A Belated Valentines...

OK...back by popular demand!

We've all been sickies around here with colds and coughs -- with Kristina sounding like a 60-y.o. sailor who smokes 2 packs a day.  But hey, we're not too sick to share the love, especially on Valentine's Day!  (Probably the main reason we're all sick...)

It was a quiet day here last week.  Slept in, made breakfast, and chased Kristina around the block as she rode her bicycle and tricycle.  Not the romantic Valentine's Day like years past but hey, things change as kids enter the equation.  We just have to make Valentine's Day last the entire year....

So, for your viewing enjoyment, a few pics of the love of our life on Valentine's Day!

"Pweese, mommy - one more choc-o-late, pweese?"
Ugh, how could I say "no"?



Our biker chick.  And who cares if the elbow pads are on the knees
and the knee pads on the elbows?



Ahhh, the holiday gifts just keep on coming!

 

"Who Loves Kristina?"  A personalized book with text mentioning all our immediate family.  Kristina got one from JP and Michael when coming home from Russia and I love these books!  They can be found at:  I See Me!

A cheesey grin for her favorite -- a peanut butter chocolate heart from See's Candy!

Reading a special card from Nana and Grampa.  We love to hear Kristina "read."

Opening a gift mailed from Grammy and Poppy.  Yep - scissors were a must!

Kristina was shocked to hear Grammy and Poppy's voices from this recordable book, "My Little Princess."  She "reads" it nightly, even on her own, and I listen from outside her room as I hear her say at the end, "I love you, Grammy and Poppy, big much."  *gulp*

And before going to bed, Kristina talks to "her people"  on her toy cell phone while sporting "her" high heels.  Ah, yes - life is good.

Big Girl Bed ~ Check!

Turning 4 has opened so many doors for our little one, or so she thinks.  "No honey, we don't use a big knife."  "But mommy, I'm a big girl now!"  *sigh*

The biggest change took place this past week when we finally took Kristina's toddler bed (converted from a crib when she came home) and put together her real "Big Girl Bed" we bought months before we even traveled to Russia.  We've had it stored safely in the garage waiting for the right time...and that time was now.

For months, Kristina has spent most nights with us.  I know others who do co-sleeping and at first, I thought that was crazy.  But I do have to say, Jon and I have *loved* having her next to us.  Waking up next to her, or her waking us up with her sweet smile, has been the best way to start the day.  But it's time...afterall, she is a Big Girl...

As we started to put together the bed, Kristina got right in there trying to install the screws and acted as Daddy's assistant shining the flashlight when needed.  She's definitely a "hand's on" girl with supervising qualities.

Daddy ~ remember "righty-tighty!"

On Monday night, February 7, Kristina slept in her bed for the first time.  Getting her there initially was easy, but keeping her there was another challenge.  She eventually crawled into our bed, fell asleep, and then we transferred her back to her bed.  On Tuesday night, she rocked her baby to sleep in the cradle, said her night-night prayers, and then told me I could leave!  In 10 minutes after a little wimpering of "Mama, Mama," she was asleep.  Mission Accomplished.

Although Kristina can get into bed (with a struggle) on the side of the bed, she much prefers climbing over the foot of the bed!

Big girl in her Big Girl Bed for the first time!

Snuggling up to SpongeBob.  Kristina much prefers to sleep without pj's (except this one night when she just *had* to sleep in her favorite tights) and no covers.  "I'm too hot."
She is her father's girl!

Do I miss her next to me?  Yes -- she kept me warm and she was my constant reminder that my baby girl is close by.  But I don't have to go far...there's still room for me to crawl into her bed if I really have to!

Next "big girl task"?   Cease and desist thumb-sucking.  Stay tuned:  this will be a tough one.  :)