Uh-Oh. What Happened?

Lee is not saying this as much as he was a few weeks ago, but it is definitely one of his favorite phrases. Here, he is pictured asking me the famous question after wiping blueberry juice all over himself at breakfast.

Big Boy Transitions

I have been reading about all the transitions Lee will be going through the next few months, and I always read not to put him through more than one transition every three weeks or so. When he moved to the big boy bed a few weeks back, he was so excited, I honestly didn't think this one would count for us.

He had been climbing out of the baby bed, and seems happy to turn it over to KW. Check.

He never has once asked or tried to get back into the baby bed. Check.

Big smiles and immediately napping again once we had the bed set up. Check.

Then we started on the "bedtime rules". Don't unplug the light and monitor - finally have success! Don't touch the blinds - success achieved after seven broken blinds, but who's counting? And - stay in the bed! I know he still breaks this one sometimes, but I really don't care, as long as he brings whatever it is back to look at before falling asleep. And - for now - he amazingly stays in the bed until we come to get him.

This weekend, on to potty training. I was actually going to put it off for another couple of weeks, but he is becoming very insistent about using the potty and complaining, even when he is only wet. Strike while the iron is hot, right? But he also changes rooms at MDO next week. Two transitions at once, here we go!

Ice Cones!

Earlier this summer, I was lamenting the lack of a good sno cone in Atlanta to Bryan's cousin, when she said, "Why, there is a great place right up at Ponce and Briarcliff." We were there the very next Sunday, and - WOW - it was better than Jerry's! New Orleans style sno cones rock the (Hardman) house. They are made with incredibly finely saved ice. I mean, NO ice falls off your cone when you put your spoon in - it cuts like butter! It holds the flavoring in every bite, and doesn't turn into plain ice at the top with a syrupy drink at the bottom. There is also a gummy bear in each one, and Lee wants all three of them. And they are cheap, cheap, cheap. I just can't sing the praises enough!

Interesting location - it is a trailer in the Exxon parking lot - but there is always a line. As soon as we pulled in two weeks ago, Lee yelled out, "Ice cones!" Oh, yeah.

Lee loves being free to move about the car more than the sno cone itself... but, hey, that means more for Mom and Dad!

Baby Giraffe Zuri

A couple of weekends ago, we went to the zoo for the naming of the new baby giraffe. I knew Lee would love seeing her...

and he did. (Plus, the plush giraffe set up outside the giraffe area.)

I knew Bryan would love the enormous cookie cake...

and he did. (Plus, Lee loved the fan set up to keep the cake cool.)

And I knew I would love that it was not 90 degrees... and I did!

Lee also took his first carousel ride - on the giraffe - and wore a huge smile the entire time. It was so fun to watch!

Five

Five is my favorite number, so I couldn't let the celebration of our fifth anniversary go by without a fun weekend. Plus, we needed some time away together before baby girl gets here. B arranged an awesome weekend at Barnsley Gardens, and we were able to relax by the pool, eat great food, and play yard games. We sat on the porch of our cottage and watched a a rainstorm, lounged by the pool, and took naps. I loved getting to remember what it was like to go somewhere and just hang, with no real responsibilities! Best of all, I loved getting to do it with my wonderful husband!

We played golf (frisbee golf).

Bryan was actually able to read a paper. Remember those?

I taught Bryan to play croquet, and he beat me soundly.

Pillow Practice

About three weeks ago, Lee got the chance to "hold" his first baby. Baby Piper (pronounced "Pi-pa" by Lee) joined us on May 10, and Lee loves to visit with her at Mother's Day Out. He was very pleased when he got to hold her on the pillow, just like the big brother does in My New Baby. He gave her hugs and held her hands when she when she would start to fuss. Piper was old enough to take it, though in one picture, you can see she is not really sure of how things are going.

Next, we can practice with Baby Brady, who is about two months younger than Piper. Then, the real deal - a few hours old in early November - YIKES!

Thanks. Piper, for being our guinea pig!

A Reading by Lee: My New Baby

Lee has two books that are all pictures, so we can talk about Katie Wilkes, and what kinds of things will happen when she arrives. These have fast become two of his favorite books, to the point where Bryan has been known to hide them, so he will choose something else to read!

A couple of weeks ago, Bryan and Lee were reading My New Baby before we left for church. Most of the narrative is repeated by Bryan, so it should pretty easy to translate.