Tessa - December 2011

Well missy, we've had more than one big milestone with you in the last couple months, and as embarrassed as you may be by this one, I can't believe I didn't write about it last month!  For some reason I decided to potty train Logan, and it was no different with you.  I'm not quite sure why I do that to myself, but you were actually quite easy!  Everyone told me with Logan to wait until he was ready, and of course I didn't.  I wanted him to be ready because you were born and I didn't want to change 2 bums.  Well that didn't go so well, but when he decided he was ready it was really easy.  So with you I waited and waited and waited (even though the little potty has been in your bathroom since last spring) and finally decided I'd just give it a shot and see how it went.  Well, it went!  You did pretty well and had a few accidents here and there, but you were completely day and night potty trained in no time!  It is no fun for the first few weeks, and we've made our fair share of runs to the bathroom in the grocery store, park, and library, but you were nice enough to give me about 3 months without having to change diapers.

I also love that you call the toilet "the pot."  I'm not sure where you picked it up, but it's funny.  "Mom, you need to help me sit on the POT!" or, (and your cousin is going to love me for this, sorry Bost!), "Mom, Bosten says he is scared to sit on the pot."  It's pretty cute.

We also decided it was time to move you out of the crib and into a big girl bed.  We were worried how you'd do since you LOVE to curl up in the corner of your crib in your stink bug pose, but once again you've done fine.  You haven't once fallen out, although the other night when I went to check on you it looked like you had crawled out of your bed and fallen asleep on the floor - go figure.  You and Logan continue to make some of these parenting things too easy for me, but I'm not complaining!

Your first night in your new bed...

Your dad's truck was in the shop for a couple days, so we had to take him to work one day when it was snowy weather.  Well you guys would NOT let me keep you inside after we got home, so inside we went to bundle you up, then back outside you 2 went to play in it.  There was only about half an inch to play in and it was gone about 20 minutes after I made you come inside, but you had fun while you could!  I'm actually excited for a little bit of snow this year so I can send you both out in it again and make a snowman that is bigger than 6 inches!

We moved you and your big girl bed into what was my old office and moved the computer into me and dad's room after my computer and the internet connection decided not to get along so well.  The other morning I heard you coming through the kitchen  after waking up so I turned to say good morning and then about fell off my chair laughing when you appeared in the doorway with this hair...

It was so much better in person too!  Then another day I let you have chocolate milk and toast for breakfast and was surprised to see this when you were done...

I'm not quite sure how you ended up with a huge smear of chocolate on your face, but I can assure you that we get plenty of laughs at your expense in the morning.  I'm so glad you are still at a stage where most of the time you will laugh with us instead of getting mad.

Speaking of laughing at your expense, the other day your dad and I were giving you a hard time about something and your dad said to you, "Tess, you are a genius." to which you replied, "No I'm NOT!"  You may not have proven it right at that moment, but you sure are a smart girl most of the time.

I'm so excited for Christmas this year and hoping that you get into it more this year than last.  Once again I've kind of taken advantage of how easily persuaded you are and convinced you that you want a crib for your babies for Christmas.  I really do think you will like it though, and I'm hoping that you will be content to take care of your babies while I am taking care of your new brother.  I keep telling you that you are going to be my helper when he comes, so hopefully that is getting planted in your head too.  I am nervous about him coming though since it was quite a bit transition for me and Logan when you arrived.  Luckily I ask Logan about that now and he doesn't seem to remember too many details, so I'm hoping that if we have a rocky start with 3 that you won't remember that part of it.  As long as he survives the two of you I think we will all eventually find our places again without too much of a problem.

You are such a fun little turkey, and I am glad you are the middle child.  I don't think I will ever have to worry about you not getting enough attention because you are pretty good at making sure we know you are here...

Keep being the sweet girl you are, but maybe ease up a little bit on your dad.  He's going to need a daddy's girl here in a few weeks when he is feeling neglected by mom too.

Love you Big Sis,
Mom