Pee Poor Mommy Teaching

I am stumped.  Miss. Hailey Bug is not wanting to potty train.  Well, she does want to, but then she doesn't.  I thought girls were supposed to be easier than boys in this???

When I was training Kyle, Hailey would go as well.  Really, just tinkle for attention.  I should have gone along with it for her more, but she was so young and I felt like I was cleaning up so much pee after my lil' man, it was just too much.  She still impressed me though.  Before tubby time she would pee on the potty; and once while we were out she even went Ya KNOW' on the potty....SUPER IMPRESSIVE! I always tried to go along with it and encourage her to go, but they were individual incidences.

Well, we have been talking about it a lot lately.  She has even wore "big girl underwear" per her request but WILL NOT GO ON THE POTTY! She will have an "accident".  She was begging for a sticker chart and even requested when she fills up her chart to get fairy wings.  You got it!  Then she said she would like Dora the Explorer stickers for her chart, so when I found them at a Dollar Store, I told her "Look what I found.  Should we get them for your potty sticker chart?"  She was so excited!!!  They remain unopened... So 2 days ago when she was wearing undies and clearly had to pee, I set up the Elmo mini seat on the potty and she would not go.  She demanded the baby potty.  My poor baby had to go so badly, I rushed out to the garage (I don't know why I hadn't brought it in before) tore through the place to find the seat.  Rushed inside and bleached it down so she would go, and NOTHING!  She has an accident.....right in front of me!

Not wanting to pressure her, I didn't want this to become a power thing, I left it alone.  The following morning she requested to wear her Minnie Mouse underwear.  I obliged, and she would not go on the potty.  She told me she would like a Dora potty seat.  Apparently she saw one in our travels one day.  So, when we went to Walmart she went straight to the potty seat section and got her seat out. I obliged, under the condition she had to start using the potty.  She was excited!

Which brings us to yesterday.  It was chilly so my big plan was to stay home, spring clean, and try to get her to use all her potty tools.  What else do we need?  We have princess and Minnie Mouse undies, a sticker chart, stickers, a prize incentive, a baby potty and a Dora potty seat.

 She said she wanted to wear underwear and again, I obliged my Princess, after all today is THE day! I gave her plenty of water to drink, I even had them in special water bottles.  She would not go pee!  She had an accident and was "so sorry". She assured me next time she would go on the potty.  Well, in early afternoon it seemed clear to me she had to go, but every time I asked she responded with a firm "no". She had lunch, took a nap (which I was sure she was going to pee but did not), woke up and I asked, "Do you have to go pee?" She told me to stop asking her, so I did.  Then it was obvious...this little one is uncomfortable and HAD to go.  I set up the Dora seat, I had the baby potty ready to go, so she could choose.  She was clearly very uncomfortable and it was killing me to watch.  She burst into tears and begged for a pull-up or diaper.  I pleaded for her to please try the potty but had to give in and put a diaper on her.  Don't judge its not like she requested and I jumped, but I knew she had to pee BEFORE lunch and did not, so much to my dismay I put her in a diaper.  In a pleading voice with tears streaming down her face she asked "can I pee in my diaper?" I then in 1 last ditch effort asked, what about the potty...and then told her: Yes, you can pee in your diaper.

The poor little one was willing to risk a bladder explosion, than get on the potty!! I just don't get it: she has used it before?!?!?! I am just going to keep encouraging her, but not force the issue as it has become clear to me this seems to be more of a struggle of power as opposed to a struggle to potty train. Unless anyone has any suggestions...I am open!

Fishing for ABC's and 123's

My little ones love fishing.  Last weeks weather really got everyone into the fishing spirit.  We are ready to hit the water with our rods and catch some fish!  Unfortunately, its about 40 degrees cooler this week than it was last week so fishing outside isn't going to be happening.  But, we can still fish inside!!!

Fish inside?

YUP!  I got these fish from Oriental Trading Company and wrote the alphabet on them.  Next, I put some paper clips,and the kids had magnetic fishing rods from other puzzles that we used as rods.

I would call out a letter, and the kids would fish to find said letter.

Clearly there were 2 sets of alphabet letters and as they found their fish they would put it in their fishing bucket.

Next we fished for our 123's.  I found these dice at the dollar store (so fun).

Each child would roll one. We would then count the dots, and they would have to put (x) amount of fish in their bucket.

If they counted right they got an M&M, though I have to say they were able to handle counting to twelve with no issue =)

This was a lot of fun, it was educational and they loved it! Between baking banana bread, and playing Fishing ABC's and 123's the day FLEW by!  We can even play MATCH with our fish.  Looks like the letter fun is endless =)

Guess we can fish anytime we want now =)



Why...

So the why's have started in my household. I really didn't think it started this early.  I thought the why-ing everything started later.........At first it was funny.  But, now Kyle and Hailey will take turns or tag team the question.

Lord help me =). Hahahaha love them!

Ca-MON!!!!!

I don't get it.  I just don't get it! Kyle is back to waking up 1-3 times a night and wanting to come into our bed.  TWICE this week he asked Jay to get out of bed and go sleep in his big boy bed. Literally kicking Jason out of bed so Kyle could sleep on his pillow.

The first sticker chart Kyle had for sleeping in his bed went so well.  It was a 2 week chart and he slept in his bed through the night for more than 2 weeks!  It was great!  I assumed after 2 weeks (plus) we would have established a habit.....guess not. He randomly began waking up and getting out of bed again.

So after a couple weeks of this (I didn't know if maybe it was just a freak week or something)  I made him another sticker chart.  This chart was for 30 days.  If he made it all 30 days he could get the Little People space ship he was begging for.  Wouldn't you know for all 30 days (technically more) he slept every night in his bed without waking up once.

Well now here we are a few weeks later and he is getting up again!!!!  Seriously?!?!?!  How long does it take this kid to form a habit?  I have put a humidifier in the room to help him sleep better (white noise)  that doesn't work anymore. I am stumped.

Guess I will make him a sticker chart, with NO PRIZE in the end.  Stickers seem to suffice.  I don't care if he has a whole wall of stickers!!!  This little boy needs to get in the habit of going to bed, sleeping in his bed and staying in his bed.  We have another little boy joining the crew soon enough and I am not about getting up and down with both of them!

As hard as it is to be upset or distraught with this little face.  Ca-MON kiddo SLEEP!!!

Say a prayer for us........I will take anything at this point to get Ky to sleep through the night at this point.

We'll get there.  We'll get there.  Right?  Someday we will get there??? I still need Hailey out of our bed.  I am trying to accomplish one baby at a time, but this is  A LOT!!! Breathe. Stay calm. We'll get there...... =)

Ahhhhh

Today was another amazing day!  I took full advantage of the unseasonably warm weather this week.  Knowing today was going to be the last day in the 80's for at least a week I wasted no time out and about.

I picked Kyle up from school and whisked the kids away to meet Grandma for a fabulous picnic.  Unfortunately, the Grist Mill was still closed.  I didn't even know the Grist Mill closed, but apparently it does.  I was stumped, but determined to find a solution.  Not only did I find a solution, but I found a whole new place for us to go!

My neighbor told me about a little park so we went there and it was perfect!

After a yummy lunch it was time to play!

The kids were wiped out after hours of fun in the sun, they couldn't even make it home.

I'd say it was a good day and a great way to end an unseasonably warm week. Gearing up to do as much as we can out and about before Baby D #3 joins the crew and slows our roll for a little bit.

Beautiful Girl

On this BEAUTIFUL day I decided to beautify my little girl.  Not that she really needs much help.  She is a natural little beauty.

She needed a little bang trim, and I attempted.  Katelin didn't  have much faith in me, so she tried, but as it turns out I did OK =)  Although I don't plan on making this a habit.  There is a reason there are hair professionals.



Afterward, I gave her the first pedicure of the season.  She's only been asking forever for a pedicure!  What can I say it was the perfect day for a pedicure outside, and she found the perfect color at Target. =)

See.  Just beautiful! =)

Love my Hailey Bug! =)



Betta's!

Today was the second day of spring and our first trip to Trombettas...in shorts!!! It was80 degrees! =)

Ky was very upset that I got his ice cream in a cup, he prefers cones now.

Although he didn't like getting all messy.

Good thing I had ice cream holders in the car.

Our neighbors came too! =)

Not a bad way to jump start the season. And my cell phone pictures aren't so bad either! =)

Potty Training (insert fart noise)

I am doing anything and everything I can do to get Hailey interested in potty training.  When we were training Kyle, she went too, but was still so little I didn't force it. What a dummy I am...I should have totally forced it!  She would randomly ask to go on the potty here and there and I would always accommodate her.  She even requested to go #2 for the first time on the potty at a restaurant in October.  I thought then that we were maybe in the training phase.  But, no!

I have her sticker chart hanging in the bathroom for her.  I bought her Dora the Explorer stickers per her request, for the chart.  We even know when she fills up the chart that she can get fairy wings (which is killing me because they are perfect for Easter).  But still NO GO!

She wants to wear diapers.  Now, we are out of diapers and she is in pull ups!  She asks to wear underwear (she won't go bare bum) and I encourage her, only to have to mop the floor a few times a day.

I'm not down worried or concerned about it.  Maybe I should be? On one hand I don't want her to grow up.  But, on another: c'mon sista, I KNOW YOU CAN DO IT!

I guess I just need to be patient.  I know my little girl and I know she will start when she is ready......we will just keep encouraging (and bribing a little bit).

Happy First Day of Spring!!!

Holy heatwave!  The last 2 days did not feel like the last day of winter and the first day of spring.  They felt like SUMMER!!!  It was near 80 degrees the last 2 days! =)

I wanted to do something with the little ones so after a delicious lunch outside we decorated the house for Easter.  Its just a few weeks away and there is something about Easter that just makes life feel like spring is here.

Our neighbors hung plastic Easter eggs in their tree and Hailey LOVED the idea.  While we were out running errands waiting for Kyle to get out of school she begged me to buy some eggs for her to hang.  Of course I accommodated her need to decorate.  It was a tough decision on which color group of eggs to buy but in the end she decided on these.

Would you believe I spent almost 2 hours in the very hot sun stringing these things with fishing line??  Granted it wasn't difficult, but with 2 little ones crawling all over you and needing things, and wanting things, and me being preggers in the sun........and the heat....I can't really complain,but it was a little tedious.

After stringing just under 50 eggs imagine my heated frustration when this happened?!?!?!?!?!

and Kyle thought it was HILARIOUS!!!! (punk)

but, I rallied and we got most of them up. =)

and got the other stuff out too =)

Afterward I have to admit I was a little dizzy and came in to cool off.  We spent a good 5 hours outside playing, eating, and decorating.  Clearly we are not used to the heat because Tid-Bit and Buglet came in and passed out =)  Made cooling down easier for me =).

All in all a fabulous first day of spring!  I love my babies! =)



St. Patrick's Day BUST!

I am kind of nuts for all the holidays.  They give me an excuse to go overboard and just enjoy.  St.Patrick's Day isn't just another day it is indeed a HOLIDAY here for me.

I usually go all out with the attire and flare. Green shoes, St.Paddy's day socks, a cute shirt to represent, beads, stickers, tattoos, head bands with bouncy shamrocks.  Oh yeah, I'm that gal! and PROUD of it! =)

I truly am dedicated to the day. See, even my very pregnant self brought my 11 month old to a bar! I would have gone out this year too!  Who cares if I have 2 babies and am pregnant with baby #3 its St.Patrick's Day!! But, I didn't.  The mommy side of me took over and I just hunkered in at home.  I know, boring........

I swear my reasoning was good.  St.Patrick's Day was on a Saturday! Wait, what?!?!  That is the perfect day for Paddy's celebrations, right??? Well, before I was preggers YUP!  I sure did know a year in advance where I was going and who I was going with! I had a babysitter, I even had the flare ready to go for all!  In fact the first thing I said when we found out we were having Baby D #3 was "OMG I am out for St.Patrick's Day!! (the second thing was I am out for Vicki and Marc's wedding-but that's another story)"

The truth is knowing it was on a Saturday: who wasn't going to go out?  I didn't want to be on the roads with my little ones, or bring them into bars that crowded. I know I sound like a fogey, but when you start out early during the week only the true fans are out, and its crowded enough that you make new friends, but that you can still move around (and bring babies with you, if need be).

No biggie, I figured  I would make the best of the day.  Maybe treat myself to a McShamrock (I guess its a green shake??) but I didn't.  Well for dessert I would have mint chip ice cream to celebrate the day, but I didn't!  I did dress myself in a green t-shirt and the kids in their Kiss me I'm Irish shirts, but I didn't even take pics.  I was going to do a craft with them, but didn't.  I was a true FAIL to the day.  Jase tried to get me out.  He would do or take me wherever I wanted, but I was cool at home doing nothing, it was so gloomy and chilly and we were all home relaxing, why leave?  I know!!  SO NOT LIKE ME!!!

I let myself and these cuties down:

Although, in my defense we did do things to celebrate leading up to the day; and they really don't know they missed anything so.... I guess that's OK?

The weekend was not a total bust though.  Bet you did NOT know that my Dad's birthday (who is 100% Sicilian by the way) is on St.Patrick's Day. YUP, and he turned 60 this year!  So the next day we were off to my grandmothers to celebrate his special day =)

and, BONUS it was so sunny and gorgeous out (unlike the day before).

So though my St.Patrick's Day may have been a bust, my entire weekend wasn't and I still got to celebrate my Dad =)

Happy St.Patrick's Day and Happy Birthday Dad!!! xoxoxox