Squeeze's Big Girl Bed

Yesterday afternoon we took the side off Squeeze's crib and put up the toddler rail. We did this because 1) we may need her crib for a new baby and 2) she's getting too heavy to heave in and out of that thing! When I was pregnant with Squeeze (our second), we moved Squiggle (our first) to a toddler bed at a pretty early age. I had heard that it might be better for a child who's handing their bed down to a younger sibling, to not make the change at the same time as the baby's arrival. Baby comes home from hospital, big sister gets the boot. Traumatizing. Makes sense.

Squiggle did great with the change. We had zero problems with her. No tears. No fighting. We joked that somehow she still thought she couldn't get out. Eventually she did figure out how to get up and turn her light on so she could read books and play. We often didn't discover her until WE were going to bed at 10! Sometimes, her light would be on and we would go in to turn it off and she would be sound asleep in her bed. Overall, so easy with her.

Squeeze is a different person. She enjoys life. She likes her independence. She likes to run. She likes to get reactions out of us. She likes to try things.

The first night went fairly well. Two seconds after closing their door for the night, Squeeze came running down the hallway with this look on her face that said, "Sweet! I can get out of here!" We told her otherwise. She was disappointed. We had to go in maybe twice more? Both girls were asleep in under an hour. This morning, Squeeze let herself out of her room half asleep. It wasn't much earlier than normal, but I think we may be in for a few early mornings with her in the future.

We are in the middle of the first nap time now. I have had to lay her down three times, I think. Poor thing was crying as if she didn't know what to do with herself. New boundaries are scary.

I think she is finally asleep...

Why Do You Blog?

Do you want to know why I blog?

I started because my mother told me I was a wonderful writer and should definitely get a blog. She has also told me I could be President if I wanted. And she may have once mentioned that I would make a great rhythm gymnast. She's a believer.

Once I started, I realized most of my blogs were about being a mom. So I decided to focus in and write mostly on that topic. It has evolved into a slightly personal journal that I publish on the internet for all the world to read. If you've read my blog a while, you know that I occasionally get on a soap box and tell you how best to live your life. But, mostly I write the stories of my life with my husband and my girls.

The funny thing is, I would never keep a journal if it was a notebook on my nightstand for no one to see until I'm gone. Knowing you all occasionally peek into my life motivates me to keep writing. I can't wait to hear your commentary on my life. If for no other reason than to show off, I write. And that's just the honest truth.

Sometimes I worry that my readers will think this is the only reason I write. To show off. (This thinking shows you how full of myself I am, assuming you think my girls and my life are brilliant.) But it's worth it to me. Because, in the end, even if my undercurrent motives are showing off, I still have this record of my life that is invaluable to me. I already read old posts and reminisce about the girls as tiny babies. I can't wait until they are older and can read the posts I've written about how much I love their dad. The posts I love most are the ones with the super boring details of our days that probably make you guys stab your eyeballs in boredom. They are gold to me.

I keep writing because I can't wait to hear what you think about my potty trained 19 month old. I am dying to hear your comments on the crazy thing Squiggle said to me the other day. I'm assuming you care. So I keep writing. And I'm so thankful that I do.

One of my grandmothers is 92. She is still in good spirits, but often does talk of wondering when she will get to go Home. A lot of her memories have slipped away, although she still recognizes people. She knows who my mom and dad are, but she has no recollection of being at their wedding. I have heard her say, "I wish I remembered all these stories you're all talking about!"

That is why I blog. Someday, I might not remember.

I don't care if I never have more than 100 readers. I'll keep writing. For me. For my girls. But I do need you 100 readers to stick with me. Let me show off a little. When I'm 90, I will be thanking you for listening so I had some good reading to get me through my last few years here.

And, Lord, please don't let the Internet break.