Life without a pacifer

My goals this summer were to get Julia off the bottle and the pacifier. The summer started rough with no bottle but it took a good 2 weeks solid and her telling her bottles nigh-night to get her transitioned. This week however I jumped feet first into getting her off the pacifier. To make matters worse she is getting a mouth full of teeth. I only have 7 weeks left till this baby is supposed to be here and I will NOT have two babies in binks. I first tried it with her nap and it went beautifully. I try and tell myself it was because she didn't really need it but I think her being half asleep had something to do with it. I was brave that night and tried her first bedtime without it - not so good. She cried for almost 45 minutes and got out of bed about 20 times. Dustin retired to the garage and I was left to try and not give in. Eventually she fell asleep. The next night went better but naptime was hard. Today for nap, she got out of bed three times and on the 3rd time walked into the living room and told me she loved me. I think she is trying to butter me up but little does she know that I am really not that nice. Took about 10 minutes but she has been asleep now for 2 hours!! It's nice not having to go in there at 2 in the morning and search high and low for a pacifier or try and clean it when it drops on the floor in a restaurant.

It has been a challenge but I think we may have it licked. All the pacifiers were thrown out today - can't have her finding one by accident. I am a little nervous to see what happens when we bring home the baby with a pacifier and when it starts bottles but I will jump that hurdle when it comes. Life without a pacifier has been good!

Let the fun begin

Seeing as though this baby will make its entrance in less than 2 months, we thought we should get started on redoing the room. With Julia, we were completly done at this point. We still don't even have a name picked out. It'll all come together I am sure. Dustin is doing the same thing to this room as Jules - new windows, closet organizer, doors, floors, paint, trim, and who knows what else. Here are pics of the floor getting started!!

He started sanding the floors. You can see on the outside what has been sanded compared to the old ones. If you have seen Jules, you'll know why I am excited to have them done.
Dustin sanding the floors in the small closet!
I will add more pics as the process continues! Window gets picked up today.

1st Carnival of the Summer

The McGowan's invited us to the Ephiphany Carnival last weekend for the First Carnival of the Summer and ironically, Julia's first carnival ever. It was a hot day but the kids enjoyed themselves. The girls got to ride the cars and merry go round while Zach enjoyed his big kid rides. We finished off the day by getting our faces painted by the Zoo Lady and heading over for an exciting (and expensive) camel ride. Dustin took one for the team by going on with her. I love using the "I'm pregnant" excuse to get out of things like this!!

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This has been the summer of baby dolls. The girls can't get enough of their babies and strollers. I had the bright idea to bring the girls out on the trail and let them push their strollers while Zach rode his bike. Needless to say it was before nap time. Kate was a little mom and did wonderful...my munchin on the other hand is definately not ready to be a big sister. She would push the stroller off the side of the trail as she ran to look at something else or tip over the stroller and laugh. We are in for it I think.

Memorial Day Weekend

Dustin had a 3 day weekend this past weekend so we thought we'd make the best of it and enjoy some much needed outdoor family time. We spent the weekend at the park, pool, graduation parties, parades, and just being outside. I think Jules really enjoyed herself. Monday was really rainy so after the parade we all took long much needed naps. It was a great way to start the summer!!

Things are once again going to start to get crazy. I start summer school on Thursday (yuck) and Jules starts swimming lessons next week. That should be interesting to watch. I'll add more pictures later but enjoy these.

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Pool time!

Julia spent the hot Sunday playing in her new pool, water table, and flower power sprinkler. And when I say she played IN the water table, I mean she climbed in it. Julia is going to be a mountain climber I think. She loves to climb on everything regardless of how high it is or what it is. She climbs in and out of her bed, the window, the pool, her picnic bench, and now the water table. She has no fear.

Grandpa Peggy and Tom came over for BBQ and to help Julia break out the pool. I think she thinks its a giant bath tub. Swim lessons start in 2 weeks and I was afraid she wouldn't do well with the cold water. Sadly, I have been mistaken. Dustin filled the entire pool up with cold hose water and while he was getting buckets of warm water to be nice, she jumped right in and lasted about an hour. She is my water baby!

First Zoo Trip of the Summer

This weekend, Dustin and I took Jules to the Miller Park Zoo after having a picnic in the park. It was the perfect afternoon for it! It is amazing how much Julia has changed from interacting with us at the zoo last summer to this summer. Her favorite animals were the sea lions (she threw them kisses) and then chasing the pink flamingo. We plan to visit the Peoria Zoo, St. Louis Zoo, and the Brookfield Zoo as long as it isn't too hot!

After the zoo, we took Julia to Target and let her pick out a new pool. I think it may have been more for me but whatever makes her happy :)