I decided last week that we would give it a try with Eli and a toddler bed. I converted his crib and he seemed like he was really gonna get it. He was definitely excited about being able to get in and out on his own. Aiden and Eli played in the bed for quite a while.
We explained how his bunny clock worked (it's the blue thing up on the shelf in front of the picture) and seemed to understand. He was so tired that first night that he actually went down pretty easily and didn't fight to get out of bed. Brad and I were feeling pretty good. The next night wasn't so easy. That little booger kept getting up. Brad went to the movies and Eli and I battled it out for 2 hours. I finally got the pack and play out of the van and put it up in his room and stuck him in it because I was too exhausted to continue to put him in his bed (every watched Super Nanny? That's the procedure we tried). The next two nights I let Brad battle it out with Eli. Well, thanks to Brad's determination, Eli is doing quite well. He actually hasn't left his bed at night since a few nights ago when Brad was gone and Eli got a spanking from me (the first time really I have done that).
Last week, we also took a trip to the main library which is downtown. I had been there years ago with a friend and her kids but haven't been back since. We took the boys and they loved it. There were thing to play on/with and tons and tons of books (yes I know it's a library and it's supposed to have books). We got Aiden a library card and checked out some videos and some books.
Eli is starting to show some more interest in books which really makes me happy!! He lets Brad go through books with him more than me but I'm glad he's at least starting to show an interest.
The other day, we split the boys up for a while. I took Eli to the pool since he's a little fish and Aiden wanted to stay home with daddy. Daddy and Aiden built forts and had a blast. I think Aiden was sad Eli and I came back home! Aiden is lucky to have a daddy who is so good at building forts.
The boys were drawing/coloring together the other day. They are too cute together. Eli normally just follows Aiden around and does whatever he does. It's kinda cute as long as it eventually ends and Aiden doesn't always have a shadow.
Little Eli just cracks me up and almost always makes me smile (or yell - haha).
Believe it not, Aiden's balloons from his birthday party (over 2 weeks ago) are still almost fully inflated. We cut the string off one that was starting to leak a little air and Aiden ran around the house trying to chase and catch it. It was great exercise for him.
On Friday, we had an unexpected change in plans. With 20 minutes notice, Brad got in his truck and drove down to Clearwater to get furniture from grandpa's apartment. Eli went to daycare so that the rest of the family could go to Pump It Up (a bounce house place). Aiden said he didn't want to go without daddy. Aiden and I ended up going to Chick-fil-a for a late lunch. He had his first ice cream cone ever and really enjoyed it although I had to keep scooping ice cream out since he couldn't eat it as fast as it was melting.
He drove 3.5 hours moved a full bed, dresser, and mirror by himself, and then drove 3.5 to 4 hrs back home. What a trooper. He realized about 20 min from home that his wedding ring was missing. He was so sad about it. We searched the truck and didn't find it. He had no idea where he lost it at either.
On Saturday morning, we went to the beach with Sue and her family. The boys were excited. It was the first time to have Brad with us at the beach.
As we were walking from the van, my mom called to say she went to my grandpa's apartment and found Brad's wedding ring in the mud. That is totally amazing and God because his ring is black titanium and would be very hard to see (not to mention the fact that he had no idea where he lost it). We got to the beach and Aiden was very excited for daddy to build him a ramp for his cars.
After the ramp was sufficient and Aiden and daddy made some "road," Aiden was good to go for a while. Eli, of course, just wanted to be in the water.
Aiden was very content sweating to death and playing in the sand. I'm not sure why I put him in a bathing suit though. We did dig him a little hole that had water in it and he did like playing in there and giving his cars a "carwash."
Eli saw Riley (Sue's husband) digging an area for the kids to play in and wanted to help. It was too cute. You can see Brad and Sue in the background talking. One of Sue's boys (Mac) was also playing in the dug-out part.
Eli entertained himself almost the whole time by just digging in dirt, throwing it, and playing with water!
We got home and both boys passed out immediately and took naps. Eli actually fell asleep in the van right as we left but still took over an hour nap when we got home. I was trying to do research to figure out what plants/flowers we are going to use in our front yard when do re-plant on Wednesday and Eli came and just crawled on my back. Too cute.
It's been fun having Brad on vacation since last Wednesday. We have this week together again! Tomorrow Aiden goes for testing to see if he has a sensory processing disorder. On Wednesday, we will be re-planting our shrubs and plants. On Saturday, we leave for Iowa to see Brad's family. Oh yeah. I've been meaning to post these pictures we took at a gas station on our way to St. Pete a few weeks ago. Eli loves Mickey Mouse and got so excited when he saw these. Aiden took a picture with one because we asked him too but Eli was truly excited. Aunt Pat also loves Mickey Mouse so they'll have an instant connection!
Eli loves Mickey Mouse so much actually, that he just chose Mickey Mouse over Elmo for his birthday theme!
It should be a fun and busy week.
