Happy New Year!

Whoa...it's 2013. 

So...we've sort of had a big week around here.  Lots of adjustments for Mills (and the whininess proves it).  We are very happy to report that she has not had the bink, even once, since the afternoon of Christmas Day.  I think it is officially gone!  It has gone better than we expected, but there has still been plenty of meltdowns...some were heartbreaking.  Like I've said a million times before, Millie has always hated the car seat and the bink has always been our savior.  Thursday, JKK had the day off and we had several errands to run.  Millie hates getting in and out of the car seat, and there was a good 20 minutes of full-on bawling.  Ugh...even I had tears in my eyes.  Anyway, we made it!  We didn't give in, but please don't expect us to drive anywhere to see any of you in the near future.  ;)  Thanks for understanding...

Sure, she looks happy here...this is during our Thursday errand outing.  We ate breakfast at Cracker Barrel, and Mills loved gathering the same colored pegs from that little game they put on the tables.

After the 20 minute car breakdown, we were desperate to get out of the car for a bit.  So we went to the mall before it opened and hung out with the early morning walkers.  I'm pretty sure they were wondering what we were doing there letting our kid run around and get in their way. 

Saturday morning was a tough one for me.  Buddy Love left with my mom on a road trip bound for Denver.  Mom couldn't have been more understanding, and she didn't leave as early as she would've liked so that we could let Millie see Buddy getting into her car and going bye bye.  Mills looked really confused, but I'm so glad we did it that way. 

The night before I had Mills kiss him goodbye in his favorite spot (her rocking chair).  She still runs to the chair every time we go upstairs to see if he's in it.  I just keep saying, no...Buddy is with Nana, remember?

 Early Saturday morning goodbyes...

Nana even sent pics from the road

Since she's been home, we've had a session of FaceTime with her and Buddy.  Millie was hilarious...she got so excited to see him.  Buddy is adjusting well, as I knew he would.  Thanks again, mom, for taking such good care of my guy.  xo

Thankfully, Colleen, Daniel, and Lucas came out to visit Saturday afternoon and took our minds off of the Buddy drama.  It's always relaxing to have them out because we all just sort of chill and hang around the house eating and watching TV and enjoying the laziness together.  Oh, and you know...everyone is playing on their phones. ;)

arm flapping means hurry up, daddy!

 cutest pic ever

Thanks to Colleen for driving out to see us, once again.  We are so lucky she is willing to drive so much!  And also thanks to them for putting up with multiple Millie meltdowns...this week has been full of adjustments.  Finally, I hate to jinx it, but Millie has been napping like a pro.  2 hour naps in the afternoons all on her own. Whuuutttt?!  Who is this kid??  I think we are officially through the transition down to just one nap.  I'm not even sure what to do with myself for 2 whole hours on my own.  Yesterday, I actually got to work out AND take a shower.  It's sort of blowing my mind.  I feel like such progress is being made, which is what I was hoping for before baby girl gets here in May.