#141 - More Adventures in the Big Boy Bed

I totally know why everyone says don't rush the big boy bed. I really, really wish that we were not forced to move him from the crib, but ultimately, we just had to do it to keep him safe.

Unfortunately, it's been quite a challenge. Evenings really aren't that bad. It's probably because his room is completely dark, and he's usually pretty tired, and he usually falls asleep in about five minutes. Mornings were rough, but have gotten much better. He was waking at 4:00 in the morning and wanting to come into our bed, but I think we've stopped that.

However, nap time is the absolute worst. I don't know if it's because it's the middle of the day and his room is pretty bright, or because he just isn't very tired, but this weekend was really rough. On Saturday, it took me 90 minutes to get him down. Sunday, I turned the reins over to Lou and it took him about 45 minutes. Both days, after numerous negotiations, back rubs, songs, books, and conjoling, we just closed the bed room door and let him cry. Saturday, he cried for about 5 minutes, and Sunday for about 3 minutes. However, both days, after it quieted down in there, we went in and found him like this:

This was Saturday afternoon, sleeping like a pup on the glider in his room. I carefully picked up him and put him in his bed, and had to wake him 3 hours later.

Then, on Sunday, to our surprise, we found him like this:

Sleeping in the same position on the glider. What a cutie pie. Apparently, he likes this spot.

A happier big boy bed story is that Cocoa absolutely LOVES Owen's new bed. :)

#140 - Time for the Big Boy Bed

Last Wednesday, I got the dreaded phone call at work - the little guy had climbed out of his crib at naptime and had fallen onto his rocking chair and scratched his forehead and back. Fortunately, he was okay. When I got home, he demonstrated for me how he can climb out of the crib in about 4 seconds, so we promptly decided it was time to transition to the big boy bed. Of course, this happened the day that Lou left for his fishing trip, so it was left to Owen and me to figure out how to diassemble his crib and convert it to a toddler bed. It wasn't too hard, but I was really, really worried about how well Owen would sleep (and more importantly, stay IN the bed).

Fortunately, the first two nights were pretty good. However, Friday and Saturday night were quite rough. He quickly discovered the freedom he had in his big boy bed. So, Sunday, I had to install a child-proof door handle on the inside of his room. After him screaming for what felt like forever, it quieted down in there and I found him like this:

Bedtimes have been better. As soon as we start prayers he runs to the bed, climbs in, and is quickly asleep.

Some more pictures from the week...... Below is an adorable picture of Owen. I just love his face in this one. I was actually trying to take a picture of the shirt he was wearing. His Tita Susan bought it for him and it says, "Wise beyond my years".

This was before work one day, when Owen was playing dress up in my high heels and necklaces.

And, finally, a new "thing" that Owen loves is to help Mommy do the dishes. He brings his stool into the kitchen and climbs up next to me while I am washing the dishes and insists on helping. :)

#139 - Football weekend

We had a true football weekend with a high school game on Friday night, the disappointing Gator game on Saturday, and an afternoon of NFL games on Sunday. Friday night was really special though. Dad called us up on Thursday to invite us to The Bolles School alumni dinner that was happening before the Friday football game. So, we drove down to Jacksonville early and met him for the dinner. It was Owen's very first football game, and he was so excited he could hardly stand it. He got to run around in the end zone, chasing footballs and playing with the other kids there. He ran and ran and loved every bit of it - from the drums in the band to the dancing cheerleeders and the opportunity to yell "updown" whenever there was a big play. (That's Owen's version of "touchdown".) He also got a personal tour of The Bolles School from his grandfather (who has already asked when Owen will be enrolling), including a walk around the Garces diving facility.

My grandfather, Papa, taught, coached and managed at The Bolles School for nearly forty years. A few years ago, when they remodeled the diving facility, they named it after him, and the entire family is incredibly proud of his legacy there.

And, the best part of the night is that Papa was there too! So, we had all four generations that night at Owen's first football game. It was perfect.

On Saturday, while Lou and I were on Aunt Kay's boat, and then at the Gator Game, Owen got to spend the day with his Nana and Great Aunt Debbie. They went down to St. Augustine and got to do all kinds of fun things like play golf, play in a bouncy house, go fishing, and go to the airport and see the airplanes. He had a blast, and I know Mom did too.

On Sunday, we met up with Great Aunt Debbie, Great Aunt Pat, Paw Paw and Chris for lunch. Here's Owen getting a little love from his other great-grandfather.
It was a truly special weekend. Owen is so blessed to be able to spend this time with his grandparents, great-grandparents and extended family. We love you!

#138 - Oktober

It's that time of year.....the air is turning cooler, the leaves are beginning to change, the pumpkin patches are on every corner, and the weekends are full of football and festivals. It's a wonderful time to be outside and with family. Given the big loss to Bama on Saturday, let's not talk football. Instead, I'll focus on the other things we did this weekend.

On Saturday, the three of us went down to River Street and joined hundreds of other locals and visitors in watching the infamous "Weiner Dog" races. Yes, this is an annual event here in Savannah, with prizes, competition and a little wagering around the Dachshund breed. There's something very interesting about watching a bunch of little 10 pound weiner dogs run as fast as their little six inch legs will take them.

(Above photo courtesy of Savannahnow.com)

The weiner dog races are just one part of the Oktoberfest in Savannah, and the rest of the morning we walked around River Street and around downtown Savannah. It was about 70 degrees and absolutely beautiful. Owen scored a balloon from one of the vendors and that kept him pretty entertained.

He even got to play in a replica boat on River Street.

I hope you are enjoying this beautiful weather too, wherever you are. I'm sure it's much cooler up in Michigan right now!