Operation PACI

So, at Sophie’s last doctor’s appointment – a 3-year-check-up – (which was a couple weeks before Christmas) the Doc told us it was time to ditch the paci.
We were in total agreement, “we” being Asher and myself, but had already discussed it and had planned on letting Santa “take the paci’s and give them to kids who don’t have any” and Sophie seemed on-board with this.
We mulled it over with the Doc, he agreed, “set a date and stick to it…”

So, Christmas Eve, Soph went to sleep with her yellow Paci. Christmas night…she did not.
It has been 16 nights since and Sophie has successfully gone to sleep by 8 every night……………………………….without. a. paci.

To have had a pacifier every single day for 3 years and then just drop that shit cold-turkey…..that’s AMAZEBALLS.
For real. Even I’d be pissed. I think we’ve heard her mention it a total of 4 times since….but it was just a mention….not a beg nor a plea or a cry…

I’d say that’s pretty freaking awesome.

Also.

Potty-training.

Same goes. Sophie has successfully worn panties for the past 17 days, all day with only 2 accidents.
She’s had 3 overnight pull-up changes…but, that’s still pretty good odds. She does great at night if we curtail the drinking after 6 and if she’ pee’s one last time before going to sleep.

Hey. I’m tooting the horn, okay? This is good stuff. This is the stuff of which dreams are made.

She’s got the potty licked.

To say I’m proud is an understatement.
Not just proud of her but proud of Asher and myself, as parents.
When you meet a milestone or jump over the many hurdles of the first few years…it’s just a great feeling, such a relief.
Just one less thing to have to stress about (and when I say stress….that’s mainly me, I’m a worrier, okay?”)

BAZINGA.

It's not so much having to go to work that makes Mondays suck, it's not being able to spend the day with the kid. She IS what makes a good day.

Disgruntled.

Some (most) people are incapable of forming an original thought. Happy New Year, conformists. Let the 'keeping up with the Joneses' begin.

tomorrow is the last day of the year...

Haven’t blogged in a bit, er….well, I’ve “blogged” but I haven’t actually taken the time to type anything note-worthy and post it. I figured I could at least do that one last time before 2011 is over. I have to say, 2011 has been a pretty dern good year. While mediocre, and for the most part, uneventful…that’s how I like it. All the entertainment mags and sites are doing it so I think I will as well. Let’s talk about what I think were some of the most important things to have happened in my life this year. First off, hey…I’m happy to be here. Can’t take for granted the life we are living, we’re blessed to have that. I’m absolutely and exponentially proud of my kiddo. She has grown and changed leaps and bounds over the course of the past year. She is just so smart and hilarious; she amazes me every single day. I feel so lucky that Asher and I were chosen to be her parents, it’s a perfect fit. We do make a great team. “This is a job for all the carebears.” – Sophie

Earlier this year marked a milestone for me, I had successfully (and surprisingly) breastfed my boo for over 2 years. Goal was 1 year, surpassed it and couldn’t be more proud of myself. What a great ability we are given as women to provide that kind of nourishment and care for our kids. What an experience.

While I can’t think of specifics, the best parts of this year have been the parts that include Asher and Sophie, they are my everything. And our families and their support. Nothing is more important than family. Love. Health.

(and great friends  P. Lizzle and Ahndrea, of course)

At the Willis household we have just had our first “real”Christmas. It was a HUGE deal this year. Sophie finally “got it” this year. Santa was a very real thing and boy he did not disappoint. The two prases “Sophie, you’ve got to do ____ or Santa isn’t going to bring you anything for Christmas” and “Sophie, Santa doesn’t bring you treats if you’re not a good girl” are a mother’s best friend. I’m going to wear them out until she realizes I’m full of sh*t…which will probably be a month from now. Can’t get anything past that girl.

And, let’s not forget….as of 6 days ago….SIX DAYS….we are (cold-turkey) PACI-FREE and (for the most part) POTTY-TRAINED! Thank you, thank you, thank you. And thank you Santa for taking Sophie’s paci’s to kids who need them….and thank you stomach bug for indirectly aiding in the potty-training process. Couldn’t have done it without you.

Did I mention my kid is THREE? Whaaaaaaaaaaat?

I would like to document some of the things that Sophie is in to, or doing, OR saying right now…because mom brain doesn’t end when you actually push the kid out…it only gets worse.

Here goes:
-at any given moment she can go into “dog mode” or “cat mode” or “[insert character of the day] mode” and she’s pretty damn good at staying in character. future actress? probably.
-she can basically quote the entire ‘Ice Age’ movie
-she LOVES any & all things ‘Winnie the Pooh’
-she hates wearing her hair up, “I’m a girl…” she says
-if it’s not orange-flavored…she doesn’t want to drink it. unless, of course, it’s hot chocolate
-she is super into the ‘Care Bears’ right now – she is Tenderheart, I’m (usually) Cheer Bear, Asher is Grumpy Bear
-she likes playing drawing games or “Regular Show” games on the internet
-the only thing she actually LOVES to eat is chicken & rice
-she only wants to sleep with her Dada in our bed…she is her father’s daughter
-did I mention she’s PACI-FREE?
-she loves her “kids” Gray, Ella and Conner and “Brother Noah”

I’m sure there are TONS more things but, that’s just a short list. She’s such a sweet kid and she is seriously the best thing to have ever happened to me. She is what I am most thankful for in this crazy world…she makes everything better, puts things into perspective, she is our priority. Blah, blah, blah and more gushy mushy mommy stuff. I dig it.

Happy New Year, folks.
Catch ya on the flipside.

peerrrrrrrrrrnnisssssss
bonjour le peeeeen

adventure time

"i'm finn"