Kiersten’s Blog

Since we have spent the week getting ready for London’s party (and the week before getting ready for her birthday), Ashton has been dragged all over the city with me, looking for things we needed.  He has been such a good sport about it, even after the A/C went out in our car (and, for the record, has not been fixed yet).  The other day we got home and all he wanted to do was ride his bike.  So I let him.  Then, of course, there was no getting that bike helmet off of him so he walked to and from school to pick London up with that silly helmet on his head.  What a funny guy!

Sometimes I feel bad that Ashton is the second child and that London has a box full of dress-up clothes.  That means we have a box full of princess and ballerina clothes.  (He even made me paint his fingernails today because London was doing it.)

I think it’s time to start expanding.  I’m now accepting donations in the form of superhero costumes and other boy attire.  Ashton will thank you later, I’m sure.

On another Ashton note, he peed in the potty today!  After the horrible time we had potty training London, I was completely shocked.  I have vowed to Taylor never to potty train again, but just yesterday I was contemplating a blog post on what to do when your two-year-old’s rear is too big for the biggest size of diapers.  Depends?  Anyway, tonight I took his diaper off to put his night-time diaper on and his diaper was dry.  He asked to sit on the “bear chair” and he sat down and peed!  I was so shocked and excited!  A few minutes later he sat down and tried to pee more.  Then he told me about a million times that he’ll put more pee in the potty tomorrow.  Fine with me.  But if it doesn’t happen, I’m not going to stress about it because, if you remember what I just said, I’m never potty training again.

A couple of weeks ago, one of the nursery kids’ dads took some photos of kids in the nursery.  His wife sent one of the pictures to me and I love it so much I have to share it.  What a cute little man.  Don’t you just want to pinch those cheeks?

In case you have been losing sleep wondering if we’re still losing sleep over here, just know that we are.  Our sleeping issues have not been resolved.  Sure, things seem to be getting better.  Or maybe we’re just so used to sleep deprivation that we don’t know what’s normal anymore.  A week or so ago, I turned Ashton’s bed over, which makes it into a loft bed.  I put London on the top and Ashton’s crib mattress underneath.  They were both really excited about it, but when it was time to get in and go to bed, that was a different story.  They both went to sleep okay, but London woke up in the middle of the night, wanting to go back to her bed.  And, of course, Ashton kept his regular nightly ritual of joining us in bed.  Since then, the loft has gone unused.  Here’s how things work around here during sleep time.  We put the kids to bed (which is much easier when both of us are participating).  One of us sits in Ashton’s room (across the room from him) while the other one of us runs in and out of London’s room every five minutes to rub her back or turn her music on or get a stuffed animal or whatever else it may be.  When Ashton finally falls asleep (which can take a while), we sneak into bed ourselves.  About a half hour after we’re asleep, he usually comes in and climbs into bed.  If my back is turned towards him, he goes to Taylor’s side.  If not, he climbs in with me.  When I’m awake enough to realize what is happening, I take him back to bed and leave him.  This process happens multiple times in the night.  We may be making progress, but I’m not sure.  If we are, it’s definitely slow.  Or maybe I’m just too tired to notice or care much.

This is how he's sleeping right now. At least it looks semi-comfortable.

Two kids.  Sleeping.  In the same room.  Success.

P.S.  This is post #500! (And that’s only since I moved the blog so it’s probably closer to 600.)

Today Ashton opened up the shower and wondered aloud why there was not a ball inside.   Last week I stepped into the shower and wondered why there was a ball inside.

Ashton turned two last month. About a week ago, I took him in for his two year check-up. Since I know you all want to know this, I’ll tell you his stats. He’s 36 inches tall. That’s right folks, he’s tall enough for the Matterhorn! 36 inches happens to be the 80th percentile for a two-year-old. That means he’s slowing down in height, but he’s still tall. He weighs 34 pounds. If you’re keeping track, you’ll remember that London weighed 34 pounds back in October when I took her in and I can’t imagine she’s put on much weight since then. So, 3 1/2 years apart, and they weigh the same. And in case you’re wondering, he’s still in the 95th percentile for weight. That’s right. I have a big boy. Oh, and his 20-inch head circumference is in the 90th percentile.

Now, about my big little boy:

He has the cutest, most squeezable, kissable cheeks you have ever seen. And he loves having them squeezed and kissed. Just ask him. He’ll be your best friend.

Ashton loves Gwyn because she pinches his cheeks

He’s a little chatter box. In the last month or so, he has become much easier to understand, which makes life a lot less frustrating for the both of us.

He loves cars and trains. Don’t all two-year-old boys? His favorite car is London’s pink Barbie car. I’m pretty sure he plays with it more than she does.

He would eat only fruit if I let him, but he’s becoming much more picky about other things. I can’t just feed him anything now.

He has learned to say, “no” and says it often. It’s annoying (but cute) now, but hopefully when he’s an adult, he’ll remember how to use the word.

I'm thinking it's time to lose the pacifier

He loves to watch movies, including Elmo, Cars, Toy Story, Monsters Inc., and anything Mickey Mouse.

He loves to be outside.

Although he can count to ten, he knows he’s two years old and thinks everybody else is too.

Did I mention he can count to ten all by himself?

He loves to dance and just plain act silly. He’s a little clown, always trying to make us laugh.

That’s it! He’s a fun little guy and we love having him around!

I made bread today.  Whenever I do anything in the kitchen, Ashton pulls up a chair to “help.”  I turned around for a minute and when I turned back, this is what I found.

It’s a good thing the stove wasn’t on!

Today when we went to church, I forgot the fun bag.  We load up a bag with a few toys and London’s scriptures to keep the kids occupied during sacrament meeting.  We ran out the door in a rush (not a surprise) this morning and forgot the bag.  I was a little worried when we walked in.  Things don’t seem to go well in sacrament meeting for us on a regular basis.  I could only imagine what it would be like without usual distractions.  I did, however, have the snacks and Ashton’s water and his bear and pacifier in my purse.  I, of course, also had a menagerie of other toys hidden deep in the bottom of my purse.  These proved to be a hit and the kids were quiet and good the whole meeting!  I need to forget the toys more often!  Maybe we’re making progress.  Speaking of progress, Ashton is asleep on the floor in his room.  At least it’s not in my doorway.

New really cool bed: $50
Winnie The Pooh bedding: hand-me-down
Buzz Lightyear night light: $7
A full night sleep without interruption: priceless