Transition.

Ok, so the room has been done for a while--we had guests for a weekend and then I got sick--so no more excuses! On Monday night Presley slept in her big girl bed! And to my delight it went smoothly. After a book, prayers, and kisses the lights were out and she only talked to her dolls and animals for about 10 minutes before I heard nothing but silence and the occasional thumb sucking on the monitor. I couldn't believe it--she didn't get up or out of bed, no crying and the only hiccup was a 6:45 AM wake up (which isn't that far from her normal 7:15 wake up time).

As I had mentioned to a few of my friends I was most nervous about nap time in the new bed. We have blinds and curtains but the room still stays fairly light with the afternoon sun. So on Tuesday after a trip with her daddy down to Provo to visit great grandma Presley was asleep when we put her in her big girl bed for a nap. About 10 minutes later I heard her softly talking to her dolls and hoped she would fall back asleep--no such luck. Presley talked for about an hour and a half before I got her up. The first nap attempt was a failure and Presley asked to go to bed at 6:30 PM that night.

Last night and tonight Presley has been an angel--book, prayer, kisses, and lights out with not even a peep. She seems to have completely forgotten about her old room and the crib. I am happy to say that this afternoon, after talking for about 1/2 hour, I went down to Presley's room and asked her if she wanted to take a nap in her crib. She said "No." and so I asked her to close her eyes, hug her monkey, hold her blanket, and to please not talk any more. To my surprise she fell right to sleep and stayed that way for just about her normal 2 hour nap.

I am not counting it as a success yet but maybe within the next week or so (after our trip to North Carolina to visit Krista) the transition will be complete. Pretty soon I will set up Presley's old room as the new baby's nursery--raise the crib, put in the new bumper, change the photos and artwork. Maybe if I am feeling ambitious I will get started on sorting through all the baby clothes.

More visitors!

Chris's cousin Kari made it up for an afternoon nature walk in Park City! We spent what turned out to be a very cold, windy and even lightly snowing afternoon walking on one of our favorite trails in Park City (we used to come up every winter when the valleys were smoggy due to the inversion--Park City would be sunny and warm compared to Provo).

We were all happy to have Kari up for the evening but I think Presley had the most fun showing Kari her new bedroom--she definitely got plenty of attention and tickles!




Presley used to look a lot more like Kari when she was first born--and Kari was excited to have a dark haired baby just like her. We all couldn't believe it when Presley's hair began turning so blonde! Kari, I am sure that someday Presley's hair will turn dark again and you will have a twin!



This is Presley (before she had her name) at about 24 hours old. This picture really makes me wonder what baby girl #2 will come out looking like!

Visitors.

My sister Becka came for a quick visit this weekend! Her little baby Lincoln is 5 weeks old today and he is still so tiny and delicate. Presley was excited to meet her new cousin and to see her aunt Becka for the first time in quite a while.




When I first asked Presley if she wanted to hold baby Lincoln she said "No, hold Lady Baby with 2 hands." I explained to her that she could hold the new baby as soon as she came out of mom's tummy but for now she could practice with Lincoln. Presley was a pro at holding the baby and she was so interested in his clothes and his hands--she even gave him a few kisses and hugs!

It was good to see you Becka!

I'm back, almost.

After coming down with what ever Chris had I have been pretty much useless since the 1st of March (yes, 17 days). I have never been sick for so long (nor do I intend to be ever again!). It started out with just a cold and cough which of course developed into congestion and tons of sinus pressure--meaning sleepless nights with lots of Sudafed to help with the pressure. After 1 1/2 weeks of no sleep I finally had developed a sinus infection and went on antibiotics to clear it up.

At my prenatal appointment my doctor assured me the baby probably didn't even know I was sick and prescribed me a cough medicine and Afrin for the congestion at night so I could finally get some sleep. It worked! The sinus infection cleared up and the Afrin was a miracle--12 hours with the ability to breathe through my nose and the first of 5 nights of actual SLEEP I have now had.

Thanks to an awesome hubby who took care of Presley and all the friends, neighbors, and family who helped (dinners and babysitting) I think I am finally on the mend. Today I can even breathe through my nose just enough to notice an improvement over the complete blockage I have felt the past few weeks.

Presley had fun with all the things she did with her dad--mostly she loved being out of the house and doing anything with the snow, even shoveling!

Shadows.

Presley has discovered her own shadow! With the sunnier days we have had we are finally getting a little afternoon sun peeking through the windows. And at the right time the sun is at just the right height for P to play with her shadow.

Presley had a series of poses ranging from waving to jumping and hands on her hips. The sun didn't last long but we sure had fun watching her interact with her shadow. Cross your fingers the sun keeps coming out--maybe spring is on its way!

My Picasso.

This is from Presley's "Blue" period. It a portrait of someone she misses but gets to see very soon . . . .

Aunt Krista, this is you! If you look closely you can see a round-ish head with two eyes and a nose. Presley has been very into coloring lately and loves to draw (mostly scribble) on every sheet of paper in a notepad before she is done. Her favorites include drawing a volleyball, Roxy, and tracing her hand (though she usually needs help with this).

Finishing touches.

Presley's new BIG GIRL room is just about done. After packing up my sister's stuff we purchased the mattress for P's bed--now we are just waiting for the back ordered sheets. Presley has had sooooo much fun playing in her new room and especially in the new bed. She still can't quite get into it on her own but getting out is no problem. She could sit in it for hours with her dolls and stuffed animals--she covers them up, pretends to take a nap or watch a movie, and relaxes.

I am still in need of art for the walls and I am looking for a mirror, peg boards, a frame or two for pictures, and a nightlight and small lamp. I am going to miss having her in the crib but I think she will make the transition without too much trouble (my fingers are crossed). The thing above her dresser is a flower chandelier (basically a mobile), it is green ribbon with little white flowers and beads.

Lately Presley has been waking up in the morning singing songs--this morning it was "Twinkle, twinkle little star . . . what you are?" over and over again. Chris and I just sat in our bed listening to her over the monitor, smiling.

Moving???

Well, we are not moving but my sister did! Krista and Matt 'conveniently' left all their stuff here for us to pack and ship out to NC. I am not complaining because my job consisted of keeping every fed (Gandolfo's sandwiches) and making sure Presley was not in the way (maybe some moral support for all those who did the heavy lifting).

Krista and Matt we lucky that everything fit into one truck and that it only took one day to load it all up. They were both VERY thankful and called each of us multiple times to express how grateful they were. Next time I am planing my move the same way . . . . though chances are we will never move.

By the way, look for Matt on TV on Friday nights! He is a Lead Engineer for the TRG Truck Team (truck 71) in the Nascar Truck Series. Go Matt! (from little P)

Valentine's Day.

With my travels to Boise to see the new baby, we did not get to do our usual Valentine's Day activities--the highlight being a nice, romantic dinner at Burger Supreme. So before I left Chris was treated to heart-shaped sugar cookies and Prelsey recieved a new headband with several flower bows.

The head band is great but it makes her look soooo old--I guess I cannot stop the fact that she will grow up and though it happens a little each day those little bits really seem to be adding up lately. Here are some of her favorite things right now:

• Running, chasing dad (riding on his back too)


• Asking us "Where's Peanut?" as she hides behind the couch


• Telling me to "Go away mommy." or "By myself."


• Stating her first and last name (as well as mom and dad's full names)


• Playing the "chemist" with bowls and water on the kitchen floor

I forgot to mention this trip to Boise was the first time Presley has been left alone overnight with dad--and it worked out fine! I was nervous and I am pretty sure Chris was too. In March P and I are headed to North Carolina to visit Krista and we can't wait for the trip!

New arrival!

Well, it happened after a long day of Becka being induced, but I am now an aunt! And Presley has her very first cousin! Baby Lincoln Eric was born at 5:00 pm on Monday, February 11th. He weighed 6 pounds 5 ounces and was 19 inches long.

I was lucky enough to go to Boise for a quick visit (Thursday through Saturday) to meet the new baby. I am happy to say I got to hold him (probably more than my share) and I also was sent by Krista to take Lincoln's "hospital" photo (she used to do it professionally but couldn't make the long trip).

This was my first attempt at a professional shoot with all manual settings and my new equipment. We took about 130 photos and you can view some of them here with more to come once I can get them off to Krista for color correction.

Congratulations Becka and Eric!