Prep for the Baby

When we learned we would be having a new baby in November, it became clear that some of the kids would have to grow up faster than I had anticipated. In particular, the older kids needed to be more independent and baby James needed to lose a few baby ways. We've made significant progress so far!

Alice asked for a clock in her room. Now she tells herself when it's time to stop reading and turn out the lights. We haven't used the alarm for waking, but that will probably come before November.

Robert dresses himself in the morning without help, even removing his night diaper and disposing of it properly. We'll work on the wetting issue later.

James has moved to a toddler bed. Bye bye crib. That wasn't the slightest bit difficult for him.

Alice has started to use her room more than ever before. Instead of running to me to intervene with siblings, she takes to her room. It's a place of quiet when Robert is being a pill, and it's a great place to let off some dramatic, sobbing, frustrated steam.

Robert uses the bathroom independently now, too. Even the wiping. Hallelujah!

James loses the pacifier. This has been hard for him. All of us. We're on day 5. Naps are still a bit touchy, bedtime and night wakings are a little rougher, and now he has a fever that makes him a restless sleeper. He's stopped asking for pacifiers, though, which is progress.

Alice sometimes gets breakfast for the younger kids on weekends. She'll pull out the bowls and cereal and pour the milk for them.

Robert buckles himself into his booster seat in the car! He's faster than I am.

James climbs into and out of his seat at the table quite proficiently. We tell him it's time to eat and off he goes to wait his turn for food. Food is important to this fellow.

Potty training James is still far away in my thoughts. It's too early for me, and I can't bear regression. So, I'll hold off until I can invest the energy it requires. So. Much. Energy. Ugh.