The Latest

Happy New Year!!! Sorry, it's only about 3 weeks late!
It's almost the end of January and I have been away from the blog for a while now. Mostly because we've been just go, go, go since Thanksgiving with family visiting, enjoying Christmas together, and living life as we know it. There hasn't been any major developments with us lately, but let me just fill you in...

Drew has been having difficulty behaving at preschool. He is using his hands rather than his words and either hits, pushes, or throws toys. We notice this at home, especially when he's frustrated. He's definitely going through a "I can do it myself and WILL do it myself" phase lately. And naturally, when a toy is frustrating him, he ends up throwing it across the room. We've had to use a lot of different strategies, from explaining the consequences to his behavior to a flat out time-out or even time in his room. His preschool teacher, Mrs. Marco, is so good with the kids. She has been keeping me updated and he is now working for a sticker if he has a "thumbs up day". We've had a few days with no sticker, but mostly, he's improving. I think it is a phase and hope to just push on through it to get to the other side eventually!

Libby is starting to talk back like crazy! Sometimes you can't help but laugh when she gets her little attitude going. But mostly it's just plain annoying. She's not getting the "I'm the parent and you don't talk to me that way" idea. Even when that is flat out said to her, and not in a very nice loving voice. We've been doing 1-2-3 magic a lot (basically counting to 3 before there's a consequence). She, like a sly cat, is waiting til 3 and then trying to bring on the tears when the consequence occurs. Sadly, the only thing that gets action is the threat to take away her "Beary" little bear she's completely in love with right now or one of her 10 blankets she carries around the house (and car) with her.

Both are doing really well with potty training. When they're playing, they sometimes forget, but I'm happy with how it's going. They're still in pull-ups at nap and night, but doing well. They both take about a 2-hour nap in the afternoon. Lately, I'm wondering if Libby is ready to give hers up. She mostly ends up talking and talking and talking and complaining about something and needing this and that... rather than sleep. But then she has terrible bags under her eyes and is a grouch. So, I'm gonna hold on to those naps if we can!

Libby is FINALLY on a preventive medicine called Pulmocort for her breathing issues. She takes it twice a day through her "dinosaur" (nebulizer) and it has really helped tremendously. That plus a flu shot will hopefully get her through the winter. Right now strep throat is going around everywhere, so knock on wood all of us dodge it. We were worried Drew might have it last week b/c he was home a couple of days with fever and that barking cough. But luckily, it just cleared up on its own and he's back to "normal" with just a runny nose every now and then. Phew!

Oh, guess what-- Libby is now into wearing dresses!! Remember how I was so upset that she was going through a phase of now wanting to wear them at all (much to my dismay)?? Well, I think seeing the other girls at preschool wear them with tights has helped. But guess what-- her new thing (and she's adimant about it) is that she won't wear any type of clothing with buttons on it. Pants we can usually get away with b/c most are either pull-on or have snaps. But any dress or jumper with buttons at the shoulders or a shirt with buttons down the front or back are an absolute, "NO!" Is she serious?? Apparently, she is.  I can't wait to see what comes next!