New Challenges

***UPDATE*** (Monday, 8/31)
Alley slept for 2 hours and 15 minutes in her "big girl" bed yesterday - even going down without a sound! YEAH! As for potty training...tonight she stood victoriously on top of her little toilet (after sitting on it for a long time and claiming - "all done") and peed on top of it....at least she was close...right?! I guess that's what we get for getting a toilet that is also a step stool...

Since we are expecting #2 in the late winter, we've come to realize two things. First, we do not want to have TWO kids in diapers (pricey!!), and secondly, we need to get Alley out of the crib so we don't have to buy another one for the baby. Oh I feel stressed already just saying that;) So why not try to knock them out all at once, right?! Actually, I think we're going to take a slower approach, but if we still haven't accomplished them by Christmas, watch out!

Today Alley is taking a nap in her "big girl" bed for the first time and so far so good! We're going to start out with just naps and then after she seems to be use to the bed, we'll jump in head first with nights. We thought naps would be easier since she sleeps on a cot at daycare...night could be a whole different story! As for potty training...I wasn't even thinking about it, until Friday. I went to pick up Alley from daycare and her teacher asked to talk to me. This is when I found out they have been putting Alley on a potty several times a day and that day, Friday, she actually tinkled a little bit in the potty...WHAT?! My child?! The oblivious one? Ha...needless to say, I was hooked on the idea from that point on...you mean I could possibly get her potty-trained before baby #2?! Thrilled! So today we've been hanging out around her potty...nothing yet, but she sure does love sitting on the potty;) I'm not going to push it, but I'll continue to offer it...there is hope:)

So, that's the news from here...just getting ready for some serious transitions:)

...and baby makes 4

You read it right...there are going to be 4 McPherson's living in Virginia come late winter:) I have successfully made it into my second trimester but seem to have brought all the "not so fun" first trimester things along for the ride as well...ugh! This pregnancy has been COMPLETELY different than my first!!

Alley seems to understand I have a baby in my belly, but at the same time has no clue what it means. She loves to point out on mommy where the baby is...I can't get her to stop pulling up my shirt in public and sticking her finger down my bellybutton all the while saying "baby, baby". She is a character!

We are thrilled and can't wait to meet baby #2 in February:) Here is an ultrasound picture of the baby's back...the ultrasound tech tried forever to get a front view, but the baby kept moving! She said that this baby is a squirmy one! Did we ever have any doubts that it wouldn't be?!;)

Weekend fun

Not much is going on in the McPherson household. Andy finished up his last summer camp last week and is gearing up for football preseason (in a week). I am trying to enjoy the last couple of days of summer freedom and being with Alley, since I start work in a week as well. It seems our summer has flown by! We have enjoyed spending time with friends and family this summer. This weekend we had the last of the summer weddings to attend and my parents graciously watched Alley for us for the evening. Here are some pictures of this past week (when Alley and I didn't do anything - it was great!) and then Saturday at Mimi and Papa's house.

Alley reading her book at the computer table (while I am on the computer)

Alley playing under the kitchen table...she gets such a kick out of being under there..

Alley on the computer...yikes!

Playing the piano at Mimi and papa's house with Uncle John

Very intent on playing (we couldn't drag her away from the piano!)

Alley pulled her doll stroller up to the piano and sat in it so she could play while "resting"!

she was so proud of herself...hilarious:)