A Lesson in patience: Days 7, 8, and finally 9!!!

Days 7 and 8: (total time about 15 minutes)

Day 9:  (total time ZERO!).

I don't think I ever explained it, but when I say total time, I am talking about the time it takes for them to stay upstairs (and presumably fall asleep) after we tuck them in for the first time.  I thought 15 minutes was as good as it was going to get.  I thought we would never get to the point where they didn't come down even one time.  Well Folks, I was mistaken!

Today, on day 9 of our bedtime battle, they didn't come down even ONCE!  

It is a happy day in the Mileski house!!!  Let's just hope it lasts.  I do have a new secret weapon though (thanks Amy E), but I'll talk more about that later.....I'm beat!

Check Up Time....X3!

Among about a million other things, this week included check ups for all three "kiddos" (as Lucy likes to say).  Maybe not the best decision in the world....but it couldn't be avoided.  We have been gone so much that it made it hard to fit everything in.  So this week it was.  I didn't want to do them all on one day, so I made Reeves' appointment for one day and the girls' appointments together on another day.  I had "hoped" to do them all separately in order to spend time with each one alone, but I just couldn't swing it.  It all worked out fine....crazy, but fine.  7 shots, 2 finger pricks, 2 "pees in a cup", and 2 lively conversations later....we're all "checked" out.  I say "2 lively conversations" because my pediatrician (Dr. Lillian Israel) is an absolute HOOT, and she just knows what to do with kids.  My kids are complete HAMS around her and like to show off all their "tricks"....it is pretty hilarious to watch!   

I must admit that I have been a bit anxious about this round of check ups.  It seems like every other week we hear of another sweet child being diagnosed with cancer.  We have been praying for several kids lately, and it has brought about many questions from Reeves and Lucy about sickness and God's plan and death.  Heavy stuff for a 6 and  4 year old, but important I think.  It is amazing to me how much they care....how genuinely curious and concerned they are.  It has made for many deep and heartfelt prayer times, and it has made me think.  I just CAN NOT imagine going through such a trial with one of my babies.  I know that God will only give me what I can handle, and I pray that if He calls me to face such a trial that I will face it with the grace, courage, dignity, and never-ending faith that the mothers of these children we are praying for have.   You Are AMAZING!

As for my babies, they are strong and healthy.  Of course Greer has her birthmark and all of the concerns we still have (and will always have) concerning that.  She is seeing great results from laser treatments (next week will be Treatment #4...her first with Anesthesia) and so far shows no signs of Sturge Weber Syndrome.  She will most likely have an MRI sometime after she turns 1, but we will just continue to pray for no signs or symptoms to appear (glaucoma, seizures, developmental delays, etc..).  So far so good!  God has carried me through this with "mostly" grace and calm and I know He continues to be right by my side.  The peace I have lately about this is just unbelievable....only God is capable of giving me this sort of peace.  

I'll leave you with the pertinent STATS:

Reeves:  6 years old

48 pounds (50%)

46 1/2 inches (50%)

Lucy:  4 years old 

  38 pounds (75%)

  40 3/4 inches (75%)

Greer:  6 months

     18 pounds 10 ounces (90%)

     29 inches (off the CHART)

 

A lesson in patience: Day 6!!!

Day 6 (total time 14 minutes!)

I am probably being optimistic, but this just might be my last post on the bedtime topic!  

HOOOORAY!!

Chris left me tonight to go to a Steve Green concert (a lifelong obsession of his, if you know Chris), so I braved it alone.  I was really worried how this one might go since we had such an atypical day in our little world.  Reeves was not quite 100% after his night of vomiting and day of tummy troubles, and the girls both had checkups today (which included a total of 7 shots and 1 finger prick).  Let's just say, we weren't all at our best!  

Even after all that....we did GREAT tonight!!!

Greer went down at about 7:30, and after that we had a great time cuddling and Lucy did my hair!  I gave them till 8:30, then it was bedtime.  

With NO fight, they brushed teeth, went to the bathroom, and headed upstairs.  We read 2 books, said prayers, and I tucked them both in at 8:45.  

Here came the trouble.  It was a bit of a crying frenzy with Lucy jumping out of bed about 4 times.  She finally stayed put when I threatened to tell Daddy.  Reeves only got up twice (saying his tummy hurt, even though I knew it really didn't).  

I headed downstairs, followed by Reeves (whom I sent right back up), and then I waited.   At 8:59, Reeves came down one more time.  I kissed him and sent him back up.....and that was it!

YAY!

A Lesson in Patience: Day 5!!

Day 5 (total time 22 minutes!)

OK, I must say that I am now a believer.  Keeping up with the specific numbers day by day is making an impression on me.  I am amazed that this is working as well as it is, since every couple of nights we have let him fall asleep on the couch.  

Tonight we had our dear friends, the Enseys, over to have dinner.  We had a really nice time, and I was expecting tonight to be a big battle because of the stimulation.  I was very pleasantly surprised!!  They headed home at 8 and we pretty much started the bedtime routine as soon as they left.  Officially, we started at 8:30 after reading a book together on the couch.  After changing to pjs, brushing teeth, and heading up stairs, we tucked them both in.  I said prayers with each of them, and Reeves begged us to lay in the hallway.  Again!  We just said, "nope, buddy, you know we will be right downstairs and we love you".  We quickly came downstairs, ignoring Lucy's cries (it was again contagious, but this time she stayed in bed).  Reeves followed us down, but we threatened to take away Power Rangers again, and he was back to bed pretty quickly.  He came down a couple more times, but went back up on his own after more threats.  

By 8:52, he was down and out!  

It's working!  There is hope!

The Wedding, Part III: The Reception

I never realized that a wedding weekend could be so absolutely thrilling for little kids....boy, was I wrong.  I imagined that they might enjoy it a little bit, but they would quickly become irritated with the fancy clothes, the adult conversations, and the late nights with no real "kid" entertainment.  

I WAS MISTAKEN!!!

This is how they saw it:  PARTY, PARTY, PAR-TAAAAAAY!

Each one had a favorite moment or two that stands out.  

Reeves couldn't have been more proud to be wearing a tie (see previous post), and to be hanging with the "boys".  My very cool and handsome male cousins made him feel just like one of the guys.  It made his LIFE.  Not to mention the fascination he had with the open bar (please get your minds out of the gutter!).  He was amazed that he didn't have to pay for it, and enjoyed drinking his weight in orange juice and sprite. 

If you know my Lucy, you know that (like her Daddy), she has a sugar addiction.  It is serious, and requires constant monitoring when we are at home.    So it probably goes without saying, but Lucy was all about the CAKE!  Actually, all of the little girls were obsessed with the cake.  I averted a major disaster when I stopped Caroline (my niece, the flower girl) from LICKING the groom's cake.  That was a close one.    

That reminds me of another funny Caroline story.  As I mentioned (and as you can see in the picture), all of the little girls were dying for the cake to be cut.  Lee (my cousin, the groom) told us that at some point, Caroline found him and told him that he "had to come quick, it was time to cut the cake!!!"  Lee promptly followed her to the cake and expected to find his bride, Meredith, and a large crowd awaiting.  

What he found instead were four little girls....no Meredith, no crowd.

Lee said, "Caroline, why did you bring me here now....where is everyone?"

"I don't know, but we want some cake.... you have to cut it for us!"  

They had to wait a little longer, but they finally got their cake.  I can tell you, it was well worth the wait.  I think Lucy ate about 4 pieces!

Then there was the dancing!  I mean, what is better than a big band and a twirly dress.  Look at the smiles on their faces.....PURE BLISS!  

I don't think it could have been any better!

As for Sweet Greer,  she slept through it all...

A Lesson in Patience: Day 4!!

Day 4 (total time N/A.....again!!!)

Today was a "Daddy Day" because I worked (I like to call it a paid vacation!).  Chris wore the kids OUT today, and Reeves fell asleep on the couch again.  I realize this is a bad habit, too!  I hope that this is not setting us back more and more.  Oh, well...it's the last week of Summer (sniffle)!

A Lesson in Patience: Days 2 & 3!!!

Day 2 (total time N/A):  Fell asleep on the couch after a late night at football practice (he's playing flag football this fall...very excited, details to come!).  Transfered to bed without event...

Day 3 (total time 38 minutes):  Began bedtime routine at 8:45 (potty, brushed teeth, read 2 books with Lucy and Daddy) and tucked in for the first time at 9:05.  Came downstairs about 3 times in screaming tears for juice & potty trip #2.  The screaming was contagious.  Lucy (who is usually pretty easy to get down) came down to join in.  Sips for both, back up to tuck in for the 2nd time.  Lucy is down for the count, Reeves is still workin' it!  Back up to tuck in for the 3rd time. and 4th time.  and 5th time.  Asleep at 9:43! 

I decided to make this post a "regular" until we have conquered the nighttime struggles with trying to get Reeves to go to bed on his own.  Pray it only takes a few days!!!

The Wedding, Part II: Flower Girl Envy

My niece Caroline was a flower girl for Lee and Meredith's wedding.  And she was a FABULOUS one at that!  You see, Lee and Meredith have been living in Washington, DC for a while, and my sister Rachel and her family live there, too.  Meredith thought it would be perfect for Caroline to be one of her flower girls! Caroline took the job VERY seriously, and we were all very proud of her! 

Lucy, on the other hand, was a "little bit" jealous.  Don't get me wrong, she enjoyed the wedding festivities all the same, but she was still a "wee" bit envious of her favorite older cousin.  The only saving grace was the CAKE (but more about that later). 

Aunt Mary said she watched Lucy intently as Caroline made her way down the aisle.  Mary said Lucy had the look of "If I were the flower girl, I would do it soooo much better!"  I wish I had been close enough to witness that expression.  I made the choice to sit on the very back row with baby Greer.  There is nothing worse than a baby's cries ruining a wedding.  Thankfully, Greer never made a peep....she enjoyed the wedding, too!  

Lucy, my sweet, you will have your day as flower girl....I am SURE of it!!!

A Lesson in Patience: Day 1!!!

Day 1 (total time 1 hour and 4 minutes)!

Well, tonight we did it!  I realize that some of you will say, "it's about time!", but for us, it wasn't quite that easy.  We all have our weaknesses and bad parenting moments, and for us, they have all revolved around bedtime.  Specifically, bedtime habits with Reeves.  Don't get me wrong...we learned our lesson.  We didn't make the same mistakes with Lucy, and we aren't/w0n't with Greer, but understand, mistakes we made with Reeves have taken us 6 YEARS to fix.  Yep, 6 YEARS!!!

But, for the first time in FOREVER, we didn't lay in the hallway till Reeves fell asleep.  Specifically, Chris didn't lay in the hallway (I don't have the patience for that nonsense, and I have told Chris that for years!!!).  We did the "supernanny".  This technique got us to the hallway in the first place, but we stalled out for a couple of years.  Yes, YEARS!   Hey, it's better than laying down in BED with him!  At least in the hallway you can read a book or magazine, or even check your email. 

But, it has gotten old.  And, school starts back in 2 weeks, and we are starting boot camp around here.  It's the old "start out like you can hold out" motto, and we are stickin' to it for once.  It only took 1 hour and 4 minutes.  He only lost his golf clubs for 2 days, dessert tomorrow, his bike for 1 day, and no Power Rangers TV show till the weekend.  We only had to tuck him in 37 times, and we were strong!  Very, very STRONG!  

Sweet dreams, Reeves!

The Wedding, Part I: The Tie

On July 19th, my cousin Lee McBrearty married Meredith Leach.  It was a wonderful weekend filled with parties, laughter, fellowship, reunion, and all around fun. It was the first wedding for Lucy and Greer, and the second for Reeves (his first one was the wedding of my Uncle Craig and Aunt Mary, but he was only 5 months old).  Needless to say, they were QUITE excited about all of the festivities.  In fact, there are so many memorable little moments, that I simply can't combine them all in one big post.  So, over the next couple of days, I will post some little stories that made me smile.  These are the moments I don't want to forget!

We all wanted nice new outfits for the actual wedding ceremony.  I stressed and stressed over my dress, but in the end, I wound up wearing the dress I wore for my very own after rehearsal dinner party.  It is a great dress that has served me well over the years.  I just regret the hours and hours I spent stressing over finding something new.....this little black dress has never let me down!

I was lucky enough to borrow and buy (at quite and ebay steal) some beautiful Strasburg dresses for the girls.  They were precious, and all of the little girl cousins matched.  ADORABLE (except for the strap that wouldn't stay on Lucy's shoulder and the green spit-up that decorated Greer's lace collar, but I digress....they were BEAUTIFUL!).  Perfect twirl dresses that made them look like angels!  Even Chris splurged on a new navy suit, and he looked quite handsome.  

Reeves was my dilemma.  I have had a hard time with this "boy" thing as it is.  As one of 3 girls, I don't have much experience in this department.   I learn something new everyday, and I pray that God will give me the wisdom (and sometimes the patience) to raise a strong, loving, Godly man. 

 I was fortunate that Chris let me dress Reeves however I wanted to for much longer than many of my other friends with boys.  I admit that I loved the Jon Jon's and the Big Collars.  I loved the Button Short Sets and the occasional Smocked T-shirt with Matching Gingham Shorts.  He kept a long, bowl-type haircut for a really long time, and Chris never, ever complained.  He already knew we had an "all boy" type, so I don't think it ever bothered him.

With the start of "real school", I had to let much of my "baby boy" go.  I gave in to the shorter haircut, the big boy clothes, and the "cool" tennis shoes.  I knew that this wedding was going to require some sort of "big boy" dress clothes, and I had a hard time deciding what would look best.  After much debate, and after flipping through a million catalogs, I decided to go with a tie.  Well, easier said than done!  I could not find a cute one for the life of me.  

I was ready to give up, and just let him wear a nice polo dress shirt with his linen pants when Mom found it.

THE TIE!

It was in a sales bin a the Brooks Brothers outlet for just $5 (and if you shop at BB you know that is the steal of the century).  

I have never seen a kid more proud of an article of clothing!  He just beamed, and when he tried it on for the first time it was priceless.  He has this little thing he does when he's proud of himself.  It is something that even his teacher pointed out to me this year as he was learning to do all sorts of new things in Kindergarten.  When he is beside himself with pride, it's like he's trying not to smile, so he pushes his tongue into the inside of his cheek.  It is way too hard to describe, and I am determined to catch it on film one day.  Until then, here are some pictures of my "big boy" in his very first TIE!  

What's New

A lot, actually!  We are finally home....

It was a crazy month of travels, and we are all pretty happy to be back home.  Reality has hit, however, and the past couple of days have been crazy and a bit overwhelming for me.  I'll probably post more about it later.  Basically, unpacking and reorganizing makes me a crazy person who is a bit difficult to live with.  Thankfully, I have a patient husband and great kids who still love me (oh, and some sweet friends who hear me out with no judgement!).  I am praying for more patience and control.  Feel free to add me to your prayer list!

I got my MAC back today, and I am VERY happy about it.  Expect lots more posts in the coming weeks with some great pictures.  I have missed my computer so very much, and didn't realize how easy it has made my life.  K, I am making it sound like my fourth child or something....sorry!

Some funny, sweet, precious things have happened to us this month, and I am looking forward to sharing it all.  Thanks for coming by to see what's new!  Stay tuned!

Porch Time

I haven't posted in a few days, and I thought I would just let you know what is going on. I'm sitting on the porch at my parents condo in Destin enjoying one of the last nights here. The sweet sounds of music float in the air, along with precious coos from baby Greer. She is entertaining herself in her exersauser and I'm enjoying the salty air and the sweet taste of a mojito. Lucy and Reeves just ran out here to swing on the porch swing and now I hear it's creaky sounds. The day has been perfect....at least perfect from my perspective.

We woke up to yummy donuts from The Donut Hole (thanks Daddy), had several cups of hot coffee, laid around in our PJs watching the news and cartoons, colored a little, took a morning nap (Greer), then we threw on our bathing suits and headed to the pool. We swam for a while, then it was time for lunch and a nap (or a movie), and then more pool time.

We all have our favorite beach moments. Reeves has developed a golf obsession (thanks to the surrounding golf course and a nice set of golf clubs). Charcey has taken him out almost every night to hit on the holes after the golfers have finished their games for the day. He's actually pretty good, and I'm afraid we have adopted a new (and fairly expensive) new hobby.

Lucy is swimming like an absolute FISH. She learned to dive this week, and can do about 5 flips underwater in a row. She has also worn the same outfit for 2 weeks now (a record I think) and I don't even care. If I had only known all we would need was a bathing suit, her Hannah Montana nightgown, and one little outfit I might not have stressed so much about packing!

For Greer, well, she's about as happy as any little baby could be! She loves her days down here. I mean, it is baby HEAVEN! She is basically eating, sleeping, and playing. She doesn't have to get schlepped around in a carseat all day, and she can stay in her PJs all the time. Her favorite thing is swinging with her Charcey on the porch swing. It lulls her into a catatonic state that is hilarious to see. Her little body turns in to a limp little noodle!

Papa is cooking another yummy meal (did I mention that we have our own private chef), and the smell is drifting out the open door. I should probably go and take a shower, but then again, I might just skip it tonight.

Pray for Mrs. Lynne today!

My dear friend, Lynne Frederick, is having surgery today at UAB Hospital. Please be in prayer for her surgeons and nurses as they care for her. Pray for husband Steve as he waits for her. We love you Mrs. Lynne!

So I know this looks terrible....

but I wanted to post this picture as the header on the blog and I can't get it all figured out right with this computer. I can't fix it till I get home, so for now it will look like this. I just love this picture so much, and couldn't wait to share it! Enjoy!

Hallelujah!!!

I know that might be a strong statement reserved for praising our Lord, but sleeping through the night is a spiritual experience to me! Greer made it from 7:30 pm - 6:30 am.....a record for our just about to be 6 month old (tomorrow!). Yay Greer!

Now that I think about it, I always sleep better at the beach, too!

On the eve of her 6 month mark, here are a few pictures of what she is up to these days. Greer is getting to be such a big girl! She is eating more and more things, and loving almost everything she tries. Her favorites are bananas, canteloupe, sweet potatoes and zucchini (also a new favorite for Reeves and Lucy....why are we just now discovering it!). She has pretty much mastered sitting up (with only occasional topples forward or back), and had her first experience in a restaurant high chair at the Donut Hole. We even tried her in a swing at Baytowne Wharf, and she loved it! I love this stage! Come to think of it, I say that about every stage in the lives of my children. Just when you get used to one thing, they are off doing something new. And the best part is, they all do it just a little bit differently.

Reeves was a "military crawler". Imagine him as a solid little chunk of baby fat and drool doing the commando crawl like a little soldier in training. Can you picture it? Now Lucy, she crawled in the classic way. Hands and knees, thank you very much. I look forward to seeing what Greer will come up with. It would be like her to do the "butt scoot"!

We made it....

We are at the beach...finally! It was about the most difficult packing job to date, and I am absolutely relieved to finally be here! I can't believe how much time and energy it takes to pack 5 people.... it is unbelieveable. I saved most of the packing for today, and it made for a late start, but the trip was pretty uneventful....except for the TICKET!
Yep, we got a ticket today. We were trying to make it to the Subway in Andalusia with a crying 6 month old, and Chris got a little heavy footed. Just as we came over a little hill, we were caught. Ugh! The worst part was how upset Reeves got. He cried and cried because he thought they were going to take Daddy to jail! It was pitiful....but not pitiful enough to get us out of the ticket. I mean, come on. Since when can a crying baby AND a crying 6 year old not get you out of a ticket. Glad it was Chris and not me. I would have been in tears (hey, maybe THAT would have made the difference!)
The funniest part was that it was the 3rd ticket in our close circle of friends in 2 weeks! Barrett and Bethany got a ticket a couple weeks ago, and Keith and Amy got one yesterday! I guess we were the lucky ones to confirm the old wives tale that "bad news comes in threes".
Praying for only good things in the coming days!
We'll keep you posted!

Celebrations

I realize that I have posted lots and lots of prayer requests on my blog, but I don't often mention the praises in my life (and in the lives of those I love).  I am flooded tonight with happiness for some awesome things that are happening around me, and I feel God urging me to share those things.  Here are as many as I can think of (I'm sure there are more), in no particular order:

1.  Tomorrow we are off to the beach for 2 weeks.  Chris will be there for most of it, and at the end of the trip, we will join our family in Fairhope for the wedding of my cousin Lee and his beautiful bride-to-be Meredith.  We are all really looking forward to being together!  It has been almost 6 years since we've had a full reunion of the Rutland side.  

2.  Lucy is so excited to see a "real" wedding!

3.  Greer is doing great with her treatments, and the fading is amazing.  We pray that it continues to fade away!!  We are actually postponing her next treatment till August 5th so that she can have the benefit of a new laser that Dr. Theos is getting.  This should really be of great benefit to her, and we are thrilled that this treatment will be under General Anesthesia (no pain during treatments!)

4.  Our friend, Russell Jackson, is being honored this week as "CNN's Hero of the Week."  In fact his story is about to air on Larry King Live.  Russell founded Kid One Transport, and is an amazing man with an amazing family.  We are so proud of you Russell!

5.  Reeves' wonderful kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Keeney, is a finalist for a BIG award.  She worked very hard to get this far, and we are immensely proud of her.  Let's pray she wins the grand prize!  She deserves it.

6.  Rollins Wilkerson (my friend Brooke's little girl with Leukemia) has had a couple of really good days.  They have received  good news concerning her future, and we celebrate with her family!  God is Good!  There is absolutely Power in Prayer!

7.  My dear friend Bethany Edgeworth was accepted into nursing school this week!  I am so proud and excited for her.  

8.  Discovery United Methodist (our church) has a new Senior Pastor.  Julie Holly is doing a fabulous job, and everyone is really excited to see what is about to happen there.  It is an awesome thing to be a part of!

9.  Lily (our sick cat) seems to be doing better.  For some reason, she has a massive appetite lately.  She has gained some weight and is looking healthier in general.  We will just wait to see what happens, I guess.

10.  And, last but not least, I  feel so blessed to have such a wonderful husband who is such a great life partner.  God is so Good!

Meet Rollins!

Couldn't you just eat her with a spoon!

I grew up with Rollins' mom Brooke, and she needs your prayers!  Rollins was diagnosed just over a week ago with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.  She is back home following several days at Children's Hospital.  She has already had a week of chemo, and will go back tomorrow for round 2 (plus a bone marrow biopsy and spinal tap).  Her prognosis is really good, but the treatments and time it takes to reach the finish line are going to be tough. 

PLEASE, visit her Caring Bridge page (www.caringbridge.org/visit/rollinswilkerson) and read all about her so that you will know what their specific prayer needs are...as you can imagine, they change by the day.  Brooke is really encouraged by your prayers, and I thank you too! 

Romans 12:12 "be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer"