She finally did it...

Yesterday my girlfriend Natalie and her son Dayton were over for a play date for the kids while us moms worked. Natalie is the new owner of the Stroller Strides franchise in San Clemente so I am helping her with all the programs etc. So, it was getting close to nap time and I suggested we just put the kids in Meadow's room to sleep, Meadow in her crib and Dayton in his pack and play. What harm could that do? Natalie looked at me like I was nuts but went along with it anyway. I figured they might chat for a little bit but would soon tire out and fall right asleep.

Well, they were making noise for a few minutes and then it was quiet. Perfect! See Natalie, I told you it would be fine. We decided to walk back and check on them, since silence can also mean trouble in toddler land. We slowly opened the door and peeked in meadows crib, no Meadow! Then we quickly panned over and there was Meadow in her new playhouse entertaining Dayton as he stood in his bed. Meadow has never gotten out of her crib, which was actually surprising to Mike and I since she is a climber! I put her right back in to see if she just got lucky, and out she climbed in less than a second like she's been doing it for years!

We moved Dayton into the other room, and I had to put Meadow back in her crib 3 times supernanny style before she stayed put and went to sleep. I guess this is what life will be like when we move her into her toddler bed next month!

The good news, it seems that supernanny is on to something. When Meadow woke up from her nap she stayed in her crib and called for me to get her out. Then this morning I left her in there for about 20 minutes, she woke up at 5:55am, and she didn't try to get out. Granted this is only one day, but I'd like to pat my parenting skills on the back for keeping her in the crib. I'll let you know where I stand on this tomorrow!!!

Christmas Photos

Listening to my Walkman

Again Uncle Justin!

Meadow, Morgan and the horsies

Kraber Christmas Morning

Uncle Bobby and Elmo Live

Santa No No No

Our neighborhood Realtors do a great event every year at their office where the kids can go and see Santa and we get a free 5x7 photo on Santa's lap. Since free events are what we live for these days, we were up and at 'em early and out the door by 8:30. Meadow looked adorable, of course, and was so excited to see Santa. The office is decorated like crazy so she had a blast just checking everything out. There were lots of kids in line and she was having fun singing and jumping with them in excitement to see the big guy.

Mike and I had a feeling that she would have a minor melt down getting placed on his lap, and we were right! I tried to slyly just back her up to Santa and as I sat her down, trying to smooth her dress she lost it! Tears immediately and the poor guy in the Santa suit looked horrified. We tried to yell from behind the camera, like that would do anything! I am hoping the shot they got captured her at the peak of her performance. Anyone can have a cute posed photo with Santa, but not all of us can have the picture to tease your kids about for years, and years to come! They tried to get me to stand in the picture to help her calm down...but what fun would that be?

As we left his lap Meadow slowly began to clam down, but kept the sad act up long enough to get Santa's little helpers to give her extra toys and candy canes. I'm on to her...and very impressed with her tactics!

We left the office and went to the Christmas tree lot to pick out the perfect tree. We of course had to ask where the Douglas firs were since we were in the middle of all the $100 trees! Our tree is beautiful, and Mike is adding decorations as I type. I hope he knows the right ball to bow ratio, and which ornaments get gently placed in the back of the tree. Meadow is helping also, stroking Mike's ego by telling him how pretty the lights look, and she's almost done unraveling the entire ball of ribbon. I better go clean up this mess!

More to come, hopefully soon. we were in Cleveland for Thanksgiving and I will spare you all the details of the awesome stomach flu that wiped the entire house out like the plague.