Last potty update

Because I'm nearly positive everyone is sick of hearing about what Mallory is doing on the toilet!!

Honestly, it's going fantastic! She is telling me when she needs to pee, sleeps in panties at her nap (and wakes up dry), can hold it for 2ish hours and has gone in a public restroom. I am very shocked and so happy how easy #1 has been for her!

#2 on the other hand is a daily battle. Some days, she runs to the potty when she has to go and "produces". Other days, she completely melts down at the thought of me asking her to go. Seriously. She will stand there; grunt, bend over and grimace, and the minute I ask her to go potty, she freaks. If I even try to pick her up to put her on the potty, she stiff-legs it and a total meltdown ensues. So. Frustrating. SO. FRUSTRATING. This usually ends up with a load of shooey panties and it makes me InSanE!!!!!! I have heard it takes a while for #2. I am fine with that, but when she will not even attempt to sit on the potty when she is obviously needing to go, I almost lose my mind. Anyway. I hate to focus on that part, since there are random days when she has just told me from her bed that she needed to potty, go to the potty, sit down and do her business. I'm always shocked and do a big potty dance for her. I just can't seem to figure out how to get her to do that everytime.

I have really become a grump over the last week. Poor Brad. We were about 30 minutes late to Bible Study this morning because of the above. I was losing it fast and so was Mallory. So, in honor of potty training, I have decided to commit this scripture to memory and to meditate on it all. day. long. Please Lord, give me lots and lots of patience and smiles...even when I want to do the complete opposite!!!!

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19:14

Abilene trip

Well, we survived our first out of town trip using the potty!

We headed to Abilene Friday morning to see the Richardsons, and to celebrate Kaylee turning FOUR!! I can't believe that is possible. I can still remember walking up and down (and up and down) the halls at Abilene Regional with Kara at 10pm timing her contractions and laughing with her. We were anxiously waiting in the waiting room to hear the news. Tim came through the door with a huge smile and said Kaylee Grace was born! She was a tiny little thing and holding her made us realize how much we wanted our own baby.

I am so bummed that I didn't get my camera out one single time during her penguin party. So bummed.

But, for your viewing pleasure, Brad did get the camera out to document this:

We brought along Mallory's potty to make it as "normal" as possible (but really, when you are sitting on a potty in the back of a car, what is normal??). On our way home Saturday, Mallory said her bottom hurt and she needed to potty. Perfect! We're driving 75 mph on Highway 36. This is very convenient:) So, we pulled over, put her on the potty, gave her some "privacy" and let her try to go. Luckily Morgan was happy, or we wouldn't have persevered. It took 25 minutes, but Mallory finally pooped on the potty!!!!! We all did a potty dance for her and she got to eat some pink ice cream after dinner (yes, I'm aware she'll probably ask for that everytime, but it's worth it in our book...the girl has issues with poop). And, even better, she pooped again after her bath! Woo hoo! Yesterday was a good potty day.

This morning, we thought we'd attempt church. I took Mallory to the potty right before her class and she went! Then, she went immediately after her class too...in the potty!! We attempted a shooey before nap, but didn't quite make it in the potty. It's a process, this potty thing. Two steps forward, one step back. I can handle it...today:)

Morgan been a little neglected on the blog with all this potty business. So, here's a new face she learned over the weekend!! I need to get a picture of her and Mallory doing the "surprise face" together.

Day 3

It's the end of day 3, and I'm glad. Today was another exhausting day.

I won't bore everyone with details like I did yesterday. I guess I think everyone is living, breathing and talking about elimination. Everyone is, right??

Anyway. Today, we celebrated all of the potty successes with Chick-Fil-A. Brad says that CFA is such a normal occurrence, that it isn't special. Well, in Mallory's book, CFA is the most exciting thing in the world. You should hear the screams we get. So, we met Bella and her family there. Here's Bella giving Mallory a hug in the bathroom. She came in to encourage Mallory. They have been calling each other all week telling each other what they did in the potty. It's been pretty cute.

Instead of focusing on the negative (like 4 attempts at #2 and lots of messy panties), I'll just say that the day ended on a very promising note. I was literally telling Karen (Bella's mommy...you guys all know Bella now) that I was ready to call it quits because it wasn't working. Mallory called out from her bed that she needed to potty. So, Brad took her in, and she did both numbers on the potty without any bribing, sighs, frustration or crying...from anyone! This was all in a pull-up too! We decided to buy the pull-ups and call them "special night time panties". They were a hit. She was super excited with herself and we were super excited for her. I upped the anti and gave her 3 stickers and 3 chocolate chips. Plus, she got to help Brad drive his Jeep into the garage (she loves to sit in his lap and "steer").

So, we're not giving up and trying to be patient and positive with Mallory. I keep having to remind myself that it is potty training.

#2

Couldn't resist. We are in day #2 of potty training. It is everything I thought it would be and more! Do you hear the sarcasm??

If you are male, or you don't currently have potty training children, you may want to just stop reading here. It will be boring.

We started off day #1 right after breakfast. Mallory was super excited about her princess panties, so off we went. I showed her the "sticker paper" and explained if she put yellow or shooey in the potty, then she got to put a sticker on the paper and got an m&m. But, if she didn't do anything in the potty, she could just try again later.

So, I set the timer for 20ish minutes. We ran to the potty, and she sat. And, she sat. She sat there for 15 minutes reading books and singing. Nothing. So, we went back to finish Elmo's potty dvd and I set the timer for 20 minutes. When the timer went off, we ran back to the potty, and sat. And, sat some more. Another 10 minutes and nothing. I thought for sure she'd need to go by now, and then it occurred to me that she hadn't had anything to drink! Duh, mommy! So, we went back to the living room to play. I gave her some diluted juice to drink.

While we were playing with puzzles, she grabbed herself. I asked if she needed to go (and, in hindsight, realized I should have MADE her!), but she said no. So, while she is sitting on her hippo chair (another realization to remove all upholstered kid toys!!), she went. Of course there was nothing left for her to put in the potty after that.

So, 2 more accidents later, this momma was getting worn out. But, after lunch, we had more success and she even took a nap in her panties (not my choice, hers) and woke up dry! By dinner time, she had 4 stickers on her paper (all lined up in a row, mind you). We went to her friend, Bella's house for small group and she even went there! I brought along stickers and m&ms...and 2 changes of clothes! Bella is potty training this week too, so it was fun for Mallory to have a friend doing the same thing.

After we got home and took baths, Mallory DID NOT want to put a diaper on. She wanted to wear panties and that was that. Sooooo, after 3 tries at the potty and no success, I reluctantly let her go to sleep in her panties. Side note. She is still waking up with soaked diapers in the morning, so I knew she wouldn't stay dry. But, I didn't want to crush her big girl dreams. And, I thought for sure she would wake up when she peed all over herself. When we went in to check on her around 11ish, she was soaked and her sheet was too. Poor girl. So, we changed her, the sheet and put a diaper on her.

This morning, she wasn't exactly thrilled about having a diaper on. So, we put panties on and ate breakfast. I had to take both girls to the doctor this morning for rechecks from their coughs. Mallory tried 3 different times to pee, but no luck. So, I told her if she didn't pee, then she had to wear a diaper this morning (I was by myself and there was no way I could handle an accident in the car or office with both of them!). So, the diaper went on, she shooeyed at the office and told me she didn't want to wear panties anymore. Great. So, I'm feeling really frustrated and a little disappointed that it's not working. I know, I know. But, I still felt that way!!!

But, I will say, I was so much more relaxed in those 3 hours in a diaper!!! But, after lunch I asked her if she wanted to wear diapers today, or try to use the potty and wear panties. She chose panties. So, the panties went back on, and the timer was set. She brought books in with her again, and after 15 minutes, she peed!!! Mallory got her first sticker for today and of course an m&m. We tried again before nap, but nothing. So, she went to sleep with panties on again. We'll see how it goes.

I knew this process would be a long one, but I don't think I realized how exhausting it would be! Here's to day #3...hopefully it will be a good one!!!

Delayed.

Mallory was up every hour from 1:30-7am coughing/gagging/throwing up phelgm. Did you just eat breakfast? Sorry. Anyway. I've come to the conclusion that we both would do better on a full night's sleep! So, it is totally on tomorrow. Oh boy!

Calling all potty training experts!

In my book, you are an expert if you have even attempted this.

I am going to start potty training Mallory on Monday morning. It's Spring Break and most of our normal commitments are cancelled, so it's perfect timing. I will be honest. I'm terrified. Diapers are so convenient. They are also expensive buying them in twos. I'm trying to psyche myself up and get my supplies ready. I've got a big stash of m&ms, a little potty seat, potty books, the Elmo potty dvd, tons of stickers (that will go on a chart of some sorts) and hopefully lots of encouragement, without going crazy from pee on the floor instead of the potty.

We've already started talking it up. She knows that she will go pee pee in the potty on Monday (we've been counting down the days). She seems very excited about it and her little friend, Bella is doing it the same week. So, hopefully, between the princess panties, peer pressure and candy, it will be a success!!

So, let me hear all of your tips, advice and things NOT to do!!! I'll be waiting with my pen and paper.

"Wishing to be friends is quick work, but friendship is a slow-ripening fruit." Aristotle

Lori and I met our freshman year at ACU. I actually met Lori and Brooke at the same time. I don't think they ever separated in their 4 years together!!! I am extremely thankful for meeting them in the spring of 1999. I guess you could say I had a little rebellious fall semester and didn't really surround myself with the greatest of girls. Brooke and Lori were exactly what I needed to get "back on track". Anyway. I am most thankful for meeting them because it was Lori, who Brad initially prank called, in the fall of 1999. That is a different post for a different time.

Lori is one of those girls that makes you feel so relaxed to be around. She is laid back, super fun and genuine. I love her!

Last spring break, I got to meet her in Round Rock to shop and then we had lunch after. Her mom, Ann, came along too. Ann is great also. I love being around Ann, too. Anyway. Last year, Morgan was an itty bitty thing, Lori was pregnant and we were all about to be in the "terrible 2's" with the older girls. I can't believe how much has changed in one year!!!

This year, Lori made the trek from Round Rock to come to my house! We had lunch, let the girls play and then nap time came too fast! Thank you for coming to my house Lori! We loved having you and the girls visit. It was too quick, but I'm still thankful for getting to see you in person!!!

The whole gang: Lori with Sophia, Faith, Morgan, Mallory and me

All the girls! Sophia, Faith, Morgan and Mallory

A weekend away!!

Yesterday afternoon, I returned from a glorious weekend in Fredericksburg! Our church had our annual women's retreat there again. It was wonderful. We left on Friday at lunch time and returned Sunday at naptime!!! I even got a quick little nap when I got home before the girls woke up!

This year was a lot easier for Brad. I still can't believe I left Brad with a 3 month old and 21 month old BY HIMSELF!! Not because he couldn't handle it, but because that is just not very nice:) Last year, I was still nursing Morgan. So, he had to thaw out frozen milk and feed her every 3-4 hours. He had to get up with her in the middle of the night and I don't know if they ever got in the car to go anywhere!!! It was also harder for me since I had to bring along the lovely pump. I'm sure my roommies were glad I didn't pack it this year!!

March 9, 2008

March 8, 2009

Everyone's first question is, "How did Brad do?" Here's a little picture of why I wasn't nervous to leave the girls at all....

They totally have more fun when he is around...and I'm totally okay with that! He walked in the door on Friday singing, "Mommy's leaving...party time...Mommy's leaving, it's party time!" Mallory just ran around laughing and dancing. They both LOVE their daddy!!

I will be honest though. I was nervous about how Brad would dress them. That is a mommy for you...especially a mommy of girls. This didn't surprise me:

But, the shorts on Mallory and the cords on Morgan cracked me up!!!

I am so thankful to have a hubby that knows how important these weekends are for me! There were no questions asked when the retreat was being advertised.
He is a champ, and I love him so!!

Happy birthday, Pop!

Today is Pop's (Brad's dad) birthday! We got to celebrate with him last weekend in Burkburnett. But, since today is the official day, we thought he'd appreciate a little (and loud) serenade by Mallory. I thought Morgan might chime in, but she was sleepy, so all she did was suck her thumb. Oh well. We love you Pop!!

And, here are some pictures from the big bash! It was at the Boys and Girls club in Burkburnett. Sharon works there and it's great to have a place for the kids to play inside. There was quite a turnout to celebrate Larry. We got to hear lots of funny stories, eat some yummy BBQ and cake with Bluebell. Not much better than that! We missed you Jen, Julia and Johnathan...I always forget to take more pictures when you aren't there:)

The birthday boy.

Mallory had a blast playing basketball. This picture cracks me up. I think she might be practicing for Spring break...potty training here we come...yikes!

Skinny minnie BMom introducing everyone.

Morgan chased this little boy, Cross, around all night. Her tights were nasty when we got home!

Another favorite picture! Mallory actually shared her cake!

It was a fun party and a fun weekend. We are so thankful to celebrate 60 years of Larry!! Happy, happy birthday. We love you so much and couldn't ask for a better dad and Pop!

Blog world, meet Twinkle...

...Twinkle, meet blog world.

This isn't the best picture of Twinkle, but I think the flash startled him, so this is the best I got. Twinkle is a male and is pink. I don't think Candace knew he was a he when she let Sydni name him Twinkle.

We are fish-sitting this week. Our friends, Tim, Candace and their girls are off to Disney World for a week!! We offered to go with them as kid-sitters, but settled for fish-sitters at home instead. Mallory is pumped, to say the least. I can't tell you how many times she asked when Twinkle was coming over this morning. She could probably sit at the table and watch Twinkle swim around all day long.

So, this will be our test run. Candace promises me that there is a 2 week guarantee for Twinkle. So, if he is floating on Sunday, when we get home from Burk, they get a refund. If everything goes well, there might be a fish in someone's Easter basket...

Valentine's week

I think I have found a new love for Valentine's Day! The girls have had more Valentine outfits, get togethers and crafts than any other holiday so far! It's probably just because of the colors and having girls. At any rate (wow, I just sounded like my dad), we had a fun week leading up to the "big day".

On the actual day, we had a group date with some great friends! I don't think we've ever spent a Valentine's day with other friends. It was a fun way to mix things up. We dropped the girls off with a sitter (our first time to pay a sitter!!) at Candace and Tim's house. Then we drove really fast to Marla and Nate's house (since our time was ticking away), ate a fabulous steak dinner, watched a hilarious rendition of the "vote for pedro" dance by Nate, played a version of Loaded Questions and ate yummy dessert (chocolate dipped strawberries and creme brulee). It was a super fun night, but it went by waaaaay too fast!!!

Nate (aka Napolean), Marla, Tim, Candace, me and Brad

One of the many attempts at pictures for Valentine cards. This was the best I could get!

Mallory thought she was big stuff getting to roll out the cookie dough! It took a while to get the concept of using a cookie cutter. She kept wanting to press it over and over on the same spot:)

One of the aforementioned attempts of pictures. Morgan was not in a picture-y mood!

Mallory posed pretty good, though.

We totally backed out on our gift for Valentine's day to the girls. We had decided to buy a fish, but talked ourselves out of it while we walked around Petsmart. Are we lame-o parents, or what? Maybe we'll find a green fish for St. Patrick's Day??? In the meantime, we'll just visit Petsmart to look at all of the animals. It was free entertainment!!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Morgan just learned how to say "cheeeeeese" for the camera. It will now be at least 2 more years before we get a decent picture:)

More of our favorite friends!

Another one of our favorite friends is Madelyn, Oscar and Laura's cutie patootie baby girl. Mallory and Morgan LOVE Maddie! I've been meaning to blog about her for a while now. Brad just reminded me. This, coming from the guy that thinks blogging is silly.

We spent New Year's Eve with Oscar and Laura this year. We put the kids to bed at our house and then played Outburst. I was so proud of Laura, she stayed up until midnight!!!

Here are the girls: Maddie , Mallory and Morgan . Talk about a tongue twister. Try saying all 3 names fast. It's impossible!!

Back in January, Laura and Maddie spent the night at our house. Brad and Oscar were both gone overnight, so we decided to have a slumber party! I'm telling you, the girls are obsessed with Maddie. I love this picture because it shows just that. And, Maddie is just fine with the doting:)

Hugs from Mallory!

We got more Maddie lovin' last week when we got to babysit her. I'm just waiting for the day when Mallory asks for a new baby brother or sister. With all of these babies around, it's bound to happen sooner than later!

Thinking positive

We are down and out with a stomach bug around here. So, instead of wallowing in my self pity about how many things I haven't been able to do because of it, here is a recap of a fun visit from friends!

Our friends, Katie and Jeremy, are going through a tough time right now. Jeremy's dad, Henry, is battling a brain tumor. He was put into inpatient hospice last week. Jack and Ryleigh came over to play last Thursday while Katie spent some time with Henry at the hospital. Jack and Mallory are only weeks apart in age, and little Ryleigh is 3 1/2 months old. Everyone had fun and it was great for the girls to have some friends to play with!

Here's all 4 kiddos: Jack (holding Elmo lipstick, just for the record), Morgan, Ryleigh and Mallory

As I was sitting in the recliner feeding Ryleigh a bottle, I looked around the room. I realized I had a (very) small glimpse into my mother-in-law's life in 1977. Brad was 3 months, LaShay was 14 months and Jason was 2 1/2. Can you imagine???? God bless you, Sharon!

Smitten. She will go crazy if we have a 3rd baby!!

Best buddies!
(please excuse Morgan's peach fuzz in the corner)

The kids had a blast and I enjoyed the free entertainment for Mallory and Morgan!!! Anytime, Katie, anytime!

We survived!

Sleeping and traveling without the paci, that is!!

The first afternoon, it took almost a full hour for Mallory to fall asleep. There were no tears, just a lot of talking and singing in her room. About 2 minutes after I put her down, I heard LOUD talking from her room. I listened at the door and heard this:

Mallory, talking to her giraffe: "NOOOOOO, you threw your paci in the white trash can! The trash truck came and took it. Yea, Mallory!! I'm so proud of you! You are a big girl! Yea, Joshua (her friend that inspired the "throwing the paci in the trashy")! I'm so proud of you! You are a big boy!!"

It was hilarious! I had to go in twice to tell her to stop talking and go to sleep. She finally fell asleep for an hour. After her nap, we left for my parent's house. Yes, we went out of town for her first weekend away from her paci. Again, not how I planned for all of this to happen.

She asked for her paci twice that night at my parent's house, and again, there were no tears. I just reminded her how big of a girl she is and that the trash truck had her paci. She slept through the night great. Saturday morning I took Mallory to get donut holes to celebrate throwing her paci away. Then, we headed to McKinney for our nephew's first birthday.

Luckily, she wore herself out on bounce houses and lots of playing. She went down for her nap so easy, only asking for it once (but probably just to hear how big of a girl she is!). That night, she went to bed without even asking for it!!!

I am shocked at how easy this was. I was sooooo dreading it. She was addicted to the thing. In fact, each time that we bought new ones, it took several weeks to get used to the new one (which was just a newer version of the exact same one). I thought for sure it would be "you know what" at night when we finally got rid of the thing. Once, again, I am proven wrong by my 2 1/2 year old. It's funny how they do that to us!

Not exactly when I planned for this to happen...

...but I couldn't tell her no when she literally woke up this morning asking to do this:

Oh boy!!! Sorry ahead of time to Mimi, Grandpa, Jason, Jenn, Julia and Johnathan!!!!

"You can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose."

My youth pastor always quoted that and it's always made me laugh. But, what doesn't make me laugh, is Mallory with her finger in her nose ALL DAY LONG. Seriously. I think I am getting payback for being the booger police when she was a baby. Now, I am all for crust-free nostrils, but in Walmart, at church, in public...it is just gross!!! I keep reminding (okay, really almost yelling) her that she doesn't need to pick her nose to get a booger out, she can get a tissue. She almost always replies back, "But I've got an ITCH!!!" It's quite humorous. So, I have a dilemma. Is this a battle I want to pick (pun way intended)? Or, is it just something that 2 1/2 year olds have to do for a season in their life?

Peer pressure, total peer pressure

Or, mostly sister pressure! I joined Facebook last night. Actually, while Brad and I were watching The Office (which was hilarious, by the way), he signed me up. He might really regret that decision. I don't know if he'll regret it because we'll be doing "rock, paper, scissors" over who gets to hog the laptop to check their account...or, because the dishes won't be done, the kids won't be bathed and the laundry will pile up. Kidding, only kidding.

Come be my friend!!

Jammin', jammin', straaaaawberry jammin'....

That is the only thing running through my head as I try to think of a title. We are in the Strawberry Shortcake phase. One of Brad's co-workers gave us some dvds that his daughter has outgrown. One was Strawberry Shortcake. Did you know the dvd case smells like the dolls??? It brought back some good memories. Anyway. On to the post...

This is what I did last night....for five hours. Jealous??? It had been over a year since I had cleaned out our filing cabinet. There were piles upon piles of things to be sorted, shredded or tossed on top of this thing. It was ridiculous. So, I finally tackled it...just in time to do our taxes!! The only thing that saved me during all of this was a glass of Coke and Napolean Dynamite on in the background. That movie makes me laugh...every time!! I want to learn his "Vote for Pedro" dance. Kelly, you up for it? We can add it to our repertoire!!!

This is what Morgan did Tuesday night! I don't know when she learned how to do it, but right before bed, she pushed up on the pillow (and bear) and stood up all by herself! She is really proud of herself when she accomplishes this task. But, she won't even try it without the pillow and bear. She doesn't even lean on the pillow for support so I don't know why she thinks she needs it. Turkey! Next up, walking...hopefully!!

And, I felt bad when I cam across this picture on my camera. Connor, our cocker spaniel, hasn't gotten much (if any) time on the blog. So, let me introduce him to you. This is Connor! Unfortunately, he stays outside the majority of the day. He used to be inside a lot more...before we had Mallory. But, we also had another friend for him who helped run out some energy! He's just too hyper to bring inside while the girls are up. I always thought cocker spaniels were calm dogs...maybe the only ones I've known are like 15 years old. Surely he'll be calm by then???? It is too bad he can't stay inside, the girls LOVE him!! It's just that pesky urinating problem when people surprise him....

My new favorite blog!

I tell you what, blog stalking pays off sometimes! I just found this blog and it has the best craft ideas for toddlers. I've started making a list for Walmart...googly eyes, Elmer's glue, watercolors, paint brushes...my craft basket is pathetic. I also love that she coordinates the craft with books and songs. So many things that I would have never thought of. Please tell me I'm not the only mommy who's child only does crafts at the church nursery??? Please???