More snot, little sleep and waiting

Well, mystery solved. 

Late night antics seem to be in direct correlation to Piper's bladder.

Why can't she be lazy like every other kid I know and just go in her diaper? 

Or be as over zealous and head to the potty on her own?

But no.

She still denies she has to go, but a quick trip to the bathroom and she's good.

Until she has to go again.

Which one of us has a baby sitting on their bladder???

Great nights are greeted with full diapers in the am. They only happen about once or twice a week.

Add in the continued coughing fits in the night and I now totally understand why all parents claim no sleep in the first 4-5 years.

We're still no dairy - but with spring blooms and pre-school I'm beginning to think snot is just our state.

We'll stay non dairy for awhile though, hoping it keeps us from yet another double ear infection.

Garage finally has some semblance of order, so cabinets have commenced!

With some help

As of tomorrow I will be 40 weeks. Thank you so very much, but

Please - don't check in on me.

You'll know when it happens and in the mean time I'm uncomfortable.

Very uncomfortable. 

No added pressure needed.

I already have a toddler asking daily if it's her little sister's birthday yet.

3 years old!

A storm rolled in for Piper's 3rd Birthday, but that didn't stop us!

You seeing a theme here? I think Dad is hopping Piper catches the biking bug, so far the two tow behind options are her favorite. She'll get the balance bike - but for now she'd rather be as close to Dad as possible.

We had a small gathering - however it was complete - tears, snot and choloate were all in presence. 

This is Piper's friend from school. They have a very "interesting" dynamic I'm not so sure I want to deal with 9 months pregnant again.

Still shy at Birthday song time, but at least no tears this year.

Long story short we ended up with a second wave of party - this is Kiahi. Or as Piper calls him, Kay-yahi. He and his Mom and sister live in our old house across the street. His Dad brought them by and it was perfect. They watched some acrobats and things settled a bit more mellow. He's almost a year to the day older and has a huge love for monsters and ghosts too. And is teaching Piper about super Heros.

The weather turned nice and we headed to the pool the next day. Photos to come, but Piper had her first water wing experience and promptly told me, "you stay here Momma, you can't hang around me all day."

Then promptly "swam" away.

Apparently she needs Dad close by, but not so much Mom.

We busied ourselves when we got home so Dad could work on some house projects.

Building an "ant house"

And then we texted across the street for a date.

I could get used to this! 

Piper is back to helping in the kitchen at every meal now that there is room for her tower. She and I have a ball. She still loves to taste and tell me what is needed. And she's a pro with the food processor.

Birthday stuff continues to roll in, so she's convinced it's still her Birthday. 

The reset lasted a few days and then we were back to nightly visits. Josh and I cringe and anticipate the patter of her feet. Once, okay - but 6 plus times a night? We're hoping some tools, like the music player Mimi and Papa got her will help - but really a self declared "Softy" with a capital "S" needs to get on the boundary board. She's doing the: I need this that and the other game. I'm hard ball. No. Little talk and back to bed. Daddy on the other hand...

Josh joked with me the other morning,

"Well at least it will get easier when the baby arrives."

HA! 

Pre-Birthday Goodies

Starting to find peace...

The Grandparents took Piper for 3 days and two nights. I got sleep, nesting time and some pampering from my dancing partners while Josh took a last hurrah trip to Durango to visit friends and mountain bike.

We had no business not being productive.

But that is exactly what we needed...

And while Piper was at the Grandparents they were nice enough to reset her.

 

Ahhhhh....

She came back a different kid.

Well rested, she's become a chatterbox.

With tons of stories, songs and giggles.

To deal with the whole "don't leave kids out" dilemma that comes with kids' birthday parties I opted to bring cupcakes to school. 

I'm seriously uncomfortable these days-So I'm trying to downscale without making Piper suffer.

She's been talking about pink cupcakes for a month.

So wheat-free, dairy-free, natural beet dye cupcakes made it to school.

Quite yummy.

Very ugly.

But she didn't care. The kids had decorated a chair for her and Miss Vicky reported that Piper was very big on sharing the birthday limelight.

Back at home we opened some cards and a gift or two. I'm all about stretching a birthday out.

Then as a special treat Daddy came home early and took Piper for a spin on a new thing he got from Marcos in Durango.

He picked out the helmet for her.

Pink with fairies.

Nice work Dad!

First a walk trial

Then a driveway run

Taking a short break.

And off again!

They even went on the road for a spell.

Not like we see much traffic around here.

It seems like yesterday that she was born and now she's biking with her Dad?!?!