Monday, July 28, 2008
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Cincinnati Trip
We are home from our trip to Cincinnati, it was a great time with our family!! Mom and Dad came with us and Troy, Sarah, Trevor and Emma met us at Kings Island for the day. I'll have to say I was a little concerned the first day as Aiden wouldn't last in the car for more than one hour at a time. Then once there he tried to dive off the bed (caught by me just in time, but only to scrap his nose on the side of the Pack-N-Play), and then refused to go to sleep...he screamed forever. But once he did finally go to bed he woke up the next morning and was wonderful the rest of the trip.
Thursday we went to Kings Island...we were there for twelve and a half hours. I never dreamed we would be there that long, I thought maybe we would go to the hotel in the afternoon for naps and go back in the evening...but the kids were Awesome so we just kept going!! Alyssa loved loved loved it! She went on all the rides her height would allow, she is 40 inches tall so that was most of them in the kids area. Even the Fairly Odd Parents Coaster which to me looked a bit "big" for her. But Oh No, she went on it twice, once with Todd then with me. She learned a bit of patience as we waited in line for the rides. Luckily we never waited too long as it wasn't very crowded...and the weather was perfect! Todd, Troy and Dad even got to sneak off and ride some coasters. Although WE ALL thought Dad riding "The Beast" was a bad idea so soon after his surgery...but yes, we do know it was absolutely killing you to sit in that park and not ride anything. Luckily he stopped at that and Todd and Troy went off for some more (and Dad is fine after that ride). As for me, I don't know if becoming a Mom makes me more cautious or what, but I no longer will ride roller coasters. I was content riding with Alyssa or sitting with Aiden. Aiden loved to look at all that was going on and just took his usual naps in the stroller. At 10:00 as we left the park, he watched all the different lights and "glow stuff" they were selling. What a Great Day!!
Friday we went to the Cincinnati Zoo. It was fun, but more hot and humid than the day before so the kids didn't seem to last as long (and there were still probably tired from the day before). That Zoo is the most spread out and hilly thing I have ever visited. Throw a double stroller with 50 pounds of children in there and it was quite the workout. Oh well, I think we saw everything except the elephants (After the trek down & back up for the rhinos we didn't want to walk anymore), and the penguins (these we just completely missed).
We spent the last day and a half shopping, eating and visiting Grandma Phillips' grave site. Alyssa said her favorite part was riding the rides at the park. I asked her which one she liked best and she said "The up and down, AGHHH!" (pretend scream there at the end). Not sure which one that was exactly? I personally enjoyed watching her on the Swiper one where it whipped her around the corners...I finally found a place where her ear piercing scream was useful.
Some things I learned on our little trip...
Thursday we went to Kings Island...we were there for twelve and a half hours. I never dreamed we would be there that long, I thought maybe we would go to the hotel in the afternoon for naps and go back in the evening...but the kids were Awesome so we just kept going!! Alyssa loved loved loved it! She went on all the rides her height would allow, she is 40 inches tall so that was most of them in the kids area. Even the Fairly Odd Parents Coaster which to me looked a bit "big" for her. But Oh No, she went on it twice, once with Todd then with me. She learned a bit of patience as we waited in line for the rides. Luckily we never waited too long as it wasn't very crowded...and the weather was perfect! Todd, Troy and Dad even got to sneak off and ride some coasters. Although WE ALL thought Dad riding "The Beast" was a bad idea so soon after his surgery...but yes, we do know it was absolutely killing you to sit in that park and not ride anything. Luckily he stopped at that and Todd and Troy went off for some more (and Dad is fine after that ride). As for me, I don't know if becoming a Mom makes me more cautious or what, but I no longer will ride roller coasters. I was content riding with Alyssa or sitting with Aiden. Aiden loved to look at all that was going on and just took his usual naps in the stroller. At 10:00 as we left the park, he watched all the different lights and "glow stuff" they were selling. What a Great Day!!
Friday we went to the Cincinnati Zoo. It was fun, but more hot and humid than the day before so the kids didn't seem to last as long (and there were still probably tired from the day before). That Zoo is the most spread out and hilly thing I have ever visited. Throw a double stroller with 50 pounds of children in there and it was quite the workout. Oh well, I think we saw everything except the elephants (After the trek down & back up for the rhinos we didn't want to walk anymore), and the penguins (these we just completely missed).
We spent the last day and a half shopping, eating and visiting Grandma Phillips' grave site. Alyssa said her favorite part was riding the rides at the park. I asked her which one she liked best and she said "The up and down, AGHHH!" (pretend scream there at the end). Not sure which one that was exactly? I personally enjoyed watching her on the Swiper one where it whipped her around the corners...I finally found a place where her ear piercing scream was useful.
Some things I learned on our little trip...
- An exhausted Mom of a preschooler and a baby can stay awake most of the night because she can't sleep at hotels.
- You can spend the same amount of money at a Theme park for two meals that you would on an entire week of groceries.
- That you can sneak food into the park because they don't check your diaper bag (Wish I would have know that one an hour earlier).
- No matter what time the Raines children go to bed, they will wake up around 6:30 AM.
- If Maw Maw is in the adjoining Hotel room, Mommy cannot brush Alyssa's hair.
- If Maw Maw is in the adjoining Hotel room and Alyssa is sooo hungry, she can get snacks (even though she wasn't hungry for lunch or supper).
- Alyssa eats fruit loops one color at a time...yep, she just picks all the same color out of the milk at a time and eats them. (We are pretty much plain cheerios or raisin bran at our house and will continue to be!!). This one is thanks to the continental breakfast...which seemed to take hours each morning.
- You can't relax and watch TV after the kids do go to bed because they are in the same room as you and you don't want to wake them.
Don't worry, I will be posting pictures very soon!!
~~Tracy~~
Monday, July 21, 2008
Our Weekend
Todd is on vacation this week...Yippee!! Saturday morning my Mom called to see if we wanted them to watch the kids so we could go out. Let me just say how much I LOVE MY MOM!!! We hadn't planned to go out (big surprise, I know) and Mom knows that we don't unless Todd has some time off - which is near to never. So she took it upon herself to "set up" our date night. So we went out to dinner and did some shopping...it was a great time away. Thank You Mom and Dad for watching the two monkeys.
Sunday morning when we dropped Alyssa off at her Sunday School class she started to cry. She hasn't cried when we drop her off since she was in the nursery. So we gave her a hug, kiss and "I love you" and let them take her from us crying (much harder now). Then we dropped Aiden off in the nursery and headed to service. Needless to say Todd was excited to have a good nights sleep before church so he could fully enjoy the worship service. About 30 minutes into service, we were tracked down to get Alyssa as she had been crying and unable to calm down. So there goes Todd, since I had to be the one available in case we got paged for Aiden to nurse.
We are not sure what the problem was with her and still are not sure. The only different thing this week was the terrible attempt at Princess Camp. Oh well, all I know is that we are already prepping her for next Sunday on how she will need to go into class with her friends without crying and stay. Maybe it was just a bad Sunday for our kids as I picked Aiden up from a stroller for the first time. He has always been my laid back boy up for anything, but apparently when he got up from his nap he had issues and had to be walked.
The good thing is we get to start fresh everyday...and today has been a much better day so far. Hope it stays that way for the remainder of the week as we plan to go away for a few days!!
Have a Great rest of the week!
~~Tracy~~
Sunday morning when we dropped Alyssa off at her Sunday School class she started to cry. She hasn't cried when we drop her off since she was in the nursery. So we gave her a hug, kiss and "I love you" and let them take her from us crying (much harder now). Then we dropped Aiden off in the nursery and headed to service. Needless to say Todd was excited to have a good nights sleep before church so he could fully enjoy the worship service. About 30 minutes into service, we were tracked down to get Alyssa as she had been crying and unable to calm down. So there goes Todd, since I had to be the one available in case we got paged for Aiden to nurse.
We are not sure what the problem was with her and still are not sure. The only different thing this week was the terrible attempt at Princess Camp. Oh well, all I know is that we are already prepping her for next Sunday on how she will need to go into class with her friends without crying and stay. Maybe it was just a bad Sunday for our kids as I picked Aiden up from a stroller for the first time. He has always been my laid back boy up for anything, but apparently when he got up from his nap he had issues and had to be walked.
The good thing is we get to start fresh everyday...and today has been a much better day so far. Hope it stays that way for the remainder of the week as we plan to go away for a few days!!
Have a Great rest of the week!
~~Tracy~~
Thursday, July 17, 2008
No Nap, EH?
In an effort to reclaim my nighttime sleep, I have cut out Alyssa's afternoon nap. She, on the other hand, is trying hard to reclaim it. I tried to put her in her room to play quietly, but just found her asleep. Then I started keeping her downstairs to play in the other room (so I could still have a moments peace in the afternoon). Let's just say it's not working. Yesterday she took her blanket into her cottage and said "Mommy, I need to take a rest. Please cover me up, shut the door and just leave it shut." The above picture shows what I captured moment later. So I guess there is no happy medium. If she does skip her nap she will sleep from 8:30 to ~6:15 (Very manageable at this point, except for some slight crabbiness around dinnertime). If she does take a nap (even if I wake her after 45-60 minutes) she will not go to bed until after 9:15 and wakes between 5:45 &6:00. That's not so manageable :-( 
On another note, I signed Alyssa up for a 2-day Princess Camp that was supposed to be today and tomorrow. (The above picture is Princess Alyssa turning Aiden into her prince-that dear boy always cooperates). She was soo excited talking about it last night. And this morning she kept saying "You and Aiden drop me off at Princess Camp and pick me up later." So we get there and she starts crying when I go to leave...all the other moms are out the door by now. So I stand back (with Aiden) and wait for them to get started, and even slipped around the corner. She helped the teacher hand out musical instruments and sang a song. Once the song was over I heard immediately. "I need my Mommy, I want to go with her." So we left...When we got in the car and started driving, she said "Thank You Mommy, I can't be a princess, I am happier now." So no Princess Camp this year...and no "easy-one-kid" trip to drop off the Trailblazer for an oil change and walk over to the mall for the morning. Oh well, on one hand it makes me still feel really wanted and needed in her independent life!!
Guess we will continue with our everyday Princess Camp at home...I love you, Princess Alyssa and Prince Aiden!!Monday, July 14, 2008
Alyssa says (Part Two)...
So the last few posts on Alyssa haven't been very cheery...I thought I would share some of the funny statements that have come out of her mouth recently:
"Just don't poop in the tub, OK Little Man?" (said to Aiden as she is sitting in the same bathtub as him)
"Mommy, there is the chocolate pond." (Driving over a very dirty looking river)
"Do you see the goose-es...geese-es...uhh they are ducks, baby ducks"
"AWW Man!!" (the new phrase that has replaced "Geez Louise")
"Keep going Mommy, you are doing a good job!!" (encouragement while exercising). And if I take a break: "Come on Mommy, lets go go go."
"Good Morning Star shine, the Earth says Hello." (And about 15 other quotes her and Daddy walk around saying from Willy Wonka)
And for those that wonder, I have completely cut out her afternoon nap. She is now going to bed without moving from the pillow once, that's because she is literally asleep before I get down the hall. And we/I mean she is waking up between 6:15 and 6:30. So now when she gets up we go downstairs to exercise together...we are both happier!!
Well, I am off to get some of that precious sleep...
"Just don't poop in the tub, OK Little Man?" (said to Aiden as she is sitting in the same bathtub as him)
"Mommy, there is the chocolate pond." (Driving over a very dirty looking river)
"Do you see the goose-es...geese-es...uhh they are ducks, baby ducks"
"AWW Man!!" (the new phrase that has replaced "Geez Louise")
"Keep going Mommy, you are doing a good job!!" (encouragement while exercising). And if I take a break: "Come on Mommy, lets go go go."
"Good Morning Star shine, the Earth says Hello." (And about 15 other quotes her and Daddy walk around saying from Willy Wonka)
And for those that wonder, I have completely cut out her afternoon nap. She is now going to bed without moving from the pillow once, that's because she is literally asleep before I get down the hall. And we/I mean she is waking up between 6:15 and 6:30. So now when she gets up we go downstairs to exercise together...we are both happier!!
Well, I am off to get some of that precious sleep...
Friday, July 11, 2008
My Dear Alyssa
In continuation with my darling Alyssa's sleep schedule, let me share with you our Wednesday morning experience. I will not get into details, but it started at 5 Am and didn't end until 6:15. She was an out of control disobedient child that tried to scream (at the top of her lungs), cry, fight, etc...to get into my bed to sleep. I stuck to her and finally regained control of my strong-willed child after an hour and fifteen minutes. Let me just say that if Todd had a job where he could just leave, he would have been called home to help deal with this situation (I am going to say it was indeed the worst display I have ever seen in her 3.25 years of life).
So once she went back to sleep I went back to my room to cry and pray that I handled the situation as God would have wanted me too. And prayed for the strength and guidance to continue to handle my daily life with my three year old.
So once refreshed in prayer, I went about my day. That afternoon we were going to a friends house. Since Alyssa lost all TV privileges (among other things) for 2 days, she was forced into conversation with me on the way there...which I might add we are going to lose the DVD player in the SUV much more often...but that's a whole other story.
So from the backseat I hear (or thought I heard):
Alyssa: "My boink my butt"
I was confused because we always say bottom, no particular reason, I just don't care for the word butt.
Me: "You boink your butt?"
A: "No Mommy, my bottoms name is butt"
Me: "Where did you hear that your bottoms name is butt?"
A: "That's it's name Mommy, my bottom's name is butt"
Hmmmmm...Still trying to figure out where she got it. It is an incredibly true statement after all. But most importantly it mad me laugh for the first time that day!!
And for those wondering, I am reading "The Strong-Willed Child" right now, but does anyone know if Dr. Dobson wrote one called "The early waking Strong-Willed Child"?
Hope everyone has a Great Weekend...I have a MOPS Retreat all day tomorrow and it will be my first day away from Aiden, Ever. Please pray for me and my Mom who is watching Aiden (who will not drink from a bottle-he will hopefully only miss one nursing) and Alyssa!!!
Tracy
So once she went back to sleep I went back to my room to cry and pray that I handled the situation as God would have wanted me too. And prayed for the strength and guidance to continue to handle my daily life with my three year old.
So once refreshed in prayer, I went about my day. That afternoon we were going to a friends house. Since Alyssa lost all TV privileges (among other things) for 2 days, she was forced into conversation with me on the way there...which I might add we are going to lose the DVD player in the SUV much more often...but that's a whole other story.
So from the backseat I hear (or thought I heard):
Alyssa: "My boink my butt"
I was confused because we always say bottom, no particular reason, I just don't care for the word butt.
Me: "You boink your butt?"
A: "No Mommy, my bottoms name is butt"
Me: "Where did you hear that your bottoms name is butt?"
A: "That's it's name Mommy, my bottom's name is butt"
Hmmmmm...Still trying to figure out where she got it. It is an incredibly true statement after all. But most importantly it mad me laugh for the first time that day!!
And for those wondering, I am reading "The Strong-Willed Child" right now, but does anyone know if Dr. Dobson wrote one called "The early waking Strong-Willed Child"?
Hope everyone has a Great Weekend...I have a MOPS Retreat all day tomorrow and it will be my first day away from Aiden, Ever. Please pray for me and my Mom who is watching Aiden (who will not drink from a bottle-he will hopefully only miss one nursing) and Alyssa!!!
Tracy
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Our Fourth of July
We went to Mom and Dad's for the Fourth of July. Mom had a ton of activities to keep the kids from becoming bored. I know they all had a lot of fun. I put together a slide show of everything we did (except I missed the parade...yes, Mom had the kids decorate their bikes and the golf cart and drive around the neighborhood. I must have been inside with Aiden). Alyssa exhausted herself by early evening and was found sleeping on the couch with Daddy. But only long enough to get up and enjoy fireworks. Aiden was wonderful taking his normal nap in the pack-n-play and even going to bed at his usual time there to allow us to "stay out late". We had a great time with all our family and friends!!
Tracy
Monday, July 7, 2008
Happy 35th Birthday!!!!
Here's the proof that even though my wonderful husband is now 35...he is still a big kid on the inside:
No seriously, we just want to wish you the Best Birthday yet. You are truly an amazing husband and the BEST DAD EVER!!! 
We worked very hard to make you the best cake,
or maybe Alyssa just worked so she could lick the batter.Have a great day...We all love you with all our hearts,
Mommy, Squeaks and Little Man
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
God made the stars...
Alyssa has been having some trouble staying asleep and in bed throughout the night lately. The past week (or longer, it's all a blur) she has been found standing at her gate calling for me to "tuck her in" again or wanting me to lay with her, or wanting to come lay in my bed (HA!). I am talking about all hours of the night here...12:00 am, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00 etc...sometimes all these hours in one night. If she is not standing at her gate beckoning me I hear her in her room talking. I go in to find her looking out her window saying "WOW, look at all the beautiful stars God made" or "It's really dark, I only see one star" or "There's the moon, see it? Mommy come here and look."
I tried to reason with the child that although God has made everything and even though it is amazing, we do not star gaze at 3 in the morning. Usually this turns into some sort of whining and crying fit until I can snap her back into the reality that nighttime is for sleeping.
So I tried to cut out her nap (in hopes to make her so exhausted she can do nothing but sleep all night). Yesterday I had her go to her room for quiet time (for her and me) during her usual nap time and she said she just wanted to lay in bed and read...she was asleep 5 minutes later. Today we had friends over and they ran around outside and she is now resting on the couch. Eyes open still, I told her she can't sleep even though she looks as if she could conk out at any moment. So I feel this approach may be a bit of torture since I know she still needs some sort of a nap.
Last night before bed we read our stories and then she sat on the edge of the bed, I asked her what she was doing and she said, "I need to wait until it gets dark so I can see the beautiful stars that God made." As we all know it doesn't get dark until close to 10:00 these days, so that is obviously not an option.
I am writing this to maybe take away some of the pure exhaustion I am feeling lately. And of course opening this up to any other advice on how to get her back to sleeping through the night. Did I mention she is also waking up between 5:30 and 6:00 for the day everyday?!
I tried to reason with the child that although God has made everything and even though it is amazing, we do not star gaze at 3 in the morning. Usually this turns into some sort of whining and crying fit until I can snap her back into the reality that nighttime is for sleeping.
So I tried to cut out her nap (in hopes to make her so exhausted she can do nothing but sleep all night). Yesterday I had her go to her room for quiet time (for her and me) during her usual nap time and she said she just wanted to lay in bed and read...she was asleep 5 minutes later. Today we had friends over and they ran around outside and she is now resting on the couch. Eyes open still, I told her she can't sleep even though she looks as if she could conk out at any moment. So I feel this approach may be a bit of torture since I know she still needs some sort of a nap.
Last night before bed we read our stories and then she sat on the edge of the bed, I asked her what she was doing and she said, "I need to wait until it gets dark so I can see the beautiful stars that God made." As we all know it doesn't get dark until close to 10:00 these days, so that is obviously not an option.
I am writing this to maybe take away some of the pure exhaustion I am feeling lately. And of course opening this up to any other advice on how to get her back to sleeping through the night. Did I mention she is also waking up between 5:30 and 6:00 for the day everyday?!
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