Big Boy Room

Will's room got an upgrade to a "Big Boy Room" complete with his very own "Big Boy Bed!"  He was so excited during the remodel, and even more excited when it came time to get ready for bed.  We think Will really enjoys being able to get out of bed so he can turn on his music and grab a book to bring to bed.

Fun Fall Weekend

Friday
CH Home Football game - Will was SO excited to be able to see both the band AND the cheerleaders again!  We sat near the band (Will's favorite seats!) and he even took pictures of them performing on the fields.  Kyle, the Band Director, must know that Will is a groupie; he invited him to play the drums!  Will did a great job copying Kyle on the drums, and this time the band members were cheering HIM on!  :-)

Saturday 
Church Yard Sale
Lunch for Mom and Tab
Yard Sale and park for Mark and Will
Naps for the entire family.  Long ones.  Awesome ones.
Party food theme for college football on all day!  (Even though it was a tough day on our teams!)

Today 
Really moving session of "Just Coffee" - I led the discussion, and I'm glad I got to work through the material twice.  Good stuff - may we be covered in the dust of our rabbi, Christ.  I am so thankful for this group of faith and fellowship.

Fall Block Party at church - The Fords joined us, and Will and Beatrix had a great time.  Bouncy houses, swings, facepainting, and food - no wonder why these faces scream JOY!  The pictures below were taken by Nick Ford.  He takes amazing pictures (and shares them with us).  I love to see how he captures our kiddos and their personalities!

Breakfast with Santa

We had a yummy breakfast with Santa Claus Saturday morning at Highland UMC in Colonial Heights.

Will did pretty well on Santa's lap this year.  When Mark handed him to Santa, Will started out with a pouty face, and we feared the screaming might ensue.  He was very good, though, and didn't cry at all.  :-)

Coloring designs on the child-friendly tablecloth between Santa and breakfast

Breakfast (consisting of pancakes and sausage) was yummy!

 "Look guys, it's SANTA!!"

Santa gathered all the children around to hear the Christmas story of Christ's birth

All the excitement wore him out, however:

Fifteen Month Stats

Will had his 15month check-up yesterday.  Including the flu shot, he had four immunizations.  He ended up with an early-ish bedtime because of all the excitement (only going on an hour's nap during the day).


Here's his stats:
Height = 31.5 inches (50th percentile)
Weight = 24 pounds, 2 ounces (60th percentile)

Great Weekend!

We had a great weekend to commemorate the first (well-deserved!!) weekend after school is in session.

On Friday, Will offered to cook one of his favorites (mac and cheese or a grilled cheese sandwich) for dinner.  Mama and Dada decided they'd rather have something other than the Chef's specialties, so we went to Don Pepe (the former Don Jose in Chester). 
 
All weekend, Will had great naps (with no bottles beforehand, by the way).  This was such a treat for us - we got some work done and got a little rest ourselves!  After his morning nap on Saturday, Will had a huge lunch.  Lately he must be going through a growth spurt; he is eating EVERYTHING!  Of course, only what he wants that particular day.  :-)

Saturday was a feast of mac and cheese (with some sweet potato puree mixed in for a veggie).  This mac and cheese must have been particularly delicious, as you will see below...  The sauce was everywhere!  :-)

Sauce on the forehead, in the hair, ears, eyes, etc.  :-)

Classic.

This is definitely one to save for his girlfriend.

After we cleaned up from lunch, we went to the park and played.

I loved going down the slide (with Daddy's help) over and over and over.

Saturday night we enjoyed watching the Tennessee football game.  I supported the Vols with my Smokey from Mamaw and Papaw.  Each time I heard "Rocky Top," I grooved and giggled.  I heard Tennessee lost against Oregon, evidently because I went to sleep.

On another note, Dada was really happy because JMU upset Virginia Tech.  Pawpaw: not so excited. 

Today we had a church picnic, and I enjoyed some yummy food outside.  Gram and Pawpaw were there, and the music was awesome!  As always, I danced and clapped to support the singers!

Twelve Month Stats

Will had his 12 month check-up today.  He had three immunizations and one finger prick for a hemoglobin check.  With an appointment right around naptime, waiting in the exam room, and needles, he worked himself up for a good nap on the way home!


Here's his stats:
Height = 29 inches (50th percentile)
Weight = 22 pounds (50th percentile)
Head circumference = 48 cm (75th percentile)

Volumptuous Hair

Ever awoken from sleep to find crazy hair on your head??  I have, but I have never seen quite what Will stirred up during his two-hour nap yesterday afternoon:

 
From the looks of it, he must have been practically been doing headstands in his crib!  :-) 

He was definitely in a good mood after his nap and with his new hairstyle; he was quite happy and stayed still during his diaper change... not like our normal Mr. Wiggleworm at all!

The Nap King

Just to clarify... the Nap King is not Will.  He is getting much better with his naps, so he may earn the title very soon.  Mark is the Nap King.

Let me explain.  For the past week since school ended, we have initiated Operation: Naptime.  This means that Will would nap in his crib.  This is a huge change, though, because he is used to being held during his naps.  As he has gotten older and less willing to fall asleep on his own, naptimes have become more challenging.  We knew it was best for him (and for us, to reclaim a tiny slice of our lives!) for him to nap in his crib.

Armed with a little Ferber Method knowledge and a sleepy baby, we began the journey.

Here's the stats:

• Monday through Wednesday of last week (Mark working) = not so hot.  Will might have tiny naps, but he DID NOT like the idea of going into his crib (whether awake or asleep when put in).  Only once did I give in from all the crying and he napped (for about two hours) on our bed.  Since I got a much-needed nap, that lessened my guilt.
• Thursday and Friday (Mark home) = each day had a 2 to 2.5 hour nap (with a bit of crying), but Will finally gave in to the Nap King.
• Saturday (Mark away at Nathan's) = two 30 minute naps (some crying involved) via me and Gram
• Sunday = catnap in the car, THREE HOUR NAP in the afternoon.  Mark put him down and went through a thirty minute crying session of quick check-ins, laying him back down, and rubbing his belly.  He finally fell asleep (Mark said he was not feeling like the Nap King this day), and awoke happy and refreshed three hours later.
• Today = Will fell asleep in his activity jumper.  Mark picked him up, took him upstairs, and laid him down.  Mark said he opened his eyes and seemed to want to stand up, but Mark quietly left the room.  There was no sound.  No crying.  At all.  And going on 2.5 hours later, he is still napping at this very moment.

Whether rough or easy, Will has been napping in his crib, and that was a major goal.  He is coming along, and I see light at the end of the tunnel.

I love the Nap King.