The times they are a changing. . .

James and I started the New Year off with a weekend without the kids. It was quite enjoyable. I remember when we first had Jonah, I had an extremely hard time leaving him for more than 8 hours a day. Although McKenna had not been without me for one night since she was born. It was not hard to go away without them. I was needing a much deserved break after 6 months.

McKenna is now 7mths - going on 8mths soon. During months 4 to 6, we had some hard sleep training to do with her. She would cry herself to sleep at night. Then she would wake up and cry for 30mins to 2hrs in the middle of the night. Oh, it was tough. James and I would just lay in bed wondering if we were doing the right thing. At one point, I thought she had an ear infection b/c there was no way a baby could cry for 2 hours for no reason. I was wrong - no ear infection and yes, babies can cry for no reason. But now we are passed that phase. McKenna goes down for bed with her lovie snuggled by her face and doesn't make a peep. She sleeps until 7am and wakes up happy as a clam!

Speaking of happy - she is a pure delight. Her smile is so wide and heart warming. She finds her big brother the most entertaining person ever. They will giggle together at the dinner table and James & I will giggle at them while we are cleaning all the food that landed on the table and floor. We think she is going to start crawling soon. She's got the baby bounce on her knees going. When she sees something she wants, nothing stops her for getting to it. I'm hoping the crawling doesn't start for another month or so. I don't know that I'm ready for that phase.

Jonah will be starting a 3yr preschool in September. We found a church in our neighbor that has a great facility and program. We have been talking to him about school and when drive by the church he points and says "Mommy, School". We have been trying to teach manners to him - he's a bit of a comander. Tonight before I started to read to him, he said, "Mommy, I need milky". I said, "what do you say". Reponse - "pleeeeassse" in a give-it-to-me-now tone. So I looked at him and he looked at me. Then he started to smile and laugh. He already thinks that his cute looks will help him get what he wants. I realized at that moment, "boy I'm in trouble". I'm know I'll be getting plenty of calls from the school over the next 16 years.