Say What???

The day after Gus' birthday party he woke up and came down for breakfast and went to his little kid table and looked up at Jake and I and said in his little raspy morning voice, "Where my Chuck E. Cheese money go?" We looked at each other, looked back at him and said, "what did you just say?" and he repeated himself just as clear as a bell!

Gusley's first complete sentence consisting of more than 2-4 words is WHERE MY CHUCK E. CHEESE MONEY GO?!!

The money hadn't gone anywhere, I just picked it up from the night before so that he would not lose any of it! I love you, buddy!! Not a minute goes by that you do not bring a smile to my face! Thank you for the unconditional love you have for Daddy and I and know that we share the same for you!!

We are having a baby.....

GIRL!!!

For the detailed story of our journey to finding out please check it out here Sweet Summer Dreams

Happy 3rd Birthday, Gusley!!

This picture was taken on his actual birthday exactly an hour before the time he was born! My how these past three years have flown by! I think it is safe to say that Gus had a wonderful 3rd birthday! It started on Saturday with his party here at the house and continued until Monday night at Chuck E. Cheese (his very first time) where he and his little gal pal Endi celebrated with rides and games!!

And a last minute visit from GiGi to boot!

What a good day!

Today is our 5 year wedding anniversary! Seems like our anniversary is not only a special day for Jake and I, but for Gus too! On our 3 year anniversary (he was just shy of 10 months) he started walking and now this year, on our 5 year anniversary he starts going to the potty on his own!

We have been talking to him and telling him that if he starts pee-peeing and poo-pooing consistently on the potty then we will get him a bike or maybe Santa Claus will bring him a bike. We have gone to Target several times to let him look at the bikes and show us which one he has his heart set on...a mew (blue) one, of course!!

Today I was at my desk for work and he came running down the stairs and into the office saying, "Mommy, pee-pee potty!" We made a mad dash to the toilet and he did his business. This went on all day doing both #1 & #2! I called Jake to tell him! He could not believe it, but was just as proud as I was!

We are a little worried since we are leaving tomorrow for a weekend getaway that it may be a fluke, but if I know Pinki and Pops well enough, they are not going to let him forget what a big boy he is to go potty on his own!! Here's to hoping we can say goodbye to diapers before the new year and before he turns 3!!

Back to our anniversary....Happy 5th year of marriage, Jake! I am looking forward to our weekend getaway! Much needed and hard earned! These past 5 years of marriage have been great and the past 11 years of having you in my life have been wonderful. I can't even begin to imagine what the next 5-50+ years will be like! On top of being my husband and a superb father to Gusley, you are my best friend. I love you!

P.S. This year the "traditional" 5 year anniversary gift is wood. I think it is very fitting that we are headed to the woods to stay in a cabin built of nothing but wood!!

Gus, when did you get so big?

Today Gus walked passed me with no diaper on, wearing a sweatshirt and his Cat in the Hat backpack on his back with a new diaper in his hand. He went to the bathroom and I could hear him grunting so I gave him a minute and then I peeked in on him. To my surprise he was ON THE TOILET and he had peed and was in the process of pooping!! I was one happy, happy momma!! We had a big celebration and I praised him and told him how proud of him I was and he was all smiles. We washed his hands and then he got to put a star sticker (sticky as he calls them) on the mirror!! Don't worry they are re-stickable stickers so they leave no residue on the mirror. Anyway, this was a HUGE accomplishment and I am just a touch proud of my little big boy! He has been taking his diaper off after he pees and throwing it in the trash, but this my friends was a major milestone!

We have been telling him that he will get a bike if he consistently goes in the potty and I think it has finally set in because he wants to bring it to Pete (his cousin) and Gi-Gi's house to ride so we are aiming to have this milestone complete before we head down for the holidays! Here's to hoping we have a bike under the tree or soon after Christmas!!

The big boy room

Here is the bed that I purchased at a yard sale.....just a simple white wooden twin bed.




And here it is in Gus' room all set up and made!! Every morning when he wakes up he helps me make his bed and he takes great pride in his little job! I love that he is such a helper. He always has been and I am hoping that he always will be!! So far we are approaching then end of week 2 and he is still sleeping in his "mew" bed every night and for naptime!! Way to go big boy!! You make mommy and daddy so proud!

Gatlinburg in Pictures

Back in October, we took Gus (and Buttercup) to Gatlinburg to have a little mini vacation and to see the changing of the leaves! We had a wonderful time and Gus really enjoyed himself so much so that any time we are in the car and he sees the sign for the hotel we stayed in (which had orange comforters) he makes sure to tell us in an asking voice, "Orange Bed?" It is the cutest thing and we just chuckle and get a kick out of it every time!

He rode go-karts with Jake and I for the first time and he has been asking everyday since we are home to go ride "co-karts" so I an thinking we will be heading to the local go-kart track in the near future! Well, once it warms up a bit!

I apologize for the overload of pictures, but we had such a great time and took so many great pictures that I have to share them!!

Wild Woody...Gus' first go-kart track! It was Wild and Woody alright!

All buckled up and ready to go!

Holding Mommy's hand tight, tight!

This is just after we passed a Chick-fil-A and we can hear him whispering, "Cow House, Cow House"! It is safe to say the Chick-fil-A is his favorite place to eat! Who can blame him!

I do believe Gus got the biggest kick out of this dog on the motorbike! We all laughed out loud when we saw it and Jake had to drive right next to them so Gus could continue to laugh!!

Taking the gondola up the mountain to ride the Alpine Sled down!

Weeeeee!

Back to the Track for some more go-karts and airplane rides before heading home!

What a wonderful weekend we all had.....Gus and his sollipop just couldn't go any longer!!

Big boy in his "mew" bed

Sometime last year I picked up a twin bed frame at a yard sale. Nothing fancy, just white wood, but was perfect for a boy. I think I paid $10 for it. Last weekend I painted it dark brown and this weekend Jake cut the slats and set it up. Tonight was Gus' first night in his new ("mew" as he calls it) bed.

I ran to the grocery store while Jake bathed him and read books with him. Jake tucked him in and I laid with him in his new bed. By 9:20pm this is what we saw.............


I will write tomorrow to let you know how he fared the first night in his new bed! I am hoping to get a few hours of sleep before we have company in our bed!

Today Gus made 33 months! I can't believe he has been sleeping with us for the past 33 months! I would not change a thing! Jake and I both love to reach over and put our hand on his chest or back to make sure he is breathing and the baby morning breath is just adorable. I know, I know in a few short years I won't be saying that (about the morning breath) but until then I will keep trying to smell it every chance I get!! Sweet, sweet Gusley Mommy and Daddy love you so much and are so proud of you for WANTING to sleep in your big boy bed. There was no forcing you or fighting with you. You wanted to do this all on your own! Way to go big boy!!


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Red Velvet Yogurt = Delish!

This post needs not further explanation except that we finally wrapped our mouths around red velvet frozen yogurt! It was an early birthday treat for me, but we all enjoyed it!

Holdin on tight

A few weeks ago we went camping and took Gus for his first canoe ride. We made sure to reinforce that he would have to "hold on tight" while getting in and out of the canoe and while we were riding. He really took to our directions! So much so that "holding on tight" can be heard at least 10 times a day some days!! Whether we are picking him up or putting him down or if he is climbing into his seat for a meal he makes sure to tell us that he is holding on tight and it is just the cutest thing! Oh Gusley, I love you so much and it is days like this that bring tears to my eyes knowing that you are growing up and growing up fast! I love you and keep holding on tight!!

I like to ride my TRICYCLE!!