Hope this makes @seattlebuschick smile: at 22 months, Dylan's word count is up to 7 w/this week's addition of "cookie" and tonight "bus."

Ava at 11:45pm: Can you lay with me for a minute?
Me: Why aren't you asleep?
Ava: I just am-n't.
Me: "Am not." Go to sleep.

Stayed home sick. Always try to tough it out then give in, go to bed & think, "Why didn't I do this sooner?"

Milestone: big boy bed

I've finally grown tired of trying to curl up with Dylan on the crib mattress on the floor to put him to sleep at night. That would be from the crib that he refused to sleep in. Ever. Even though the people at his daycare put him in one and report that he quickly drops off to sleep. Grrrr.

Mere weeks after we bought it at a consignment shop, drop side cribs were outlawed anyway. So he's alternated between our bed and the mattress for months. First in our room on the floor, then in the room he now shares with Ava.

So we found a great deal on a twin bed and mattress on Craigslist and picked it up this morning. The afternoon was spent getting bedding and a new boxspring.

His favorite part of the new bed? The squishy football & baseball pillows that he picked.

My favorite part? If I fall asleep in his bed now, I won't wake up with a crick in my neck that last for days. Winning!

Words have power

Saw this picture on Facebook and was stopped cold. Great reminder. Jason was just telling me about watching the faces and demeanors of kids being publicly berated by sports-obsessed parents and coaches. It's demoralizing to them. Some are old enough/strong enough to shrug it off. Others are clearly not.

In one case, a kid asked to stop training with someone else and come to Jason instead because he wanted "positive reinforcement." Smart kid.