Spanking...

Well sleeping boot camp ended up just like my posting about boot camp. It went no where...it is not a good idea to do these things when you are already worn out. Last night Sage got out of bed five times. I was very CONSISTENT in taking her back to bed. (what do the experts know?) I was also very CONSISTENT in getting no sleep. I do feel like I got somewhere with her. She quit fighting me and actually stayed in bed each time without me in the room.
So when all else fails is spanking bad?
What does it do to kids psychologically?
Does it teach them to hit when dealing with conflict?
Can it just be a consequence, no harm done?
I would love to know what everyone thinks about it. I honestly don't like it, but when my kid prefers the naughty spot I have problems! So I am talking last resort here. Post your thoughts!

Sleeping Boot Camp

Sage has decided that it is much more fun to get out of bed and join us in our bed every night. She just wants mommy to "lay" by her and "stay". This has been going on for almost 2 months now. I have been at my wits end. I have a hard time sleeping as it is so most nights I either let her get in bed with us or I end up in her bed. I decided that it is time to put my foot down. And seeing that I only have 3 weeks before the baby is here I better hurry up and get a handle on things. I started Sunday night.
Night one:
Bedtime at 8:00- she feel asleep with me laying next to her in her bed.
12:00- I hear the sound of little feet running to my room. I take her back to bed. She gets out of bed. I take her back, she gets out again, I take her back, she gets out. This goes on for the next 20 minutes. I am ready to lose my mind, so I put her in bed and go back to my room where Scott is laying there. I say, "I can not do this anymore! It is not working, I don't know what to do!" Sage is coming down the hall at this point. Scott says, "just let her get in our bed tonight." Exhausted, I give up and Sage wins. I sleep with her feet in my back and with baby feet in my ribs the rest of the night.
Night two:
I read online that one option is to lock your kid in their room. Even though I'm not in love with this idea I am willing to try anything at this point. I went to target and bought saftey door knob covers. I tried them out at nap time. She took it right off the knob...several times. Nice. I put a gate up in her doorway to keep her in. She gets her stool out of the bathroom (which also had a knob cover on it) and climbs over the gate. Wow. This is just great! I am super excited for bedtime!
Bedtime 9:00. She falls asleep quickly while I lay by her. I escape without a peep.
1:00- she is heading to our room. I take her right back to her bed. She gets out of bed, and so on and so on. I decided it was time for her to sit in the naughty chair. We did this several times. (this has been going on for an hour) At this point she has started to decide that the naughty spot is much better than being in bed. She actually starts to come out of her room now and go to the naughty spot on her own. Wow, really? I let her sit there just to see how long she will. It was a while.
3:00- I sit on her bed while she falls asleep, I get up she wakes up, I set at the foot of her bed, I get up she wakes up. I sit on the floor by the door, she finally falls asleep and I escape to my bed.
You would think at this point I would sleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Oh no, I lay awake anticipating her waking up. I lay awake getting jabbed in my ribs. I watched the clock every hour. She did however stay in bed until 7:00.
Will tonight go better? Who really nows if we made any progress. I am seriously considering druging my child!

4 weeks and counting!

I'm not usually one to post pictures of myself in this sort of way, but I couldn't resist.

I think there is something truly beautiful about pregnancy, motherhood, and children. I can't believe how big my little girl is and that we are waiting for our newest baby girl to arrive in just 4 weeks. Motherhood is the greatest blessing in my life. It is what makes me smile, laugh, and cry. It is my lunch date, my dancing partner, my playmate, and my best friend. I can not think of anything greater in this world.

We can't wait to meet you sweet baby girl.

This is me posting...

Some of you have asked why I have not posted forever. Well mostly because I have not been taking any pictures and because all have to talk about right now is my expanding belly and potty training. I can feel the sides of my stomach stretching as I type. I am tired, uncomfortable, anxious and just plain sick of potty training!! Who ever says that potty training only takes a good week must have a model child because it has not been so for me! I had in my head that Sage would be good and potty trained by the time our baby arrives but now I am not too sure. Does anyone have a secret that I don't know about! Suggestions welcomed!
I am so excited that we only have about 6 weeks to go until our baby is here! I will be induced on March 22 if she hasn't come by then! I have been getting baby clothes ready, washing baby gear, and preping the nursery! I can't wait to bring another sweet spirit into our home. There is something about a new baby that is so sweet and so heavenly. Sage talks about her all the time. She gives my belly hugs and kisses and is so excited to take the baby with us places this summer. I think that she will be such a good, sweet big sister. It will be fun to see how she reacts when the baby is actually here! The second pregnancy has been so different for me. My body hurts and I have had my fair share of braxton hicks and now I have pains that shoot down my thighs. So fun!!!

Fun at The Little Gym!

Sage and I were lucky enough to enjoy a semester at The Little Gym!!! Today was the last day and Sage received an award and a fun new bouncy ball! She loved going to class each week and became quiet a little gymnast. Her favorite time was exploration, that is where the kids have free time in the gym. This was her favorite time because that is pretty much all she ever did. It was a good day (for me) if she would sit on the mat during circle time! I learned a lot about her and about me during this class. I had to learn to sit back and let her learn her own way, in doing this I saw that she really was learning, even though I didn't like the way she was doing it! Sage is such an independent and free spirited child, I am learning how to teach her and how to enjoy it! Thankfully she is a sweet heart too! How could you ever get mad at this face?

We always have bubble time and the kids love to get bubbles blown on their tummies!

Here is Sage making a slam dunk during ball time!

Sage loves hanging from the rings!

And of course playing on the bar's!

This program really was a blast and I recommend it to all of you mommies out there! We loved it and I thought it was worth every dime!

Christmas Morning!

Sage asked for a blue bouncy ball for Christmas, and she must have been on the nice list this year because Santa delivered. It was her favorite present!

Thanks Grandma Jean and Pappa Voy for the fun Play dooh set!

Sage got a Doll house for Christmas too!!

Thanks to everyone for a wonderful Christmas! I hope you all had as much fun as we did!

Let's talk about Christmas!

Me and Scott on Christmas Eve!

The Grandkids (Trevor, Sage, Hannah, and Chloe) in their new PJ's! We missed you Lily and Gabrielle!

Making a candy cane reindeer with the kidd0's!


Cookie decorating!

Sage and Daddy working on the cookies!

Christmas was so much fun this year. I loved experiencing Christmas with Sage! Singing reindeer songs, talking about Santa, seeing Santa, calling Santa, Christmas decorating, writing to Santa, baking, playing with the nativity, talking about baby Jesus, and so much more. I love this time of year!