Sisterly love

In preparation for our newest arrival this winter, we knew we had to 'bunk' up the ladies at some point in the near future because their rooms are so small and two real beds can't fit nicely.  However, in the midst of my sleepless nights, I would lay there freaking my freak out at the thought of monkey-climber-no fear-Reese and bunk beds.  Yes, she would be on the bottom bunk but don't think that would stop her from going bat-sh&t crazy on the top.   So I opted for Door #2 and went down the road of one twin bed along the only windowless wall in the room, and the trundle bed perpendicular to that (in a L shape) with only a little bit coming just under another window (it fits with maybe an inch to spare).  Not as attractive but fine for the time being (at least until it becomes legal for us to chain Reese to her bed at night and/or give bunk beds a whirl next spring).   That was the easy part.   We had dabbled in letting the girls fall asleep in the same room before (per their request) and it was always a hyper-talk fest that usually ended with both being put back in their original rooms, alone.    So for the last few weeks, one of us will usually lay down with the girls until they finally 'settle' and are almost asleep.....not a habit I want to keep up.  Last night, Reese was crazy crabby and clingy for me and Ryan had apparently stashed sugar crack under her pillow because that girl was going a mile a minute with no signs of slowing down.  So I walked out.  Told them I loved them, good night and figure it out.  Reese, of course, started sobbing for me and just when I thought I couldn't take anymore of it, I hear Ryan suddenly turn all loving-big-sister and comfort her and say "come on Reesey, I'll sleep with you, it's okay"..... I stood outside the door for a few minutes surely waiting for them to give up and come find us when wouldn't you know, silence ensued.  About an hour later we went up to check on them and the cuties had fallen asleep together in Reese's bed (even sleeping through the flash of my camera) and stayed there all night until they came to wake us this morning.  
Here's hoping bed time only gets easier......have a good weekend!

What happens when you refuse to nap...

You fall asleep at 5pm sitting up in a chair.

Reese's Pieces

On the eve of mom's return to work (pass the Kleenex), we would just like to take a moment to brag. All parent's claim their kid is a genius, but we really have one. Reese Bentley Stiff, at a mere 12 weeks of age, can read. Shortly after our previous post asking Reese to kick the 2am wake-up call, little Ms. Reese started sleeping through the night. Who knew she was such an avid reader of her own blog?

Thank you Reese!

Ryan at 13 weeks!

As a gift to Grandma, who will so nicely be watching her for a few days, Ryan has gotten herself on a delightful sleeping schedule. Hopefully we're not jinxing this, but she has gone a week straight sleeping from 8/8:30PM all the way through to 7:00AM. That is truly the gift that keeps on giving.

Well rested after a good night's sleep:)


Ryan with Mark, Nicole and Molly!


Watching TV with dad:



Grilling out with mom, dad and the Defees'



Chillin' out before my first airplane ride!!!

Saturday battles lead to Sunday smiles...

Here's our little Ryan, well rested after a Saturday full of battles. Mom decided it was time Ryan got on a legit nap schedule. Round one: Mom - 1, Ryan - 0. After a fierce, 60 minute battle Ryan went down like a champ for a two hour, morning nap. Round two: Mom - 1, Ryan - 1. The afternoon session really could have been seen as a draw, but we'll give Ryan a point for perseverance. In mom's eyes, mom won round two because Ryan went down for her afternoon nap with only 5 minutes of resistance. However, Ryan could get the nod seeing as the afternoon nap only lasted for about 45 minutes before she got her way and was allowed to get up and play. Let's see what Sunday brings....

Saturday AM - before the fight begins Ryan already sports her "bring it on" face:

Saturday AM: I'll try to be charming and playful and see if we can't forget this nap business.

Sunday AM: Go ahead, try it again, I dare you...

Sunday AM - see how 24 hours of good sleep makes me so happy, maybe mom is right (as usual).

Getting cuter by the day....

Our little Ryan continues to amaze - she is so alert and generally so happy and chatty. Her parents are also very thankful that she now likes to go to bed around 9PM and will sleep until 4AM or so - eating quickly at 4 and back to bed until we find her talking to herself and smiling around 6:30/7:00AM.

Sleeping, eating, pooping....

And that's just what Grant has been up to. Our little Ryan is 11 days old and, knock on wood, doing wonderfully. She's been sleeping decent stretches of 4-5 hours at night in order to give us all some much needed rest. Our days consist of feedings, changings, naps (for all of us), and numerous mindless TV shows - thank god for the extended cable package. Here are a few more pictures of Ryan Elizabeth. I dare you to not want to bite those precious little cheeks!