Much needed update

Alright, it is time to sit down and do an update. I have been wanting to, but by the end of the day I am usually exhausted and swollen, so the little things get neglected. Today has been fabulous because Jeff was off. I had help with the kids in the morning, was able to rest in the afternoon, and now have time to blog while Jeff is at the park with the girls. So nice! Okay, where to begin....



First, I have to proudly announce some major accomplishments that have happened in the Mitchell home. We'll start with Hayley. Since Hayley was about 5 or 6 months old, she has been a thumb sucker. She had her blankie and her thumb. Last month we made up a "Stop sucking my thumb chart" for Hayley and her reward if she stopped was a new bike that she could pick out. I am sooooo proud to say, Hayley has completely stopped sucking her thumb!!!! Kids are amazing. What will power she had to give up something she has been doing all her life in one month. By the first week of February Hayley had her new Barbie bike she wanted. The beginning was hard for her. She had to learn how to fall asleep and calm down when upset without the blankie or thumb, but she has done it and is doing awesome. Good Job Hayley!!
She of course wants a new matching helmet, since the princess helmet one does not go- so this month she is working on staying in her bed all night instead of coming and sleeping on our floor half way through. Interesting enough, she has struggled with this more, but made major improvements this week. Another week or two of staying in bed and she might just have that new helmet!



Now Miss Kyrsten. Kyrsten pretty much decided in the month of January to be a big girl and use the potty. I started potty training with her last October. She picked it up, but then completely regressed. After the move and the holidays she started showing interest again and doing it all by herself. We went with it and now she is potty trained!!! That is how it is with our Kiki. When she decides, it will happen. She has the occasional accident, but is doing great and has now being staying dry at night too. (Hopefully, I didn't just curse ourselves). Kyrsten also had a reward chart and decided on a computer. I talked her into the extremely affordable toy register that can also be called a computer to a 2 year old:) This month Kyrsten is also working on sleeping in her bed. Kyrsten has had some major sleep issues- like fighting for over an hour to go to sleep and coming in our bed every night. We finally had to fight the battle. She is going to bed now with much less fight, if any and has been either sleeping in her bed or some nights she sleeps for a few hours on our floor, but she is out of our bed!!!! Even though I can't sleep right now, it has been awesome with my own space! It is amazing to see how much better sleep Kyrsten gets in her own bed and how much happier she is in the morning. We were really hurting her and ourselves by letting her in our bed. She even seems to be ready to get naps back in the schedule. It is wonderful! Go Kyrsten!!!

I also have to announce we went with the majority on the gaming system vote and bought the Wii. We have LOVED it so far, even Jeff. He is always playing it! Hayley loves it too, and is quite the golfer and bowler. She has beat us a couple of times. I do have to ask all of you Wii owners or those who have played, what are your favorite games? Saying the games are a little pricey, we only want to buy ones we will use and like. So, please let us know what you like.

As for me, no baby yet, which will be my big accomplishment. I am extremely ready for him to come even though I technically have a couple weeks. He has dropped quite a bit and seems to be pressing on a nerve, which is ever so uncomfortable along with the now daily swelling. Fun, fun, fun! I want him to come when he is ready, but I am praying that is soon! And yes, for those who care to know, we are going with the JACE spelling. Jeff was going to anyway, but he wanted to see what other people thought too. Thanks for all the votes.
Congratulations, you made it to the end of this ridiculously long post! Until next time...

More Voting!

Since we got such a huge response with our last vote (thanks to all you voters!), we thought we would try another one. I promise we won't make a habit of this. We are currently debating what kind of gaming system to purchase. As you can see to the right, the choices are between a Wii and a Xbox. If anyone cares here our views:
Jeff- Is leaning towards a Xbox. He doesn't want to always have to be active and he would like it for guys night. (He admits he has read and heard that the xbox breaks often and most of the games are VIOLENT!) So, killing, death, destruction....
OR
Katie- Obviously wants the Wii and feels it is the best choice for the family. The whole family can enjoy the Wii, it is active and fun, and it is cheaper! There is a wide variety of game choices. It can be used for guys nights, girls nights and family nights. (I know this blog is bias, but I am the one who posts so that's what happens!)

VOTE

We have a new poll and would love to hear your opinion. If you look over to the right, we want to know how you would spell Jace/Jayce. Jeff ultimately gets to decide since he let me do the girl's names.
Here are our views-
Katie- I like having the y in the name because we all have a y in our names: Jeffrey, Kathryn, Hayley, and Kyrsten. I do realize though if we do by some crazy chance have another child we might not pick a name that can have a y, but who knows? We can cross that bridge if it ever comes.

Jeff- Jeff feels like Jayce, would get confused with Jacy. And I think he is tired of the y's. He also isn't fond of different spellings, even though I did it to both my girls. Thanks Jeff- Sorry girls!

We thought we would just see all of your opinions for fun, so don't forget to vote!

Fun Friday

On Friday Jeff was home, so we filled the day with a few activities. First, we drove down to Picacho Peak. Hayley and Kyrsten wanted to go hiking. Picacho Peak has a nice little trail children can handle and an old school playground next to it. We spent the afternoon learning about different cacti and desert animals along the trail. Kyrsten wasn't too fond of the hiking, but Hayley loved it. It was a windy day in Casa Grande, but the weather was perfect on the mountain.

Later that afternoon the girls begged Jeff to clean their teeth, so we headed down to the office for some family cleanings. No cavities! Hopefully we can keep it that way. Except Kyrsten is obsessed with candy and chocolate so we will see how long that lasts. Good thing they are pretty good about letting us brush their teeth.

Only if all kids were this happy to get their teeth cleaned!

Kiki's Turn!All Smiles!!!
What a handsome dentist!