Long Time, No Blog

*Good grief! This is a picture heavy post.  If you can't read...there is still lots to look at*


Ever since we returned from England, things have been a little crazy around the Mulley house.  When we first got home, Jack started having a lot of issues, including: not sleeping, not eating, severe separation anxiety, not liking his Mommy at all, and headbanging.  It took a good three weeks before things settled down and Jack was back to his old self again.  Thank goodness, because the "new" Jack was not nearly as charming and awesome as the old Jack.

After things with Jack calmed down, I was busy working on Baby #2's crib bedding.  Back when I first got pregnant, I decided that I was going to make the bedding for Baby #2.  What was I thinking?!?  As one friend kindly told me, "You know you can buy that stuff in the store, right?".  I thought I was being crafty...more on that later.

So this blog post is to catch up on on some of the goings on that have occurred since we last checked in.

• Jack started preschool!  He goes two mornings a week and he seems to really enjoy it.  His teachers rave about him every day when I go in to pick him up and they tell me how sweet he is and that I am such a lucky mom to have such a great kid.  As a former teacher, I know some of that is probably fluff that they tell all the parents, but as a parent, I think it's awesome that my child is so loved!

Obligatory 1st day of School Picture

Jack showing Daddy which way to go

Jack and Daddy walking in together

• Once we got Jack's sleeping habits back under control, we decided it was time to move him into his big boy bed.  Jack wasn't attempting to escape his crib, but we are handing down the crib to his little brother and we wanted to go ahead and transition him.  We were concerned about him not sleeping well in the bed and getting out and wandering around his room, but from the very first night, Jack did excellent.  He goes down like nothing has changed and he sleeps through the night.

Jack's big boy bed

We plan to rearrange to room a little, but it's working for now

• Jack recently decided that he no longer needs to sit in a highchair.  When out at a restaurant, he will do weird monkey cling to Dave when he pulls out a highchair so that he doesn't get put in it.  He is happy to sit in a regular chair and reach up for his food.  We finally got him a booster seat for the house and he loves sitting at the table with us.

 

Before we got a booster seat...Jack just dined at the table

• Like I said earlier, I decided to make the bedding for Baby #2's crib.  I bought all the fabric before we left for England with the intention of starting as soon I we got home.  Well, that's not how things worked out.  Once I was finally ready to start working on the project, I started having crazy anxiety about just cutting the fabric.  I didn't want to mess up.  I don't like doing things that I'm not good at and I was so overwhelmed by the sheer amount of fabric I had.  I finally asked Dave if he would help me and being the greatest husband ever, he helped me get all of my cuts made.  Then it was time for all the prep work (making the piping, making the ties, trimming the edges, etc) and finally, I was able to start the actual construction.  I'm really pleased with the final result, but now I understand why people charge at least $500 for custom made baby bedding...it's a lot of work!

The fabric before being cut

I cut the fabric!

Monogramming the fabric for one of the bumpers

Finished product (weird lighting--sorry)

• After the bedding was completed, Dave set the crib up in the new nursery so that we could see how it looked in the actual crib.  Jack being the super helper that he is, insisted on assisting his daddy.  Once the crib was all put together, I attached the bumper.

Hey Dad, whatcha doin?

So the screw goes in here?

How's it go?

How's this look?

Okay, you can help me with this one, Dad.

I got this one-all by myself!

I'll tighten this one for you

Where's Jack?

I like building things with you, Dad!

Monogram altered to protect the unnamed unborn

a side view

seersucker with embroidered whales

view from the head of the bed

• We've also been getting Jack ready for when Baby #2 comes.  Crafty Sue is the "Designated Caretaker of Jack" while we are in the hospital so I've been doing a Crafty Sue Bootcamp to get him ready.  Once a week, I take him to her house so that he can get accustomed to being there.  Sometimes I stay and visit and sometimes I just drop him off.  Her kids are so amazing with him and love to play with him.  Crafty Sue has been to his preschool and met his teachers in the event that she has to pick him up from school and she plans on doing a test run of picking him up on her own.  I've also started writing up a "All About Jack" folder that includes his daily routine (including bedtime routine, meal routine, etc.), likes, dislikes, emergency contact info.  I guess you never lose those teacher lesson planning skills.  I think Jack is going to have so much fun at Crafty Sue's house that he might not want to come back home!

Playing trains with Liam and Logan

A piano trio

Jack giving Logan some loves

Bill reading to Jack

Jack chillin' in the fort

Shwew!  That was quite the update and I'm not even finished yet!  We've done some other fun things in the past month or so and I will update you on that stuff soon.  Just wanted to end this post before everyone fell asleep.  Stick with us, the best is yet to come!