"Big Boy" Bed Transition

Right before Holt turned 2, we decided to transition him to his "big boy" bed. It is really still his crib just with a conversion kit that blocks about 75% of the front. It is much lower than the crib front (which will eventually be his footboard on a full size bed) and he can climb in and out of it through the opening with ease. I was dreading this transition because he has always been such a good sleeper in the crib. He was taking 2-3 hours naps and rarely waking up at night. I couldn't help but wonder/fear that might all change when he could get in and out of his bed. I also knew that this transition needed to take place before Jett's arrival. I have heard from other mom's how difficult this transition was, how bedtime was a 2 hours struggle at night, how their kids destroyed their rooms, or woke up earlier in fear of this new found freedom. I thought I better get it over with now rather than change him later when, most likely, I will just be getting Jett to sleep through the night. Kyle and I bit the bullet and 20 minutes later his bed was transformed. He calls it his new bed. I'm not sure how long he will consider it new, but for now it is his new bed. Every morning I go in there and proudly announces "In Olt's new bed!" Then he tells me the "sun out, moon night night." I know, I know...he's a genius. :)

Showing off his "new" bed

I must say, the transition could not have gone any better. His first slumber there was at nap time. We have a video monitor so I could easily see if he was in his bed or not. When he wasn't in his bed and I didn't hear him reading to himself anymore, I sent Kyle to see where he was. He said he was on the floor. I just had to see this myself. The first picture below is how I found him. I decided to make him a pallet on the floor going forward just in case. Sometimes he used it, sometimes he didn't. One time I did not make the pallet, so he took the liberty himself and made one where he happily slept. These are some of the interesting ways I have found him since the transition. After about a week or two of finding him in strange places, he has learned to get in bed himself, even at nighttime. We haven't had to move him in about 3 weeks. Whew! The one drawback, when he drops his George on he floor and wakes up in a panic because he can't find him. I've seen George on the floor a few times on the monitor and tiptoed in there to pick him up in the middle of the night so he doesn't freak out and wake us up. I couldn't be happier with my "big boy"!

First Naptime

After fighting bedtime for a few minutes, he gave in

Jett and the Third Trimester

This week I had my glucose test at the doctor. People talk so much smack about this drink, but it's really not bad at all. It tastes like an orange Fanta that has lost it's carbonation. I've heard horror stories about people puking while trying to get it down or throwing up shortly after. Why, I don't know, it's not that bad people. The chocolate milk I get at the donut shop has more sugar than this drink. Anyways, I had no problem getting it down in the 3-5 minute time frame. Even better, I got to drink it at home before my appt so I didn't have to wait in the waiting room for an hour. My one hour time frame was up before the doctor came in so the nurse did my test. It was just a finger prick like a normal diabetes test would be because I had blood work done at my last appt. I must admit this was more nervewracking than waiting a few days because it was INSTANT. She said, "This number needs to be under 135." Well low and behold it was 133! I said, "Whew, barely!" She said, "A pass is a pass, it doesn't matter!" Thank goodness because I don't know what I would do without carbs and sugar while pregnant. More facts from the doctor, I am anemic, again. So I have to take a prescription iron pill. They told me not to bother filling the prescription because they will just always give me samples. I just love this doctor's office. I only gained 2lbs last month, and I say that with a big smile because I most certainly ate ice cream nearly every single night. That brings my total weight gain to 14lbs with this lil guy. I am at about the same weight at this point as I was with Holt, but have gained less. I still had about 7lbs to lose from Holt's pregnancy before getting pregnant with this one. Maybe I will end up gaining less overall with Jett. There is just no telling because the last trimester really packs it on me whether I am trying or not. Jett's heart rate was 152, nice and strong. The dr also measured me and made a sad face while saying, "Bless your heart, tiny you having big ole babies." So that's awesome. Any guesses onto Jett's birth stats? My mom is convinced he is going to be a 9pounder. I don't think he will be that big based on the sole reason that I am having a C section nearly a week before his due date. I do however expect him to be bigger than Holt was. He just feels bigger. I don't remember Holt's movements jarring me so much as Jett is at just 27 weeks. He will literally make such a big movement that my whole body moves and yesterday he kicked a magazine out of my hands while I was reading it. I am just now finding out that Kyle is completely weirded out to see him moving in my belly. You be the judge, I posted a short video of him moving in my belly from earlier this week. He said he doesn't mind feeling the little movements, but he is totally creeped out when he sees the body parts moving around. Haha! I said, "Why weren't you like that with Holt?" He said, "I was, but you thought it was so cool so I went along with it!" When I tell him to look at my belly, he says firmly, "NO! It's creepy and alien like." Ha! I love it and I know I only have a few short weeks before these movements start to really hurt. That's my update for now! I start going every two weeks now, already, I can't believe it!

Jett Paul Update

Just an update on what is going on with baby boy #2. I had my doctor's appt yesterday. Just a normal routine visit, minus the bloodwork I didn't know was "routine" at this visit. I was shocked at my last appointment to see I had only gained 5lbs total and even more shocked to see I had gained 6 pounds this past month alone at this appointment. Well my sweet tooth has kicked in, what did I expect? His heart rate was 153 and the doctor measured me for the first time. She said, "Just what we want." I said, "What am I measuring?" She said, "On the big side." Oh fantastic! People are telling me, "You are so cute and pregnant! When are you due?" I tell them I'm 23 weeks and I have 4 months left and they then say, "Ohhhhh...." Like they were expecting me to say I was due in 2 months or something. Only time will tell how big this baby boy gets but I sure am loving feeling him moving around in there. Kyle has felt him a few times, he doesn't seem to hold back when Kyle goes to feel him like Holt did. I'm starting to feel more strong pokes that I know are a body part of some kind, hand or a foot. Sometimes I think he does a full out forward roll in there my belly moves so much, other times it's just the subtle and sweet taps and kicks. This is by far my favorite part of pregnancy. How I can feel him in there and carry on a conversation like nothing, but I know that I am experiencing this sweet miracle from God. We have not done much in the nursery yet, but we do have the furniture. It's the same as Holt's. Someday if they want to share a room, they already have their matching beds. We will see. The theme in Jett's room is Planes, Trains, and Automobiles. All of the things a little boy loves. Kyle is a tad worried that Holt will be jealous of Jett's room, so he wants to add more of Holt's favorites to his current room. Holt loves anything plane, train, or automobile right now, so maybe if his room has some of those too, he will be happy about that. Paint colors are still up in the air but we will have a baby blue accent wall and the rest will be a neutral color. Other colors will be navy, red, and yellow. I know my mom with her decorating skills will pull this all together wonderfully! The next appointment is my glucose test. They sent the drink home with me to drink prior to my appointment so I don't have to just hang out in the waiting room for an hour. I thought that was great! I hope I pass this one like I did with Holt also. I can't imagine being on a strict diet while pregnant!

What I Love about Holt

Since he is not at any milestone month right now, I just had to write down what I am just absolutely loving about Holt right now. I'm always afraid I will forget these magic little moments that just make my day.

-He puts on my shoes for me, any shoes, grabs my hand and says "alk" and guides me around the house. Typically for no good reason except he wants to "alk" with me.
-Asks for "un peas" with his one pointer finger up when he wants one piece of candy
-Picks up any little thing that belongs in the "tash" and takes it to the trash can
-Absolutely obsessed with airplanes. Watching them in the sky, moving his arms like one, and uhhh growling like one. I didn't know they growled, but to him they do.
-All his animal sounds from the elephant with his hand up like a trunk to the owl saying hooo hooo.
-He punishes himself by saying "nooo" after he does something he shouldn't
-His dance moves, classic. From the hands up in the air to his funky chicken.
-How utterly excited he gets when we mention going outside, I'm talking squealing with happiness, jumping for joy all the way to the door excited.
-Doesn't want to be held in public, wants to "alk" at least he always reaches for my hand first and who can say no to that.
-The first 30 minutes of the day when we get his milk and cuddle on the couch watching one of his fav shows...the calm before the storm if you will.
-Listening to him trying to sing songs, typically when he is falling asleep at night. His current favs are "I'm the map" from Dora "Imma imma imma imma mat" and the Bye Bye Song from his gym class.
-How he excuses himself from a meal by saying "All done!" with his hands up in the air. Sometimes this happens as soon as I give him something he would rather not have.
-Absolutely ever tiny little mishap warrants an "Uh-oh" or "Oh noo"
-How he says the letter L by pushing his tongue out of his mouth
-How he says the word dirt
-When he brings me a book and says "ree?"
-He says BOO every time I pull his shirt over his head
-Loves saying "Weeee!" as he swings

Here are some of my fav pics from lately. He can sure make me laugh and he is really a sweet boy!


Milking his first skinned knee for all it was worth




Just something so irresistible about a sleeping baby

Jett Paul Kummer

So we've been keeping a secret from our friends and family for almost 2 weeks! At my appointment a couple weeks ago to check on the condition of my placenta previa, the ultrasound tech asked us if we wanted to know what it was. We weren't going to ask so the fact that she offered it, put us in quite a predicament. Kyle and I looked at each other and agreed we would find out if she was 100% sure of what it was. When you don't plan on finding out this news, your mind goes crazy all of a sudden. Kyle said we were waiting until Easter when we could tell everyone in person. So we did! Without much investigating, Jett showed us he was all BOY!



I had a feeling at 12 weeks, just like I did with Holt, that this was another boy. His heartrate (even though that's an old wives tale) was doing exactly what Holt's did. It started high and slowly decreased at every appointment. Even though I wouldn't have normally seen the baby at 12 weeks, once I did, I was almost certain it was a boy. He was moving all over the place...just like Holt did. As you know I did not care what it was, just prayed for a healthy baby. I am already used to saying "My boys" so now it will continue. Holt will have a best lil buddy and I cannot wait to watch them grow up together. They will be so close in age. I am also curious to see if Jett will look like Holt and Daddy or if he will take on some of my darker features. Oh I just can't wait to see him for the first time!

People want to know about the name. Jett was a name my parents chose for a boy if me or Ashley was going to be a boy. They didn't get to use it. So I am! Paul is a Kummer family name. It is Kyle's middle name (he is also the second born boy, so it kinda makes sense), his Dad's name, and his Grandpa's name. His Grandpa passed away when Holt was 3 months old. I was especially excited to find out we were having a boy so we could pass on this very special name to our little boy.

So how did we tell everyone? Holt passed out his very special Easter Eggs to Grampy, Beck, Bond, and Uncle Trent at lunch on Saturday. His very special eggs contained Hershey's Kisses that had It's a Boy! printed on the tags. He was also excited to share his special eggs with Meme, Ash, Mason (Meese), and Russell after Easter Brunch on Sunday. We shared the news in a different way for Kyle's family. It just so happened to be Kyle's dad, Paul's birthday the day after Easter. After we had Easter dinner we presented him with a pink and blue "birthday" cake. This raised some questions right away. We told them as he cut into the cake the sex of our baby would be revealed. Amy squealed with excitement saying, "This could be changing history!" while Paula kept her cool hoping to see pink icing on the inside I'm sure. Paul took his time cutting and what do you know BLUE icing was revealed. All hope of every having a Kummer girl is now gone. Haha!



Jett Paul will be welcomed into this family of boys lovingly and with open arms from his Mama in September! I love my BOYS!

Baby Kummer #2

We are expecting baby #2! I started this blog about halfway through my pregnancy with Holt so I am going to try and document this one better from the beginning. Baby Kummer is expected to arrive September 20th, but since I previously had a C Section with Holt, I am choosing to go go that route (the safe route) again with this one. Besides, it will be wonderful to show up on Baby day all showered and fresh, have a baby a couple hours later, and avoid getting pumped full of fluid for 12 hours prior to having the baby. My doctor, 2nd doctor, says I can choose any day of the week which is awesome because most doctors schedule surgeries one day a week to get them out of the way. I started off going to one doctor in the medical center, but after a bad experience with the appt seeing our baby the first time (can you say 9:15am appt with a 3 hour wait), we decided to go back to the doctor I used in High School and all of college. I truly felt at home walking into her office and she remembered me! It's a new office too. The first doctor was in a building with a parking garage, you had to pay for, and on the 18th floor. I was used to driving up to a building, parking, and being inside. All of that took 5 minutes. The first doctor was a good 20 minute chore just to get up to the office not to mention, 45 minutes from our house with NO traffic. I am so happy to be back at my doctor in Katy, who is about 8 minutes from the house.

So how did baby Kummer come about? Ok, I'm not sharing those details of course, but I will tell you Baby Kummer did not want to make us wait long. We were fortunate enough to get pregnant the first try. I had my IUD removed in November and the rest is history. I didn't tell Kyle I was planning on taking a pregnancy test, we like to surprise each other. On January 12, after he left for work, I leapt out of bed to take my test. I set it down and paced the bathroom and walked back over to it about 2 minutes later. Clear as day were 2 dark pink lines. None of those faint lines, it was very obvious. I went to Hobby Lobby that day to buy a onesie and a Big Brother iron on. When Kyle walked in that night he saw Holt wearing the onesie. His first reaction was "You're pregnant?" and he said that with utter confusion. He was so confused I had to ask, "Are you happy?" When the shock wore off he said of course he was and that night patted my belly saying, "You're pregnant babe!" A few weeks later I decided not to waste the second pregnancy test and take it for fun, why? I don't know. The line was FAINT. I panicked. How could it be so dark a few weeks before and FAINT now. I still hadn't been to the doctor, I had to wait 4 weeks. After researching I saw the color of the line has nothing to do with how far you are or anything like that. A line is a line and the dyes can be different colors.

As with Holt, we decide to wait to tell the family until we saw the baby and heard the heartbeat. I would be 9 weeks by that point. Luckily it would fall right around Valentine's Day. We saw the doctor on February 13 and told my mom and sister that night. I told them Holt wanted to give them their Valentine's early. I put him in the same big brother onesie and it took them about 10 minutes to catch on. Haha! We mailed a copy of the sonogram with Holt's Valentine to his Grandma and Grandpa in San Antonio. They received it the next day. I was able to go to lunch with my dad a few days later and tell him in person. Holt handed him a copy of the sonogram as well. Everyone is excited, it's just a different excitement than with the first one. No YouTube worthy moments here, but everyone is very happy about it.

This pregnancy has been totally opposite from Holt's pregnancy. The cravings, the feelings, everything. I have been exhausted since before I knew I was pregnant this time around. Like have to take a nap to get through the day exhausted. I started off with some digestive issues, that lets just say, kept me close to home. Then the nausea set in. With Holt I had some food aversion issues where I would start eating and just not be able to finish, even if it was something I loved. With this one that wasn't a problem as much, just certain aversions like onions, tomato sauce, and cucumbers. I got sick several times, that never happened with Holt. I dreaded brushing my teeth in fear I would throw up everywhere. I was nauseous all day, but got sick in the evening or at night. With Holt I wanted sweet sweet sweet stuff all the time. Sweet cereals and donuts, candy, ice cream, brownies, smores pop-tarts, you name it. With this one I want salty, tangy, and spicy. Me and salt and vinegar chips and fried pickles with ranch are great friends. I'm also showing and have been since about 10 weeks. I looked full on pregnant by 12 weeks and have quite the belly going for me now. It's amazing how you body just goes, "Oh yeah, I remember this."

As I was getting ready to tell the world and make it Facebook official at 12 weeks, I unexpectedly started spotting one Saturday. Nothing major, just not something you want to see while pregnant. I spoke to the nurse and she assured me it did not sound like anything to be concerned about. It stopped on Sunday and I chalked it up to a fluke, one time ordeal. It happened again Monday evening, and with Kyle out of town, we both agreed it was best I go ahead and go in for an ultrasound the next morning. The baby looked great but I was diagnosed with placenta previa. This is where the placenta covers the cervix, not where it's supposed to be. I was put on pelvic rest and told to come back for another ultrasound at my next 4 week appt. That was yesterday and again the baby looks fantastic. I am happy to say that the placenta previa cleared up entirely and is no longer a concern! They said this would likely happen at this early stage in the pregnancy. So that is why we waited so long to make our announcement official! I appreciate all the prayer warriors out there that helped me get through that time. I was never scared because I felt the love and support pouring in for me and Baby K.

We find out what we are having at the next appointment. Can I just say that if it's a little girl, she will want for nothing from her Grandma and Meme? There has not been a female Kummer born in over 60 years. Kyle's aunts had boys and Kyle and his brother started off the grandkids by having boys. Grandma Kummer (Paula) is just itching to buy some pink, or purple as I would prefer. Meme is dying to learn how to make the biggest bows possible. We on the other hand, do not care one bit what Baby K is. A boy would be great for Holt, close in age, best buddy brothers. A girl would be fun because it would be different for everyone! At this point, I just want a healthy baby and a healthy pregnancy. It's going to be a long hot Summer, but we can't wait to meet Baby K in September!

One Fear of Parenting

We all have fears as a parent. In the beginning you fear they will stop breathing when they sleep. They aren't eating enough. They aren't walking when they "should" be. They aren't talking when they "should" be. Fear something will happen to them. All of these are true fears, yet utterly out of our control. My heart has been carrying a much bigger fear lately most likely because of the news. If you read my "Can I just Say" posts, you'll know I despise the news. This fear, I believe is entirely in the control of the parents and that is why it is so real.

Bullying has made it's presence known, particularly, through media outlets loud and clear over the past few years. Celebrities are standing up against bullying. Children are killing themselves because of bullies at school. There is even a new documentary out about it, see here. Bullying is nothing new. I was bullied as a kid. Even though I had plenty of friends and may even consider myself "popular", I had a bully. I was teased that my ears stuck out, I was teased for being short, whatever it may be. This is nothing new. You know what else, my parents teased me too. In a funny way that toughened me up. They taught me to have a sense of humor and to love these things about myself. They told me that my bully was jealous of me, and she probably was. I beat her at everything. I don't know how I handled the bullying like I did, it hurt. Although one time in first grade, a 5th grader (not my bully for long) was picking on me on the school bus. I busted out a random factoid I didn't think she would know. "Oh yea, well I bet you don't know the capital of Rhode Island?" And I was right, she didn't know. But I did (Providence is the answer) and made her look like less of a bully the rest of the ride home.

I bet you were bullied too in some way. But here is my fear as a parent, not that my child will get bullied, but that my child will be the bully. The kids saying horrible things to other kids like, "You should just die, you're worthless." Who are these kids? As a mother, I now find myself asking, "Do their mommies not hug them enough? Do their mommies not love them enough?" How do we hug, love, kiss, or whatever we need to do to our children to make them not be the bully. I want my kid to be the one that stands up to the bully for the other guy. How do I raise that kid? Sure, I bet I could find a million books on Amazon about it, but I don't think I need to read about it. If God has given me this special privilege of being a parent, surely I can figure this out on my own. But can I? I can pray for Holt's character and that he is a good person, but he also has to learn this behavior. I do think Kyle and I are great examples of how to be a good person, don't get me wrong. I also think it's a parent's job to thicken their kid's skin a bit. Even though I was called a mouse and told to "go eat cheese", did I really think like I looked like a mouse? No. You know why, my dad told me I would be pretty with a brown paper bag over my head, so I believed him. Is that statement what got me through those types of comments, no, but I was at least confident in who I was.

Another story in the news is that about a young man who opened fire and killed his entire family. Once upon a time, that man was a baby in his mother's arms. He probably made her laugh at nothing because that is the type of joy children bring to their mother's. She probably chased him around the house and made him laugh too. She gave him life and he shot her. His own mother. Why did he turn out that way? Again, did she not hug him enough? Did she not love him enough? Why did he do that?

As much as we think just loving our kids will be enough, it's not. There is so much more to it than that and I don't even know what it is yet. The reason for this post is because I was brought to tears watching Ellen today. She always ends her show with "Be kind to one another." It's simple, and powerful. Maybe every parent should say that to their kids everyday before school as a reminder also. I'm convinced as long as there are kids, there will be bullying. It's not going to stop. However, lets raise happy, well rounded, Jesus Loving, God Fearing children. That should at least be a step in the right direction.