Emery is binky free!!!!!

I know, for most people not such a big thing. But, for us this is huge! We've been joking for some time that Emery would go to kindergarten still sleeping with is binky (which, by the way, was the only time he was allowed to have it, when he was in his bed, napping or sleeping). Spring break was a couple of weeks ago and we decided it was time. Most of the students were gone, so Emery could mourn without keeping the whole building awake. We talked about it all day Sunday, and by dinner Emery was saying "No binky, I'm big." That worked pretty well until bedtime. There were lots of tears and coaxing, and daddy even promised Emery a new car and a soccer ball if he would go to sleep without the binky. He finally fell asleep and only woke up 4-5 times throughout the night. There was a lot of crying, but we were firm and stuck to it. At 7 AM on Monday, Emery was ready for a trip to Wal-Mart for a soccer ball and a new car. Daddy took him, as promised, and he was thrilled with his new big boy toys. We had rough nights for about a week, and this week things are going great. He goes right to bed with very little fuss and most nights he sleeps straight through. Potty training is next, but quite a ways off. I am not tackling that task until we move. Emery's already talking about the rocket bike he wants when he doesn't wear diapers......the joys!

A description

This one is for my new friend Jen who made me an amazing apron! Thanks again for that!

I am a 27 year old mother of two. I grew up in a (I used to say little, but then I moved to Nebraksa) smaller town in Eastern Idaho. I have 4 brothers and 6 sisters and amazing parents. I married a boy from that same small town a year after high school, and we have been living in a little town in Western Nebraska for the past 7 (in July) years. I competed in Speech and Debate in High School and that activity also paid for my college education. While in Nebraska, I have worked as a live in Residence Hall Director (think dorm mom) for almost 6 years now. I enjoy my job and love interacting with college students. Emery, my two year old, and Chani, who is six months old, are wonderful kids and I thourougly enjoy being a mother. It is awesome and I look forward to the day (soon) when I get to stay at home full time, so that we can play and read and clean and cook without the constant crazyness of college life. I don't have much spare time, but when I have a moment I love to read, cook, bake, sew (not too well), visit with my siblings and parents, and be crafty.

My husband is a great guy. Clint is working his tail off this week to finish his thesis and portfolio for his Masters Degree. It's all due this Friday and his orals are in 3 weeks (March 28 at 1:00 PM). Clint ran cross country and distance track in high school and in college. He was plauged with illnesses, and didn't get where he wanted to be in college, but worked so hard. He worked part time at Albertsons in High School, and for a year when we were first married worked days and nights at competing grocery stores to pay for us to live while I finished my Associates Degree. Clint enjoys reading, hunting, fishing, mountain and road biking, and being with his family. He comes from a family of 5 kids and has awesome parents.

There you go, Jen, that's us in a nut shell. Sorry I didn't post this before, but you did great. The green you used is one of my favorite colors!!!

the box

Remember a few posts ago I talked about the large cardboard box that Emery was using as a toy? Well, the box has migrated into our home and has been many things in the past two weeks. Not only has it been Emery's House and a road, today it was a cave. Emery wanted to explore the cave, but it was too dark. He gathered his flashlight and shimmied in on his belly. Once he got in there he said, "A bear, roooaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrr!" Then a minute later he said "The bear eat me." Now, he's on his stomach at the opening of the cave screaming "Go away, bear!" I love my two year old with an imagination.

Crawling already?

Chani is 6 months old. She is already pushing up on her hands and knees and shimmying backwards. Emery was slower to crawl, and I am not ready to have two mobile kids. Alas, I don't think I can stop her, nor do I want to hinder her development. So, attached is a picture of her on all fours, and a couple of Emery and Chani together on Valentines Day. His eye has healed very well, I'm pleased with how it looks!

Inspired

Thanks Julie for inspiring me to look for the moments as a mom! I have to share one I had yesterday. I was in the kitchen making Emery a cheese sandwich for lunch, which is his daily request. Chani wasn't too happy that I had left her on the floor in the living room. She was fussing quite loudly, and I asked Emery if he would please go tell her a story and keep her happy until I could get his sandwich finished. He usually tells me no or goes to do something else, so I wasn't too surprised when he headed down the hallway towards his room. About 1 minute later he came back down the hall and into the living room with a book. It was one of those talking books with the buttons. He sat next to her on the floor and pushed buttons and sang until his lunch was finished. She was thrilled to play with him, and he was having fun being with his sister. I am grateful for the moments!

a shout out...

I just have to thank my friend Susan for her help with my blog! I am a dunce with blogger and she is so talented. I love our new layout and appreciate all her hard work! Thanks again!

Reasons I love my family

I was sitting here this morning thinking of all the reasons I love my family and I just have to share!

CHANI
1. She slept from 7 PM until 5 AM this morning, there is hope!
2. When I went to check on Chani in her crib this morning, she was laying on her tummy with her eyes open, and when I bent down to catch her eyesight, she just grinned, without moving, watching me and grinning bigger and bigger.
3. Chani can sit up like a champ and loves to play with her brothers trucks (yes, Blake, play!)
4. When Chani grins, her whole face lights up!
5. Despite her slow growing hair, she's girly in every way.

EMERY
1. Emery spent half of the morning pulling a car back on the table and watching it race forward and launch off the end of the table.
2. The other half of the morning has been spent inside a large box at the front desk, just laying inside it playing cars.
3. Emery had discovered knock knock jokes and loves to tell them on the phone and then giggle infectiously.
4. Despite looking like his dad in every way, Emery has my love of bananas.....with peanut butter.
5. He wanders around missing people, "Elaine (the custodian in our building) where are you?" "Luke (he babysits on Tuesday) where are you?" "Daddy (in his office) where are you?"

CLINT
1. Working so hard on his thesis writing
2. Making numerous trips to Scottsbluff and then counting aphids hours on end to get the research for the thesis.
3. Forgoing an appointment to replace a filling that came out last week because he needs to be writing that thesis.
4. Being swamped in his office all day and still coming home to play with the kids before bed.
5. Helping his wife do the dishes after dinner!

I am so lucky!