Our New Version of the Elf on Shelf

The Elf on the Shelf seems to be all the rage during the Christmas season.

We gave it a shot last year. It sounded like so much fun to have the boys wake up each morning to discover what that mischievous elf had been up to. And they loved finding him amidst their toys, buckled in a carseat, ziplining to the Christmas tree, or drawing funny faces on our family picture.

But the elf's helper (a.k.a. me) despised that elf after about night three. I typically remembered the elf late at night on my way to bed, or after I was already in bed, exhausted, and had forgotten to move the darn thing. It added an extra element of stress to an already overloaded month of Christmas festivities. (I could relate to this article.)

I also discovered that I don't like lying to my kids about a silly elf who gets into trouble to teach them to behave. What? That doesn't even make sense. I don't really like using any briberies to "teach them to behave." Honestly, I feel awkward even hamming up the whole Santa Claus thing.

So, I thought that elf might just pack up and move back to the North Pole forever.

But right about the time Thanksgiving ended this year, the boys asked when "Jules" the elf was going to make her appearance.

I felt bad getting rid of the magic altogether, so I decided to simplify big time. Instead of coming up with elaborate elf locations each night, complete with an advent calendar full of disposable trinkets and treats, I wrapped up all of our Christmas books. Our elf dropped off the stack of books at the beginning of the month and hasn't moved since the delivery.

The boys get to unwrap one book to read each night. Blake chooses on the odd nights and Nash takes the even nights. We snuggle up together in our pajamas by the tree and read the Christmas stories cover to cover.

I love this new tradition. I've heard of several other people who do similar things and I don't know why I didn't initiate reading by the light of the tree sooner. Especially since I have a well-stocked library when it comes to children's Christmas books. 

The boys' attention is completely captivated as we read and I love taking a few minutes each evening to slow down and soak up the season that is otherwise nonstop and hectic. Even baby Crew enjoys reading time because he crawls around and obtains the pieces of wrapping that are strewn across the floor.

I really couldn't love this new tradition more.

Next year, I'm hoping to keep the book idea and phase out the elf altogether.

Thirty Years of Troy

In addition to Troy's 30th birthday surprise trip to San Francisco to watch the Red Sox game, I had one more present for him to open on our sunrise flight.

I made him a hardbound book full of pictures from his life and messages from people he loves. It was a lot of work to gather all the messages, sort through thousands of pictures, and compile each page, but it was so worth it. Even if I had to stay up till 2am the whole first week we were in Michigan to finish it on time for printing.

I went deep into his life and had his close friends, co-workers, extended family members, and even childhood friends write messages. He couldn't believe the range of people I contacted.

My favorite part of the messages flooding in to my inbox was the realization that Troy is so loved. Of course I love him and think he's great in a biased wife sort of way, but having this book full of evidence that he has touched countless lives makes me so happy. 

Without revealing the gushy parts of messages (Troy would not appreciate that), here are a few of my favorite excerpts from friends and family:

• What is the size limitation? Because 5 years of 11+ hour days is a lot of material. Besides our weddings, I think we have experienced all major adult life events on these desks.

• I often joke with one of our cousins about how he taught me to be nerdy. You taught me how to be cool!

• I look up to your incredible determination and conviction in life. It is amazing what you can accomplish when you set your mind to doing something.

• One of my favorite memories of you was actually when you were hundreds of miles away and I was putting in a "good word" for you with Lindsey.

• I enjoy our movie nights together, watching fights, discussing world economic conditions, dinner dates with our wives, and, of course, trying to invent the next big money maker with you. Someday we will do it.

• Who else in our family can find excitement or entertainment in a progressing beat, a sweet treble line, and an epic drop? These are what are most important in life and no one seems to get it but us!

• We always have so much fun getting together with you guys. I always know that there will be lot of laughs and it will just be a fun, relaxing good time.

• So, let me get this right. You are now 30 with 3 kids and a house, a respectable professional, and a high priest. You might as well retire since not much more will change during the rest of your life.

• I'm looking forward to more fight nights, movie nights, cabin lounging, lunching and all-night partying that lasts until at least 10pm, even if it is a work night.

• I will forever and always cherish the friendship I have with you and Lindsey and can't wait to keep sharing in the joys and tears of raising our crazy three boys together. 

• In general, our favorite thing about you is your quick wit and sarcastic sense of humor. In recent years, as we have gotten older, we have come to appreciate your enthusiasm for business. We can't so much as eat at a fast food restaurant without an animated discussion on the franchise.

• I love how your mind works and how you are a random wealth of information.

• Still don't have the million dollar idea for us. Hopefully I'll have it for your 40th.

• I remember vividly the day, I think you were five, that you were not pleased about being tucked in for a much needed nap. As I was leaning over to give you a kiss I was astonished when you announced, "I don't want to be a man!" Well, you are a man and how things have changed! Now you LIKE naps and look forward to the opportunity to have one, though they surely don't come often enough.

• In your life you have danced in knee socks and knickers, put chopsticks up your nose in Taiwan, got paid for seeing a moose, and spoke to the congregation with an apostle (Elder Uchtdorf) on the stand. You've eaten several Parker Maple Barn specials, been to Girls' Camp, sung with the "boat people" en route to the Bahamas, had all-you-can-eat ice cream at Harvard, danced at a gubernatorial ball, cut a CD with a solo in Spanish and lived to see the Red Sox break "The Curse." All of this and a myriad of other activities and you're only 30! What's left? 

• You have lots of cousins—79 of them with all but two on the Tanner side. One of the unique things about you is that you relate extremely well with everyone of every age and walk of life including all these cousins and of course your many uncles and aunts. It could be said of you; “nobody doesn’t like Troy Tanner!” You have an uncanny ability to connect with others. Many have commented on how genuine you are, both funny and fun to talk to, and a good friend.

• Did we mention that the best gift you have given us is three perfect grandsons?

The book reconfirmed to me how lucky I was to snag him up. I am honored to be the one who gets to call him "mine." Even if he's my old man now.

One of our friends said it best when describing his advancement in age:

"Living life on the divide between naive youth and responsibility-ridden middle agedness is a fine balance between rocking the world twenties style and attending to mounting pressures and responsibilities of mid-life. I wish you all the success you can find at the former without forsaking the latter."

At Sea

Sailing days were among my favorites. We liked to get up and go to the gym, lay by the pool and read, eat way too much food, tune in to the European Cup games (in German) and get more sleep than we ever would at home. We had a few formal nights to top off the relaxing sea days.

I have no idea why I was doing this.

Whatever was going on was apparently very funny.

One mistake I made was to tell Blake via Skype that our ship had a water slide. He burst into tears and asked when we were getting him a ticket. I felt horrible for that oversight.

There's nothing like a little sunset bocce ball.

That's right, you show him.

I love everything about this shot. The symmetry, the framing, the ball in mid-air. Just sayin'.

It was amazing visiting so many countries, but topping the list for me was having the opportunity to power through four parenting books that I have been wanting to read for ages. I rarely take time out to read at home, and being able to devote my undivided attention to my kindle and notebook was invaluable.

I desperately needed refreshers on the correct ways to talk to children, respect them, problem-solve and teach them values. I learned it all in college, but that was before I was on the front line day and night. Now, when I'm worn out and frustrated by the constant barrage of the needs of two small children, the right words don't always flow.

A little escape from reality was just what I needed to set new goals, get back on track, and feel empowered with the review of skills that I learned long ago. It helped that I was missing the boys like crazy and was so eager to get back to them and "practice."

In case you're interested, I read: How to Talk So Kids Will Listen & Listen So Kids Will Talk (by far my favorite), The Entitlement Trap (also good), 1-2-3 Magic (so-so; the whole book could have been condensed down to one chapter), and Love and Logic Magic for Early Childhood (I know a lot of people swear by this method, but I found it to be poorly written and contradictory to a lot of things I've been taught).

Sailing days are the best.

Book Club and The Happiness Project

According to a recent study, “Joining a meaningful group that meets just once a month produces the same happiness gain as doubling your income” (New York Times, David Brooks, March 29, 2010).

That is exactly how I feel about book club.

Some of my friends started a book club last fall, and I look forward to it each month.

It is part girls' night out. It is part support group as we learn from and encourage each other and sometimes commiserate together. It is part escape from reality. And sometimes we sneak in an actual discussion about the book.

Our first book club went till three in the morning. We spent NINE hours sitting around my friend's kitchen table, laughing so hard that we were crying and diving into deep conversation. None of us realized how long we had been there until around 1am when we all started getting text messages from our husbands asking if we were okay.

Even though it's hard to recover the next day from these late nights, I wouldn't trade them for anything.

I love the women with whom I get to share these evenings.

And surprisingly, I've become more of a reader as well.

I'm not the type that will soak in the tub at night and read. Or sit down and read during the day. No. I'm the type that will wait until the last three days and cram in the book every second I get...at the dentist, while I'm making dinner, while I'm waiting to pick Blake up from school, etc. But, since I have a deadline, I get the books read and I love it.

Usually when I read a book, it's from the parenting or self-help genre. But I have to admit that I've really liked a few of the novels on our list. I never would have read them if it wasn't for book club. I love to be taken into different worlds as I read. Books take me to "places" I've never been and make me think about things outside my little realm of changing diapers and dusting blinds and hugging my boys to smithereens. Which is all good, but I want so much to be open to the bigger world.

Last month, it was my turn to host. We read The Happiness Project.

I both really liked and really disliked this book.

Here was my problem:

While the author was out strolling in NYC all day having her happiness epiphanies, who was tending to her toddler? Who was cleaning her triplex on the Upper East Side? While she spent her waking hours doing research at the library, intermixed with yoga, weightlifting, and cocktail parties galore, who took care of the morning rush and sick kids and grocery shopping?

The point of the book was to give light on how to improve happiness, and I was left with a daunting feeling of how in the world she did it all - the charts, reading, writing, exercising, volunteering, socializing, parenting, collecting, and glue-gunning. I relaxed when I learned later that she had a sitter and a housecleaner. And a cook. And a millionaire husband.

I found myself rolling my eyes on more than one occasion at some of her "epiphanies." In one chapter, she wracked her brain to think of how she might store all her children's cards, photos, and other paper goods. What to do? Stacks weren't working! Surely there must be some way of filing paper goods away in some sort of storage device...and then it hit her: file boxes! Are you kidding me? How does someone get that far in life without having ever heard of organizing papers into files?

There were other such oddities that made me wonder if this woman and I were living on the same planet, such as when she decided that collecting something might make her happy but couldn't think of anything to collect. Is it me? Does everyone else begin collections by consciously deciding that they need one, then having to try and think something up to collect? I just thought that sort of thing tended to happen more organically. And I'm so anti-clutter that I couldn't relate to her collecting epiphany at all.

Even though I found this book to be a whiny memoir from a self-absorbed New Yorker, there were some real gems wrapped up in the boring descriptions of the author's life and projects. I dog-eared half of the book, so obviously there were many quotes that stood out to me.

This book has made me think, am I happy? Am I as happy as I ought to be? Should happiness be a pursuit or a goal? Or is it silly and selfish to devote much time to thinking about my own happiness?

I don’t have a lot of chances to think a whole lot about whether or not I am happy. I remember contemplating happiness back when I was single and had plenty of quiet moments. But since having a family, I've been so busy doing everything that comes along with dealing with a household and the needs of small children that I never get around to thinking about happiness much.

I experience lovely fleeting moments of happiness every day. When I hear a funny comment from one of my boys, when my husband and I share an inside joke, when I see my child accomplish something he is proud of, when I snuggle with my little ones as we read together. I feel a satisfaction kind of happiness whenever I accomplish something or complete a task. So I'm experiencing happy moments a lot and I'm so grateful for each of them.

But do I feel happy all the time?

I often feel worried and stressed and overwhelmed. And I think this is partially because I think about what I need to DO much more than I think about who I need to BE. I think about accomplishments far more than optimism and gratitude.

As the author put it, "I am happy - but I’m not as happy as I ought to be. I have such a good life, I want to appreciate it more - and live up to it better…I complain too much, I get annoyed more than I should, I should be more grateful.”

I especially liked her chapters focusing on relationships. I am always resolving to improve my relationships with those I love most, and little reminders to give proofs of love, nag less, refrain from using the words "no" and "stop" with my children, articulate the other's point of view, and go on frequent dates always make me feel warm and fuzzy.

In the end, what I took from this book is that happiness takes energy and discipline. Some people are unhappy because they won’t take the trouble to be happy. We are in charge of our own happiness and finding systems that work to improve our actions and relationships.

And I can't argue that eating better, exercising more, being more grateful, organized, and friendly, and becoming a better wife and mother are worthy resolutions to pursue.

The "dessert" of any book to me, whether it is well-liked or not, is getting to discuss it with my book club...women who I love and who are always game to discuss it's intricacies in minute details until late into the night.

Even the author said, "Studies show that if you have five or more friends to discuss an important matter, you’re far more likely to describe yourself as “very happy.”

I agree wholeheartedly.

Book club greatly improves my happiness.

Snapshot in Words 2011

Our photos are full of celebrations, vacations, and family adventures. But the memories I find myself already sifting through the past to find are the ones that I didn't think to photograph. I don't ever want to forget the unique texture and tones that make up our family's life from one hour, day, or season to the next.

When our children all grow up and move away I want to remember how our family runs right now, what we do from day-to-day, what we like, and what we don't. What makes us tick. Sure, I write about thoughts and events here, but the day-to-day stuff, not so much.

So, last year, I started a new tradition of writing up a little "snapshot" of life in our family. A synopsis of life as we knew it. After going back through those snippets of information, I couldn't believe how many details have changed in one short year. (Last year's is here.)

Here's my 2011 snapshot of life as it is right now in our family:

Blake always wants to know what the plan for the day is. The first thing he asks me each morning is, "What are we going to do today?" On days when I haven't quite thought through our agenda in advance, he pesters me until I can come up with an concrete hour-by-hour plan. If the plan doesn't include some sort of outing away from home, Blake is utterly disappointed.

We have officially become a two-pizza family. Making homemade pizza is basically a weekly occurrence at our house, and one just isn't enough anymore. I'm already catching a glimpse of what it will be like to feed future teenage boys.

Preschool is in full swing for Blake. We have found our rhythm and it's working for us. He tells me every detail about school on the way home and I love it. I can't believe how much his handwriting has already improved in the first month of school.

I am shocked at how much I can get accomplished during the three hours Blake is at preschool. I love having Nash all to myself, even if he is being dragged from one errand to the next. One morning last week, we ran nine errands in total.

We finally jumped on the bandwagon and signed up for texting plans. I wasn't a fan of the impersonal communication at first, but I have to admit, we are full-fledged texters now. Sometimes it is just easier.

Blake's all-time favorite activity is to pile up all the couch cushions or bed pillows and turn them into some sort of pretend locomotive. He invites Troy and me to ride on his bus/car/train/airplane, buckles us in, and serves us snacks while we await our destination.

Troy is studying for the GMAT. Every time I catch him going over calculus formulas I am so grateful that it isn't me who is doing the studying. It is just not the season in my life right now for intense grammar and mathematics.

Nash is a serious screamer. The blood curdling variety. All day long. Sometimes we think that our ear drums are going to burst.

Blake loves to play on the computer. He can successfully turn it on, type in the password, open the internet, and navigate to Disney Jr. I think children these days are just born with innate technology chips in their brains.

One of my favorite things about Nashy is the sound he makes for a cat. He shakes his head back and forth and moans "meow" as if he is in agony. Sometimes I show him pictures of cats just so I can chuckle about his adorable expression.

Speaking of cats, we have a stray one that likes to hang out in our backyard. Troy and I used to plot ways to get rid of it, until some neighbors told us that he was probably a good mouser, and that's why we've never had a mouse in our house. I now have much more loving thoughts towards that ugly cat.

Blake and Nash's bath time always includes imaginary stories about two heros, Eblakeity and Enashity. They, along with their dog, Scraggamuffin, and their parrot, Rosy, save the day time and time again. The storyteller (me) is frequently challenged to come up with creative plots and opportunities for rescuing people in distress.

I started cutting the boys' hair myself. Sometimes it doesn't turn out quite even, but thankfully, it grows back out. It bothers me when hair starts to grow over their ears, so instead of taking both of them to a salon every 6 weeks, I now take matters into my own hands.

Troy is traveling less this year and we are thankful for that.

Blake has become fluent in a new language. It's called "Whinese."

We do our best to make it to church on time. Troy always has meetings before church, so I am usually frantically scurrying to get myself ready and the boys bathed and dressed in ironed shirts and ties. I set a goal every week to leave our house by 20 minutes to the hour (our church is less than a mile away), but without fail, we never seem to get out the door before 5 minutes to the hour. There is always a shoe that is too tight or a bathroom emergency or hold up on packing the right snacks.

We have a "warm fuzzy jar" that sits on our kitchen counter. Blake adds a fuzzy pom-pom ball to the jar whenever I catch him sharing, saying something kind, demonstrating independence, following directions, etc. He sure loves to please me, and I love to pick out his positive actions. About every three weeks, he fills up the jar with warm fuzzies and earns his idea of the ultimate reward; a redbox rental and candy from the gas station.

Nash has invented his own unique sign language. He uses signs frequently, just not the standard ones that we taught him. We have to go through a little sign language decoding session whenever we have sitter.

Blake rarely wears pants or underwear for the hours we are at home. It helps tremendously to allow him to be successful at potty training (and keeps me from ripping my hair out). But whenever the doorbell rings, I make a mad dash up the stairs for his underwear drawer, because no one really wants to see that.

I'm convinced that Nash is going to be potty trained before Blake. He is already showing interest. Sometimes I think I'd rather wait until he is six though.

Our house has become a major money pit. Just when I think one more thing couldn't possibly break down, it does. This year alone, we have had three flooding issues in our basement. A burst pipe, a sewage back-up, and a leaking dishwasher. Then there's the furnace that has broken down 4 separate times and the A/C compressor that had to be replaced. We have spent many nights either without heat or without air conditioning. We have been forced to replace the garbage disposal, garage door motor and belt, and dishwasher. And like every other summer, we have had sprinkler system repairs to deal with. That doesn't even include the myriad of issues our vehicles have visited the mechanic for. So, when the transmission went out on our lawn mower last week, it didn't even phase us.

Hide-and-seek is Blake's favorite game. Without fail, he copies every place that I previously hid in when it is his turn to hide. Then, he announces where he is hiding while I am searching, despite my efforts to teach him about the suspense element.

Some of my friends started a book club and I have cultivated a new found love for novels. The majority of the books sitting on my nightstand in the past were parenting books or how-to books. I have really enjoyed expanding my horizons. And I feel so refreshed after a night out socializing with book club friends.

Sometimes I cheat and read the last few pages of a book so that I don't have to completely put my life on hold to find out what happens (I did this for the third Hunger Games book). Troy can't believe that I skip ahead; he thinks that completely ruins the book. I've just never really been one for surprises. When I know what is going to happen in the end, I can finish the book at my own pace without staying up into all hours of the night because the suspense is killing me.

Troy gets really animated during college football games. It always makes me smile when I find that he has set six football games to record each Saturday. He gets through them quickly by fast forwarding through all of the commercials and time-outs.

Blake's naps have become few and far between. He naps maybe once or twice a week now, and I have a feeling that his last nap is not too far off into the future.

Speaking of "lasts," if you want to read a heartwrenching children's book about savoring the often-fleeting "lasts" (because parents so often focus on the milestones that make up childrens' "firsts"), check out Let Me Hold You Longer. I just cannot get through that book without tears welling up. The poignancy touches me deeply.

Blake and Nash are going to welcome their first cousin in March! We are thrilled for Troy's sister Tricia and her husband Jacob to enter into the world of parenting.

Life is good.

Book Love

We love books.

Blake has taken a special interest in reading books over the last few months. He will sit on my lap for up to an hour with his attention completely focused on story after story. I look forward to our special daily reading time while Nash is napping. It has become one of my favorite parts of the day.

We have frequented the library to keep our stack of books fresh. I have found that we have greater success when I put books on hold in advance. It is difficult to thumb through books when Nash immediately darts for the movie section and pulls dvds off the shelves, and Blake inevitably goes for the "catalog only" computer. 

Our library happens to be located across the street from our neighborhood, which makes it convenient to keep our supply of books rotating. Sometimes we even walk there when it's nice out (that hasn't happened for a while).

Some of our favorite recent finds are Snowmen all Year by Caralyn Buehner, Ten on the Sled by Kim Norman, The Scrubbly Bubbly Car Wash by Irene O'Garden, Baby Shoes by Dashka Slater, The Thingamabob by Il Sung Na, and Jibberwillies at Night by Rachel Vail. We've also been on a Laura Numeroff kick. We have renewed the books 10-Step Guide to Living With Your Monster, If you Give a Pig a Pancake, and What Mommies Do Best over and over.

We have also gone to weekly storytime at the library ever since Blake could barely walk. I love that program. We did more songs and finger plays when he was a toddler, but now we enjoy going to the preschool storytime. The teacher always makes it so fun and interactive and Blake often comes home singing the songs we learn. He shies away from participation while we are there, but once we are home, he recites every word. I feel lucky to have such a great resource in our neck of the wood.

'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year. Our long running tradition in my family is to read "'Twas the Night Before Thanksgiving," on Thanksgiving Eve, followed by our annual (edited) feature presentation of "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles". Then we top off the night with a round of harmonized gobbles. Oh how I love traditions.

I think we have the book just about memorized by now, but even so, we take turns passing it around and reading the story page by page.

Troy was really enthused about the tradition, as one might gather from his concentration on a Forbes magazine. Those raised eyebrows weren't out of sarcasm at all in response to our giddiness...

Blake figured out how to use my remote camera clicker, so we humored ourselves while the guys rolled their eyes. Oh and I promise that Blake has pants, it's just so much easier without them while he is perfecting his potty training skills.

It is so much fun (and helpful) to have family gathered for the holidays.

Zzzzzzzz

Hallelujah, Nash is officially sleeping through the night! The first few nights when a baby sleeps for such an extended period of time is exciting but also nerve wracking. I don't benefit from uninterrupted sleep because I wake up every hour wondering why he hasn't woken up to eat and if he is still breathing. It has been a long road to get to the point of lengthened night time sleep. I think the most burning question on every mom's mind when she has a newborn is when she is going to resume normal sleeping patterns. It was the most pressing issue to me with both of my babies because I do not function well on minimal sleep. In fact, in lieu of reading novels, I have become well-read in infant sleeping literature. I have become familiar with many theories and read books cover to cover including Good Night, Sleep Tight, Baby Wise, The Happiest Baby on the Block, and Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child. I have implemented ideas from all of these books, customizing what is best for Nashy.

We now have a good little routine down that contributed to Nash's sleeping through the night without many tears, but it took a lot of consistency. I say "we," but Troy actually skipped out on the hardships of sleep training this time around because he was in New York. I think that sleep is the greatest gift you can give your child and I firmly believe that I have happy and calm children because of the stickler I am at following a routine. Maybe I shouldn't take all the credit though, because I caught Nash doing this several times over the last few days:

What a glorious day it is when they find their thumbs and can soothe themselves to sleep! I also think that Nash might be left handed because Blake sucks his right thumb and is right handed, and Nash sucks his left thumb. He has a left-handed grandparent on both sides, so we will see. Regardless, I am a fan of thumb sucking, and I am definitely a fan of the nine hours of sleep that Nash is now giving me each night!

Gearing Up

We have finally been getting ready for the baby around here. I decided to put off anything baby-related until after Christmas. I figured that would leave me plenty of time to prepare for our new arrival, but other tasks have seemed to take precedence since the holidays. First it was unpacking, making room for presents, and taking down Christmas decorations. The next week was consumed with yoga class preparations. Then I got sick. All of a sudden I realized that it was almost February and I still hadn't done a thing! It is not like me to be so underprepared, especially when it comes to something as important as bringing home a new family member. So, with a huge sigh of relief, I have finally taken some time to gear up for our new arrival. I still have a few weeks until my due date, but I'm at the point where every day is possibility for delivery. I doubt that I'll have the baby early, considering that I went over my due date with Blake, but I wanted to be at least somewhat prepared in the off chance that we are surprised!

It has been really fun to pull out and wash Blake's baby clothes and equipment. It is really convenient to have a same gender baby born in the same season for clothing purposes. However, I started to feel bad that the baby is getting all of Blake's hand-me downs, so I bought him his own sleeper that he could wear home from the hospital. Not that the baby will care, but since he is going to be receiving things second-hand his whole life, I thought it would be nice to have one special outfit that was purchased just for him. I just can't believe how small the baby is going to be compared to Blake!

Blake helped me locate the baby equipment in the basement. In fact, he thought he hit the jackpot of new toys to play with.

How do you explain to a 2-year-old that the fun swing is for the baby?

We've really been trying to prepare Blake for our new arrival and for the transition that will take place in our home. I'm not sure how much he comprehends, but he loves to read the books we checked out from the library on becoming a big brother.

The books teach him how to be gentle with the baby and emphasize how special he is even though there will be a new sibling around getting lots of attention.

Blake also LOVES his doll baby.

The doll baby does everything that Blake does and goes everywhere he goes. He joins Blake at meal time, bath time, bed time, play time, reading time, and diapering time. Blake takes such good care of his baby, making sure he is properly fed, clothed, entertained, and well-rested. I'm hoping that he'll be this occupied with his doll baby when I am busy tending to the real baby.

Such a sweet (hopefully) big brother he will be!

As I approach the end of this pregnancy, here are some things I'm going to miss:

• Nudges and kicks felt from the baby within
• Giving my undivided attention to Blake
• Parking in the expectant mother's spot at the store
• Pulling the "I'm pregnant" card whenever I am forgetful, emotional, clumsy, or need a back massage
• Sleeping 9-10 straight hours every night
• The easiness and convenience of being a one-child family
• The productive "me" time I receive every afternoon while Blake naps
• My full head of hair before those postnatal hair-loss hormones kick in
• The freedom that comes with not feeding every two hours around the clock (although I'm looking forward to that as well!)

Things I'm looking forward to:

• Cuddling a sweet newborn
• Seeing what this baby looks like
• Watching Blake with his little brother
• Getting to use the adorable baby clothes I stored away in boxes again
• Heartburn-be-gone
• Seeing the number on the scale go down instead of up
• Packing away my maternity clothes (I despise maternity clothes)
• Sleeping on my stomach again
• Becoming a family of four!