This morning as I pulled Jack out of his crib and prepared to change his diaper, he started insisting that he sit on the potty. So I took him in there and placed him backwards, as I have seen my sister do with my nephew. Well, he was terrified because his little body was about to fall into the toilet so I pulled out Ellie’s old Elmo potty seat. Jack happily sat (forward facing) on the seat and I went about doing Ellie’s hair. Suddenly, I hear Jack yelling “peepee” over and over. I look and see Jack shooting pee all over the bathroom! Clearly, I am ignorant in the ways of boys because I had no idea his little thingy would not continue pointing down. So, I call Tom up on my way to school to relay the story and to ask him how we are supposed to teach Jack to point his weewee down when peeing.
“I don’t know, Holly. That’s not my area.”
“Well, it is definitely not MY area!”
So, please feel free to share your potty training tips for little boys.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Monday, October 17, 2011
Weekend Recap: Home Alone
This weekend it was just me and my semi-sick kiddos. Tom took his team to a cross country meet in Arkansas (yes, Arkansas. Who goes there?) for the entire weekend. At first, I was kind of looking forward to the me-time in the evenings, but after spending Friday night alone, I invited Ellie to sleep with me on Saturday night. Big mistake. Huge. She was snoring and tossing and turning all night long. At one point, she had her arm AND her leg thrown over me. I texted Tom about what it is like to sleep with her and he responded, "Sounds just like her mom." Hmmmm. Anyway, I was really happy when Tom returned home last night. Ellie, on the other hand, wanted him to stay away for a few more days so she could continue sleeping with me. She says it isn't fair that she has to sleep alone when Tom and I get to sleep together.
Speaking of hair (we weren't, but I didn't have a segue into this part), I cut mine this weekend. It has gotten really long and I have been hating it for months now. So I chopped it short and choppy, about chin-length, and then went ultra blond. I came home feeling sassy and stylish until Ellie informed me that it looked terrible and she liked it better long.
Speaking of hair (we weren't, but I didn't have a segue into this part), I cut mine this weekend. It has gotten really long and I have been hating it for months now. So I chopped it short and choppy, about chin-length, and then went ultra blond. I came home feeling sassy and stylish until Ellie informed me that it looked terrible and she liked it better long.
Saturday, October 15, 2011
Brought to you by the letter J & the number 2
We celebrated Jack's birthday last Monday at a nearby park. I went with the Sesame Street theme since that is Jack's current obsession. I pretty much stole all my party ideas from Pinterest.
The birthday food. My sister, Dianna, made the pasta. It was delish.
My mom made the cupcakes. They had cream cheese and chocolate chips in the middle. Also delish. I had my nieces and nephews color the sesame street characters when I was babysitting them the day before. You see how great I am at delegating food and decorations? It's a sign of true leadership.
Jack really enjoyed my mom's cupcakes. Probably more than if I had made them.
Party guests...the fam.
Party games: Color with the Count, Bubbles with Big Bird, Pin the Nose on Elmo, and Oscar's Trashcan Toss. The kids liked the games, but I think they liked the park better.
Gift bags filled with Elmo goodies from the Dollar Spot at Target.
Gift bags filled with Elmo goodies from the Dollar Spot at Target.I'm not gonna lie, I stressed and stressed over this party even though it was just family. But I am pleased with how it all turned out. I am especially pleased that the rain didn't start until right as everyone was driving away.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Dear Jack
Dear Jack,
Today marks two years since you joined our family. Although the thought of you growing up saddens me, I was still very excited to celebrate your birthday with you. I spent several weeks planning a Sesame Street themed birthday party because you love the characters so much (especially Ernie and Elmo, with Cookie Monster coming in a distant third). We celebrated your birthday a couple of days ago and ever since then you have been talking about your birthday. I am not really sure what you are saying about it as the only word I can consistently make out is “birthday.” This morning, Ellie, your dad, and I went into your room together to wake you up. We sang Happy Birthday to you while you bounced around your crib in excitement. I kept telling you “happy birthday” and you kept replying “happy birthday” right back.
You have evolved from one word commands to 3-4 word sentences. You love to sing and will serenade us every morning on the way to school. You can throw a tantrum that makes everyone stop and stare in awe at the force of your emotion. You are willful and impatient, but you are also incredibly loving and sweet.
You are such a boy. You prefer outside to inside, running to walking, jumping to standing. You like to throw balls and push cars. Your favorite thing right now is Jeeps. You are an expert at spotting Jeeps on the road, shouting out “Jeep! Beep, beep!” You still have a bit of a shoe obsession and you will clomp around in anything from your dad’s running shoes to your sister’s dress-up shoes (ok, so maybe you aren’t ALL boy).
Jack, it seems so strange to me that just two years ago I hadn’t even met you yet. It feels as though I have known you and loved you forever. Happy birthday, my sweet boy.
Today marks two years since you joined our family. Although the thought of you growing up saddens me, I was still very excited to celebrate your birthday with you. I spent several weeks planning a Sesame Street themed birthday party because you love the characters so much (especially Ernie and Elmo, with Cookie Monster coming in a distant third). We celebrated your birthday a couple of days ago and ever since then you have been talking about your birthday. I am not really sure what you are saying about it as the only word I can consistently make out is “birthday.” This morning, Ellie, your dad, and I went into your room together to wake you up. We sang Happy Birthday to you while you bounced around your crib in excitement. I kept telling you “happy birthday” and you kept replying “happy birthday” right back.
You have evolved from one word commands to 3-4 word sentences. You love to sing and will serenade us every morning on the way to school. You can throw a tantrum that makes everyone stop and stare in awe at the force of your emotion. You are willful and impatient, but you are also incredibly loving and sweet.
You are such a boy. You prefer outside to inside, running to walking, jumping to standing. You like to throw balls and push cars. Your favorite thing right now is Jeeps. You are an expert at spotting Jeeps on the road, shouting out “Jeep! Beep, beep!” You still have a bit of a shoe obsession and you will clomp around in anything from your dad’s running shoes to your sister’s dress-up shoes (ok, so maybe you aren’t ALL boy).Jack, it seems so strange to me that just two years ago I hadn’t even met you yet. It feels as though I have known you and loved you forever. Happy birthday, my sweet boy.
Mama
Monday, October 03, 2011
Weekend Recap: Zombie Moms edition
I haven't been to any of Tom's cross country meets this season. Although I love watching him in action (I think he looks so cute when he is coaching), I don't love chasing the kids around and trying to keep them off the course. However, the weather was so nice this Saturday that I decided we would go watch the meet. Daniel brought Kolby and Olivia and all the kids had so much fun playing.
Tom's team placed second. I'm so proud of Tom. He puts so much time and effort into his team and they really perform.That night, I took Ellie over to a friend's house for a kid-movie night. Everyone was supposed to wear pajamas, but Dianna and I failed to get the memo. While the kids watched and played, the moms sat around snacking and visiting. At one point, we decided to do facials. And I have the embarrassing photo to prove it.
After the movie was over and the green stuff washed off our faces, I went over to Dianna's to watch a movie (with a sleeping Ellie sprawled across my lap). I didn't get home til after midnight and as I was driving home, I tried to remember the last time I had stayed out so late. I couldn't. I probably need to get out more.Parenting fail
Last year, I discovered the joys of grocery shopping WITHOUT children. I used to feel this need to rush to pick up my kids every day from daycare. THEN, I would go grocery shopping. I didn't want to be cheated from a single, extra second of time with them. One day my sister asked me why I didn't just pick them up from daycare AFTER I finished grocery shopping? When I explained how I didn't want to miss any precious time with my little angels, she was all, how much quality time are you getting in a grocery store? Sold. Suddenly, I didn't hate grocery shopping quite so much.
Last Friday I was in desperate need of groceries. Tom had a meeting after school and couldn't pick up Ellie from kindergarten so I decided to stop by Kroger to get some groceries....with the kids. I thought since they had those fun cars in front of the carts then the kids would be sufficiently entertained. I thought wrong. Within 15 minutes, Ellie was whining that Jack was squishing her. Jack was hollering because he spotted cereal in the cart that he wanted to eat. Ellie pushed Jack, Jack screamed, I made Ellie get out of the cart, Ellie started crying in earnest and begging for a second chance. By this point, mothers were giving me sympathetic glances and non-mothers were giving me annoyed, pointed looks. I dragged Ellie and the enormous grocery cart to an empty aisle, at which point I started whispering angry threats into Ellie's ears. She started yelling, "I don't want a spanking!" over and over....I hadn't even threatened a spanking (although the thought had certainly crossed my mind). I had reached my breaking point. "Shut your mouth or I will beat you," I hissed into her ear. She recoiled in horror at my white-trash transformation and cried out, "That's rude! You don't tell someone you will beat them!" Not a proud moment for me. I decided to cut short our excursion and head home. Ellie was asleep in the car before I was even out of the parking lot. I posted the following to Facebook: I will never take my kids grocery shopping again. We will starve first.
Last Friday I was in desperate need of groceries. Tom had a meeting after school and couldn't pick up Ellie from kindergarten so I decided to stop by Kroger to get some groceries....with the kids. I thought since they had those fun cars in front of the carts then the kids would be sufficiently entertained. I thought wrong. Within 15 minutes, Ellie was whining that Jack was squishing her. Jack was hollering because he spotted cereal in the cart that he wanted to eat. Ellie pushed Jack, Jack screamed, I made Ellie get out of the cart, Ellie started crying in earnest and begging for a second chance. By this point, mothers were giving me sympathetic glances and non-mothers were giving me annoyed, pointed looks. I dragged Ellie and the enormous grocery cart to an empty aisle, at which point I started whispering angry threats into Ellie's ears. She started yelling, "I don't want a spanking!" over and over....I hadn't even threatened a spanking (although the thought had certainly crossed my mind). I had reached my breaking point. "Shut your mouth or I will beat you," I hissed into her ear. She recoiled in horror at my white-trash transformation and cried out, "That's rude! You don't tell someone you will beat them!" Not a proud moment for me. I decided to cut short our excursion and head home. Ellie was asleep in the car before I was even out of the parking lot. I posted the following to Facebook: I will never take my kids grocery shopping again. We will starve first.
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