NYE 2012

**This is our life. It isn't always pretty, but it is ours. If vomit bothers you, I suggest you skip this post. **

 

We had plans to go to a New Year's Eve party last night. The party was at a Caleb's best friend from college. It was kid friendly. We loaded up our car with our family, some games, and the food I was asked to bring. We started our 45 min- 1 hour drive to his house.

 

We pulled into his driveway about 7:30 and I heard gagging noises coming from the back seat. Presley was puking all over herself. With infants it can be difficult to know if they are sick, spitting up, car sick, etc. She was acting fine and was not showing any other signs of being sick.

 

We got her cleaned up and carried on with the party. We all ate dinner, Brady played, and Caleb and I talked to the other guests.

 



This is the one picture of the party. It is super dark, but she was playing and smiling like normal.

Sometime around 9, Brady was acting a little weird and saying his tummy hurt. This is not uncommon, he usually acts weird and he always says his tummy hurts when he needs to potty. The next thing I know he has thrown up and is huddled over clenching his stomach in pain.

I found Caleb. We got everything and everyone cleaned up and began leaving. Almost immediately after I put Presley in the car seat, she began projectile vomiting all over herself again.

 

She was a little easier to clean up this time, because she had a bib on and it caught most of it and her blanket caught a lot of the rest.

 

Chris prepared us a little vomit care package including paper towels, plastic bags, and some water. By 9:30, we were making the drive back home with two sick kiddos.

 

I felt terrible that we possibly contaminated all those people, but seriously everyone was perfectly fine when we left the house.

 

Brady went straight to bed as soon as we got home.

 

I promise she isn't nursing in this picture. She just snuggles in like that when I hold her. Ha Ha!

Presley was SCREAMING not long after we got in the house. I knew she was hungry, but was afraid to feed her. We offered her a little pedialyte, but that was just fuel to the fire. She just got louder! After a while we finally decided to try and feed her. She feel asleep shortly after.

 

Caleb and I ended up bringing in 2013 with Sparkling grape juice on the couch in our comfy clothes snuggling a sick baby.

 

I decided to sleep with Presley on the couch, because I was worried about her. Fortunately, no one vomited again. Both kids slept well and seemed back to normal by morning!

 

This just serves as a reminder to not get too attached to my plans for 2013, because they are subject to change at any moment!

 

Caleb apparently was too lazy to get up and get in the picture. It makes for an awkward pic. Oh well.

Happy New Year!!!

Park, Peer Pressure, and Proud Parents

Today, Caleb was off and the weather was so nice. We decided to pack a lunch and head to the park. Brady literally jumped at the idea. He loves the park! He loves his daddy! So, daddy plus park is a win win.

After we ate our lunch the boys played baseball for a little while. The wind was a little chilly on that side of the park, so they stopped.

Brady spent some time on the playground. Brady and I frequently visit this playground when the weather is appropriate. Brady has discovered how I expect him to act and knows what he can and can not do. I have invested a lot of time and efforts redirecting him from undesirable behaviors. Most of the time I feel like it is pointless, especially with all the other kids around. Some parents, like me, continually watch and monitor their children. However, others seem to open the van door to let the kid out and then open the van door to pile them back in.

As Caleb and I were sitting on the park bench observing the kids playing, we noticed Brady had picked one particular little boy to play with. The boy was a little older than Brady and a little bigger. Brady was the follower of the friendship, chasing the kid and doing particular park activities when the kid suggested them.

 As I casually watched while reading my Kindle, I noticed the boy Brady playing with climbing up the slide. This is a huge pet peeve of mine. The slide is made to slide down. It is dangerous for one kid to go up while one goes down. I have relentlessly taught Brady we do not climb up the slide.

One of my most vivid childhood memories is of my sister going down the slide at a fast food play place at a birthday party as another child climbed up the slide. One bloody mouth and nose later, I decided I, nor any children under my care, would be climbing up the slide. I was a little girl, but it made an impression on me.

Back to today...

The other child yells down to Brady, "hey climb up here." It took every ounce of my being to not jump up and scold Brady before he had even done it. I believe I actually said out loud to Caleb "oh he isn't allowed to do that". However, Brady looks at him and says ok, but walks around to the ladder. Caleb and I were so impressed. 1 point for Brady. I was so happy I didn't interfere. Lesson learned, sometimes you need to see how it plays out before you get involved.

Several rounds around the playground and the situation was replayed with the exact results. 2 points for Brady.

Then the other child decided maybe this kid physically can't climb up the slide, I should help him. We watched as the wheels turned inside his 4 year old or so brain. He grabbed Brady's hand and proceeded to try and pull Brady up the slide. Before the "ady" of Brady left Caleb's mouth, Brady was maneuvering his hand free from the grip of peer pressure and continued to run around to the ladder.

Homerun for Brady.


This was much bigger than him climbing up the slide or not.

I have had many proud moments during this parenting journey, as well as some embarrassed and not so proud moments. I am certain more of both will show up in the future. But for today, I am proud! I am proud that my tiny, baby boy is becoming a secure, confident, strong,well- behaved little boy. I am proud that he remembered what he was taught and to apply it even when it wasn't popular. I am proud, I let him. I am proud, I was able to witness him obeying without me constantly reminding him.


 I hope I can remember this when he is 16 and hopping behind that wheel for the first time. I pray I can remember when he is picking up that girl for his first date. I hope I can remember when he moves his things our for college.

I want to be the type of mother who teaches by words and example, then trusts her children to follow her. I don't want to preach and smother, but with a toddler, it can feel like that is all I do.

I needed to witness this today. I needed a glimpse of the child we are raising. I needed a boost of confidence that maybe there is a chance he might turn out all right.

Brady amazes me every day.  I am often in awe of things he does or says and have no idea when, how, or if I contibuted to his amazingness.  He is truly a special little boy. I tend to blame myself for his faults, but not for his strengths.


 At least today, I feel as though we are doing something right and I can sleep a little sounder. Whatever that "right" thing is, I pray it sticks around and this was only a preview of Brady's reaction to peer pressure.

Today was a good day!

My first trip to the Dentist.

This week Brady had a first. We have slowed down on firsts for Brady, so it is kind of exciting when we have one around here.

He had his first dentist appointment.

When I went for my cleaning in October, I had to bring Brady with me. My hygenist asked me how old Brady was and told me I could make him an appointment for when he turns three.

I did.

She also explained to me that they try to keep it very positive and kind of let the kid determine how the appointment goes. She also told me to keep any conversations about the dentist or teeth very positive.

I did.

I started about 3 or 4 days before the dentist. I just casually mentioned to Brady that next week he would be going the dentist now that he is a BIG 3 year old. I simply told him the dentist just wanted to count his teeth and get them really clean!

We went on about our normal business, occasionally and casually mentioning how the dentist is coming up in my best excited, high pitched voice. I didn't want to talk about it too much, but I didn't want him to be surprised.

Brady seemed upbeat about it, telling my mom, Caleb's mom, and my sister, that the dentist just cleans your teeth and makes your they are o.k.

I got a little nervous the day of the appointment, but tried not to let it show. I made sure Brady knew where we were going and made sure to say things like "big boys get to go to the dentist, daddy goes to the dentist,  and it will be fun".

(Brady is really into being a big boy right now and not a baby.)

We got there and Brady did well while I filled out his paper work. The hygenist came to get us and Brady smiled at her, but grabbed my hand while we followed her back to the room.

He was a little hesitant to walk into the room at first, so I went in and he followed. She told him he could sit in the special chair today. I sat him in it, still a little unsure. She told me to pull my chair up close to his, I did. She explained the chair was special because it could move up and down. Then she asked Brady if he wanted to try it out. He did and he laughed. He listened intently as she explained each tool and their use. She let him touch and test out several of the utensils. She showed him her mask, glasses, and gloves. She asked Brady if he wanted to let her clean his teeth and by this point he had warmed up and said he did. He did everything she asked.

She listened to him talk and answered his sweet questions. For example, she asked if she could show him on his fingernail what the scraper thing feels like. He asked her if she was going to cut his fingernails, too. She assured him she would only work on his teeth.

She continued to ask permission and explain what she was doing. Brady even told her to not to forget to count the top teeth.

His teeth looked great. No problems or concerns at this time. He got to pick a toy out of the toy chest and got to pick a new tooth brush.

He was suppose to be showing me his teeth and toy from the toy chest. Ha!

I was so proud of him. Our dental office was so sweet with him and he behaved so well. I couldn't have dreamed it would go that well.

He goes back again right after the baby is born, so I am hoping he will do this well again.

 For now, 1st dental appointment = success!

If you are having trouble believing me, I will let you hear it from my sister. This is the facebook post she left me after we called her to tell her how it went.

Love how he got on the phone and said, "The dentist." Long pause. "It was fun!" "I got a soothbrush. It's Diego."

See success.

Maybe Christmas Doesn't Come From A Store...

Maybe Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.
-The Grinch

Long Post Ahead: This is just really on my mind this year as Brady grows older and a way to document my thoughts and hopefully look back on someday.

I have really struggled with what to do with Christmas this year.(This is not just a Christmas issue, but an all year long issue, but seems to just be worse at Christmas, especially with birthday just 2 days before Christmas.) He has so.much.stuff.  I routinely get rid of and clean out his room, but still there is just so much stuff. He is also about to be 3 in a little over a week and is definitely full of attitude and tantrums. (He really just started this regularly over the past month or so.)

Last year, for 2 weeks solid Brady opened at least one gift a day between parties, Christmas, and his birthday. He was just 2, but all that spoiling affected his attitude for a week or so a little. I am afraid another year older and able to comprehend more, it could be worse. Similar to when kids stay with grandparents, the rules have to be taught all over again for a couple days.

Brady is a smart little guy. He understands a lot. We try to explain things to him in an age appropriate way as best we can and look for cues to see he understands. It is amazing what he understands and can comprehend at this young.

This gets me thinking with Christmas upon us, how do I teach gratitude and appreciation to a child who is bombarded with toys, clothes, gifts, and stuff for weeks and doesn't need anything? After thinking about this, I realized I often fail at this very thing. Instead of being thankful for shelter, I complain of the size of my home. Instead of appreciating the small amount of money in my bank account, I complain of what is not in it. Instead of just being grateful for the modern conveniences I have, I dream of Ipads, smart phones, stainless steel appliances, etc. etc. I could go on and on.

I want more for Brady, but not the way most people do, I think. I want him to love Christ with all his heart. I want him to be content in everything he is given whether in life, love, or stuff. I want him to have a love for others and helping meet their needs. I want him to be holy. My desires have nothing to do with stuff.

My fear, especially during this time of year, is that I am sending a completely different desire for him. One filled with stuff and the desire to please oneself instead of others. 

We are loved as a family. We have tons and tons of friends, family, and church family that love us and love us well, beyond what I could ever ask for. It is amazing! A challenge that comes with that, though, is whatever Caleb and I can't or chose not to provide for Brady, someone else can and will, sometimes in excess. It is comforting to know that so many love and care for us and if we ever needed, truly needed anything we have so many places we could turn. It is the not needed stuff that causes my concern. I don't want Brady to take this abundance of love fore granted. I don't want him to come to expect and turn his focus on stuff. 

I love Christmas! I am a gift-giver. It is my love language. I love the lights, the giving, the sharing, the family togetherness, the joy, the coziness of the home on cold nights, the way communities and churches unite for good. I love it! I love it all! I want Brady to love it as well. I want him to have fun and enjoy the Christmas holidays, but I don't want him to lose sight of the other things I mentioned before.

Brady is only 3, but has already started counting his gifts under the tree. No one taught him this, he just did it one day, like the first day his presents showed up under the tree. I love his sweet voice when he shouts out the number, but I am also concerned that he will begin to expect instead of be grateful for each and every gift. 

So, what am I going to do about it?

Good Question.

The answer is still twisting around in my little brain, but I have a few ideas.

1st and foremost, I am praying about this. A LOT! 

2: I am letting Brady get most family members a gift for Christmas. He helps pick it out and/or helps wrap it.  FYI: Most of these things are not large or expensive gifts.

This has helped tremendously! He likes to choose the gift and he likes to tell me to write his name in the From section. Then he likes to tell Caleb who the gift is from and that it is from Brady.

3: Our church group always does an angel tree type party for different people in need. Brady helped me pick the gifts this year and wrap them. I am planning to bring him to the party this year, I think. I am not sure how he will do. We shall see. 

4: I am planning to let Brady help me bake some Christmas goodies and let him help me deliver them. Caleb and I did this before we had Brady, but with work, a kid, and his Christmas birthday,  I have failed at doing it since. I have no excuse this year and Brady needs to do this.

5: This is simple. When we leave a store, I have him put money in the salvation army bucket. I try to explain it in simple language. He does well with this. Again, very simple. 

6:  we asked for several practical things for Brady this year instead of all toys or clothes and we limited how much we spent on Brady this year as well. (We are cautious about how much we spend and what we get him every year, this hasn't changed.) We will see if we get any practical items, but it is worth a try. Right?

7: As a family, we read the Bible daily and talk about Jesus all year long. We do try to teach why we have Christmas and the purpose, but we try to teach, read, and talk about Jesus all year long . We have a Christmas Veggie Tales that explains, St. Nick and where Santa came from, Caleb and I really like. It shows that even Santa wasn't all about getting and getting, but about giving. Brady watches it all year as well, because he likes it. 

How do you balance the holidays and teaching your children at the same time?

If you made it this far, Thanks for reading!!
This is just for me so that one day, I can look back and see if I succeeded or not. :)

A little sweet, a little salty

Last night, Brady and I were washing the dishes together at the sink. He is my big helper and a very good one at that. Right in the middle of rinsing the pots, he leaned over, gave me a BIG hug, and said, "Mommy, you're my best friend!"

I am not sure what my reply was, I was so taken aback. It was just one of the sweetest moments!

After the dishes were done, we walked into the living room. I was carrying some laundry to fold and Brady was ahead of me. Still floating from the best friend comment, I went into living room unarmed. (If you have boys over two in your house, you understand.) Brady proceeded to launch 2 couch pillows at my face as I turned into the living room. He succeeded, laughed hysterically,  retrieved the pillows and fired again and again until I finally said, "ok, thats enough".

Nice.

Caleb said that is what best friends do. Ha ha!

In that case, I am not sure I want to be his best friend anymore.

In order to see the sweet, you have to bear the salt I guess. I literally never know what is going to happen next in my house. As is life.

Mommy Fail.

Parenthood is hard.

Like really, really hard.

To be completely responsible for some one's life is a little intimidating. o.k. a lot intimidating.


I don't think you can fully understand the overwhelming difficulty and pressure of it until you experience it. At least I didn't.


It is constant, whether they are sleeping, sitting right next to you, or a million miles away, they are your first priority. All you want is to do a good job.


They are your reason for getting up, for staying up too late, for well everything.


I, like most parents, would not take anything for my child.


Yesterday, though, was a rough one.


Brady has recently decided he wants to potty "like a boy" and stand up.


Yeah, this can't be going in a good direction.


He has been doing fine, his aim is not great, but it has been improving.


Well, yesterday twice within an hour or two he went to the bathroom, took off his clothes, and peed in the floor. DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE TOILET. not in the direction of the potty, not like poor aim, like a puddle in the floor next to the toilet.


The first time I let it slide. The second time, I began to get frustrated, asked a lot of questions, and did quite a bit of fussing. He said he did it because he wanted to and when I asked if it was an accident or on purpose. He said on purpose.


Either he really did it on purpose or he doesn't know what on purpose means.


Any who, we came up with a punishment for if it happened again. I informed him in my best calm, but stern mommy voice, if it happens again, I will take away his movies until he can pee pee in the potty.


He showed understanding and repeated the offense and consequences back to me a couple of times clearly.


Within an hour or so, Brady returned to me with a clean pair of pants, and said, I need to wear these. Of course, I asked why. He didn't have much to say. I asked if he pee peed in the floor to which he replied "yes, but don't take away my movies".


Oh really!


I lost it! Here I was feeling guilty for coming down so hard on him because he is just 2.5, and he comes to me obviously understanding what he is doing. I yelled, stomped around, snatched up movies, packed them away, fussed, and I am not completely sure what else. I was so mad at him.


 Mommy Fail.


Brady cried and repeated I sorry and Yes Ma'am after every outburst. He didn't look frightened, just like, uh oh this is serious.


I cleaned up the mess and got him situated. Then, I poured myself a Mt. Dew, it is the strongest thing we have in the house, turned on his Veggie Tales music in his room, demanded he stay in his room and play for a while, and hid in the computer room and prayed until I could get it together.


The rest of the night I felt horrible. I had completely lost control. Once Caleb got home, I had Brady explain why he was in so much trouble and what happened. He told him everything, that he pee peed in the floor 3 times and that mommy took his movies away and he should pee pee in the potty.


It took away a small fraction of the guilt, at least he understood what was going on. But still.


Before bed, I apologized to Brady for losing my temper and Caleb had him apologize to me. It was sweet and we were able to sleep well.


Today has been much better. The deal is he can earn a movie back a day by not having any accidents on himself. He seems to get it and like I said, today has been much better.


The great thing about little ones is that they don't hold grudges the way we do. Brady has more than moved on.


It is like it never happened.


I am certain their is a reason for that. 


That, my friends,  is why God is the designer and not me.


Happy Parenting!

Haircut Success!

I had an appointment to get my hair done today. My awesome hairdresser sweetly agrees to trim Brady's hair while my color sets nearly every visit.

Every time she has trimmed it, Brady has cried his little eyes out!

I am talking HUGE alligator tears!!!

See Exhibit A:

From his first haircut, he wouldn't even sit in the chair.

But today my big boy told me on the way, "I a big boy and I not cry like a baby! then I get a sucka!"

He did just that. He sat in the chair, named the colors of the cars on his cape and counted them, laughed when a hair fell in his face, asked questions, and answered questions.

He also saw someone getting their hair washed when we walked in and said rather loudly, "Mommy, she is giving her a bath back there." Ha Ha!

I am so so so proud of him and a little embarrassed after the bath comment!!

He even stayed right with me while I finished with my appointment. He did not act like a crazy two year old, but rather a very mature little boy.

You have know idea how it makes me feel that he was that good!

I think all parents need moments like this, so they can have hope that, just maybe, we are doing a good job.

I have tried to praise, praise, praise him tonight.

I am often afraid, I am too hard on him and the only time I am speaking to him is to correct him. I know that is not true, but it often feels that way.

I made it my goal to let him know how proud I am tonight!

I think he got it because in the car on the way home, he told me, "I not cry for my haircut, so I got a sucka AND a rye kispy teat!"(Sucker and rice Krispy Treat)

Its true, he did!

Little Helper

Brady is really into helping right now. Give him a task and he is on it! I am trying to use this to my full advantage and to teach him.  I have been giving him jobs like put away his shoes, pick up toys, throw away trash, wipe up messes, and stirring batter or other foods.

The other night I was doing laundry when I heard that all too familiar pitter patter coming at me. My first instinct was to hurry and finish what I was doing. Brady got there before I could finish and looked at me and said, "I help".  He began putting all the clothes in the wash. I stopped him and told him we are only washing white clothes right now. So he began to pull out all the white clothes and put them in the washing machine.

 I am not sure why I was so surprised. I know he knows his colors and he understands a lot of what I tell him. Nevertheless, I was still surprised he could put it all together.

He separated the colors from the white clothes.

Then put the whites in the wash.

Then he had to help with the detergent. It was a little tricky!

We got it and Brady poured it in. Then he pushed the "butt" or button as every one else would say.

I hope his interest in helping phase stays around for a while!

Slacker Mom Week

Every now and then I have these weeks, weeks when my house is clean, I cook meals every night and take my lunch every day, play with Brady and get him to bed on time, keep blog/facebook updated, somewhat enjoy my job and find it fulfilling, talk with my husband, and exercise often, etc.

These are the weeks I feel like super woman!
Everything is in balance and I rest a little easier at night.
I love these weeks!!!
I need more weeks like this in my life.

Unfortunately, This week has definitely NOT been one of those weeks. My house is a wreck, every time I sit down to blog, check e-mail, bank accounts, facebook, etc.  something else distracts me, my job has been stressful mentally and physically, I have played with Brady less than I care to admit, bedtime has been somewhat sporadic, cooked meals non-existent, exercise-Ha!, and I have slept horribly, etc.

I am not super woman! I am slacker mom!

I think I need these weeks though.

They are like a huge slap in the face to tell me to  slow down, relax, prioritize, realize you are human, and you can't possibly do everything.

I need that, because I like to think I can do everything.
I want to be able to do everything and do it the best I possibly can.

But in reality, I have crappy weeks!

Weeks that I am off my game and I do nothing well.

Weeks were I sink.

I am not good at showing this failure side. (case and point: I have rewritten this post 7 times and I am still not sure I will press publish!!!)

I fail often and am OK with that, I just don't like to broadcast it!

I want to remember all of this time when Brady is so little, not just the good, fun times.  But the good times are the ones I tend to share.

I need to remember all of it. 

So, I will push publish to remind myself that is hard and to be more understanding to other mothers, to myself, and to my friends when we have those weeks.

At least this little guy makes it all worth it, ketchup smiles and all!!!
 

Life with a 2 year old...

*This post includes talk of pee pee, potty accidents, and other issues involving toddlers. If this in any way offends or bothers you, please stop reading now. Thank you!*

Last night, Caleb, Brady, and I bundled up to go grab some dinner.

We had a couple gift cards from Christmas so we decided to choose from those restaurants. We wanted to get home early, so we needed something quick.

 Our first choice was too crowded.

As we were turning around to go to the other restaurant, Brady mumbled something about pee pee.

We asked him if he needed to potty he said, no!

Caleb pulled into a parking spot, I got out to make sure he hadn't had an accident.

All was well, so we headed a few miles to the other restaurant.

When we got there, I asked Caleb to take Brady to the bathroom.

Caleb comes out after a little while and says, "uh we had an accident."

 "What kind of accident?"  

 "You know how sometimes he pee pees over the seat."

"Yeah"

"Well, he did and now it is on his pants."

Brady is sitting enjoying his sandwich at this point.

I had Caleb go get the extra pants out of the car and back to the bathroom they went.

We all proceeded to eat our meal.

Brady spilt his yogurt on him and the seat.

His sandwich contents ended up on his shirt, mouth, hands, table, and seat.

We used up every napkin in sight and Brady says louder than I prefer that he has to potty! Again! 

Off we go to the bathroom!

Brady runs into the men's room without me, because well he has already been there twice!

 I get him out of there and head to the ladies room.

As I am getting him on the potty, I realize he only has one shoe on.

I asked him about it, and he said it was out there.

I think/hope he means the table and not the men's room.

I clean him up and carry him back to the table, motioning for Caleb to look for the other shoe.

He finds it and starts laughing.

We decided to go home, before someone deemed us incompetent parents!!!

Life is starting to get interesting!

Big Boy Potty Update

We have made MAJOR progress since the last time I posted about the potty.

 After Bradys 3-3 1/2 days of rebellion, he gave in and has been doing so well. When we tell  him it is time to potty, he just goes to the bathroom without fussing or fighting and potties.

He is giving more clear signs that he needs to potty. He is having less accidents and going longer between potty breaks. He wants and asks for underwear or a pull-up instead of a diaper.

Thank you Lord!

He still has a ways to go, but I can see the light now!!!

(All I could see for 3 days was a lifetime of diapers!) During one point I was so close to giving up, when Caleb said, "Amber, we potty trained a dog, surely we can potty train a human!"

And he had a point, so we stuck with it. I am so glad we did, because that was about the time things started to turn around.

I am so proud of him and how far he has come in just one week.

Now when we walk by the bathroom, he says I potty in there! Such a big boy!

Since I have to go to work for 3 days, my mother-in-law is picking up with the potty training while I am at work. I have given her the rundown of what we have been doing to try and keep it as consistent as possible. Yesterday, he only had one accident and she said he was very cooperative about it all day. Yay!!!

We hope this second week will be just as successful, before he starts back at daycare after the first of the year.

I might, just might, actually get this kid potty trained!!!

Potty Training! Whew!

We have officially started potty training.

Here is quick recap of how that is going!

The first day went well, Brady thought it was a game. The timer would go off and we would run to potty. If you went to the potty, you got a star. Accidents were minimal and spirits were high.

The second day started much like the first, until about mid-day Brady decided potty training was for the birds and began to rebel. He began yelling," NO POTTY!", he asked for a diaper to potty in (Really?!, If you can ask for that, then you can definitely use the potty, buddy), he cried, kicked, and screamed. I decided we would both benefit from a nice break and Brady took a nap.

After nap time, potty training continued much as it had before the nap.

 Once Caleb got home, Brady calmed down and began to potty once more. Boys and their daddies!

Today has been back and forth. Sometimes he tells me he needs to potty, sometimes he doesn't, Sometimes he doesn't mind going to the potty, sometimes he refuses and throws a fit, and he has asked me once or twice for a diaper.

Conclusion= Potty training is hard, really hard!!!  I am not giving up! It has only been 3 days, but feels like soooo many more.

That Mom!

I often pray to be that mom that sees God in and through her child. I want to be able to take every day occurrences and turn them into spiritual messages. I want to be able to teach Brady through his mistakes, laughter, thoughts, actions, and desires. I want to show him God in and throughout his life.

I have thought about this for a while, but just recently added it to my prayer a month or two ago.

Not long after I added my request to God, it happened. An everyday occurrence launched me into thinking spiritually!

Note: Brady does exceptionally well during worship service and is usually complimented by surrounding people on his behavior.

We have let Brady put the contribution in the basket at church for a year or so now. He does a really good job and usually high fives whoever is closest to him.

A few Sundays ago, my grandmother had given Brady a lot of change before the services began. When contribution time rolled around, I decided it best if Brady gave some of his change.

I knew it was coming!

He is 1 and change makes a noise when it goes in a metal basket.

BUT, he was also practicing his form on throwing it in before the basket made it to our pew!

I knew it was coming!

Sure enough when the basket reached us, Brady threw those two quarters in that metal basket with so much gusto they nearly bounced out and hit the innocent person in front of us!!

Naturally, he was proud of his perfect form and immediately smiled and turned to give Caleb knuckles! There may have been a little YAY and happy dance involved as well.

The exact details escape me.

As all 5 rows behind us churched laughed thru the rest of the contribution, my embarrassment was evident by my blushing face!!!

Then, it hit me!

He is being a cheerful giver!

He is proud to give his money to God!

If only I gave with such gusto.

He even high fives afterwards!!!

That is pretty awesome and I am pretty sure that is what Jesus meant when he tells us to be like little children.

So, instead of shhshhing Brady and sinking down into the pew, we embraced it and his cheerful, excited spirit!

His sweet spirit, excitement, and joy for life has so blessed my life. I never want him to lose these qualities!

I want him to embrace them!

I should have been praying for this all along!!!

No!!!

Me: Brady would you like to take a bath?
Brady: No.

Me: Brady do you love mommy?
Brady: No!

Me: Brady would you like to go to bed?
Brady: No!!!

Me: Brady would you like some money?
Brady: No!

Me: Brady would you like something to eat?
Brady: No?

Me: Brady would you like to play?
Brady: No....

Me: Brady would you like to read a book?
Brady: No.

Me: Brady would you like to go to Disney World?
Brady: No!

Insert any question
 I bet $10 he answers no!

This is a fun stage!!!

At least sometimes it is a nice no.

We are working on adding sir and mam to the end of those no's.

It helps that the no comes from the sweetest little voice I have ever heard.

I am so thankful for each little word he says, even if it is no 900 times per day!!!

Bye Bye Pacifier!!!

Brady has gone to bed every night for the past week with out the pacifier!!!

He LOVED his passy, but thankfully it has been a little easier than I thought to wean him. We have only had 2-3 meltdowns where I was really tempted to give in and hand over the passy. I am so proud of him, and a little proud of myself.

The biggest problem we have had is that, he has not forgotten it. Everyone keeps telling me he will forget, but he hasn't. He walks around the house searching for them.  No one is allowed to say the p word in our house right now, so I know he isn't hearing it and remembering. Just yesterday, out of the blue, Brady was digging through every diaper bag he could find looking for a passy. I know that is what he was looking for because when he found one you would have thought he had found the lost treasure. We made him throw it in the trash and he would go back to try to find another one. He continues to ask for it every night during our normal bedtime routine. He doesn't always get upset, but he does ask for it. We usually play dumb.

I hope he forgets soon, so I can officially say we are weaned from the pacifier!

Potty Talk

Just so you know, I am TERRIFIED of this and related posts.

I spend all day, every day at work counselling and helping mothers with issues related to their children. Weaning from the bottle, increasing vegetables or water, bedtime routines, increasing activity, or getting your child to eat with a fork or spoon- I can handle!

Potty issues, on the other hand, I avoid like the plaque.

Seriously, when a parent starts in on the potty issues, I usually reply with the  well it is hard, hang in there, or every child is different, standard responses.

This also applies to my own family and child.

I am not one who enjoys potty talk in general and the mere thought of having to teach someone how to potty like a big boy makes me want to run away screaming.

However...

It is a MAJOR part of life and a VERY vital life lesson.

So talk about the potty I will do.

Brady will be 2 in December and has started showing minimal interest in the potty.

I decided it was time for Brady to be formally introduced to the potty a few months ago. No pressure, just an introduction.

Brady this is the potty! This is where we pee pee and poo.

That is about how it went.

Then I hyperventilated.

Just Kidding. I survived and so did Brady.

Since then I have started asking Brady would you to use the potty or do you need to go to the potty.  To which he usually replies, No and runs away.

Maybe he hates potty talk, too!

Anyway! While we were in South Carolina, my sister had taken Brady down to the pool. Approximately, 30 seconds later she returned with Brady mumbling something about being stinky and what-not. I said oh and went on.

Then I hear her say something to the effect of oh, you aren't finished. Would you like to use the potty? This is followed by loud footsteps making their way towards the bathroom.

I decided to stick around to see how this played out. After all, Brady has already met potty and so far they have not been friends.

I stayed in a near by room so not to distract from this potty business. When I hear my sister sing something like Yahoo! You used the potty like a big boy! Brady went poo poo in the potty, Wahoo!

At which point I ran in like I was on fire, screaming and yelling something to the effect of What a big boy and I am so proud of you! Poo Poo in the Potty! Yahoo!

Brady looked terrified! Really like he had seen a ghost! If my sister wouldn't have been there, he probably would have fallen off the potty.

He realized we were celebrating something, flushed the toilet, clapped for his success, and headed back to the pool.

No biggie, just used the potty. (Shrug!)

Since then we have gone back to saying No and running at any potty talk.

Nevertheless, I am one proud Momma. Who would have thought a little potty talk could have me so excited.

I hope to have an official full operation potty training plan started closer to his birthday.

Until then we are just going to take it slow with the potty and see how it goes.

Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated.