In the past few months, I have noticed that blogging is starting to take the back burner to my everyday priorities.
With kids, work, a husband and a busy life, I hardly find time for it anymore.
Instagram and Facebook are usually how I keep people in the know of what's going on around here.
Updates on the blog are far and few in between but I'm hoping to make more time for it.
For now, here is an update in pictures:
Happy to report that Miss Ava is almost potty trained.
Just in the last few days she has been waking up dry and has been asking to go potty whenever she needs to. Today, we have had no accidents so far.
We need to work on pooping in the potty though. She will tell me she has to go, and then freak out when she sits down. Layton was the same way. It took us awhile with him and I am thinking the same will go for her.
Super excited for her - she just beams with pride every time she goes like a big girl.
She also enjoys cheering for me whenever I go now... ha! She is so supportive.
There has been a lot less sleep being had in the Frakes' house for the last week.
I took the pacifier away from Ava right after Christmas and man, it has been a struggle.
I had been phasing it out for a few weeks and she was doing so well with only having it when she would sleep. She had even gotten used to having her lovey without it. She has always had to have both. So, as soon as that happened, I figured pulling it completely would be easier since she still had her 'baby' to comfort her. We cut it in half and offered it to her. She was pissed.
The first attempt at naptime was awful, bedtime the first night was 10x worse. The next day, she went right to sleep for her nap, but screamed for almost 2 hours at bedtime and then woke up 3 times during the night. Since then, she is refusing naps and sleeping like a newborn again.
I feel like a zombie this morning.
I have read online that sometimes kids will have a sleep regression after taking away the binkie. I think that is pretty spot on. We are there.
I refuse to give it back, so we will just roll with the punches and pray that it's short lived.
Every transition so far with her has been super easy. The toddler bed, potty training, the time out chair. I figured the pacifier would be the doozy, and boy was I right.
We have been enjoying the season so far. Trying to cram in all the fun before Christmas arrives.
Enjoying the Keizer lights, attempting to see Santa at the mall, parties with friends, and shopping 'til we drop.
Almost there. Not sure who is more excited. The kids, or mom.
She is changing so much and I bet you that she says a new word daily.
We are weaning from the binkie now. I refused to go cold turkey with her because she is still so attached to it for comfort. Instead, we are slowly phasing it out. She went from having it all day, everyday to just naptime and bedtime now. She understands that once she is up, it goes back in the basket. She is used to not having it in the car and is now comfortable with having her blankets without it. We are getting there. I think next week we will try to have naptime without it and see how she does. It's a process but she is adjusting so much better than I thought she would.
Potty training is also a process. A slow one. Mostly, that's my fault though. I haven't been feeling the greatest so finding the energy to work with her on it everyday is tough. Everyday, she does use the toilet though. In the morning, before and after naptime. In the evenings, before bathtime and bedtime. She prefers the big potty over hers and goes every single time. She is getting panties in her stocking this year, and then we will get serious. I know she is ready.
She loves to sing lately and her favorite is the happy birthday song. (Don't ask me how that happened. I have no clue.) She will run around the house saying "happy baby" all day long. Ha! She cracks me up.
She loves watching Kaylee train at the gym and beats up on the punching bags every chance she gets.
Dads car is a pretty big deal too. "Vroom vroom" is her only response when she sees it and she loves going for rides. She will scream with excitement when he revs the engine and sometimes even wakes up at night when he pulls in the driveway.
Her manners are starting to really show more and more. She says "pease" whenever she wants or needs something and she says "anke eww" without being asked to afterwards.
No no (sounds like: MO MO) is her favorite word at the moment.
She loves peperoni slices.
She hates wearing her diaper and will take it off if she doesn't have pants on.
She is obsessed with sitting on Bentlee and jumping on his back. (Poor pup.)
She likes to take every snack out of the cabinet just to drive me crazy.
She is silly.
She is stubborn.
She is sweet...
And she is so much fun.
I have been battling some health issues since before summer and I am now starting to share it with extended friends and family.
It's has been a long and drawn out process but I will spare all the boring details.
I have been diagnosed with some sort of auto immune disorder. I have had extensive labs done and at first the results were really confusing. They are leaning towards something called CREST syndrome. (I advise you not to Google. I did and now - I'm scared out of my mind.)
I have been put on a medication that normally takes 6 months to kick in, as well as a steroid to manage my pain. may I just say that HATE having to take daily medications to mask my symptoms. I feel so frustrated and helpless.
I go back in to my specialist in February for a follow up. He will run more labs to see if we can get more solid answers as to what I actually have.
Everyday I wake up in pain, and it stays with me. Sometimes it's bad, sometimes it's worse. Sometimes my spirits are up, sometimes my mood is super negative. It's such a damn roller coaster.
I know that people are concerned but I get so tired of always having to say that I feel horrible when they ask. I really have started feeling like a loser. Someone who constantly complains. I really hate feeling that way. Sometimes I really try to down play my symptoms to others. I really don't want to become that person - the one that gets on everyones nerves. Lately? I feel like I do.
I can hardly believe that it is almost the middle of December already. How did THAT happen?
Our weather has been COLD. We even had a little snow last week. This never happens in Oregon, so it was actually nice to see. The kids loved it. Especially, the staying home from school part. I liked it, because it gave me a great excuse to make hot chocolate all day long.
Our tree is up but the gifts are in my closet or under my bed in need of being wrapped. I'm hoping I can convince Becca to wrap them for me. I dread it. As I do every year.
Ava is fond of the ornaments and really likes to rip them off the branches and run around the house yelling "BALL!"
I am in the mood to do something extra this year for someone in need. Ideas have been heavy on my heart and I really want to include the kids. I think it's so important to help out if we can and I want them to see and feel how great it is to be a part of something like that. Layton suggested buying winter coats for kids that don't have any. So, tomorrow I will call around and see what we can do.
The countdown has begun. 12 days.
I guess I better get my butt in gear and finish our shopping.
