The Power of a Mother & Easter

What are you gonna do? Right when I feel like I'm motivated enough to post more regularly, is exactly when I feel like I have nothing worth while to offer my readers. Life continues to be busy and the constant ticking away of time is yet another reminder of how I wish life would come with a pause button. Caroline was upgraded to a big girl bed this past Friday- A. BIG. GIRL. BED. Wow, since when wasn't she an itty bitty baby anymore? Armed with a twin size mattress, a six piece big girl sheet set, a cute pink polka-dot puppy pillow, and some new mermaid jammies, we were ready to roll.

Going from crib to big girl/boy bed can be a trying time for a mommy and daddy, but I've found that the Super Nanny's approach works wonderfully- that is if the parent can consistent and constant (that can be the tricky part)! When children want to get out of bed and seem to be resilient to all your other efforts try this approach and see what happens.... it is suggested that when a child gets out of bed to pick them up (with no words to be exchanged) and to put them back into bed. Cover them up, give them their security toy/blanket/ binkie/etc. and walk out. Keep it short, simple, and sweet. For littler-little ones, a lot of the times, they just want to know that you are present for them to feel safe and secure... don't, for-the-love-of-8 hours-of-uninterrupted-sleep lay down in bed with them! (I know that probably sounds mean, and really, what's wrong with a little snuggle time? But if this is something you do on a nightly basis the longer you go the harder the routine is to break. I've heard of some people that have their 7 year old sleeping in bed with them!) Simply put your child into bed and sit/stand there. No talking, to singing, just BE. When they start to fuss pat their back, then take a break. If they fuss some more try a soothing ssshhhhh, then stop. Knowing that you are present is all they need in order to feel your love. Isn't it amazing that with one mother's touch, one mother's voice or soothing sound, that a child will stop whimpering the instant they feel or hear those things. Mother's hold so much power when it comes to feeling loved and safe. It ALL begins with us. What an awesome and privileged responsibility that God has blessed us with.

I used to think Caroline looked so big in her crib, but now that her sweet little body is resting on a twin sized mattress she looks so small and baby-ish. 

My sweet angel

So, the Easter festivities were rolling in full force this weekend complete with decorating bunny and egg shaped homemade sugar cookies, stringing Easter candy necklaces, dying eggs, and time with family. 

Kiddies doing their thaannng

 Caroline aka: a hot mess, did more eating of her cookie than decorating...

Easter egg hunt

(Isaac looks like he is already in a sugar induced coma) 

Givin' the egg a shake to see if there was candy or change for his piggy bank

She was showing daddy her pretty new flip-flops

Isaac using their new swirly light spinner to see if there was an egg in the corner.....

turns out it was just a boulder to their super hero castle. :-)

Children out-takes pictures taken after church.

One of Joel and I

(don't you love Samuel's reflection in the mirror)

And the whole gang

Hope you had a beautiful Easter holiday!!