When I moved back to KS from FL Jared was only 18 months old… he still had a bottle, wore diapers, and slept in bed with his dad at night. He was instantly my little boy, I have always loved him like he was mine but never realized what a close bond him and I shared until I found out we were pregnant with Gracee.
My job was to be the motherly figure to Jared from day one. He was sleeping in his own room within days and loved it – I know he felt like a big boy… Jared was broke from the bottle in no time… he didn’t really have a choice. We expected a lot from him. Jared and I were carrying on conversations before he was 22 mo. And was potty-trained before his second birthday!
After having Gracee, Jared was my helper he has progressed into being quite the little man. Jared asked for tools this Christmas rather then toys and loves to work in the shop with his dad instead of watch cartoons and play in the house.
Gracee turned me into that mom… I pushed her out, nursed her, changed the majority of her diapers, broke her from the bottle, feed and bathe her; I have seen her grow since newborn to now 20 months old and she thought she was running the show. Never the case with Jared…. I now realize that is because he was never my baby he has always been my little boy.
Long story short I am proud of both of my kids. They are my everything and I am so blessed to be able to work from home and watch them learn and grow each day. It is hard to believe Jared is already four-in-a-half years old! But the reason for this story is because I messed up…
We share a room with Gracee and I have always put her to sleep in my bed then moved her into her own bed… well when she started getting her molar’s she would wake up in the middle of the night and cry until I rocked her to sleep or put her in bed with us. A BIG NO NO! Jessy would get kicked out of bed and move to the couch and no one would sleep well ~ Until I put my foot down and decided to move her bed into Jared’s room and start putting her to sleep in her own bed.
The technique – 12:30pm NAP and 8:15pm go into the bed room, close the door, tell her what I expect, and then look at the lava lamp that is on the dresser (with her out of site) and each time she gets out of bed and throws a fit… say nothing and put her back into bed. The first day was rough but after 32 times I won! I felt like a champ I had a headache from all that screaming but it was worth it! Day two a little better 25 times (at both nap and bedtime) Day three nap 15 times and then bedtime 0… it was a success! She just went right to sleep never even tried to get out of bed!!!
I must say it is a rewarding feeling to have accomplished something that you work so hard for… I know that it was my fault but I am still proud. In most cases I say something and follow through I just didn’t do that with Gracee at bed time and it made me feel like I wasn’t doing my job. She has starting do better in a lot of different areas (still going through the terrible twos) but she knows who the bosses are. Now we are back on track and ready for the next little Willard to get here in June!
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
Our New Little Baby
We got to hear and see our newest baby today! It was too exciting... the heartbeat is 176 and we are right on track for the due date of June 23rd 2009. Baby Willard is 7.5 cm tall and actually looks like a little baby...Please keep us in your prayers and any name suggestions are welcome!
We have been blessed with a boy, Jared is 4, and a girl, Gracee is 2o mo. So we will be happy with either ~ we just pray that whatever God gives us it is healthy.
We have been blessed with a boy, Jared is 4, and a girl, Gracee is 2o mo. So we will be happy with either ~ we just pray that whatever God gives us it is healthy.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Another Willard
We decided to stop taking birth control in August and found out we were pregnant on the 18th of October… Its funny cause when your body is used to being on a cycle and you change something you're not so regular anymore. September I took 4 tests and they were all negative. We are both so excited and know that the old wives tell is to wait until the first trimester to spread the news… but we are 8 weeks pregnant and too excited.
I didn't have morning sickness with Gracee but this is way different I am having all day sickness… haven't actually thrown up but feel like I could at any minute. We aren't going to tell the kids until we find out if they are getting a brother or a sister.
I went to the health department to confirm the positive result and she said "the line turned positive before I put the urine on it. YOU ARE PREGNANT MRS. WILLARD" the same as when I found out with Gracee! She explained that I must have good hormones and be very healthy because most of the test she does aren't near that strong of a pink line that quickly!
I still feel shocked that we were so lucky to have gotten pregnant so quickly. Jessy comes from a BIG family and we have always said that to have 4 little people would be great. We both think that having the kids close with benefit everyone in the long run. He is hoping for a boy but my mom wants us to have twins! Please keep us in your prayers and feel free to send idea's for baby names!
Love you all,
Jessy and Kadee Willard
I didn't have morning sickness with Gracee but this is way different I am having all day sickness… haven't actually thrown up but feel like I could at any minute. We aren't going to tell the kids until we find out if they are getting a brother or a sister.
I went to the health department to confirm the positive result and she said "the line turned positive before I put the urine on it. YOU ARE PREGNANT MRS. WILLARD" the same as when I found out with Gracee! She explained that I must have good hormones and be very healthy because most of the test she does aren't near that strong of a pink line that quickly!
I still feel shocked that we were so lucky to have gotten pregnant so quickly. Jessy comes from a BIG family and we have always said that to have 4 little people would be great. We both think that having the kids close with benefit everyone in the long run. He is hoping for a boy but my mom wants us to have twins! Please keep us in your prayers and feel free to send idea's for baby names!
Love you all,
Jessy and Kadee Willard
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Month 18
Who took my sweet little princess and gave me a inpatient screaming monkey? This little lady has gone nuts! :) Gracee is 18 months old and thinks she is 18 years old... she actually tries to run the show! We are now realizing we may have our hands full and could already be in the terrible two's. Her 18 month lessons:
1. Gracee went potty like a big lady...She goes potty on her potty chair every morning! Still working on throughout the day random potty breaks aren't near as fun to her as first thing in the morning! But when she is on the potty she needs to have a book on her lap!
2. Gracee loves to brush her teeth... I MEAN LOVES IT! Every morning and every night the kids brush there teeth but Gracee likes to make it a 30 min event!
3. Gracee wants to big like Bub... Jared likes to teach Gracee what to do (good or bad) and she loves to follow. If he is dancing she is right there... if he is eating breakfast in the kitchen she is standing on his stool with him ready for a bite... if he has to go pee, right now on a tree, she stands back in amazement that he can.
4. Gracee loves to eat... at Grandma's house. When she is at home... well she thinks that she is boss and will not eat (unless it is something really good) so she goes hungry a lot. But at Grandma Kim's last week she at half of a cheese burger, all her sides and crackers. At Memaw Donna's she is always trying new things and Great-Grandma Bev has the best sweets in town!
5. Gracee throws some ugly fits... she wants it her way or no way. So a lot of the time its NO WAY. But she still tries, I think its frustration from not knowing how to talk but man she yells, points, makes the mean face, and if you try to pick her up she goes limp and flops her hands and legs. She has been in time-out many times this month!
6. Gracee has a schedule... wake up at 7, go pee, watch cartoons, eat breakfast, wait on Jared to get out of school, try to pee, play outside, eat lunch, try again, nap for about two hours, pee when we wake, then read a few books and go out in the shop with dad, play for a bit, then it is dinner, bath, and night-night at 9pm. REPEAT.
7. Gracee knows sign language... she can sign MORE and PLEASE... she knows NO and YES also.
8. Gracee knows what these animals say: fishy, bird, monkey, cat, dog, horse she has also added a few words to her vocabulary: ICE, WOW, DRINK, the list goes on.
It has been a lot of fun posting all the lessons Gracee has taught us since she got here but the road has ended... I know she will continue to teach us, just as Jared does, but this is the last Gracee monthly lesson. I will continue to update her baby book with all her firsts and big events. Thanks again for learning with us.
1. Gracee went potty like a big lady...She goes potty on her potty chair every morning! Still working on throughout the day random potty breaks aren't near as fun to her as first thing in the morning! But when she is on the potty she needs to have a book on her lap!
2. Gracee loves to brush her teeth... I MEAN LOVES IT! Every morning and every night the kids brush there teeth but Gracee likes to make it a 30 min event!
3. Gracee wants to big like Bub... Jared likes to teach Gracee what to do (good or bad) and she loves to follow. If he is dancing she is right there... if he is eating breakfast in the kitchen she is standing on his stool with him ready for a bite... if he has to go pee, right now on a tree, she stands back in amazement that he can.
4. Gracee loves to eat... at Grandma's house. When she is at home... well she thinks that she is boss and will not eat (unless it is something really good) so she goes hungry a lot. But at Grandma Kim's last week she at half of a cheese burger, all her sides and crackers. At Memaw Donna's she is always trying new things and Great-Grandma Bev has the best sweets in town!
5. Gracee throws some ugly fits... she wants it her way or no way. So a lot of the time its NO WAY. But she still tries, I think its frustration from not knowing how to talk but man she yells, points, makes the mean face, and if you try to pick her up she goes limp and flops her hands and legs. She has been in time-out many times this month!
6. Gracee has a schedule... wake up at 7, go pee, watch cartoons, eat breakfast, wait on Jared to get out of school, try to pee, play outside, eat lunch, try again, nap for about two hours, pee when we wake, then read a few books and go out in the shop with dad, play for a bit, then it is dinner, bath, and night-night at 9pm. REPEAT.
7. Gracee knows sign language... she can sign MORE and PLEASE... she knows NO and YES also.
8. Gracee knows what these animals say: fishy, bird, monkey, cat, dog, horse she has also added a few words to her vocabulary: ICE, WOW, DRINK, the list goes on.
It has been a lot of fun posting all the lessons Gracee has taught us since she got here but the road has ended... I know she will continue to teach us, just as Jared does, but this is the last Gracee monthly lesson. I will continue to update her baby book with all her firsts and big events. Thanks again for learning with us.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Month 17
Hard to believe that my little baby is growing up this fast... going to be one and a half year old next month... WOW. Each week she learns something new and acts just a little bit older. She learns so much so fast its almost scary.
1. Gracee has a big girl bed... we took her crib down and she now has a toddler bed. She really likes it. At nap time I say "time to take a nap go get in bed" and she runs to her room and gets in her bed like a big girl! It is adorable.
2. Gracee loves her brother too much... they play so well together one minute and then the next they are fighting over a toy (Grace likes her brothers toys more then her own). For the most part they are best friends. Jared really wanted Gracee to go to school with him on his first day!
3. Gracee smiles for the camera... she went through a stage where she saw the camera and ran (I have been taking pictures of this little girl since she came out!) and as soon as she could walk there was no more sitting still pics -- when we went to Branson Jared taught her how to stop and smile for the camera!
4. Gracee is a daddy's girl... it seems like each month she gets closer to her daddy. He has always been her favorite person but this month she is really upset when he leaves to go to work, super excited to see him race, and when he comes home she has her hands up ready for him to scoop her up and carry her out to the shop!
5. Gracee has a mullet... the back of her hair is growing so fast but the side and top are still way shorter... we put it up in pig tails but I must say it has turned into a mullet (she looks way better then Joe Dirt)
6. Gracee says moma a lot... usually everything is dada but lately she has been saying moma more often. I LOVE IT!
7. Gracee wants to talk BAD... she gets so frustrated when she wants something and we don't get it right away... Jared used to do the same thing, take your hand and walk you to whatever it is... but Gracee is a whiner, she tries to talk but when we don't understand she just yells.
8. Gracee likes to sit on the potty... but she isn't sure why she has to take off her diaper. Its so funny, every time some one goes to the bathroom she has to go too! Starting to get serious on potty training this month!
9. Gracee doesn't eat much... I guess that is what happens when you go from baby to toddler. She eats like a bird, a little here and a little there but nothing too big.
10. Gracee loves to run... its cute when I say "hurry hurry" she starts to run. Sometime she even puts her hands behind her like a cape on superman flapping in the wind. She is goofy... makes me laugh out loud just to picture it!
She laughs at her dad and brother all the time. She loves to watch cartoons, play with her babies, work on the race car with daddy and bub and brush her teeth. Oh and she LOVES shoes. I feel like I could on for days talking about all the new things Gracee is learning and teaching us... until next month.
1. Gracee has a big girl bed... we took her crib down and she now has a toddler bed. She really likes it. At nap time I say "time to take a nap go get in bed" and she runs to her room and gets in her bed like a big girl! It is adorable.
2. Gracee loves her brother too much... they play so well together one minute and then the next they are fighting over a toy (Grace likes her brothers toys more then her own). For the most part they are best friends. Jared really wanted Gracee to go to school with him on his first day!
3. Gracee smiles for the camera... she went through a stage where she saw the camera and ran (I have been taking pictures of this little girl since she came out!) and as soon as she could walk there was no more sitting still pics -- when we went to Branson Jared taught her how to stop and smile for the camera!
4. Gracee is a daddy's girl... it seems like each month she gets closer to her daddy. He has always been her favorite person but this month she is really upset when he leaves to go to work, super excited to see him race, and when he comes home she has her hands up ready for him to scoop her up and carry her out to the shop!
5. Gracee has a mullet... the back of her hair is growing so fast but the side and top are still way shorter... we put it up in pig tails but I must say it has turned into a mullet (she looks way better then Joe Dirt)
6. Gracee says moma a lot... usually everything is dada but lately she has been saying moma more often. I LOVE IT!
7. Gracee wants to talk BAD... she gets so frustrated when she wants something and we don't get it right away... Jared used to do the same thing, take your hand and walk you to whatever it is... but Gracee is a whiner, she tries to talk but when we don't understand she just yells.
8. Gracee likes to sit on the potty... but she isn't sure why she has to take off her diaper. Its so funny, every time some one goes to the bathroom she has to go too! Starting to get serious on potty training this month!
9. Gracee doesn't eat much... I guess that is what happens when you go from baby to toddler. She eats like a bird, a little here and a little there but nothing too big.
10. Gracee loves to run... its cute when I say "hurry hurry" she starts to run. Sometime she even puts her hands behind her like a cape on superman flapping in the wind. She is goofy... makes me laugh out loud just to picture it!
She laughs at her dad and brother all the time. She loves to watch cartoons, play with her babies, work on the race car with daddy and bub and brush her teeth. Oh and she LOVES shoes. I feel like I could on for days talking about all the new things Gracee is learning and teaching us... until next month.
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Month 16
Gracee Mae... what a bright little girl we have? She is growing up to be such a wonderful little lady. New things each day - here are her sixteenth month lessons:
1. Gracee loves to climb... she has mastered climbing the stairs very well, or even a step or two then yelling because she wants to get down! My mom and dad have a television stand that is just her size to climb as if it were a stage (they have a 60 inch T.V. that is in the shop). Both of the kids climb up there and start shaking their butts!
2. Gracee just moved up to size 5 diapers... the four Huggies Snug and Dry fit we need to move to the next size... we are actually working on potty training (sorta) we brought Jared's potty chair down from storage and when we see her hunched down in the corner we know it is time to get her on the pot.
3. Gracee is still a great eater... she went through a time where she didn't eat much at all just a little here and a little there but its good stuff! She loves green beans and frozen peas! She is still a good chip eater and like crackers and all that stuff.
4. Grace understands... when I ask her something she knows what I am talking about! I just asked her where her fingernail clippers where and she started pinching her fingers... I have asked her to go and get her shoes before and she brings them to me or tries to put them on herself. Its just crazy how much she learns from watching her brother (both good and bad)
5. Gracee loves magnets... she can play with the magnets on the back of the front door forever. she just lines them up walks away then looks at them and takes them off the door and does it again.
6. Gracee is a reader... she has always liked books but each day she wants to get the books off the shelf and sit on your lap as you read them to her. She just learned how to put them back on the shelf and get a new book. We read all the time.
7. Gracee is growing fast... she is 32 inches tall and weighs 26lbs 4 oz! She isn't a baby anymore and she lets us know that often. Gracee doesn't really like to be held anymore she would rather walk like her big brother!
1. Gracee loves to climb... she has mastered climbing the stairs very well, or even a step or two then yelling because she wants to get down! My mom and dad have a television stand that is just her size to climb as if it were a stage (they have a 60 inch T.V. that is in the shop). Both of the kids climb up there and start shaking their butts!
2. Gracee just moved up to size 5 diapers... the four Huggies Snug and Dry fit we need to move to the next size... we are actually working on potty training (sorta) we brought Jared's potty chair down from storage and when we see her hunched down in the corner we know it is time to get her on the pot.
3. Gracee is still a great eater... she went through a time where she didn't eat much at all just a little here and a little there but its good stuff! She loves green beans and frozen peas! She is still a good chip eater and like crackers and all that stuff.
4. Grace understands... when I ask her something she knows what I am talking about! I just asked her where her fingernail clippers where and she started pinching her fingers... I have asked her to go and get her shoes before and she brings them to me or tries to put them on herself. Its just crazy how much she learns from watching her brother (both good and bad)
5. Gracee loves magnets... she can play with the magnets on the back of the front door forever. she just lines them up walks away then looks at them and takes them off the door and does it again.
6. Gracee is a reader... she has always liked books but each day she wants to get the books off the shelf and sit on your lap as you read them to her. She just learned how to put them back on the shelf and get a new book. We read all the time.
7. Gracee is growing fast... she is 32 inches tall and weighs 26lbs 4 oz! She isn't a baby anymore and she lets us know that often. Gracee doesn't really like to be held anymore she would rather walk like her big brother!
8. Gracee loves ICE... every time you have a drink with ice in it she yells and holds her hand out, as soon as you start to give her a piece she just laughs and gets so excited!
9. Gracee is a daddy's girl... when she hears the shop door open she stops whatever it is that she is doing and stands up and says "dada" then runs for the kitchen. She gets so frustrated cause she wants to talk so bad... she just yells and squeals trying to tell him all the fun stuff we did that day.
We have awesome kids and if I didn't take note throughout the month I wouldn't remember half of Gracee's new lessons. Our kids make me so proud - thanks again for learning with us.Sunday, July 20, 2008
Month 15
All you hear when she is walking through the hall to the kitchen is her little feet slapping on the tile... a sweet sound, makes me smile every time. She is so smart and keeps teaching us each month... 15 months lessons:
1. Gracee is BIG... no more 'baba' we decided to take it from her on her 14 month birthday, wasn't too hard, dad wanted to give in a few times in the night but I stayed tough and she never had a clue! She is now a sippy cup drinking pro~ Nuby is her favorite, and she sleeps through the night again, no bottle to go to bed so her diaper isn't near as full in the night! Next coming potty training!
2. Gracee loves strawberries... she really liked the dried fruits from Gerber, strawberry and banana, so we have had strawberry shortcake a few times for desert and I cut a few up one night and she LOVED them.
3. Gracee wants to be outside... all the time! Jared can't go out with out a buddy! She wants to be right by his side. A lot of the time that is fine for Jared but when she starts 'working' on stuff that he didn't want her to touch he is ready to send her back in the house!
4. Gracee is in a size 18-24... and she looks so cute in them! She is so tall ~ her upper body is long so she has been wearing 18 months since her first birthday, it's funny 'cause now when we shop for clothes its not in the baby section. A lot of the stuff is in the toddler isle. Oh and she wears size 5 shoes. Still in a size four Huggies Snug and Dry diaper.
5. Gracee is a good eater... we try to feed her whatever we are eating for lunch and dinner, for the most part she eats dry cereal, oatmeal, toast, or a waffle in the morning (eggs and bacon is a fave too) and we are trying to feed her less hot dogs and chicken nuggets (she loves dog-dogs) She just started wanting to feed herself (around the 13th) funny cause I still feed her Gerber #2's for her veggies and she really likes to be big and do those her self! Tons of new pics on http://www.krumeesnapshots.blogspot.com/
6. Everything round is a bracelet... toys, bub's toy tires, my hair bands, she is a princess and loves to be girly. Its funny cause one second we are playing with dolls and strollers then the next she is outside working with Jessy in the shop getting messy!
7. Gracee isn't really excited about bath time... this month she just likes to get in, get soapy (maybe eat a jar of food) and then get out.
8. Gracee loves rich chocolaty Ovaltine... so funny! My girl friend has turned us on to Ovaltine and now it's Jared and Gracee's favorite! They both love to drink a glass before they go to bed.
9. She can talk... she is the biggest copy-cat I have ever met. Grace even changes the tone of her voice. She has added a few new words to her vocabulary: uh-oh, that, look, thanks, dog-dog (doesn't get the g that well but it's dog-dog) and yep.
10. Gracee can also make the sound of animals: dog, fish, kitty-cat, and monkey. She knows where her eyes are, belly button, toungue, nose, and hair is...So cute!
She is growing up to be such a wonderful little girl; keeps us on our toes. How lucky we are to be blessed with such wonderful kids. Until next month...
1. Gracee is BIG... no more 'baba' we decided to take it from her on her 14 month birthday, wasn't too hard, dad wanted to give in a few times in the night but I stayed tough and she never had a clue! She is now a sippy cup drinking pro~ Nuby is her favorite, and she sleeps through the night again, no bottle to go to bed so her diaper isn't near as full in the night! Next coming potty training!
2. Gracee loves strawberries... she really liked the dried fruits from Gerber, strawberry and banana, so we have had strawberry shortcake a few times for desert and I cut a few up one night and she LOVED them.
3. Gracee wants to be outside... all the time! Jared can't go out with out a buddy! She wants to be right by his side. A lot of the time that is fine for Jared but when she starts 'working' on stuff that he didn't want her to touch he is ready to send her back in the house!
4. Gracee is in a size 18-24... and she looks so cute in them! She is so tall ~ her upper body is long so she has been wearing 18 months since her first birthday, it's funny 'cause now when we shop for clothes its not in the baby section. A lot of the stuff is in the toddler isle. Oh and she wears size 5 shoes. Still in a size four Huggies Snug and Dry diaper.
5. Gracee is a good eater... we try to feed her whatever we are eating for lunch and dinner, for the most part she eats dry cereal, oatmeal, toast, or a waffle in the morning (eggs and bacon is a fave too) and we are trying to feed her less hot dogs and chicken nuggets (she loves dog-dogs) She just started wanting to feed herself (around the 13th) funny cause I still feed her Gerber #2's for her veggies and she really likes to be big and do those her self! Tons of new pics on http://www.krumeesnapshots.blogspot.com/
6. Everything round is a bracelet... toys, bub's toy tires, my hair bands, she is a princess and loves to be girly. Its funny cause one second we are playing with dolls and strollers then the next she is outside working with Jessy in the shop getting messy!
7. Gracee isn't really excited about bath time... this month she just likes to get in, get soapy (maybe eat a jar of food) and then get out.
8. Gracee loves rich chocolaty Ovaltine... so funny! My girl friend has turned us on to Ovaltine and now it's Jared and Gracee's favorite! They both love to drink a glass before they go to bed.
9. She can talk... she is the biggest copy-cat I have ever met. Grace even changes the tone of her voice. She has added a few new words to her vocabulary: uh-oh, that, look, thanks, dog-dog (doesn't get the g that well but it's dog-dog) and yep.
10. Gracee can also make the sound of animals: dog, fish, kitty-cat, and monkey. She knows where her eyes are, belly button, toungue, nose, and hair is...So cute!
She is growing up to be such a wonderful little girl; keeps us on our toes. How lucky we are to be blessed with such wonderful kids. Until next month...
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