Big Boy Bed

The binky is a thing of the past and hasn't been mentioned again since that first day so we're on to our next big step with our little man.  We made the leap last night and transferred Alex into his big boy bed.  We wanted him to get used to it before the baby comes and we're using his crib for Baby M so it was time. 

 

Daddy set up the baseball-themed bed while Alex was taking his bath.  The look on Alex's face when he saw his big boy bed in his room was absolute pure joy, although maybe for the wrong reason.  He took off running and immediately started to jump and flip around.  I think Alex thought we got him a trampoline for his room.  I thought it was going to be a LONG night ahead of us.  

 

BUT...Once Alex settled down and we reinforced to him that his bed was for sleeping and not jumping, Alex did GREAT!  We read books to Alex in his new bed and tried to follow the same rituals as when he went down in his crib.  When it was time to say goodnight, Alex turned himself perpendicular on the bed so that his head would rest right on the mattress and butt up against the mesh guard rail just like he slept in his crib.  I'm sure he'll eventually get used to the pillows and blankets but for now, this is what works for him.  He didn't wake up once for us and, in the morning, he sat up in his bed and called for us to come get him.  I hope night #2 goes as smooth for us.  Way to go, Alex!  You're such a big boy in your new bed!!

Bye, bye to the crib!

 

Lovin' his new "trampoline."

Storytime with Daddy

I went to check on Alex before I went to bed last night and I found him sprawled out.  Way to use the whole mattress, buddy!  Like father, like son:)

Grandma's 90th Birthday!

My Grandma turned 90 years old on Friday and we celebrated the huge milestone by throwing her a "surprise" birthday party on Saturday.  She knew that the immediate family was celebrating with her but had no idea that all of her extended family, close friends and neighbors would be celebrating too.  Guests came from all over and as far as North Carolina to spend the day with my Grandma.  The day was absolutely perfect and something that my Grandma will cherish forever!  Cheers to you, Grandma!!  You look beautiful and you've got more spunk than most I know that are half your age!!

Delighted to see the first guests arrive.

The surprise guests keep coming...

Happy 90th Birthday!

All the excitement tuckered out Miss Anna!

The cousins had a blast on Grandpa and Grandma's swing set.  They were perfect little angels all day even though they skipped their normal naps. 

We love you, Grandma!

GG and all five great-grandchildren!

Festival Fun

Our church festival at Holy Apostles was going on this weekend so we stopped in for some great food and fun rides.  Alex is a little bigger now so he can actually enjoy some of the smaller rides this year.  He particularly enjoyed the horsies that went up and down and the inflatable ball pit was a huge hit for both Alex and Tyler.  It finally felt like summer and Alex loved every bit of it!

Giddie up, horsie!

Daddy even took Alex down the big slide.  I'm not sure who was more scared at first, Alex or Daddy!  Despite the look of horror on Alex's face, he actually loved the slide and wanted to go down it again and again!

These two boys had a "ball" in the ball pit.  We might have to get one of these for our backyard:)

Look how high I can jump, Mommy!

We ended our weekend at Grandpa and Grandma Michna's house for a cookout to welcome back Annie from the Appalachian Service Project that she volunteered for in Kentucky.  What a fun night complete with trains, bubbles and a trip to the park for Alex!  Welcome back, Annie!  We missed you:)

Alex and his Auntie that he missed so much!

Markie set up his train tracks for Alex which kept him entertained all night!

Having fun at the park!

Alex Meets the Dentist

Alex had his first encounter with the dentist today.  It was mainly informational for us but the dentist did take a look inside Alex's mouth.  His teeth look good and all we're waiting for are his back molars to come in yet.  We were reminded to brush Alex's teeth at least twice a day which is sometimes hard to do.  Alex usually likes to do it himself which obviously doesn't get the job done.  Alex tested out the big boy chair as the dental assistant moved it up and down for him . He opted to sit on Daddy's lap for the exam though.  All the ladies in the office seemed to love the visit from Alex as they all stopped working to smile at our little man who had the run of the place.  He took home several goodies too - stickers, rubber balls, floss, toothpaste and a toothbrush, of course.

Such a big boy sitting all by himself.

 

The dentist checking out Alex's pearly whites.

Alex found the goodie drawer!

Happy Daddy Day!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there or "Happy Daddy Day" as Alex likes to say.  We had such a fun time hosting our families for a Father's Day cookout at our house.  The weather turned out to be beautiful and it was nice to be able to sit outside for a change and let the kids run off some of their energy.  Thanks to Uncle Mark for keeping the little ones busy with wagon rides and bubbles - Nobody else had the energy to keep up with them!  Thanks to Dave for being the most loving Daddy imaginable to our little Alex Man and the peanut in my belly.  We are all so lucky to have you in our life and love you so very much!!

"Happy Daddy Day" to the best Daddy in the whole wide world!!  Love, Alex:)

Alex and Daddy threw the baseball around after it stopped raining this morning.  Dave couldn't have been a prouder Dad on Father's Day! 

Dave and his Dad on Father's Day

Uncle Mark taking the boys for a wagon ride.

Miss Anna Banana enjoying some fresh air!

Alex and Papa sharing a laugh:)

The wild ones and Uncle Steve!

This video of Alex is kinda random but was too cute not to post.  I started to videotape Alex half-way through reciting the alphabet.  He's getting much better with pronouncing his letters although "W" seemed to give him some struggles.

32 Weeks!

We're moving right along and getting even closer to meeting Baby M!  I had another check-up yesterday afternoon.  Everything looks good.  Baby M has been super active for me, especially around the 10:00 hour.  Are we going to have a night owl on our hands?!?  I start to see the doctor every two weeks now.  Reality is setting in.  Now that Dave is off from school, we're trying to accomplish a lot before the baby arrives.  The nursery is next on the list!

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Alex is doing super with his "Binky Bear."  The last two nights, he asked for his binky when it was time for bed and then that was it.  He did wake up a few times during the night but went right back to sleep.  He now talks himself to sleep which he never used to do and he's woken up a little earlier than usual the last couple mornings but maybe that's just coincidence.  Today, Daddy put Alex down for his nap and Alex said, "Daddy, no binky."  I had no idea it would go this smooth but so far so good!  Next up, introducing the big boy bed.

32 weeks!  Alex was excited to join us for the picture!!

"Binky Bear"

It's a big day for the Michna household...we ripped the band-aid off and officially said goodbye to the binky today.  I don't know if it's harder on Alex or more difficult for us as parents.  The binky has been a comfort for the first two years of Alex's life.  It's gotten us through so much - bedtime, car rides, skinned knees, tantrums in stores, quiet time in church, etc.  It feels like it's a part of who Alex is.

We have been gradually weaning Alex off the binky for the last several months.  We had limited the use of the binky down to car rides and bedtime and lately, he's needed it less and less in the car.  So as his vocabulary continues to grow, we felt it was time to say goodbye to the binky for good.  We've been so dependent on it that it's kinda scary to move forward without it. 

After getting advice from other parents, we felt the Build-a-Bear idea was the best strategy for us.  We took one of his binkys with us to the Build-a-Bear workshop.  We let Alex pick out a Bear to stuff and take home that day.  When it was time to fill the Bear, we had Alex put the binky inside the stuffing before the Bear was all closed up.  So this now became his "Binky Bear" and he would be able to sleep with the Bear and take it with him wherever he went - a new comfort object!

Overall, the experience went well.  There was as small meltdown in the store before Alex said goodbye to his binky for the last time.  But he voluntarily put the binky inside the bear and watched as the bear was closed up.  The true test came this afternoon when it was nap time.  We put Alex in his crib, along with "Binky Bear."  Alex asked for his binky but we reminded him that he's a big boy now and the "Binky Bear" is holding his binky instead.  No tears thankfully, but he did have to talk to himself for awhile before falling asleep.  We'll see what tonight brings!  I anticipate a few more meltdowns in the future but I think he gets it!  Way to go, Alex!!  We are so proud of you!!

Helping to stuff the "Binky Bear"

 

Alex watches as his binky gets closed up inside the bear.

Alex & his new "Binky Bear"