books, grumpiness, bedtime battles and a new baby

The only thing better than reading a really good book is having your six-year-old read you her first chapter book. Lily has recently started reading more and more words without help. It is like something has clicked for her. Last night she and I cuddled in her bed while we took turns reading a book about fairies. I loved every second of it. I just can't get over it when she reads a word that I'm sure she'll have trouble with. She just flies through the words like a pro. I was even more excited this morning when she brought the book to the breakfast table to take turns reading again. When she was very small she would sit for hours while I read to her. Recently, there had been a huge drop off in the amount of time she would sit and let me read to her...I was getting worried that she wasn't into books anymore. I was wrong. She's totally into it and now that she can read herself the possibilities are endless. I have been anxiously waiting for the day that I would have a child who could read and share books with me. Pure joy.

Drew may have finally given up the regular naps. He now goes two to three days between naps. He's doing pretty well...besides the grumpiness. He suddenly has quite a temper. He will come from another room and wallop Lily for a minor infraction. Yesterday he actually bit Lily so hard he left a bruise. I assume that this behavior will not continue as he gets used to not taking naps; however, I'd like to hold him down and make him sleep some days just so we can see that sweet little Drew that we know and love when he wakes up. I miss that kid.

Speaking of sleep....Julianna STILL WON"T STAY IN HER BED. I am going a little crazy. She gets up over and over and over again. I just don't understand! I know she is tired. I let her stay up 30 minutes past the other two. By the time she goes to bed she is yawning and rubbing her eyes. But as soon as I leave her room for good, we start the fight. I don't know what to do with her! She and I have discussed what it looks like to have a good bedtime. When I asked her to tell me what it looks like to have a good bedtime, she answered, "Tay. In. Bed." Yes, you're correct! And then you go to sleep! "I tay in bed and yell and cry!" Ugh! I am considering locking her in there. *wink. wink*

Did I tell you that I am going to be watching Miss Shanna's baby this school year? I am so excited to have a baby in our house again. I'm also equally excited that I can send the sweet baby home at 4 o'clock everyday. I am happy to report that Shanna and her husband, Trent, welcomed a new baby boy into their family on August 6th. His name is Ben....Baby Ben if you live at our house. I finally met the sweet, perfect, bundle of joy last night. Shanna was looking amazing, as usual, and I'm happy to report that things seem to be going well with the new addition. I love this baby already and I'm so humbled that I have been trusted to be his caregiver this year when his mama goes back to work. I hope that the transition is smooth and that Shanna feels just a tiny bit better leaving him knowing that her sweet baby Ben will be loved and smooched by me, Julianna, Drew and Lily all day long.