Hand-me-downs

I haven't been able to pass along much of Ellie's old wardrobe to Jack for obvious reasons. But here is one piece that both can wear with style! Gig 'em!

Ellie at 4 1/2 months:

Jack at 3 months, 1 day:

Pretty, pretty princess

Princess Night at ChickFila. A free tiara, ice cream, and photo with Cinderella. Totally worth the crowd.

The paci dance

Jack has gotten to where he cannot sleep without the pacifier. I have been trying to avoid this pitfall since he was born because I remember what a pain it was with Ellie to have to get up every time it would fall out of her mouth. Unfortunately, Jack really needs a pacifier. He cries and squirms and is so restless if I try to rock him to sleep without one. It really is pitiful to see his mouth open and close like a fish as he squawks desperately. So, here was our night last night:

8:00 - Nurse Jack and put him to sleep in the bassinet in our room
10:30 - Go to bed
12:00 - Jack wakes up hungry. Nurse him, burp him, etc...back to sleep at 12:45
1:15 - Get up to reinsert pacifier
2:00 - Make Tom get up to reinsert pacifier
2:50 - Get up to reinsert pacifier
3:40 - Make Tom get up to reinsert pacifier
4:30 - Jack wakes up hungry. Nurse him, burp him. Get up and start getting ready for work.

I usually wake up every morning at 4:45 so I have time to get myself and the two kiddos ready and out the door by 6:15. I don't mind1 or 2 feedings during the night. But the paci dance? Too much. Surely I could tape that thing to his face, right? I kid, I kid. He is such an easy baby that I can't be too upset about his inability to reinsert his own pacifier.

Look what I bought Jack today!

I think he likes it.

A difficult lesson

Ellie is not the best cleaner. I know, shocking that a child of mine isn't super neat. But, seriously, the kid will not clean. I have to sit down next to her and prod her all the way, doing the majority of it myself. This weekend, it all came to a head. Ellie had completely trashed out the toy room (aka the dining room) and her bedroom. I sent her to her room to clean and told her not to come out until she was done. 30 minutes later I went to check on her and she had dragged out even more toys and was happily playing. I threw some threats her way and sternly told her to get cleaning. Still no response. So, Tom walked in and told her that any toy she didn't pick up would be taken away. She still wasn't taking us seriously so awhile later I told her that as soon as I was done bathing Jack, I was coming in to pick up any toys she hadn't cleaned up. Would you believe she got out even more toys during that time? So, I walked in with a bag and started throwing toys in. The girl went ballistic. I had never seen her so upset. She ripped the bag out of my hands and hid it somewhere. I then went and got a box, but was hindered by a screaming maniac clutching my leg. So I pried her off, shoved her out the door, and locked myself in her room. I heard Tom return from walking the dog and Ellie sobbing to him, "Daddy, Mommy is taking all of my toys!" I opened the door and Ellie launched herself at me again so I handed the box to Tom and told him to put it in our closet. Ellie, at this point, is furious. Her fists are clinched, she is literally shaking, and her face is red. No exaggeration. She starts screaming, "You ruined everything! You and Daddy ruined everything!" I have seen Ellie throw many a fit in my day, but never, ever have I seen her so upset. Of course, Tom and I couldn't help laughing. Once she calmed down, we explained to her that each time she cleaned up her toys when asked, she could go pick out one toy from the closet. Later that night, Tom and I felt bad about traumatising our daughter so much. But...it has worked like a charm! She has cleaned up the past three nights and has been able to recoup a few toys. However, since that night she has started referring to Tom and I as "Mother" and Father." Coincidence?