Goodbye Paci

The paci is gone forever. This happened 10 days ago, and we are still feeling the effects! It has not been an easy transition for Collins and that's why we put it off for so long. She CHERISHED her paci for 2 1/2 years. I think she would have taken it to college if she could have, but after a visit to the doctor we decided it was time for it to go. It all started with a "Goodbye Paci Party".

First, came pink cupcakes that she got to help me decorate. Next, it was time to mail away the pacis to babies who really needed them. Collins understands (I think) that she is a big girl now and doesn't need them anymore.
 

 

  

 

Then came bribery with gifts. Donna brought over a pillowcase for Collins to use for her first-ever pillow. We gave her a new pink friend to sleep with- the Care Bear "Cheer Bear"- who would cheer her up if she was missing her paci.

The party was a big success, but bedtime was not. There was lots of wailing and tears. We reminded her that she was making the babies so happy, and she responded "but it's making me so sad!!!". It took her over two hours to fall asleep the first night without her paci, but it's taken less time each night since then.

Naps have been short to non-exisitent since we gave up the paci which has been really frustrating. It's literally been a struggle and negotiation every day. She has spent recent naptime singing songs to herself, rolling around in her bed, stripping her pillowcase and standing inside of it- anything to avoid sleeping. But as a result bedtime has not been quite as hard because she falls asleep fast because she is exhausted.

We have tried all kinds of new things to make sleep more enticing and less scary- keeping her bedroom door open, letting her sleep with her water bottle, and getting her her first nightgown. None of it has been an easy fix, but she is now obsessed with her nightgown (refused to take if off for her walk around the neighborhood yesterday.)

Overall, it has been a tough 10 days. I hate that we waited so long to take it away from her because it's been hard to see her struggle with this transition. But with each day there is less anxiety and more hope that normal sleep is right around the corner. And hopefully less of this???

The Halfway Mark

We've hit the official halfway mark between 2 and 3 years old, and Collins chose to celebrate with a large pink cupcake (and a pink dress, pink heels, and pink wand...how did my child get so girly???).

 

She's hit 36" on the height chart and crept over the 30-lb mark weight-wise (31.4 lbs). All looked good at her check-up except for the signs of excessive paci use. Getting rid of that thing is #1 on our to-do list now (along with moving to a big girl bed and potty training not far behind).

 

The next six months are big for Collins as there are several transitions coming- a new room, a new preschool, a new sister- I pray that she takes them all in stride with a big smile on her face!

Baseball Fun

Collins got treated to her first-ever baseball game last night, and I'm pretty sure she is now a fan for life. Because any game that delivers snow-cones to your seat, allows you to watch a large Bull run the bases, and serves up hot dogs and pink posicles to eat is pretty awesome.

We had a great time hanging out with the Bumm family, and Collins and Staley were quite the cute pair with their messy popsicles and bounce-house fun!

 

An Amazing View

Look at this ultrasound image of our baby- I am mesmerized by this picture! It's amazing how clearly you can see her facial features and tiny body, and I can't believe she has already grown this big inside my belly.

The ultrasound tech said our little girl (and she did confirm that it was a girl) was "very photogenic" and "very active". It was almost surreal seeing her move on the screen, watching her heart beat, and catching early glimpses of her personality. It was a very special moment in this pregnancy!

Whatever Makes You Happy

Collins's new phrase is "that makes me SO happy!". It's fun watching other people get really excited about something that you wouldn't necessarily get excited about yourself. I saw three good examples with my family this past weekend.

The latest target of Collins's affection? Her new light-up Minnie Mouse high heels...

We got to take a ride in the new toy that makes Dad really happy...

and Brian got to meet a former Wolfpack basketball great (Chris Washburn in his Wings restaurant in downtown Conover) which thrilled him.

Whatever makes you happy!

Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is Mom's birthday, and we had so much fun celebrating in Hickory this past weekend. We threw Mom her first-ever surprise birthday party, and she had no clue it was coming! It was a fun night celebrating a special woman. Happy birthday, Mom- we love you!

An Unforgettable Trip to Cabo

It's hard to describe the fabulous-ness of our trip to Cabo San Lucas. I can only say it might have topped our honeymoon which was the coolest trip we've ever taken. I don't know if it was traveling to a new country, staying in a luxury mansion above the Pacific Ocean, having our own private chef Lorenzo, or just completely chilling out- but everything about this vacation was over-the-top!

We got a lucky break to go on this trip in the first place. Davidson's football coaching staff got offered a donor's mansion in Cabo for a week. Lucky for us, Paul (the head coach), is Brian's best friend so we got the invite.

So the house...let's just say Paul McCartney and Jennifer Aniston have stayed there! We won't soon forget Casa Turquesa...

 

The mexican decor was absolutely beautiful...

 

 

 

 

and the ocean views were breathtaking. Here's the view from the dining room (no walls!)..

 

and the deck...

and our balcony...

and our bathroom!

 You couldn't swim in the ocean because it was too rough, but we enjoyed exploring the beach.

 

 

That's our house up on top!

We spent most of our time hanging out by the pool (and hot tub)...

but did go into town for shopping, a Mexican lunch, and a very cool boat trip.

We passed the famous Cabo San Lucas landmark the Arch...

and then cruised out on the open seas to go snorkeling. I touched a starfish and swam in the middle of a school of tropical fish. On the boat trip back, we soaked up the sun, ate fresh salsa and chips, and blasted Kenny Chesney's "Beer in Mexico". It was one of those happy moments you won't ever forget.

 

 

I was a little nervous to go on vacation with strangers (only knew 3 of the 16 people going in), but we were surprised by how much fun we all had together. Guess it's impossible to not have fun in a place like that...

 Our last night there, the food and the sunset were amazing...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was hard to leave, and we are still having Cabo withdrawl. Good thing we had this cute little lady as motivation to get home quickly...

Gigi, Pop Pop, and Aunt Alli did a great job of keeping Collins happy while we were gone- we can't thank them enough for allowing us to take this trip. Now we just have to figure out how to get invited back next year!