He did it!

After the bumpy beds discussion....when he was winding down...all of a sudden he announced:

"Momma, I have to go pee pee and poopy on the potty."

"OK, let's go!"

So, I laid Ethan down in his crib (which he is not sleeping in yet - he sleeps in the cosleeper next to my side of the bed) and we went in the bathroom and we yanked off the footed PJ's and diaper and he sat down on the potty and...

Tooted.

Then he smiled and peed.

Yippee!!!! He sensed that he had to go! Maybe he's interested in wearing his big boy underwear now!?

Bumpy Beds

Tonight as I was putting Austin to bed, we sat on his bed and read some books together. I had Ethan sleeping on my chest, all curled up in a ball....and after we were done reading, he had the latest Pottery Barn Kids catalog with him.

"Momma, you can look at this and tell me about it."

"Ok, let's see...Maybe when Ethan is big enough, we can get you two some bunk beds in here - what do you think? Would you like bunk beds?"

"Yeah! I want bumpy beds in here. And I will sleep on the bottom."

"Hmmm...yes. But I think since you are older, you will sleep on the top, and Ethan will sleep on the bottom. I think we'll get you bunk beds. That will be fun!"

"I want bumpy beds. Daddy will bring his ladder in here so I can climb up to the top. And Ethan will sleep on the bottom."

"Sounds like a good idea. I will tell daddy about the bunk bed idea."

"Sounds like a good idea. I will like bumpy beds!"

We did it!

Success!

I had my first outing alone with the two boys today - and it was great!

Austin had an opthamology appointment at 10am - all went well. He was such a good little boy reading all the pictures, and even taking a ride in the big black chair where he got his eyes dilated.....even though they stung a little.

Then we ventured over to the post office and I finally mailed out my Christmas cards/birth announcements (so you should be getting them Tues/Wed)!

We picked up Culver's and went to visit daddy at work and eat lunch with him. Ethan needed to eat then, too, so it was a perfectly timed out stop. Some of Michael's colleagues stopped by to ogle over Ethan...awww...what a cutie pie he is!

The Bridal Boutique was our next stop, so Dawn and Haley could get their 'baby fixes' and we chatted for a bit. I love adult conversation! :)

Target was next, where I told Austin he could pick out a toy since he got some Target giftcards for Christmas. He chose a little motorized bulldozer that was on clearance for $3.98.....of all the toys Target had, that was the one he chose. That was an easy task!! He fell asleep in the cart with the diaper wipes, gallon of milk, orange juice, with the bulldozer clenched in his hand....poor guy!

We were home around 3:30, just in time for another feeding for Ethan.

A perfect day....it started snowing 20 minutes after we got home!

Adjusting

We're adjusting to being a family of four.

• My husband is getting full, uninterrupted nights of sleep.

• My first born has wedged himself in our bed, right between Michael and I.

• My second born has yet to want to sleep on his own in the co sleeper on my side of the bed.

• We have created the "FAMILY BED".

• Ethan's circumcision has healed, the little plastic ring fell off on his eighth day of life. His umbilical cord stump fell off today, the twelfth day of his life. Yippee! No more sponge baths for the little man!

• I have yet to venture out with both Austin and Ethan, on my own, in public - ie, running errands, shopping, etc....I can honestly say I'm afraid to. It takes the four of us forever to get ready to leave to go anywhere, so I am not looking forward to doing it on my own, even though right now I'm fully aware I'm avoiding the inevitable. Austin and I are great shopping buddies; we have that mastered. I'm just not sure what to do...Ethan, in a car seat, being put where Austin sits in the cart...then where does Austin go? In the big basket of my cart? Then where do the rolls of toilet paper, boxes of diapers, miscellaneous items, or grocery items go? Do I haul two carts? I can say I've never seen another parent do that. I can't make Austin walk - I'd be all over chasing him. He's perfectly fine with me, with my attention solely on him...talking only to him....how do I manage an outing with two? Any advice from any of you with two kids who have mastered this task....?? Help! I know I'll get it all figured out, I'll master it...but until then - I have a little anxiety!

• I am already not ready to go back to work on Feb 19th.....I'm ready but not ready. I want to go back, but I don't want someone else watching my little Ethan. He'll only be about 8 1/2 weeks old; too young to be put in daycare!!! Austin was 6 months old when he started daycare - he could sit up on his own, roll over...he was more independent. Ethan is going to be 2 months old, still a little 'lump' of sugar cradled in someone's arms. Not ready!!!!!!!!!!!! But then, it's only for 3 months then I'll have the summer with him. Need to stay positive! :)