Toby's Visit

Not too long ago Toby's family was away for the weekend. Toby wasn't invited on the outing, so he came to stay with us. He is a sweet little dog and Jonah LOVES him. He will laughingly say "tobe" when Toby comes into the room. 

So, of course, I had to snap some photos!!

"mush, Toby, mush"

Hmmm...which one is the dog here?

"please, mommmy, can he come in?"

Dr. Pepper, Baby!

We have stumbled upon a really fun opportunity in the Atkins' house!

I have entered Jonah into a Dr. Pepper Photo Contest via this little blog called i hate green beans. The author, Lincee Ray is so funny. I love the way she writes. 

Now, here's my confession: I discovered Lincee and her fabulous writing through watching the Bachelor/Bachelorette on ABC. I first watched the show with a bunch of friends the year after I graduated college. I don't remember who any of the people were on the show that year, but I sure do remember the friends I watched with! We had some fun times all crammed into a tiny apartment around a tiny tv!!

In more recent years I started watching again, with a different set of friends. We have an equally good time watching and talking about all the drama. Sometimes I find myself saying a little prayer for these people who are on national television. Not because I'm concerned for the outcome of the show, but because it makes me so sad that people have such a hole in them that they try to fill it  with (what I perceive as) fake love.

Anyway, it was this more recent viewing that led me to Lincee Ray. She has several facets to her blog. One of them is dedicated to recapping the show. Another of them is Dr. Pepper. She has worked out a deal with some wonderful people at the Dr. Pepper offices. They make a calendar and she features entries for the "Men of Dr. Pepper." Each month they choose a  new photo and the winner gets a YEAR's SUPPLY OF DR. PEPPER!!

So, I will notify you when voting happens...I will need some support.

And if we win we will have a Dr. Pepper party at our house!!

Whaddayathink? Is this the face of a winner?

GOOD night?

Remember my last post about the Big Boy Bed. Well, we are still getting into the groove, but I think *fingers crossed* we are on the wining side of the battle.

Last night was a marathon night in terms of getting the boy in bed. 

He got up several times. (not to mention an alarm that went off in his room mixed in there...I guess he pushed some buttons earlier in the day) Then, I just HAD to get some things done...namely sheets put on my own bed, so I shut Jonah's bedroom door.  I was nervous to do it, but I just couldn't have him coming out. I prayed he would stay safe and I went for it. When I finally got my task accomplished, I went to his room so I could put him back in bed...yet again.

But to my surprise HE WAS IN HIS BED (still crying, of course).

 *lightbulb* 

Left to his own accord, he climbed BACK in bed! Yay!! (I immediately commended him)

small victory is still victory.

now, this is where my story takes a funny turn. :) 

at 4:30 am I was awakened. not by screaming. not by crying. by little footsteps pattering into my room. (we have a split floorplan, mind you...that little tike toddled across a big dark house to find me)

I said it was the funny part...well, it wasn't exactly funny when he had to go BACK to bed (again)

and you can just repeat the above scenario cause it happened again 30 min. later.

So, of course, I was prepared for a third visit. I listened intently to hear movement on our baby monitor. Nothing. Silence. 

small victory is still victory, right?!

Ok, so THIS is what I discovered when I got up to make my coffee in the morning:

notice the pacifier that he isn't using...THAT is deep sleep!

That sweet thing slept in the living room. I have no idea how long he was in there. I never heard a thing!

Tonight I started by closing the door (after our normal night-night routine, of course). And you know what? He is sleeping peacefully on his pillow as I type this! Love that little stinker!

Thank You, Jesus for small victories!

Big(er) Boy Bed

We have reached a new milestone in the Atkins' house. A few weeks ago we were visiting Jonathan's parents and while there Jonah learned (taught himself out of pure frustration) to climb out of the crib. 

Uh-Oh. What now?

Well, my parents had given us these head & foot boards for a twin size bed.

And Jonathan is pretty handy.

So, we he made it into something that would fit a "toddler" (aka: crib) mattress. 

he cut in the width and added shelves

  

  

Then, we decided to paint it. Before paint, you need primer. And if you are using primer, you need a helper (can you see where this is going?).

primed bed (above) and primed happy boy (below)

And, well, we didn't want it white. Can you see the hint of color on the above picture? No? Well, don't worry...you can see the full thing now!

it's what I like to call "seuss" blue

(we aren't done with the step...we just ran out of paint)

The idea is that we take away the steps when it's time to STAY in the bed. Then, we put them back when it's ok to get in and out. 

And just in case you were wondering...Jonah liked it. (well, at least until the lights went out)

He loved the bed. He loved helping us set it up. He loved deconstructing the crib. Then, we turned out the lights for bed time. EEEEEEK. It was awful. He cried, screamed, got OUT of bed which resulted in some punishment. rinse. repeat. and repeat again.

We are on day three. It may be a tiny bit easier. I'm just gonna keep reminding myself that he won't be screaming at bedtime forever. He won't be screaming at bedtime forever, right?

A New Friend

Jonah has a new buddy! Mac moved here (with his parents) in May. His daddy is a new member of the staff at our church and his mama is just plain cool! We like Mac and his family. 

Mac also has a brand new baby brother at home (born on my birthday, no less).

So, we had him over to play one day to give his mama a chance to catch up on some rest.

These two played really well together. They are both sweet boys. The only upset was the one time that Jonah thought Mac needed a lift (he tried to carry him across the room). Both boys ended up on the floor and were crying.

They also played with this boy:

 (who later told me that it was the best day ever because he's always wanted two brothers!!)

Five for Friday

I wanted to make a list today. I don't feel like making a long list. So, here are five things I am thankful for today.

(in no particular order)

*my fabulous childhood

(the more life I live, the more thankful I become for the life I live)

that's me on the left...Emily on the right.

*air conditioning

can I get an "amen!"?

*this cute (sometimes mischievous) baby boy

*good health

and 

*good food!

Do You Need Your Dryer Cleaned?

Do you need your dryer cleaned? I didn't think I did, but Jonah sure did it for me anyway!

He was so cute. Then, he was very obedient to put the scrubber BACK IN THE SINK WHERE IT BELONGS. (I don't know how he managed to pull it off of the countertop in the first place)