Birthdays, Binkies and Babywearing

What a week ahead! Its starting with a birthday ending with a century ride and is celebrated all week by International Babywearing Week!

Yesterday was B's 3rd birthday, where did the time go?! We had a play date at the park on Saturday to celebrate. It was a lovely day, not too hot and the men did most of the chasing. It was so very nice to be able to sit and chat with the ladies and not worry about which one of this kids is trying to climb the wall. Brenna loved her cake, it had Toy Story characters on it.

Being 3 is a big deal here around Clan Brunn, we made a rule a few months ago that children weren't allowed to have pacifiers past the age of 3. Brenna has known this for a while and if you'd ask her anything about her birthday she's tell you she was getting rid of her binky. So when her birthday finally arrived, she was saddened to give up the bink. Since she didn't quite understand why a perfectly good binky needed to go in the trash we "broke" it (we cute a slit in it) and I held her next to the trash can so she could throw it in. When we came back inside she told me she was sad and that she might cry, I told her that was perfectly okay, then she ran off to play with Woody.

Nap time was a little difficult, she cried for a bit. Josh and I both talked to her about being a big girl and how we would all help her get through this. She eventually went down and woke up very grumpy. Only wanting to be held, I had to strap her to my back so I could cook dinner. Josh was very surprised when he walked through the door.

Bed time was, well, non existent. Our routine starts between 7:30 and 8, she finally went to sleep sometime around midnight, in our bed. I know it's going to take some time to adjust, I pray it doesn't take too long. I'm already missing the happy, go lucky B.


This week is International Babywearing Week. I'm excited to participate in the Lake County Babywearers International Babywearing Week Celebration this Thursday. It should be a lot of fun. For myself, I'm trying to do a different carry everyday and take pictures. My Maya Wrap ring sling and Pikkolo are my work horses so I've been trying to use the wrap more at home.

This is my first real attempt at carrying Paige in a ruk, I was a bit nervous but Josh said she looked very secure. I think she enjoyed being up so high.

Close enough to kiss.

My September 11th.

I still feel disconnected from this day. When I hear people say they were forever changed, I'm at a loss.
I was in Bahrain, I had worked the night before and spent all day with the Marines at the range (all though I never did get to shoot) so I was exhausted and went straight to bed when I got home. When I finally answered the phone I remember telling the dispatcher I had swapped days with someone else and was not coming in and he told me what happened. If memory serves correctly the towers had not yet fallen. My Chief had me come in although he didn't allow me to arm up, I spent the next 12 hours or so sleeping in the conference room or on the smoke deck chatting with everyone.
I remember thinking how it was such a tragedy and I may have even remarked about how we, in the Middle East, weren't the target for once. I'm sorry if that sounds cold.
We spent the next several days in Delta, working and sleeping, not much time for anything else. I missed most of the aftermath, the searching and not knowing.
I was back in the States for the first anniversary and that's when I found out how it affected everyone and how America seemed to change.

My heart and prayers are with those who wake up everyday mourning someone they've lost. My heartfelt gratitude goes out too all who still serve and to our first responders everywhere. God be with you and your families.

Getting Excited!

4 and a wake up!
The girls and I are heading to Oklahoma for Labor Day and the countdown has begun! This will be the Second Annual Labor Day Weekend Bash. Last year was a luau, this year will be a fiesta! I'm looking forward to being able to play this year (I was pregnant last time).

So excited!!

Mommy Blogging

There was a report on the news this evening on Mommy Blogging and product review. Some mothers are receiving free merchandise and even money for reviewing products and blogging, posing the question, can you be impartial if you're receiving something in return?
I don't have the answer, but it would be nice if you were wanting a product to review and the manufacturer provided it for you. Personal integrity would of course fall on the individual. Who knows...

Good night.

Rave: "The Stranger within our gates"

On our way home from Colorado we stayed the night at the Western Inn in Council Bluffs, Iowa. From the outside this place looked like a dive and I was a wee bit nervous as Josh pulled up. Josh checked us in while I sat with the girls, he came and got us and gave me a key... yes, a real key, not the little card to which we've all become accustomed; my trepidation grew. We opened the door and I was delightfully surprised, it was quaint, clean and very modern with a mounted flat screen TV and an updated bathroom. I settled in and began to relax.

On the table between the two beds I found the following note...
To Our Guest
In the ancient time there was a prayer for "The Stranger within our gates"
Because this Hotel is a human institution to serve people, and not solely a money making organization, we hope that God will grant you peace and rest while you are under our roof.
May this room and motel be your "second" home. May those you love be near you in thoughts and dreams. Even though we may not get to know you, we hope that you will be comfortable and happy as if you were in your own house.
May the business that brought you our way prosper. May every call you make and every message you receive add to your joy. When you leave, may your journey be safe.
We are all travelers. From "birth till death" we travel between eternities. May these days be pleasant for you, profitable for society, helpful for those you meet, and a joy to those who know and love you best.

Needless to say, I felt the Spirit within those walls and slept very well.

What a Day!

Today started off GREAT! While going through the coupons I found some for things that were on my shopping list that I don't normally buy. I went shopping early enough that there wasn't a lot of traffic in the parking lot or in the commissary. Once there I found even more coupons, 3 dollars total coupon savings. Wednesdays at the commissary are "Wacky Wednesdays," they usually have pretty good deals on various products (free lysol one day). At one point the line got so long the manager randomly picked someone waiting and gave them 10 dollars. They also sometimes play "Lucky Customer," where they choose a register and a random person wins a chunk off their grocery bill, I've actually seen them give up to 50 dollars off. Today, however, was 25 dollars off... I WAS THE LUCKY CUSTOMER!! I spent less then 40 dollars on a weeks worth of groceries!

The rest of the morning and into the afternoon was just kinda fun and happy! I got to take a nap with the girls.

Josh came home for dinner, fun and happy!

Brenna got to play at Grace's, fun and happy!

Anna watched my girls so I could run to Walmart, fun and wait... Not so much fun and Paige was really NOT happy. We are learning that Paige is suffering from a bit of separation anxiety. I was really hoping she just didn't like the church nursery but after today I'm sure she just has an attachment to her mommy and daddy. I guess we'll be working this over the next, well, however long it takes.

After Paige calmed down and took a nap, B and I hung out and had some more fun. When it was time to go to bed Brenna decided she and Paige needed to sleep in their matching cow pj's (I'm really hoping to get a picture in the morning).

So now, my babes are asleep, my dog's at my feet and I just rescued a spider and set him free outside. All in all, it's been an AWESOME day! Thank you Lord!

Good Sleeper

I was amazed when Paige began sleeping through the night at about 7 weeks old. Brenna didn't sleep though the night until almost 2 years old. I wasn't really sure what to do with all that rest. The answer now is very clear, enjoy it! Paige no longer sleeps through the night.
Since birth, Paige has slept in our room in a bassinet and, consequently, Brenna ended up in our room as well since she has to be where the action is. Well, Little Bit no longer fits in the bassinet and since she was trying to roll in it we deemed it was time for her to move into her room. WHY OH WHY?!
Paige loves her new bed and her new room, so much so that she loves to be awake when she's in there. She loves to wake up at 4am and thinks she's supposed to nurse since hey, she's awake. I feel like I haven't slept in a week, oh wait, I haven't.
The upside to all of this is Brenna wants to sleep wherever her little sister is and now sleeps on the futon in Paige's room.
Advise is welcomed.