A Light At The End Of The Diaper Tunnel

I am here to confirm, that yes, it's true...your child will not go off to college wearing a diaper. But, honestly I was beginning to wonder. With Anna pushing 3 1/2 and not a trace of potty interest, in fact pure disdain, I wasn't sure we'd ever get her separated from the security of the diaper. I started to feel the pressure right around her 2nd birthday as other parents began to exclaim that their child had been potty trained for 6 months already and more and more of her friends began sporting cute character undies to school.

Or how about this summer at the lake when some distant family member showed up for a day at the beach with her potty trained 12 month old BOY!!! Yes, you read that right, 12 months old. All the while, my 3 yr old frolicking around on the beach, saggy diaper and all...dancing and giggling and going as she pleased. But, seriously, what's next? What...someone is going to tell me their child was born and immediately sat on the potty??? The peds claim that the average age for potty training is 3 1/2, but Puh-lease!!! Does that mean that everyone I know and their brother is lying about their child's potty going abilities? I dunno...but, I can tell you that it seemed Anna was the last 3 yr old on Earth still in a diaper.

So, Hallelujah, it finally happened. We had tried it all...candy, stickers, toys, staying up with no bedtime, charts, cute undies. You name it, we tried it. One day we were out of diapers, so I even told her if she pee-peed on the potty I'd take her to the Disney Store and she could literally shop her little heart out. I told her she could have the whole store if she wanted, and I meant it. I would have pulled up a semi and loaded mickey after mickey into it if it meant she'd use the potty. But, all the child wanted that day was to go to Babies R Us and get her diapers. Wow, we're screwed.

But, finally the pediatrician had a brilliant idea...and this worked. So, take note if you have potty training woes...couldn't hurt to try! We started by telling Anna that it was fine if she used her diaper, but that she had to physically go into the bathroom to do pee pees or poopys. This went on for about a week...and religiously she would announce her need to go, run into the bathroom and relieve herself. Then with some prompting from her little sister, who sits on the potty like it's the most thrilling thing in life, Anna started sitting on the potty with her diaper ON and going. Within a couple hours of that and with the help of a few m&ms, BAM she was full blown potty trained. No accidents, nothing, total control. There was no sitting on the potty every 20 minutes for 10 minutes for 3 days straight....so basically no potty training misery. I guess that's the good news about waiting until 3 1/2!!

So, here we are, day 5 and she's doing great. All that needless worry for nothing. So, if your soon to be 3 or 4 yr old is still hanging on to diapers, don't worry! The doctors are right, who woulda thought?...they will not be going off to college in Depends.

No Bread

What in the h*ll was I thinking? I gave up bread for lent on Wed and my stomach is screaming. I'm starving.

And today is Friday which means no meat. So, no meat and no bread. Did I tell you that I'm starving?

Good thing we're off to dinner tonight, good Seafood! But, lunch? Cauliflower maybe...a block of cheese...or maybe peanut butter by the spoon. This.is.torture....and here comes the phone call from my mother claiming I will wither away to nothing. :)

To Pop Or Not To Pop

As I sit here watching my 2 little tyrants attempt to terrorize and kill one another, I ponder...do I go pop some popcorn, kick my feet back and grab a front row seat to the toddler fight club? OR, do I continue to console, threaten, bribe and demand? hmmm...decisions.

wait...i'll be right back, the microwave's beeping.

The Gift Of Giving

I have found that giving feels best when it's anonymous, when nothing at all is expected in return. There's just some sort of peace that exists when you do something purely for the goodwill of someone else. Giving with expectations doesn't feel good, it doesn't feel right....expectations of thank yous, acknowledgement and praise. Really, if those type of expectations exist, is it really giving?...or does the gift or good deed suddenly become a selfish act?...and is that why it feels best to give anonymously?

Look at that adorable face above. This picture is of Kate McRae, who I know many of you are already familiar with. If you haven't read her story, you can read it HERE and follow her mom, Holly's blog. Each and every day this little 6 year old is fighting for her life when just a few short months ago she was living without a care in the world, the way every little girl should. In December, Kate spent her 6th birthday in the hospital, very ill. As I posted previously HERE, my friend Kim at The TomKat Studio threw her the sweetest little birthday party in her hospital room. And when I found out what she was planning, I just had to send something....something small, but something I hoped would make Kate happy, even if just for a moment. Something anonymous...

Which is why I was shocked when I checked my mail this afternoon and found a hand written thank you note from her parents and the sweetest pictures of Kate. Of course, I cried again. But really? I can't believe they even took one second out of their time with her to write this note to me, so unexpected...I'm just so touched. What an amazing family! I know today will be a very difficult day for Kate. Please, please pray for her and continue praying....there is no better way to start this lenten season.

Isabelle Grace Jewelry

While nothing can compete with the sweetness of our little niece Isabel Grace, my Valentine's Day gift by Isabelle Grace Jewelry just might be the sweetest thing in my jewelry box! Anna & Josie (via daddy) surprised me this year with the perfect gift and I just love it! They made me the necklace pictured above with their names on the front, birth dates on the back, adorned with little gold hearts and their birthstone charms....my heart is swooning! I know, you must have one for yourself or someone you love, right? So, get them here at ISABELLE GRACE JEWELRY (caution: they don't come as pictured, you have to build them piece by piece). You can also click below to check these out at My Retro Baby for more economical versions...
MY RETRO BABY

Thanks to my thoughtful and sweet hubby. Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

News Flash: Valentine Is With An "N", not a "M"

Ok, so we all know those people who get themselves a little confused this time of year and mix up their Ms for their Ns. But, just to clarify, it's ValentiNe, not ValentiMe. This.drives.me.crazy. I just listened to a poor newscaster on a live news segment say the word ValentiMe on 5 separate occasions. All I know is, if D.J. had asked me to be his ValentiMe, we would not be married. haha...kidding!

kinda.

Musings Of A 3 Yr Old Part 2

Tonight while getting out of the bath I told Anna that Josie is now the same age she was when Josie was born. Immediately I could see the gears in her head churning as she looked at me with those inquisitive eyes and said...

Anna: "Yea, but I came out of your belly first, right?"
Me: "Yep, that's right"
Anna: "And THEN Josie came out of your belly"
Me: "Yep"
Anna: "Mama?...um who's belly did you come out of?"
Me: "Well, you know who!...who's do you think?"
Anna: "Um, I think it was Daddy's."

Haha.

Musings Of A 3 Yr Old

Last night we had what Anna calls her "Superbowl Party", but really it was just a little family soiree. But, while we were cuddling on the couch tonight, she looked at me quizzicaly , narrowed her eyes a little and the following conversation ensued:

Anna: "Mama? Um, where were you at my Superbowl Party"
Me: laughing quietly..."what do you mean?"
Anna: "Were you at my Superbowl Party with my cousins?"
Me: "Yes, Anna I was there"
Anna: a little giggle "oh, I don't remember"

Um, I was there the entire time...talking, drinking beer, eating pizza, cleaning, etc. I fed her, several times told her to quit running, and sat across from her at the table as I cut cake for her cousin's b-day and served her the piece she specifically asked for. See, mama is chopped liver when her cousins (who she worships) are around!! :-)

Glitter In The Air

Wow! Did you guys see this? I'm so glad Oprah had Pink on this morning for her Grammy performance of Glitter In The Air because it was truly transcendent. I have always loved Pink, but on Sunday I watched her perform this in utter amazement. I kept thinking...oh, surely that's a stunt double...or there's no way that's a live mic. But, yes it was her and yes, she was singing live! I have a new found respect for Pink...and what a great song. If you weren't tuned in and missed her performance, catch it here....

CLICK HERE

Om

Saturday night we took the girls to our quaint little mexican restaurant for a fun family dinner...code for strong 'ritas for mom and dad! We knowingly have about 45 minutes before all h*ll breaks loose and our little ladies are out of their seats terrorizing the entire restaurant. And on Saturday, they were right on schedule!....but as we hurriedly whisked the server away to ring up our tab, we looked over and instead of dancing up and down the aisle, Anna was standing perfectly still, balancing on one foot with her arms perfectly arched over her head. When I asked her what she was doing, she exclaimed "my tree pose"! Uh, ya...yoga is part of the preschool curriculum these days. Oh how times have changed!! I'm pretty sure when I was in preschool I was pushed into the swimming pool (yes, there was a swimming pool...oh the horror) by some annoying little brat...it having gone completely unnoticed by anyone, let alone a teacher or adult of some sort. So obviously no one was concerned with a preschooler's inner peace back then!