DRY!!

Okay, so I'm sure not all want to hear about our exciting potty adventures, but that is what is going on at our house. So, enjoy!!

Justin has always been a kid that when he wakes up in the morning, his diaper is hanging off of him, completely soaked. Heavy, soaked, diapers. We all know the kind. Last night, HE STAYED DRY!! all night long. I was so proud of him. He's doing so well, that I can't complain too much about the nasty nasty underwear! Any suggestions for helping kids go #2 on the toilet?

Thanks for humoring me and reading "The Potty Chronicles".

Day #4...

I love my son. He makes this seem so easy! Not to boast! Sheesh...two days in a row he has kept his pull-up dry. Yes, he does do #2 in the pull--up still, but he comes and finds me now after he did it and brings me wipes. Before, he waited for me to smell the aroma. I do have to say, yesterday he amazed me. We had our ward Christmas party, and I put a pull-up on him and I thought, well, he's going to be running around with the other kids, I guess I won't worry about it. I just kind of figured he'd go pee in the pull-up. We went to the Festival of Trees after the party (Trees are decorated in memory of a loved one who stayed at Primary Children's Hospital, and then people buy the trees and the money is donated to the hospital. I cry every year. It's gorgeous and a lot of work/love goes into it), and I really figured I wouldn't worry about it.

The party started at 5, we got to the Festival of Trees at 7:45. 9:30 (yes, we kept our kids up LATE!! I hate doing it. I try to keep it to 1 MAYBE 2x a month) comes around and we are getting ready to leave. Kevin has to use the bathroom and goes into the bathroom. Justin looks at me and says, "potty"..grabs himself..and has this urgency. I tell him to run to Daddy. HE WAS DRY! 4 1/2 hours on Day #3!! I kissed him a thousand times. Told him how proud I was--sheesh. I was shocked. Today is Day #2 of dry pull-up. He did great at church! So maybe by Christmas? I'm still hoping for that!

Potty-training...Take 1

Hooray! We are in the stages of potty-training! Awhile back, Kevin bought the kid some pull-ups with Cars on them. He's obsessed with Cars. I say obsessed, because when the Sunday paper comes with ads, he goes through them to find something, anything, with Lightening McQueen on it, brings it to me, I rip it out, and he carries the ad around with him everywhere, including bed, for the rest of the week, or until it finds its way to the garbage. So anyhow, Kevin thought they would be a hit. My mom even sent Cars underwear. He only wanted to wear diapers. He would take them off to sit on the potty chair, but would waddle out with a new one. He would cry, scream, kick if we tried the pull-ups and/or underwear. So I thought, okay, we'll wait. This has been 2 months. Well, two days ago, I asked again if he wanted to wear them and he was thrilled to wear them. He wants to put them on himself, and all of his clothes. Well, he had one accident yesterday, stayed dry through the nap, and even went twice while we were at James' band concert. He has names for all the toilets in the house. My bathroom is "mommy's potty chair", the kids bathroom is "James' potty chair" and the upstairs toilet is "Jonah's potty chair". Jonah is the neighbor boy and Justin's best friend. I guess he is one of the family.

Anyhow...here is to day 2! so far so good! 3 times to the bathroom and it is only 9:45. No #2 yet...we'll work on that. Maybe he'll think it is yukky enough the first time and not want it again! Here's to hoping!

SOLD!!

It's done. We can move on, learn from mistakes, make life better....and most importantly, not dwell on the negative. Most know, we built our first home, and then decided to build a second (I'm still trying to remember the conversation we had about doing this). Economy was great, we could build a bigger house, sell the first one, take the equity and put it into the second and have the same payment as the first. Sounds great, right? Bigger house, same money? Yeah--everything looks good on paper.

Well..to make a REALLY REALLY long story, short--we lost the house to a short sale. Which isn't as bad as it could be. The bummer part...is the guy (yes..a single guy in a 4000 sq foot house, go figure) gets the house for a SCREAMING deal. He knows it. He's content and very happy. Nice guy..single, never been married...LOTS of toys, and a pilot. Can he give his favorite neighbors some plane tickets? eh?

Anyhow, we signed the papers yesterday to make it official. Our realtor was amazing. He did a fantastic job and was patient. So prayers do get answered, trials happen, and all we can do is have the hope that things will get better and just enjoy the blessings around us.

I"m off to wrangle the baby before he plummets down the stairs. Don't worry, Mom. I wouldn't ever let him do that!!

he's growin' up!!

Is it just me, or does the idea of plain rice cereal sound gross? and yet we give it to our babies. I decided I'd start Kyle on some cereal yesterday, and he was not liking it so much. He didn't do too badly with his tongue, he just didn't want it.

He'd make faces, etc. He did a little better today. He's already crawling. Well, army crawling. He gets up on all fours, does the rocking, and then scoots on his belly. I can't believe it. He seems too young. He started almost 2 weeks ago and it just seems like the babyhood is almost done! Last night he slept from 7pm to 7am--2 times for feeds--and ALL in his own bed! wahoo!! Don't get me wrong. I am not against babies sleeping with their moms. I just want him to use his bed more. He takes his naps in there, sure, but night times he loves to snuggle with me. I'm fine with it. I encourage it because I do it from day one. He can just sleep longer without me now, and so we are going to work on that! I love the little butterball!

I also forgot to add some pics of Justin & Kevin from Halloween! Here they are, in all their glory! Justin was Peter Pan, Kevin was Tinkerbell and James was "John, from Peter Pan.


notice the legs on Kevin? He totally picked out the stockings!!

Life...

It has been a crazy week this week. It started on my birthday. My friend called me, for what I thought was a birthday wish. Um...wrong. She just told me, something terrible happened. Yes, I engage in Bunco with friends, courtesy of Allison. One of our "groupies" had been involved in a car accident with her family and her 13 year old son died. Not what I expected. I was so sad, it kind of has thrown me off. I love Donna. She makes me laugh and just remember to have fun in life. She loves her family, they have the best time together. I hate that we have to have things like this
to make us "remember" our family. We do though, why is that? Shouldn't we always be thankful for our families, always leave the house with a kiss, tell your kids you love them a million times a day and never let them leave your sight without them knowing how much you love them and how wonderful they are.

I've never really posted about how much I love my husband and my family. Sure, my husband and I have our problems, I won't lie. I'm sure most reading this will chuckle and say, yup...they do. But I know I do love my husband. He may drive me nuts, make me take deep breaths and keep on doing what I'm doing, he may not "get things"...but who really does? He does this wink that makes me blush, he kisses me good-bye every morning, even if I don't remember it (I try! but it's early!!) He works hard for our family and he doesn't make too big of a deal when his clothes drawers are empty. They are just on pause, in the basket. He loves me and will do anything for me. For that, anything is worth it.



James is an amazing boy. He has gone through a lot, yet he is respectful, kind, obedient, funny, loving, AMAZING brother, and I am one lucky step-mom. I was thinking about how I would feel if I were in my friend's shoes. All I could think about was how sad I'd be for Justin and Kyle--because they have a brother who loves them unconditionally. James loves his brothers and handles them so well. He can put a baby to bed, better than most dads. He makes Kyle do the best giggles. Justin cries when he can't be with James and calls out his name almost every day. He even sleeps with James' picture at night. It's love.

Justin is the most independent child I have ever met. He made ME a bagel yesterday--toasted and with butter. What 2 1/2 year old does that? Better yet, what MOTHER lets their child do that. The kid feeds himself most of the time. He "helps" himself to his own snacks. No...i do not approve, but he's "very very sneaky". He is a bit OCD--everything has to be done the "right way", so he feels comfortable. Yet, it's not EVERYTHING. It's only when he THINKS it needs to be done right then. He loves to snuggle and just started asking me to rock and sing to him. He loves playing with my hair and he is just so darn cute, skipping everywhere.



Kyle is my sweet, happy baby. I could snuggle him every night. I need to stop. I just get more sleep!! I love seeing his big eyes and bright smile. I used to think I wouldn't be able to love the "new baby" as much--and I am wrong. I love his giggles and his chubby legs. I love to take showers with him and just be with him. Babies just relax us!

I love my parents. I love my brothers and I love my in-laws. I am grateful for Kevin's family and for their love and acceptance of me. I've never had sisters, but I love his sisters as my own. Kevin makes fun of me because I talk to them more than he does--but come on. We get along so well, why not! My parents are the BEST out there and the best in laws anyone could ask for. when I talk to others about their parents or in laws, I think...wow. We ARE lucky!!

Families CAN be forever. I pray everyday I am doing my part to make sure mine IS forever.

My birthday

I told Kevin, all I wanted for my birthday was some shampoo. Am I pathetic? You know you are poor when your "ideal birthday present" is the NICE shampoo. I love it. I used it yesterday--and it just makes you feel pretty!!! He had me going that he had nothing planned....stupid me. I should know better by now! He ALWAYS has a surprise planned. The BEST surprise was the fact that his mom (Thanks Diane) came over and watched all 3 boys so we could go to dinner. That the first time without ANY kids since Kyle was born and only the 2nd time that we have gone out in a LONG LONG LONG time. It was nice to get out and not have to worry about your meal getting cold before you get it to it, while at the restaurant. Thanks honey for the great 31st birthday. Even if my brother told me it was my 30th birthday and my dad told me I was born at night...and he had to go to work in the morning. Sorry dad, it was 10 minutes before church started...on a Sunday. Nice try!

Comparison with Justin

So my sis-in-law suggested I put a pic of Justin at 4 months....so you can see the difference in kids. So here it is!!

What a CUTE baby!

Not that I am biased or anything!! Ha ha ha....here are some shots of Kyle. I will try to add in a baby pic of me at 6 months...maybe he does look a LITTLE like me. I think he looks like my cousin's kids more!

Reason to Celebrate

I am always looking for reasons for it being a "good day". Last night was a good night. I'll probably go on a little tangent or two as well. So most know, I sleep with my babies, as newborns. I am not a huge fan of "cry it out"...but that is me. I know it works for others, I just have my reasons. I hope I have not offended anyone. Anyhow, normally what I do with my kids and sleeping through the night, they start off in their cribs, and sometime during the night, when they wake up, I either feed them and put them back in their cribs, or bring them to bed with me. It starts to get longer and longer and more spread out over time. I stop feeding and just go in and comfort with the bink and walk away. Lately, I don't even remember how Kyle ends up in my bed. Kevin tells me it's between 1 and 2, so that is good since Kyle goes to bed around 8-9.

The reason for my happy news....last night he went to bed about 8:30...woke up at 11:30 and I fed him, no big deal since I was still "awake". Well, Kyle woke up at 1:30 again, but I didn't feed him. I told myself when i went to bed that I HAD to wake up when he did and not just be a zombie. I went into his room, gave him the bink and walked out. He woke up again at 4:30 and I did the same thing. He woke up again at 6:30 and I picked him up to feed him (his hands were like icicles...poor kid. I almost yelped when he touched me, while feeding him. Yes, we turned on our heater last night, too). Many will say...shouldn't your happy news be that he SLEPT through the night? Well...to me, not having to "get up to feed" is a HUGE step. for him not eating for 7 hours is HUGE!! I didn't even pay attention to his grunting after the bink. He just went back to sleep. This means we are working our way out of the late night feeding! THAT is my happy news!! My not so happy news was how engorged I was..but we'll deal with that. Anyhow---many are saying...let him just cry. I think Justin has done well with his sleep and just got off two naps right before he turned 2..so we did something right! This weekend was another story (sorry Lori), but we all get out of sync when we are gone from our own homes, right?!

So here's to cutting out night feedings and working on sleeping the whole night (10-12 hours is the "whole night" for me)Well get there...zombie or no zombie.

Signing Time

Have you ever watched Signing Time? I love the one about the Outside things. Love it. I started watching it on PBS when Justin was a baby, and he learned a few signs, but then "grew" out of it. Well, we have been watching them faithfully everyday. He usually watches one in the morning, or right before he goes to bed. He loves them. Well, we had progress last night. I always sign the opening song for him and last night...he just did it on his own! Then started signing like crazy! He loves to do "leaves" and then today he's been coming up and asking help, by signing it!! Without me asking! It was a total breakthrough. It's like he has been bottling it up and then BOOM!! It's so cute! I love that he is asking for help now instead of whining! I highly recommend watching them. I watch older kids a few times a week and they love to watch them and learn new signs. Maybe we can work on him not calling me "beth", like all the other kids and James does.

photobooth pics

Here are a few pics taken from the computer this morning....

A very good baby

Kyle amazes me. On Monday, I went picking blackberries and raspberries...for 3 hours. Justin had had it when my friend and I were done (thanks Ali) but Kyle, was just hanging out in his carseat. I stopped and fed him once. We continued on in our journey and made 7 batches of jam and a batch of syrup, all the while hanging out in his carseat and laughing/smiling with us. I couldn't ask for a better baby. Very content as long as people talk to him. He is a people person and just loves to be in the action. I know he is a great baby and is very easy. I love him so much. I was very worried, let me know if anyone else had these thoughts, that I it would be hard to love him as much as I love Justin. I guess I was wrong. I had no PPD after Kyle, like I did with Justin.

It's funny to see Justin with him. He is SO SO over protective of his brother if someone else is holding him. He has to make sure they are "okay" to hold him. If he doesn't like them, he cries to try and bring Kyle back to me. It's kind of sweet to see him still caring after 3 months and not want to send him back to the pound (like my brother wanted to do with me).

Potty Training Time

Yesterday, I come walking into the bathroom and there is Justin, pants down, diaper off, sitting on the potty chair. Woo-hoo, right? well, he thinks he gets a candy for just sitting. So I have to tell him again, nope. When you go potty. So we get his underwear out...which he thinks is some new captain america costume, because he proceeds to place it on his head and walk around that way. Does anyone else see something wrong with this picture? I guess we try again tomorrow!!!

Boys and babies

I've been watching kids for the last few weeks, to help out people and make a little bit of money. It has been a good learning experience for me and a good test of my patience. What I have come to learn is how much i love my kids.

Justin has such a sweet side to him. It is hard to always get out, but the way he just hangs out with me, and shows me his favorite things ("cars"--which he can spot lightning mcqueen ANYWHERE!!, Peter Pan or Signing Time, which is the cutest when he lays in bed just signing it. How can you say no!! It's a great show...) I am grateful for Justin's help and even though he is only 2, He does so much for me. He listens well (he has those off moments, too) and is a very good big brother. He has to "see" everything I do in the kitchen and help make everything. He helps get things out and just says "k" (smacks the lips after). I love him so much.

James is going to make an amazing dad one day. He has so much patience for children. sometimes it is tested by Justin, but James takes a breather and just helps him out. He adores Kyle and loves to rock him and put him to sleep. He has always done a great job, exchanging homes every weekend. he takes everything in stride and is very obedient. I know i am extremely blessed to have such a great relationship with him. Sometimes, I am probably too hard on him and set too high of expectations, but I am glad we can talk and discuss issues and reasons why we do what we do as parents. He has some great friends here in the ward whom I am hoping (and counting on) to continue to be good examples for him. He deserves to have a great life and I hope he does what he needs to, to achieve it.

And then there is Kyle. I don't remember loving this stage with Justin as much as I do with Kyle. Maybe it is because I have forgotten the time with Justin, but Kyle is just so much fun. He has the sweetest smile that lights up his entire face. His eyes just seem to glow when he smiles. Last night, he had sort of fallen into a drunken stupor with his eyes half shut after he was done eating. he was trying to fall asleep and then just looked at me and gave me the goofiest grin. I couldn't help but laugh at him. It was the best thank you I could have received.



I guess I am writing this because Kevin and I have decided I would go back to work for a short period of time to help us out of our situation. Especially after last night with Kyle, I have realized how much more I am going to miss these kids then when it was just having Justin in daycare. I have a great lady who watches the kids (Justin bawls and cries when we l eave the daycare). She is just watching my two kids and has a 3 year old. We have a lot of the same views on raising kids, so that is comforting, and it makes me feel a bit better about having to leave them. I guess it hit me even more because I have my first interview on Friday and it is becoming more real. I know there is an end in sight of me working, and I know sacrifices have to be made. I am just a sad mommy. so...sorry about my bragging post and a little bit of "poor me", post. I just wanted my kids to know I love them.

Swimming

To celebrate the end of summer, we decided to go swimming at a "local" (note, we drove 30 miles to go to it) pool with some friends and enjoy the last weekend before James started 7th grade (is he really that old?).

Justin scares me to death around water because he has no fear. He stands on the edge and jumps into our arms, but if we aren't there, he'd still do it. I can't let him out of my sight or arms length for a minute even with a life jacket on. At this particular pool, it made me feel a little better seeing it was heavily designed around children. It made me feel a lot better knowing I could see him, touch him, and he could slide down slides for his size and keep him content for 3 hours. He even decided on his own, that he would go head first down the slide. I had to laugh when the lifeguard came up to him and told him he couldn't do that. He just looked at her climbed out, and went down the slide again, head first. I guess she didn't know that he decides when he will or will not "understand" someone. He was in heaven there and bawled when we had to leave. He is quite the fish and I can not wait to start swim lessons next summer!!



James decided he "could be in the Olympics if he wanted" (as quoted to our sitter) and also decided he loves the diving board. here is a pic of him doing a back flip. I can remember when he was 7 and was clinging to Kevin in the pool because he couldn't swim. After 3 years of swim lessons, jumping from Grandpa's boat, and just being around water more has, made him just as fearless.

Trying to be Green

Rather, should I say, I'm trying to be like my parents. My dad has an AMAZING Green Thumb--I did NOT get that gene from him. Just ask my tomato plants last year (aren't they easy to grow?). My mom--did a LOT of canning when we were growing up. I'm still amazed how she canned fruit, vegetables, made juice and jam all with 4 kids running amuck. Sheesh! She IS Wonder Woman.

Well, about 2 months ago, I was pulling weeds in my dirt area and she said I should plant something so I was pulling weeds for a reason, so we planted some squash, zucchini, pumpkin and swiss chard (it's like spinach). I was worried about them, because I just planted them in the topsoil dirt that hadn't been tilled, or anything. But wow!! they are HUGE plants! I am so impressed! (of course all I did was water them every day). I have already pulled a zucchini and yellow squash and made baby food out of it for Kyle and pulled a 2nd zucchini today and have 4 more growing. I have 9 more yellow squash and 2 pumpkins! I need the easy foods!

I also picked apricots 2 weeks ago with my neighbor and made 8 batches of apricot jam. My sis-in-law, Aimee, showed me her method of turning the jars over to seal themselves. The jamming process was easy. The peaches, pears and plums are almost ready to can and make baby food out of as well. Who can complain against FREE baby food? Kyle will have all kinds of foods to choose from when he starts to eat solids. It's nice to have Kevin help me out with the process as well and his enthusiasm over food storage. I just feel the need to learn to do all of this, especially in today's world. I have lived off of food storage once---and am building it back up in case we have to do it again. I even made brownies last night with powdered eggs. Who knew! Anyone can be taught to be domestic!!



My jam! and food!!

How do you know it is summer??

I found out! On Sunday we had a going-away party for a good friend--Burr. He is moving to Spokane! We had about 25 people at our house and so the back door was left open. Bad move when you live in the "semi-country" by horses and cows. We had flies galore. I'm not talking about 10 or 15. To give you an idea, I paid James a nickel for every fly he killed--he ended up with $3.00. I went on my own Rambo rampage yesterday and killed a "few" more. I am down to about 3-5 flies left. No joke. I've been killing them any chance I get--and I feel triumphant. I know I am bigger...but I have become addicted to killing them. I love to just see them land...and WHACK!!! They didn't even know it was coming! I'm eeevil...like the froo-its of the de-veel (name that movie). Poor flies..they don't stand a chance at the Potter house! On to kill another one!

Cute baby boy

I need to knock on wood...over and over. I need to brag a minute about Kyle. He is such an easy baby!! I know many people have easy babies (my nephew, Eli is VERY mellow and easy) and so many people will relate, and I hope they do! Everyone deserves at least ONE easy baby!! I"m secretly hoping Kyle is as mellow as Eli--and I think he might be. I watch my neighbor's kids during the summer, while she works. This year it is only one day a week, but some weeks it is 2 or 3, depending on the other sitter's schedule. Anyhow--Yesterday I ended up with 10 kids at my house. Yes, 3 were my own, but 7 others?! I had 4 boys from one family here, their mom didn't know what to do with herself! She had 2 hours with NO kids! Well--I was busy taking care of other things, making dinner, dishes, killing flies (more on that later) and so poor Kyle got put in his swing. Now, that isn't the poor kid part--it was an hour and a
half. He just sat there, content, no bink, smiling, cooing and just content. I forgot he was in there for so long! He started fussing only because he was hungry! he ate, swang some more and fell asleep. Easy night with the new baby!!




Have I mentioned a chunky baby too??? Double chins?



Justin looks so old now!!

GOING PRIVATE

Please email me as i am turning this into a private blog as of Aug 15th. Thanks so much!!

Out of habit...

I got out of the habit of posting over the past month, so I really need to play catch up with pictures. I'll have to get some more from my sis-in-law from our trip to Michigan. It was a touch-and-go time if we were going to go or not, but we made it, safe and sound. Kyle was blessed in Michigan, with my family all being there, minus my dad who ended up in the ER that morning with a kidney stone. He is recovered, by was saddened by the fact that he couldn't enjoy his grandkids the way he wanted to. We love him and are grateful it was nothing bigger than a 3.5mm stone.

Here are some current pics of Kyle. He is getting SO chunky! He has two fat rolls on his legs, something Justin never had. I think he gains more weight every day! I love to see him sleeping and eating so well! He is a true joy and delight. An easy baby who just goes with the flow.

Lehi Round-up Rodeo

Lehi is famous for its "Round-up Rodeo" and every year it is a big deal around here. We didn't make it to the rodeo this year, but we DID make it to the carnival they have for kids. I love it because they have the blow-up jumping toys for kids and they are only 25cents. Yup...even better! Justin had a blast, and here he is with our neighbor friends. Notice his face on the slide...