No More Binkies!

We have been putting this off for a while. Finally, this past Friday Whitney gave up her binkies!

There are many methods out there and I molded together a little plan of my own. For the last month we have been talking to Whitney about how only babies use binkies. At first she would say, "No, Me!" But after awhile she wouldn't really say anything and we knew it was sinking in. I told her that we were going to put all her binkies in a box, put it on the front porch and someone would pick them up and take them to babies who need them. In their place, Whitney would be left a present. She was totally game. So, Friday morning we grabbed a flashlight and searched the bed for all possible binkies! The pictures below show the course of events.




About an hour later....






Has it been successful?? Well, lets say Friday's nap was a disaster and no sleeping occurred. First there were heartbreaking tears. Then it turned to anger and her "friends" in her bed took one for the team. The video monitor allowed for some pretty good entertainment but also it was good for making sure she had no injuries. That night she fell asleep in a heartbeat from sheer exhaustion. One minor 15 minute wake up at 1am. This weekend went very well. I think we are in the clear. No more binkies!!!!

Happy New Year!

I wish you all a very Happy New Year!

As the clock struck midnight I was overwelmed by many unexpected emotions. 2011 started with the loss of our 2nd daughter Christine and has shaped us in ways we could never expect. Through our grief we have found a stronger love for our family and brighter outlook as we approach each day.

At the end of 2011 we said goodbye to my grandmother Mimi. The holidays were just not the same without her but we definitely felt her in spirit. Mimi's love from her famiy is what helped her get through her last tough days and I am so grateful for the time we got to spend with her. I know Mimi is now in heaven with Pop and her parents just like she was ready to be. Also, I can't help but think how lucky she is that she is with my sweet Christine!

We look forward to a fresh new year and cannot wait to welcome our baby boy in April! Through heartache we have been so blessed to be expecting another baby. I pray everyday for his healthy arrival.

This New Year's weekend we got to spend time with some wonderful friends down in Kiawah. Sam, Brian and Nicolette made the drive down on Friday and Morgan, Stephen and Graham came out for New Year's Eve. We were able to spend a lot of time outside in the beautiful 70 degree weather. The guys went sailing on Tim's new Hobie Cat and the kids enjoyed some time in the sand. We ate well and created wonderful memories with our families. Hill Family, you were most definitely missed!

Tim's delicious Beef Wellington!

"Mama, what is this?"Assembling the Hobie CatPerfect sailing weather!

She would have dove in if I let her...it was freezing, but she didn't mind!We know who the princess is around here!

Holiday Festivites

I love when December hits and there are lots of holiday activities to get you in the Christmaspirit.

This year it started off with decorating our tree. Whitney was very helpful and took hanging the ornaments very seriously. She was very good about leaving the ornaments alone...we only had one casualty. She did have her own mini tree that she could undecorate and redecorate to her hearts content!

Her stocking...of course!

Baking! My desire to bake goes into full force around Christmas time. I make a variety of cookies but always one gets top pick. I was hoping to give them out to all my friends this year but that just didn't happen. I did make about 125 pizzelles and if you had some I hope you enjoyed them as much as I did!

Whitney's Christmas Concert. Whitney and I have been attending a weekly bible study and the kids had been practicing Christmas songs to perform for all the Moms. I had heard reports back from teachers that she loved music time and was so cute while performing. Performance day came and on the drive there I told her how there would be lots of people watching them sing but it was ok because they were all Moms like me. She seemed ok with this, however, when hundreds of Moms came flooding in and were snapping pictures left and right, Whitney was not too thrilled. She had a trembling lip and was very close to loosing it. But with her friend Leighton by her side, she held it together. She did the occasional hand movement they had learned, but mainly just sat there looking cute. Still a proud parent moment!

Cookie Decorating. This was the 8th annual Christmas cookie baking day up at my friend Gigi's (Kristin) house. Ann started going up there the year before I moved here, and we have continued the tradition every year! Whitney loves playing with Sophia and Damian and they are so sweet to her. Whitney definitely thought she was a big kid!

Breakfast with Santa This was our second year with the new tradition of Breakfast with Santa at River Creek with my parents. This year went way better! Though Tim and I did have to get in the photo, there were no tears. Whitney told Santa that she wanted Minnie for Christmas and after she left his lap acted like she just experienced the coolest thing ever! We always follow Breakfast with Santa with decorating my parents tree. Ann joins us for this day, and with 7 of us there, it gets done rather quickly. Then we make Nanny's sugar cookies! A family favorite!

Holiday Play Date This year Whitney and I held a holiday play date. A huge thanks so my mom and Marguerite for helping me prepare! We had so much fun with all our friends, we didn't get any pictures of the kids! Here are few of the food...the strawberries were a Pinterest find and super delicious!

Living Nativity The church we attend was holding a living nativity. With Whitney's love of animals I knew this was a must. We bundled up and got to pet all the animals!

Christmas Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were filled with lots of excitement. We started with a fun gathering at our family friend's house,the Green's. We had fun socializing with old friends but the highlight for Whitney was definitely the train which Tim patiently sat and helped her control the remote for about 45 minutes! We had a restful day at my parents house while we exchanged a few gifts. Then came home to have a delicious dinner with the O'Neills and exchange gifts with them. My parents then crept in late that night after church so they could wake up with Whitney in the morning. Marguerite made it over bright and early! We had so much fun watching Whitney's excitement as she opened her gifts. She was also very excited that the cookies and carrot we had left out were eaten. The O'Neill's joined us that afternoon and the two families spent a wonderful Christmas together! Brady, Niki and the kids were definitely missed! Whitney summed it up about by saying "Mama, I want more Santa!" Can't wait till next year!

Oh yeah, this guy came to visit too!Let the princesses begin!

Chocolate (soy) milk for Santa!

Who knew Tim was such an artist!

Sesame Street Live!

Thanks to my Mom for the last minute heads up, we attended Sesame Street Live this weekend at the Patriot Center. Whitney's excitement level tripled as we walked in the door and Elmo was everywhere! Not only were we being tempted by Sesame Street paraphernalia, but also those not so good for you but oh you really want some treats. I told Whitney she could pick between cotton candy and soft serve ice cream. Much to my delight, cotton candy was her choice. When we got to our seats we opened the cotton candy, Whitney pinched some off and looked at me very puzzled and said, "Eat?". With a slight chuckle, I said yes and after a taste Whitney quickly replied with a "Yum!".

Our seats were far back but almost center, so we could see perfectly. The seats at the Patriot Center looked nice and new. In other words, the spring on the seat was so tight, Tim had to rest his leg on it so Whitney didn't get folded up in the chair!

The show started and Whitney was wide-eyed and engaged the whole time. Of course, whenever Elmo left the stage she would ask, "Where Elmo go?". I assured her he would be back. By the second act, Whitney was literally out of her seat dancing along. It was so cute and exciting to see her having such a good time. Tim said to me last night, "When's the next family outing"? I have already received an email from him...looks like Barnum and Bailey will be our next stop this Spring!

Gymnastics

This Fall Whitney took a gymnastics class that ran 10 weeks and loved it! I was so excited to introduce it to her, as it was one of my favorite things to do growing up. Those back handsprings and back walk overs helped me snag my role in "The Araboolies of Liberty Street" at Imagination Stage a few years back! I know my parents will be excited when we have a house and we can take my old mat and balance beam off their hands! Anyway, Whitney was excited every week as we pulled on her super cute leotard and headed to the Rec center. Tim was able to make it to one of the classes and helped take some photos since Mom's have to be very hands on. Her favorite things were the balance beam, the tunnel and log rolls (with an occasional somersault) down the wedged mat. OH, and of course the big parachute!

Patiently waiting for her stamp!