Bye Bye Binky

So Drake absolutely LOVES his binky.  It is such a comfort to him and he loves it when he sleeps and takes naps.  He could suck that thing all day if we would let him.  We have tried taking it away a few times and it has been absolutely traumatizing.  The "binky fairy" came one night and bit the end off of one of his binkys and he was distraught!  He then hid all of his binkys in his sock drawer under his socks so the binky fairy wouldn't be able to find them.  I also loved the binky because it gave me some sanity and some quiet time!  So with all of that said, we have now taken the binky away and here is the story of how we did it.

We went to our 6 month dental check ups last week.  Drake did a great job and let them clean his teeth so good.  We were also really happy to hear that he didn't have any cavities!  When Dr. Theurer came in to check his teeth he simply told Drake that he was going to be 3 soon and that he didn't need a binky anymore.  He also told him his binky was going to ruin his teeth if he kept sucking on it. The hygienist and the dental assistants all chimed in and told him that he didn't need his binky anymore and that he was a big boy now.  He didn't really say much and kind of ignored everyone, but I was grateful that I had a good excuse to take that binky away.

When we got out in the car Drake asked for his binky and I was able to say, "Dr. Theurer took all of your binkys.  It is time to get rid of them because they are ruining your teeth and you are a big boy!"  He said ok and didn't cry like I thought he would.  Well I made a HUGE deal out of it and called everyone we knew so he could tell them what a big boy he was and that he didn't have a binky anymore.  We went up to my moms and she went and took him to the store to get any toy that he wanted. He has wanted a Dr. kit for a while so that is what he got.  

The same day that Drake got rid of his binky, Stella FINALLY decided to take one.  It was the weirdest thing.  She has never taken a binky and now all of the sudden that day she started to suck on it and has loved it since! It is awesome. I have wanted her to take one because like I said it gives me some sanity and them some comfort.  Although I am dreading the day we have to take it away from her, I now know that we can just plan to do it after a visit to the dentist and tell her that Dr. Theurer has them.  The good thing is, is Drake will be able to tell her that is who took his binky's too.  

Drake has had a lot of fun with his new Dr. kit.  He has given everyone check ups and we are all healthy!  When he was giving Lauren a check up he said, "Your heart looks great, the shot will only hurt a little bit, and you have a birdie in your throat that I need to get out!"  He is a funny kid!  

It has been a little over a week now since we took the binky away and he has done pretty good.  He has never cried about it but he has asked about it a few times and has asked my mom if she would go buy him a new one.  The other night when I was laying by him he said, "The only thing I want for my birthday is a new binky!"  That melted my heart and almost made me just give in and let him have it.  But don't you worry I didn't and he hasn't said anything since and that was 2 days ago.  He has been throwing a lot of tantrums and has had a hard time falling asleep and I think it is because he misses his binky.  I do think in a few days though he will have forgotten all about it and hopefully we will be back to somewhat normal!  

We Love Fall

We love this time of year.  The cooler weather, the smells, apples from Grandpa's tree, cooking yummy dinners and making yummy desserts.  There is just something about being inside where it is warm and cozy!  Although we have been really busy this fall, we have had a really good time.

Dressing Stella has been so much fun.  I know that sounds silly, but seeing these cute little outfits on such a cute little baby is just darling.  I have been used to her being in summer clothes and it is fun to now change it up a bit with some warmer clothing.

Drake has had a few sleepovers at Grandpa and Grandma's house. He loves sleeping there.  Probably because he gets to play on their iPad, read stories, eat whatever he wants and my mom lays by him until he falls asleep.

I stayed at my parents house with the two kids and Lauren one weekend because Josh was out of town for work, and my parents were both gone.  Drake came in and woke me up one morning and said, "Mom I want some breakfast."  I looked over and this is what he had brought me!

Drake is really patient with Stella and likes to show her what he is doing and playing with.  He was teaching her how to use the iPad.

Stella found her tongue and for a good week she wouldn't put it in her mouth, it was always out!

 

Stella got to meet Great Grandpa Baird for the first time. He was so excited and just smiled the whole time he held her.

We went to The Crepery one night for dinner.  It was so good and Drake loved the chair swings they had.

Drake is getting so big and wants to do big things. He doesn't want to sit in his high chair much so he gets to sit at the table with us.

I love fall because of the sweaters and hats.  She looks so dang cute in this owl hat.

Free slice Wednesday at Village Inn.

Stella has learned to sit up and is doing so good at eating solid foods.  She will eat anything that we give her and does it all with that cute Stella Smile!

Grandma Lisa came out one night that Josh was gone to help me get the kids ready for bed. (I am so glad she lives close by)

I made caramel apples for the very first time.  They turned out so good.  They tasted great and looked pretty too.  I had fun making them and I think it is a new tradition I am going to start doing every year.

I get to snuggle with my kids every morning.  Due to the time change, my kids are waking up a lot earlier these days so that means some good cuddles in the morning.  I love it!

Some days I get so busy with life and taking care of two kids that I forget to do some things... like change Drake's diaper!  YIKES!!

 Unfortunately Josh's Grandma passed away a couple of weeks ago.  We went to the funeral in Pocatello.  It was nice to be with family and visit with people we haven't seen in a while.  Her funeral was so good.  There were so many good stories and memories shared.  She lived a great life and did so much for her family and those she loved.

Stella has finally learned to take a bottle.  We tried really hard for a long time and finally one day she just got how to do it and has done great ever since.  She can now hold it by herself!

She has this cheesy grin on her face most of the time!

There is something about a sleeping baby that just makes me so happy!

I have been working on a few projects this fall and painting that rug was one of them.  I really like the way it turned out and I think it looks so cute in Stella's room.

My friends and I were able to go to the park in November with no jackets on.  The weather was so nice, and the kids loved playing.  we stuck all of the babies on the swings and they loved it!

Stella and Addi shared a swing for a while.

Drake and Ben

Another cheesy grin from Stella.

Josh has meetings every other Sunday at 6:30 a.m. He usually gets home the same time as the kids are getting up and is able to enjoy those morning snuggles watching cartoons while I get ready for church.

We have had a hard time lately getting Drake to go to sleep.  He wants us to read like 10 books and then sing him songs and lay by him til he falls asleep.  Well this process takes like 2 hours every night. We have been just leaving his room after about 30 minutes of all of that and just hope that he eventually will fall asleep.   When we leave his room he tells us he is going to wait for us to come back up and lay by him some more. He says he is going to wait for us on the rocking chair.  This time he fell asleep waiting and this is how we found him an hour later.  I love this crazy kid!!

Such a big girl!

Drake is such a good big brother and is always trying to help Stella do things. It is usually a good thing and he is so sweet, but other times.....

he does things that she hates and just keeps telling her, "It's ok Stella, don't cry!"

She loves her food so much... ha ha ha this picture made me laugh so hard because she looks so intense getting that spoonful of food.

I love these two kiddos so much, and I hope they always know how much I love them!!

Halloween 2012

I have always loved Halloween.  I don't know if it is the actual holiday as much as it is the time of year.  The fall weather is my favorite, and all of the smells and fall activities make me so happy. All of the fall colors have been so beautiful and the weather has been so nice and warm. Halloween day was so warm which was so nice for trick or treating.  We had a lot of fun on Halloween and the few days leading up to it.  My kids dressed up as Mickey and Minnie Mouse this year.

Robin passed down the Mickey Mouse costume and it fit Drake perfect this year.  But if he was going to be Mickey Mouse I had to have Stella be Minnie Mouse.  I couldn't find a cute costume that would fit her, so I just decided to make it and I think it turned out pretty cute!

We started our festivities with a party for the kids at Karly's house.  We had a fun Halloween lunch and let the kids play.  We had a craft planned but with all the chaos that was going on with all of the kids we decided we would maybe do it next year! 

Grace and Drake

Ally Egan and Jake Adams as Monsters, Drake as Mickey Mouse, Grace as Draculara, and Ben as a Tractor!

Jake as a Monster, Addi as a Pumpkin, Stella as Minnie Mouse, Harper as a Lady Bug and Ruby as a Fairy. Cutest babies!

The next night we had our ward party.  They had a chili cook off and games for the kids.  Drake had a blast going around to all of the games and he also won the cutest costume award!

Halloween night was a hit with Drake. He had a blast! Our first stop was to see the John's family.  Boston was a football player and looked so cute all dressed up!

Grandpa Great and Minnie Mouse

Elli and Hannah are so cute with Stella.  They just love her!

 Then we went to Robin and Teds for some Hot Chocolate and Homemade Doughnuts!  Cooper was batman and a cute one at that!

Robin and Capri the Cat.

 Aunt Robin and Minnie Mouse

Drake loved trick or treating and literally ran to every house!  He got a lot of candy and was pretty excited about it.  My parents and James and Lexi came out to our house to hand out candy and eat some pizza.  It was a great night!  So for all of the reasons to love Halloween I now have another reason to love it... I have kids that I get to dress up and take trick or treating.  Seeing the look on Drake's face made we smile from ear to ear!