What To Do, What To Do...

Seems like Grant's been giving us two options lately.

A. He goes to bed very easily anytime between 8-9, BUT he doesn't take a nap and I'm dealing with an extremely irritable toddler. Without a break. All. Day. Long.

B. He takes a nap, BUT regardless of what time of the day it occurs or how long he sleeps, he won't go to bed until 11ish.

Lately, we've been going with option A. However, after being sick of dealing with a cranky toddler/tantrums/being ignored all week, I decided he HAD to take a nap today!

So now we're stuck in option B and praying he'll rapidly wind down enough to go to sleep in the next 30 minutes.

I'm really at a loss. I hate seeing him so moody because it's so against his nature. He's normally such a sweet, even tempered kid! And I can't really be upset with him because he does try to lay down and close his eyes and says he's going to sleep. But then he just tosses and turns for HOURS.

I read recently that the average parent has lost about a solid month's worth of sleep by the time their kid reaches their 2nd birthday. At this point, I'm feeling like Grant's taken about 6 months of my sleep life!

Good thing I love him so much! The craziest thing is that once I FINALLY I catch a glimpse of him asleep, I immediately miss him and can't wait for him to wake up and play!

Checklists

Lately, I've been all about writing things down, lists and checking things off!

I'd seen several little chore charts on Pinterest and wanting to adapt them in an effort to get Grant doing some of the same things every morning and evening so he'd feel like there's some structure around here!

I ended up making one myself a while ago and I finally put it all together and we used it for the first time this morning.

Getting dressed

Brushing his teeth.

Making his bed (yes, he still sleeps in our room).

Feeding the cat.

Check (or scribble)!

I made one for Grant and one that's a little modified that I did for a friend.  Feel free to print them if you want!  They work on a normal sized piece of paper.

AM: 1. Get dressed 2. Brush teeth 3. Make bed 4. Feed cat 
PM: 1. Take bath 2. Clean up toys 3. Brush teeth 4.  Scriptures and prayers

AM: 1. Get dressed 2. Brush teeth 3. Make bed 4. Help mom
PM: 1. Feed dog 2. Take bath 3. Pick up toys 4. Prayers

Something about having it right there in front of you and knowing you get to check it off your list makes it easier to do!  For me anyway.  And it seems like it for Grant too.  He was excited to do it all and check it off himself, and is already talking about doing it again this evening.

And they both went down for a nap at the same time again today!  I don't know what I'm doing right but I hope it sticks!

Off Day

Yesterday, several of Mike's work appointments cancelled so he was able to come spend a little bit of the day with us. 

It was beautiful outside so we went out and watched Grant jump on the trampoline while Mike played the guitar and talked me into singing a little :/

Not too long after Mike went back to work, BOTH kids went down for their naps...so I joined them!

Is it just me or is there something about getting called off or getting to come home from work early that's WAY better than already knowing you have the day off? 

When I used to get called off from work I'd always say I felt like it'd been given an extra day of life or something!

Day By Day

I recently heard this quote:

"Isn't it funny how day by day nothing changes but when you look back, everything is different."
-C.S. Lewis

I feel like that describes our lives perfectly right now!  Lately it seems like every day we're just doing the same things over and over again.  Dishes, laundry, attempts at a schedule, naps, cleaning up the same toys, trying to decide what's for dinner, baths, bedtimes etc.

But I already look back on days just like today and wish they weren't going by so fast!

Here are some reasons our days have been unique lately, and reasons I like them being the same:

Remi supported her cousin Emily, who was blessed last month.

Brig and Uncle Mike are buddies!

Grant is the best helper I could EVER ask for!

What better way to watch The Man From Snowy River"??

Grant's puff paint cupcake for the Letter C-Thank you Pinterest!

He's ALWAYS willing to help and I never have to ask!

We got to hang with Cozi!!

Remi started holding her head up (and fitting into some cute clothes)!!

IF I get ready in the morning, this is what it looks like!

She was staring down the soap dispenser for like an hour!  (See the above picture)

Erupting Snow!

Again, thank-you Pinterest!

REAL snow!  Thank-you everyone who prays for snow everyday!

"He runnin'!!"

If you know Chase, this picture needs no caption!

The prayer comment was sarcastic btw!  I'm ready for warm weather!

She found her feet!

She's SO perfect!!!  Although, this picture has motivated me to take some action in attempting to tame the mohawk!

They love each other!

Happy Birthday to my Mamma!

Hangin' with Grandma Velda

My attempt at a Valentine's picture-HA!

As I was finishing up this post, Grant came up to me and asked, "Can I sit with you?"
I said, "Of course!!"
He raised his eyebrows and exclaimed "Okay!!"

I hope some things (like his excitement to sit with me) never change!