I wearily went into your room for more snuggles. But THEN after that you stayed in your room for the REST of the night! I think we are making big steps sweet girl.

At times it is very hard for mommy to watch you grow up. I still cannot wrap my mind around you being 22 months old... two short months away from turning TWO. But, I know with each new month, each new milestone, comes new joy and memories.

I love you so my darling Halen girl.

Love,

Mommy

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Sisters

 Oh my darling Halen! Today daddy and I found out we were bringing a baby sister into your world. We were elated. Daddy had tears streaming down his face, he has always wanted to be surrounded by girls and now The Lord is making daddy's dream come true.

Your sister, Henley Charlevoix, is going to look up to you like no one else. She will want to be near you all the time, play with you, and mostly love you. Be patient with her, and teach her well. You are her biggest role model. And God knew you could handle that job, which is why he made you a big sister. Ultimately, Henley will be your best friend for life. She will always be there. Please treat that relationship with tenderness and put it at the top of your priorities. I, as your mom, am beyond excited to give you a baby sister.

 I am enjoying these last few months of you as my baby, and with our family of three. I watch you grow and learn and opevery motion blows me away. You have started to say "I love you", but your version sounds like, "Iluhyoo" and daddy and I love it! You are so nurturing and want to mother all the kids in our in-home daycare. You try to our diapers your stuffed animals and try to take care of everyone.  I absolutely adore being your mommy. It's the best part of my life. Thank you for bringing me such great joy and happiness. You give me glimpses of what Heaven will be like one day. I will dearly miss you as a baby, but I know wonderful moments and beautiful conversations are ahead.

Iluhyoo baby girl.

Love,
Mommy

My growing baby girl

I have been having these moments of panic, when I realize you are growing up. One episode kicked in Halloween night, I cried myself to sleep just thinking of you growing up. I know it's inevitable, and you're growing up beautifully, but I so love my baby Halen girl. I love your cuddles, your sweet little toes, you're kisses, how you just want mommy sometimes. Hearing you learn to talk and say, "I love you." Watching you play and learn life. I will miss your sweet little self, but I know there is an amazing Halen yet to come. Thank you for loving me so much and always making me feel like the best mom in the world. It's hard to believe you are 20 months old. Four months away from being two. Five months away from being a big sister.  So much will change, and it will all be wonderful. I will miss our family of three, of you being my baby girl. But I'm so proud of the toddler you are becoming. So strong, so sure, so determined, and smart. You pooped on the potty the other night, daddy and I were so proud. You're the best thing I've ever done.

I love you more than every Rocky Mountain pine tree and every grain of sand on the Sleeping Bear Dunes. You're my darling, forever. And no matter how old you are, you're always be my baby girl.

Love,

Your Mommy

You're going to be a BIG sister

Something very special happened on Thursday, August 24th...you woke mommy up really early. But instead of trying to shush you back to sleep, I got up eager for an answer from God, of which daddy and I had been praying for. A few minutes later, my question was answered...mommy was pregnant!! Which meant you my darling muffin, were going to be a big sister!!!!! Mommy was so elated for so many reasons. I was so excited for the new member of our family, and to watch you grow into a big sister role. I am looking forward to watching the bond you'll create with your sibling. You have grown to be so nurturing, smart, and so loving. I know you'll be such a wonderful role model to your little brother or little sister.

After the initial excitement of  mommy wanted to plan a surprise for daddy, I put you in mommy's old shirt that YaYa put on mommy when I became a big sister. It said "big sister" in pink and turquoise. Then we went to Starbucks and bought daddy some coffee and breakfast. When we came home, I had you wake up daddy. He spotted your shirt and was so excited. Daddy later told me, "I don't know what I'm more excited about: Halen becoming a big sister or this new baby." Daddy loves you so much and never wants you to feel unimportant or not as loved as your new sibling. You are our baby forever and always. You made daddy and I parents. But we know this new family member will add something so special to our family and develop an unbreakable bond with you.

Mommy later called the doctor and set up our first doctor appointment for October 16th. Which seems so far away, but it'll be here before we know it. The estimated due date is June 2, 2016. Which means you'll be just over two years old. 2016 will be one amazing, exciting, adventurous year!! Takes us back to how daddy & I felt when we knew you were on your way. Pure joy.

We love you with all our hearts Halen Rae Carol. You're the light of our life. Our family is incredible.

Love always,

Mommy & Daddy

Our little climber

Well, my darling, it's official. You've climbed out of your crib. Twice. You are almost 16 months old. Daddy and I weren't quite ready for this next step, but here it is. We have learned in the past year that you are quite the determined, strong young lady. And you'll do just about anything to get what you want (oh brother). So I took your mattress and put it on the floor and made you your Step 1 big girl bed. (Who's big girl, surely not mine she was just born!) Indeed you are growing up, right before my eyes, and I am loving evey single second of watching you thrive.

The night you climbed out of your crib neither your dad and I even saw the act. All we heard was you and you were knocking in your door to come out. I had put you down and daddy went to get you in the morning. The following night, we all slept great until you did it again. I looked at the monitor and saw your face, I ran into your room. I've been scared but, you seem ready. You don't like being confined. My little American honey pot, you grow wild and free.

So first night in your Step 1 big girl bed...so far you've rolled off the mattress twice, despite my efforts to keep you in. Hopefully my latest update wil keep you snug in bed, all night long. Mama desperately needs sleep tootie.

Love you my anchor,

Your mama