It has no rails!

Well, we are rushing into life with a three-year-old at a frantic pace. Its a whirlwind of BIG GIRL things and changes and independence and lots of fun.

Our biggest change of the week - a brand new BIG GIRL bed with no rails! It has no rails! Mom, let's look at my new bed! It has no rails! Its just beautiful! Look, mom, it has no rails!

Also: it has no rails.

A couple of weeks ago during a supposed nap time, my then-two-year-old managed to somehow launch her little self right out of her crib and onto the floor with the loudest thud you've ever heard. I ran into to her room to find her flat on the floor looking shocked and more than a little freaked out.

I was pretty freaked out too, so I held her close and let her sleep on my lap while I came to terms with the fact that the crib was going to have to go.

That's a sad moment for a mama. I remembered when we brought her home from the hospital and she slept in one little corner of that crib. And she just looked so itty bitty. Now, she fills it up with her three-foot-tall frame and her stuffed animals and pillows and blankets.

Although, sometimes when I check on her in the middle of the night, I still find her curled up in the corner of the bed. Oh, my sweet girl.

Anyway. After Janie's high-flying act, we promptly ordered a new bed and it arrived on Wednesday. And it just so happened that Rob was home for lunch so he was able to assemble it before returning to work.

Much to the delight of certain girl who was raising her arms in the air saying, "I'm so excited! A BIG GIRL bed with no rails! Yeah!"

Janie, being a champion sleeper just like her mama, has had no trouble adjusting to her new bed. In fact, she's actually been sleeping a little later in the mornings.

Which: is awesome.

We just won't comment on nap time. Honestly, it should probably be re-named Janie-plays-in-her-room-and-comes-out-every-few-minutes-just-to-make-sure-Mama-still-remembers-that-her-bed-has-no-rails. Sigh.

Janie is loving her new BIG GIRL status. I am too. And I'm proud of her.

Here's a picture of her new BIG GIRL bed:


You'll notice that it has no rails.

Read more...

Party time!

This last year has been a big one for my little gal. Full of amazing growth, brand new abilities and the unveiling of her sparkling personality. She's made that transformation from toddler to little girl - and I am loving every minute of it. I'm so proud of her - because some of these changes have been hard. And I'm so impressed with her - because she made them look so easy.

To celebrate the BIG NUMBER THREE we planned a Blues Clues party, complete with Janie's favorite party accoutrements... balloons, party hats, cupcakes and presents!

Yeah! I'm three!

I love balloons!

Soooo many presents!

Happy birthday, my sweet baby.

Read more...

Buy Nothing Day

How I plan to spend my Friday...

Read more...

Growing up

For a very sweet update about my favorite almost-three-year-old, please check out this post by Rob.

Read more...

Po-ta-to, Po-tah-to

Well, I may have to eat my words, so to speak, when it comes to my earlier claim about the greatest mashed potatoes in the entire world.

Once I saw this blog, doubt began to creep in. Also, my mouth was watering.

I realize now that it's reckless (RECKLESS!) to make such a claim without proper research and testing.

A mistake, I assure you, that will not happen again.

After taking some time to fully investigate this new potato possibility, I will get back to y'all with a full report.

Read more...

Because I heart my carpet...

It's like a sippy cup. But for grown-ups.

Read more...

College Avenue Klutz

I'm not exactly sure when it happened, but at some point in my life I became a klutz. I don't remember being klutzy as a child. Although maybe the broken arm I suffered while running around the Awana circle should have been my first clue.

I drop things. I spill things. I knock over grocery store displays. I bump into my own furniture. I trip over my own feet. At least once a week I accidentally smear mascara all over my eyelids while applying my make-up.

This phenomenon first became evident to my husband during the first year of our marriage. In an homage to our first address, he began affectionately referring to me as the College Avenue Klutz. A name I'm constantly living up to, no matter how hard I try to be graceful.

We no longer live on College Avenue, but the klutz curse followed me to our new home. And for the past several months our carpet has been offering up a testimony of my klutz-i-ness. In the form of a giant brown stain - the result of a large cup full of soda launching from my hand into a huge, splattery, spectacular mess.

And so, finally, on Wednesday we had our carpets cleaned. We moved every piece of furniture out of the living room - smushing it into the patio, the kitchen, the bathroom. It was a hassle to be sure. And the cost didn't exactly fit into our budget. But, oh the clean carpet was glorious!

It was like walking into a brand new home. The pristine, perfect carpet made everything else look a little bit nicer. Honestly, I spent several minutes just staring at my carpet in sheer and utter awe. It was a thing of beauty.

This afternoon, less than 48 hours after the great carpet cleansing of 2007, I spilled another cup of soda.

The klutz curse lives!

Oh, and I'm no longer allowed to drink soda.

Read more...