Late Birthday Shots of LA-LA

Party guests included cousin Sophie, Boy-friend Asher, Uncle Ryan, Aunt Jennie, and Grandma and Grandpa. Of course Asher's Mom Laura and brother Talmage were there to supervise:)


These are a week or so late, but too cute to skip altogether...

Full Swing...

Thanks for the opinions a few of you provided about our bathroom update project. The winners and AFTER pictures will be posted when it is done next week. The "Tub Doctor" was here this morning and started the tub refinish project. Looks good so far.

Bathroom Update...

Need advise from all of you awesome designers. We are in need of a little bathroom beautifying.... Don't you agree???



Here is my plan... Have the tub and surround tile refinished, white again, by company "Miracle Method" then sand and paint cabinet, white again, and put on new vanity counter and sink. Then take the mirror off north wall and paint the room tawny brown. Finished off with new towels and curtain. What do you think?



The budget is tight! I am going to keep it under $1000. So keep that in mind.... Please don't just say..."sounds good" give me constructive criticism. Your friendship will be judged on your answers and there WILL be a prize for the person whose idea is used.

Good Luck...

Its your BIRTHDAY BABERZ!!

This little cutie turned one this morning at 8:10am! Here are a little of the festivities. Pretend like you don't see my outfit please. I probably shouldn't post that. oh well...

We are so proud of her, and thankful she is in our lives! I am so glad I am done pushing her out and done being pregnant. I love her so much!!!

Its a little bit better...

So this picture is dang ugly, but this is what I look like what I have a picture taken of me spontaneously apparently. But, I am doing better and so is Lauren. She is sleeping all night for the last week. She is going down for naps better too. She still wakes up after 30 mins but overall she is happier. She smiles more, and so do I. I am still dang tired though! It takes a while to make up for lost sleep I guess.

I feel for ya Haley. Benji was in our bed last night. Because he was keeping the other kids up. I don't know, but this sleep stuff is not easy. Other people say "Oh, I would never let my kids sleep with me." But it is different with each kid and with each parent. I guess we all just need to do our best with what we have.

3 more days until Lala is one!

Progress in the nap department...

Taken Wednesday while waiting in the car, at the store, for Emma.

First I just want to say thanks to those of you who have made comments and given your encouraging words. I know this sounds dumb, but this has been one of the hardest times of my life. It has made me question my choice of motherhood and my love for my children. Which has made me feel horrible about myself and made me question my sanity. And that spirals me into a depression that is hard for me to shake. The last few days (well anytime I look sad) Emma asks "What's wrong Mom?" She is very sensitive to my moods. She doesn't like me to be upset. And I say,"nothing." But she can tell I am just not happy.

But I don't like to be down long. And I do have the desire to be out of the hole. So I am improving my attitude a little every day. Thanks Tara, for the pump. (that I hate) Thanks Marie for helping me remember that it is okay to go back and forth for months with the sleep training. Thanks Lisa, Haley, and others for just sympathizing. And a special shout out to Laura (my neighbor and DEAR friend) for telling me what has worked with Asher (Lauren's future husband). That will be so funny if they have sleep issues together! Stubborn little buggers.

She has slept 4 nights all night in her own bed! That is AWESOME. The naps still aren't down, but I see a little progress with them. She still cries for hours, but I have realized that I don't need to give up. She will do it a little bit at a time. NOt all at once. So I will persevere with the plan. And I do believe she will come to understand this is what to expect. I think she might just relax and go to sleep eventually. I will only let her scream for one hour though and not 2 or 3. That is awful! If she won't sleep after 1 hour screaming she will miss that nap and we will wait til the next one. I will let you know how it goes.

Thanks again! Love you!

One more....

My baby girl and me...

More pics of LA-La's last few months...

Not so fast...

Well after many tears yesterday (and achey boobs) I decided that cold turkey was not going to work for us. So I nursed her before bed and early in the morning. But I am going to wean her. And it is going to start with not nursing her through her naps!!! (as seen above) Hence she has not slept since 5AM! I have gotten her out of bed twice to eat food, drink milk and play. Then I put her back in her bed screaming. She has screamed almost 6 hours today!!! AHHH! But I don't care! I am drawing the line. Either she figures out how to sleep alone or I quit! I can't do this anymore! Dan (God bless him) thinks that I should keep on holding/nursing for every nap...because at least she is getting sleep and not screaming her throat raw. But if I do that one more time I am going to loose my mind!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I refuse to be the binky. Sorry if I sound psychotic, but that is exactly how I feel. I will let you know how the rest of the day goes....chances are she will continue to scream until bedtime. This girl is one stubborn determined little chica.