Shocking

I just had to share what happened this morning during Samuel's speech appointment. His teacher, Janet, told me she thought I should send Samuel to 2 year old preschool in the fall. Oh, the horrors! Can you imagine?? I only did 1 year of preschool w/my twinies because I don't need them out of the house any sooner than necessary. I am super glad I did preschool this year because they love it so much and I get 3 quiet afternoons/week. However, I am trying to imagine next fall...Me sending the twins off to kindergarten and Samuel off to preschool. Seriously...this is upsetting to me even to imagine. So the answer is NO! He will not go to preschool. Dude, I would rather do a playdate than preschool and that's pretty serious.

But to offset a negative post, here's what I am thanful for:
1. Hunter and Lily had serious fun with Papa Lee (that's what we call Brian's Dad) this morning!
2. I get to go to Chili's again tonight. What can I say--when it rains, it pours. :) Actually, eating there once increased the craving so my friend, Stephanie, has agreed to accompany me. Is it about girl time or chips/salsa? Not sure. Maybe I will get a pic.
3. The sun is out, the kids are playing well and I am blogging.

Weekend review

First of all, let me say that we have snow. About everyone knows that but it needs to be said. I am a minority when I say that I like it. :) I mean, it's shocking and I am tired of the cold but what a pretty sight this morning!! And the kids were super excited!!

In other weekend news, Brian and I went to a "Welcome to the Family" seminar this weekend at our church, Stonebridge. It's a prerequisite for becoming a member but Brian and I were anxious to learn more about this church we have been attending for almost a year now. For example, it's an Evangelical Free church and we had no clue what that even meant. It was a great class--we learned a lot. We got to know Pastor Randy better--we both like him a lot!! And there was another Mom of boy/girl twins there so that was super fun. We are going to be continuing the membership process--which includes some paperwork, an interview and then a congregational vote. Heavy stuff, huh? Brian and I have never been members of any church we've attended so it's new to us!

As coincidence would have it, the seminar centered on walking through the 10 statements of faith that the denomination holds. This is coincidental only because this is what our pastor has been speaking on recently in a series called "Be Transformed". Today was the last installment of the series and Pastor Patrick (youth pastor) spoke on #10 which concerns heaven and hell. A topic I was pretty interested to hear about because I can't say I have had too many sermons on this topic alone. I think it's a different era of preaching (but it also depends on denomination). We don't want to scare people into believing but yet it's also a reality so I think it's a worthwhile topic!

Did you know that 55% of the people who call themselves "born again Christians" do NOT believe there is a real hell? Does anyone find that shocking? That's a pretty good scheme, though, because if there is no hell then who cares what others believe, right? Pastor Patrick did an amazing job of talking about the very real Final Judgment and the torment that awaits those who do not believe. Not those who are "bad". That's the other misconception on hell, I think. That it's for the murderers, etc. Not so. We went over that chilling passage today where Jesus talks about those who will say they did this and that in His name but He tells them to depart because He never knew them. How can someone be so deceived? It's sad and it's good reason to examine yourself.

Really I think so much of the Christian walk is balance. For example...you have to balance "saved by grace" with "created to do good works" (Ephesians 2)--the works don't save you but salvation bears fruit. You have to balance the compassionate, gracious, forgiving God with the God of justice who will not leave the guilty unpunished (Exodus 34)--God is quick to forgive us but that doesn't mean our sin is no big deal. As Pastor Patrick said today, someone is going to pay for all the wrong you have done and has been done to you--either it will be Christ's payment on the cross or you will have to pay for it!! He ended the sermon with the music video of "I Can Only Imagine" by MercyMe--not a dry eye in the sanctuary!!

www.insidestonebridge.com has a copy of this sermon and I recommend it!!

Melt Your Heart

This video is just about the sweetest thing I have seen. Samuel is a delight!! He has increased his vocabulary pretty quickly--and I would credit speech therapy but we have only had one real appointment due to sickness, spring break, etc. Besides "no", he now consistently says: Papa, Daddy, Mommy, cookie, dog, puppy, thank you, yucky, hi, bye. And maybe more but I can't remember. *Don't forget to pause the music*

Lemon Cake

Today the kids and I made a Lemon Yogurt Cake. I was trying to recreate the best "Lemon Loaf" I had at Starbucks the other day. It was 9 WW points so I was trying to do better than that. The kids love helping in the kitchen and I think it is fun. I'm not going to lie, though. Samuel did sneeze into the batter twice. :)

Here they are getting ready. Hunter is pulling up Samuel's sleeves for him. To bake with my kids, I must have everything I will need out and waiting--I have learned this. :)

The finished project. Just a loaf size so that works for me. 7 points a slice so not tons better in that regard.

Dessert before lunch! The pieces are pretty big and it tasted great but I may stick with Starbucks from now on.

*Um, did I say it tasted great? It's amazing. Still may stick with Starbucks.*

Keeping it Real

I have a couple things on the brain today. They kind of go together but if this post takes a "U-turn" in the conversation then I apologize.

Lately, I have been seeing things about authenticity--you know when it pops up again and again, it must be a sign!! Travis' comment a few posts back was one of them and was so true. The study of Esther by Beth Moore talks about it a couple times so far--love that study! It's been a topic that I felt like was huge to me a few years ago--probably because I realized I was not doing well in this area. :) Beth Moore's blog (I have a link to the right) had a recent post written by her daughter, Amanda, on this very topic and it was very, very good. I recommend jumping over there and reading it (post name is something about taking the mask off). Anyone read "TrueFaced" or heard the author speak? Talk about life changing!! Anyway, I love this topic and I think it's a good pursuit because we aren't doing anyone a favor acting like we got this thing down. Whatever "this thing" may be for you.

I bring this up because, as I wrote earlier, I had some free time today. I had lunch with my sister--Chili's was so good!!--and I had a few hours to spare before picking up the kids. I decided to take the opportunity to do a personal retreat. It's an idea that my friend, Karen, and I were talking about doing together recently but we had too much going on. I then read about it in the book "Shopping for Time" and the thought to do it today came to me in my quiet time this morning.

So, as suggested in that book, I wrote out 7 priorities and then prayerfully evaluated myself on them and how I could make changes. By far, motherhood is the area I would like to see the most change. I thought about emailing a couple friends to get their opinion on the balance of kids/housework but I had a moment of embarrassment. The twins are 5 and I still can't figure this out?? Oh please. Because I am so superior that I should know how to do everything?? I realized that was pride and this idea of being real and open was brought up again.

I don't have any desire to post my emotions on a daily basis--who could keep up?? :) But if I never say anything, will people think I am over here living carefree in my own little world? That's one reason I LOVE Travis' "Not Me! Monday" posts--it's a humble post on the little daily happenings but it's a picture into her life beyond the extraordinary events that require a post. It's not true of everyone but a common struggle is thinking we are the "only one". Hmmm...maybe that's a spin off of "I AM". We think "I am __________ and there is no one else that can relate." but really God is "I AM and there is NO OTHER beside Him." Babylon thinking, as Beth Moore talks about in her study of Daniel. See, a u-turn was taken... Anyway, in case someone got confused today, I wanted to share that I am not perfect. *Not that you would think I was perfect--especially if you know me well. :)*

2 Corinthians 3:5,6 (AMP) "Not that we are fit of ourselves to form personal judgments or to claim or count anything as coming from us, but our power and ability and sufficiency are from God. It is He Who has qualified us as ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the code of the Law kills but the Holy Spirit makes alive."

Frost Photography

So it was painful for me to pick just a few pictures to post on here. Brian's coworker and our family friend, Patrick, was kind enough to do 2 year pics of Samuel. Patrick actually took the pics that were on our Christmas card, as well. He is obviously talented and we appreciate him taking the time to do this. The kids love him (well, Samuel builds up to it)--he's Hunter's "favorite guy". So here is just a few pictures that Patrick took but there were so many good ones--or my kids are just that cute. :)

This shows Brian's ornery look--Patrick brings this out in him. :)

I honestly added this picture because I like my hair--just got a new spring 'do. Isn't it nice? :)

Hunter showing off that missing tooth--he's all boy!

Lily--so pretty and looks so innocent here! :)

Chili's

Tomorrow is such an exciting day. My Dad is off and has volunteered to watch my kids and my sister's kids. What's the occasion? Just a craving for Chili's!! I love Chili's and I used to eat there quite frequently because I lived so close to one. In CR, though, it's "ALL" the way across town so I never go there. Tomorrow is my day. Yes, you can be a WW member and go to Chili's. Bring on the diet coke w/grenadine and chips and salsa. Woo hoo!

Did you know...

April 2009 is the very 1st National Multiple Birth Awareness Month?? How exciting, huh? This deserved a post because I just ran across my very favorite twin parenting book. It's part how to and part stress relief. :) So if you know any moms of twins you can check out Eizbaeth Lyons' "Ready or Not...Here We Come!" (babies--I actually never read this one but I feel confident in recommending it) or "Ready or Not...There We Go!" (toddlers). This book is what finally convinced me to split up Hunter and Lily to solve the bedtime battle. The author's horror stories about bedtime actually beat mine--made me feel better.

And, yes, I do know it's not April yet.

Starting Spring Break!

Spring Break is here! I am much more excited than my children about not chauffeuring them around all week long. I am looking forward to a wonderful week to get caught up on household things, spend more time with the kids and enjoy the break from the van. Brian even has a break from Bible study. To start our Spring Break, the twins and I headed to Wasserbahn Saturday morning to meet my side of the family. Unfortunately, Brian had to stay home because Samuel was a very sick little man.

Wasserbahn was tons of fun and this year I got to try out the slides!! My nephew, Jaden, called me a "scaredy cat" but I did end up trying the red slide and I lived. :) The 6 grandkids that went got to stay all night, swim tons, play on the playground, eat out, watch 2 new movies and snack on all kinds of goodies. Grandma and Papa PJ and Uncle Steve were kind enough to do the chaperoning. I came home to relieve Brian of sick duty and I regretted it! What a fussy one we had Saturday night--just like a newborn! Thankfully, he is fever free today and I am confident the rest of spring break will be practically sick-free (those coughs linger so I have to count that!).

Food and Musical Beds

Does anyone else play musical beds when there is a sickness going on? This is just the way Brian and I handle middle of the night illness. The boys share a room so we feel like the sick one should move to the living room to not disturb the other one. Lily is so far away (upstairs) from the bathroom and from us that we move her, as well. This has worked for us until Wednesday night/Thursday morning. Lily was the 1st one up, thinking she was going to throw up so we moved her to the couch. No biggie. Hunter then got up a bit later, coughing and upset about it. He wanted to sleep on the couch but I said they were full (Brian takes the bigger couch when a sickie is out there) so he climbed in bed with me. Hours later, there is Samuel up wheezing and coughing and crying. Where to put him?? After moving around and thinking of options, I slept in Hunter's bed with Samuel. Brian layed with Hunter in our bed and Lily was on her own in the living room. Whew! We were exhausted by morning!! I know our method probably sounds ridiculous to many people but it's just what (usually) works. This time was an exception!

As for the food part of the post...I got the honey balsamic chicken recipe from http://www.sparkrecipes.com and the roasted cauliflower came from the old Biggest Loser cookbook (you just toss cauliflower with parmesan, salt/pepper, garlic powder and roast at 425 for 15 minutes or so--easy!). The chef on that is Devin Alexander and she's one of my favorite healthy recipe makers. Her and http:/www.hungry-girl.com help me to make healthy meals for my family. We have coated chicken, onion rings and tilapia in ground up fiber one cereal and it rocks. The best tip ever. I can't help but think of Natasha as I type this because we would laugh about my MOPS comment that I only "cook" popcorn. So true at the time. I am happy to say that cooking has become one of my favorite household chores. I am not always great at it but I love it!

Dinner at 6??

I get teased a lot about my early eating habits. Brian gets home at 4:30 and it's not at all uncommon to find us having supper almost immediately. In my defense, this started when Brian wasn't taking a lunch--or he'd just take an apple--and he'd be starving by the time he came home. Now it's just habit. In fact today I was worrying over this nice weather. We end up going outside after Samuel's nap and that means I can't start supper until Brian gets home--thus, we eat later! Thankfully today that is no problem because supper is easy (on that note, I am making honey balsamic chicken and Parmesan roasted cauliflower--feeling pretty proud already).

The point of this post and the picture is this...I dragged out my old prayer notebook. It was a gift from Brian in 2001 and I added new refills to it in 2003 but only used it about a week before shoving it aside for a prettier journal. I got it back out because I am up early in the morning to have my quiet time and then exercise but I can't always focus that early. Having this journal is a huge help to get me on task instead of staring into space, planning my day. As I flipped through the journal to read old stuff, I was struck by the daily planner page. This was before I was even pregnant with the twins (only about a week before, actually!). I had it pretty easy is all I'm saying. But I had supper scheduled in for 6 pm!!! I can barely believe that. I told Brian and he said "That seems pretty late.". Ha! We are brainwashed now. I guess that's how wild and crazy we were BK (before kids).

A Different Monday

I feel like everyone knows how hectic I consider Monday to be. Get to dance, come home to fix lunch, back out to preschool, home for a couple hours of rest and then back to preschool, home to make supper, Brian is off to Bible study and my parents come over (now that I am done with Bible study). Whew! It's more activity than I can take some days--I am a homebody! So I can't help but be happy that today is different. I am NOT at all happy that my oldest has an illness because I am bummed with him that he's missing "Green Tasting Day" at preschool. But I got to stay in all day today!! My poor parents did my running for me. It was great! :) I got to do laundry and fuss over a feverish child. No stress today! I even dozed off at 9:15 AM. Ha! It was my first morning of getting up way too stinkin' early and wouldn't you know I would be greeted with a feverish, vomiting child?? Anyway, Hunter is feeling better so I am thankful for that and for a day at home and for the amazing weather we are having.

Thursday Night Regulars

I have a Thursday night appointment during the school year. It involves meeting my friend, Karen, at Perkins around 9 pm (whenever she's done teaching her night class) and staying out way too late. Of course, when we first met we would stay out until 1 am at times. Now it's more like 11 pm. We've both had a 3rd kid since we started meeting so that could be to blame. Karen was the 1st new friend I made when I moved to CR and we started gabbing and haven't stopped since. I was reading a book yesterday and it was talking about having a friend that keeps you walking "in the light". This is a topic I remember Corrie ten Boom writing on, as well. Karen is definitely that friend. She has encouraged authenticity in me because she is truly the "realest" person I know. We have been meeting for at least 3 years--once a week usually at Perkins where muffins and fries call our names--and we have walked each other through some mountain top experiences and some truly heartbreaking times. I have had 2 public breakdowns with Karen and she keeps meeting with me. :) The value of a friend that holds you accountable, prays with you, laughs with you and challenges you is beyond measure. I am thankful for her!!

*This is what blogging does to you--makes you take pictures of ordinary events. Yes, in the last post, I took a picture of Samuel being naughty before I told him 'No!'. Anyway, for this picture I enlisted the help of Bronica--our usual server at Perkins. She's extremely nice and knows us so well by now. *

He really is 2

After the lovely incident I had with Samuel earlier this week (see The Dishwasher--don't know know how to link that), Samuel has shown his 2 year old self in other ways. He left the room just as I started folding towels. When I finished, I took a stack to the kitchen. In that short amount of time, he managed to color the side of the cupboards/counter with pencil. I then knew we couldn't leave him alone but I don't learn, apparently. I took the kids to my parents' house for lunch yesterday. Hunter told me a couple times that Samuel had "Grandma's makeup" on his ear. I looked (from afar) and didn't see anything so I just ignored it. Finally, at lunch, I got up close to see what Hunter was talking about. The child had gotten a hold of the vaseline-like ointment and rubbed it all over the side of his face and even into his ear. Oh my goodness!! He is 2!!

My Hubby

I wanted to write a post about my hubby because he's been so wonderful this week. These aren't all the reasons I love him but here's some of them:

This is just from our bedroom--matches our popular bedspread!

#1: He lets me put pink sheets on the bed and really doesn't care.

#2: He had to make a run to Hy-Vee the other night and came back with this magazine because he thought I'd like it. That is so my love language!

#3: He compliments me all the time. This week it has been all due to my most favorite (drugstore accessible) lotion.

#4: When I get stressed about the mess or the toys he always says "People live here." or "We have kids!".

#5: He has started doing some laundry on the weekends to help me out. I almost put a picture of the dirty laundry but that's TMI.

And here's one of my fave pics of Brian. Plus, its a Halloween picture so if Nichole ever checks out the blog, she'll think I did that for her. :) Anyway, Brian and I have known each other for 14 years--talk about the good, the bad and the ugly. I am very thankful for him!

Family haircuts

Is this some sort of record of number of posts in one day? Actually, I planned this one because I knew I was taking Lily to get her hair done and wanted to get a picture of her up on here. The squeaky wheel gets the grease, I guess, because I haven't had much to post on her! :)

Had to post Samuel's picture because he's so cute.

I'm posting Hunter's picture (this is after the haircut) because he did the funniest thing yesterday. He came into the bathroom while I was doing my makeup and climbed up to look in the mirror. He said "I want hair like Devon." (a boy in his preschool and Sunday school class) and licked his hand and tried getting that cowlick to lay down. Ha! You wouldn't believe the compliments I get on his hair!! Why would he want it changed? It was funny, though.

Now, my Lily. Doesn't she look so pretty? The boys are faithful Cost Cutter kids but I take Lily different places because she's a girl and I love the girl thing. We have tried a few different salons but tonight it was "Whipper Snippers" here in CR. It has a shark tank and a few different vehicle selections, a TV, a "diva room", XBox, and more... I really don't want to go into the whole thing but I will say 3 things (not all related): 1) The stylist went to our former church here in CR. 2) It was reminiscent of the time my sister and I ate at a seafood buffet in Hawaii (only family will get that--sorry). 3) We now have new shampoo and conditioner. Let's just leave it at that. However, Lily just walked up and said "When I grow up, I am going to be your best friend because girls rule!". Wasn't that worth it? Yes, it was! :)

A Dishwasher

I know this is my 3rd post today but this is what happens when the time changes and the kids sleep in forever. I am being productive as well as posting, I promise!

Anyway, I am blaming the lack of a dishwasher on the trauma of my day. I was in the kitchen for what-felt-like-an-hour-but-I-am-sure-it-was-less doing dishes. Samuel came in once with a wet wipe and I said something like "Oh, are you cleaning?" in my bright, cheery voice. I then finished dishes, came out to see what was happening in the living room. Nothing seemed weird. I then started to head downstairs to get some mac/cheese (the big Sam's boxes have to be kept in the laundry room!) for lunch. Samuel came up, hands outstretched and said his usual "Uh!". I looked--they are covered in poop. I gasped. I picked him up and started washing his hands in the sink and this is when I notice that it's not just coming right off. Almost like it had been there for awhile. I get his hands clean and put him down. This is when I notice that his shirt is covered. His pants are covered. I strip him down, try to pull up the diaper and take him to clean him up. I open the wipe container and all that's in there is wadded up, BROWN wipes. He had been trying to clean himself, apparently. I then start wondering where else he has been. I scrub his tummy and his back (both covered) and get him all cleaned up in a calm state. Seriously. That's pretty good for me.

The point is that if I had a dishwasher, this wouldn't have happened. I could have loaded and unloaded in a snap! Although, I guess when Samuel attempted to cover his body in diaper cream on Saturday, I wasn't doing dishes. Ah, either way, I am off to see if I can enter a kitchen makeover contest.

Dancing Rants and Raves

*I will get the rant out of the way so we can end positively. I am a fan of Dancing with the Stars. In fact, it's family tradition. Brian has his Bible study on Mondays so my parents come over to help me with the kids (after a long day with them!!) and we watch Dancing. Yes, my Dad protests but it's fun. There was a time when my sister and her youngest would come over, too. Anyway, the new season started but there is a star from Jacka** and S*x and the City so there's 2 new vocabulary words for my kids. You should've heard my Dad and I yelling over the TV to cover the language. I guess we'll have to watch without sound.*

Now on a more positive note, I have to talk about Lily's Dance class. First of all because she recently got her costume for her recital and they have performed for us Moms at the last 2 practices. So cute!! This last practice, Hunter gave Lily a big hug and told her she was "Great!".


The other reason I want to bring up dance is because of my boys. When I was looking at times available for Lily to take dance, just about everybody told me NOT to do daytime where I would have to keep the boys busy for a whole hour while Lily dances. I'm not saying I wasn't scared about doing a daytime slot but it just seemed to fit best in our lives. I am so glad we went with it. It is so fun!! Yes, there are Mondays that it is super stressful but for the most part, the boys do wonderfully. We sit in the cafe a lot of the time (as pictured below) and I bring a snack from home. They ignore all the goodies sitting out on the counter and eat what I bring. They play with the other kids (up to 8 kids sometimes in a small space!) and I get to chat with one of my good friends, Stephanie, whose oldest daughter dances in that class, as well. I think I might be sad when dance is over for this session.

Sugar High!

Maybe I should say up front that I know this isn't healthy or great parenting. I am aware of the error here so I apologize up front. But the picture is so cute and funny that I had to share. My little guy loves Mountain Dew. I used to drink it ALL THE TIME and he'd take sips. Ah, the things I do with my 3rd that I would have been appalled at with my 1st two. Anyway, yesterday I decided I needed one (hadn't had in awhile since I am on WW) and Samuel spied the can. I put a straw in it and let him finish it off (it wasn't much, I swear!). He's so cute!!

Love the shoes!

Other business

So here are some other updates on life...

1) We are hoping the twins will be going to Isaac Newton Christian Academy in the fall. We applied and are awaiting the testing next month. They will be in the 3 day program, hopefully, so I will still have them with me 2 days a week!! I'm not saying that was a big factor or anything... It is a huge blessing and answer to prayer that this is happening--Christian school means A LOT to us!

2) Weight Watchers is going really well. I lost over 6 lbs in February so I am going to keep going. Brian lost over 9 lbs., by the way. My sister and now my Mom, as well, are still going with me. It's fun! I do have a lot of recipes and such and may get around to posting some. We'll see. Weigh in is tonight so let's hope that the sweets at Jeanie's (not that I am blaming anyone!)don't affect the scale! :)

3) Samuel has not crawled out of the crib since that first night. We are very thankful! I am not saying he's sleeping better because he is not always into bedtime but still--he stays where we put him!!

Rambling about staying home

So when I started this blog, it was my goal to use it not just to update family on pictures of my beautiful kids but to also really BLOG. More for myself and my friends than family. Today is going to be picture-free and just a random post so if you are in it for the pictures, go away!

I am feeling the effects of lack of sleep. I have had a busy week with meeting a couple moms from my MOPS table for coffee on Monday evening and then a fun time seeing a few friends I haven't seen in awhile on Tuesday evening. On top of the late nights, the neighbors (not JoDee!) played music loudly and woke up the house at 6 am today. This is where I am coming from, people!

I wanted to blog about being a stay at home Mom because it's on my mind today. When I got married, I remember being panicked to one of my good friends because it seemed like staying home was the "Christian" thing to do and I wasn't interested! She is very wise and told me that God would do what was best for the whole family. Well, I have to say that my heart definitely was changed and I wanted to stay home as soon as I thought about having kids. Of course, I had twins so everyone's reaction was "Of course you will stay home--who could afford day care?". I still get this reaction and I just nod and smile. How do you explain a desire to be with your kids? And, I confess, some of it is because I have control issues and don't want to entrust my little blessings to someone else who may or may not do it MY way.

But I have often wondered if they would have been better off with someone who isn't so grumpy in the morning until they get a shower or someone who can stand the messyness or someone who wants to play pretend 24/7?? Sometimes I fear that I haven't DONE enough. I have let them be--stay in pajamas all day? Why not?!-- and tried to throw in a craft, an outing, etc. here and there. But I don't consider myself a natural at staying home nor at motherhood. But someone once said that she thinks God gives you kids to break you in ways that would be impossible without them. And God has surely accomplished more in me since having kids. Wow--I didn't know I had those issues! :)

Nothing can overwhelm me like feeling like I am running out of time with these kids at home (Kindergarten in the fall!) and wondering if I have taken advantage of this time at home. They are why I am here at home--the computer isn't why I am here. The housework isn't why I am at home. Not that there isn't a place for those things but I think I lose sight of my original agenda.

The point is that I love being home. I chose this because I want to do it. I certainly do not think everyone needs to stay home--do what works for your family! But this is what works for mine.

It starts again?

Whoever has known me for any length of time can not possibly forget the trauma/drama of the twins in toddler beds. Also known as "The 2 years of Pain". We tried it all. The above pictures show what we got in return. The best advice (in hindsight) I received was in a twin parenting book: SPLIT THEM UP! I wasn't ready to do that until we finally went through with it, anyway!

Now, the reason I bring this up is that last night, the worst thing happened. Samuel climbed out of his crib. And climbed out. And climbed out. We kept putting him back but by 10 pm, we were tired. So we spent the night with a little guy in our bed--a quick fix to the problem. Although, he was really sweet patting my cheek as he fell asleep. :) Now in theory, one child will be easier than two, right? He'll catch right on. Right?

The above picture shows the method of escape--the chair is the soft landing after he catapults himself over the rail. Tonight, my parents will probably be putting the kids to bed so wish them luck...