In preparation for tomorow:
Here is Mini Me's project:
And, here is mine:
I've tried to get her to say, "I'm Canadian!" but it comes out more like, "I'm candyland". Well, either way, it's sweet.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
S is for Strawberries
S is for Strawberries.
On Saturday, we had a break from the sogginess for a few minutes, and took advantage of the almost-sun that we were seeing. We headed down the street to a local farm where we could go and pick strawberries.
After treking through the mud to the fields (why we didn't just take the tractor ride out there, I'll never understand), we chose a row and began picking.
I quickly realized that 2 year olds are not really the best at picking berries. Despite trying to explain to grab from the stem, Mini Me ended up with half a dozen very smushed berries. So, she quickly got relegated to basket duty. Mommy and Daddy picked the berries and handed them to Mini Me to put in the basket. We still had a few that got a little smushed, but not nearly as bad as those first few.
Then, after picking berries, we saw the animals at the farm. Mini me fed the cows and was a bit scared of the big turkey. It was a hit, but I don't know if we're going to get back again before the season is over. Seems that this rain pattern is going to continue for several more days at least.
Oh, and if you are wondering what we did with all of the strawberries...
Mommy made awesome strawberry lemonade. Yum! And, of course, we all ate lots of sliced strawberries.
And, of course, the pictures:
A is for apology
A is for Apology.
I feel the need to apologize for the lack of blogness lately.
See, Mini Me is no longer in school. That means, that the 4 hours a week that I had to myself? Buh-bye! All gone.
So, every time I sit down and pick up the computer, I am faced with, "No, Mommy! Don't touch the 'puter! Not OK!"
Ummm, yeah. That is my lame explanation for the lack of cuteness lately.
But, Hubby and I have decided on a solution. Tuesday nights are Mommies Night Out! Woo Hoo! I envision those nights as sitting somewhere, anywhere, with the laptop updating the blog, checking e-mails, online shopping sprees, and editing/organizing the thousands of photos we have.
Of course, if I was so inclined (read: not pregnant) those nights might include fruity drinks or a trip to the gym instead gorging on Cold Stone. But, at this point, a root canal BY MYSELF sounds almost appealing. Not that I don't LOVE being a stay at home mom, but try spending 24/7 with a 2 year old, and tell me you don't need a break!
Bottom line, starting tomorrow, I shall, at least in theory, be back on track to at least weekly blog updates.
Until then, Happy Summer!
I feel the need to apologize for the lack of blogness lately.
See, Mini Me is no longer in school. That means, that the 4 hours a week that I had to myself? Buh-bye! All gone.
So, every time I sit down and pick up the computer, I am faced with, "No, Mommy! Don't touch the 'puter! Not OK!"
Ummm, yeah. That is my lame explanation for the lack of cuteness lately.
But, Hubby and I have decided on a solution. Tuesday nights are Mommies Night Out! Woo Hoo! I envision those nights as sitting somewhere, anywhere, with the laptop updating the blog, checking e-mails, online shopping sprees, and editing/organizing the thousands of photos we have.
Of course, if I was so inclined (read: not pregnant) those nights might include fruity drinks or a trip to the gym instead gorging on Cold Stone. But, at this point, a root canal BY MYSELF sounds almost appealing. Not that I don't LOVE being a stay at home mom, but try spending 24/7 with a 2 year old, and tell me you don't need a break!
Bottom line, starting tomorrow, I shall, at least in theory, be back on track to at least weekly blog updates.
Until then, Happy Summer!
Monday, June 8, 2009
U is for Updates
U is for Updates. Back to our regular format.
So, we've had a few more very successful days of potty training. Mini Me is fairly consistently peeing on the potty independently. She has also pooped on the potty (with a little assistance from me when I noticed her get into her poop stance, I swooped her over to the potty, where she went). We also had one poop accident. But, all in all, things are going really well.
We also ventured out to dinner with her last night. We did put her in a pull-up, because she's not telling us she needs to go at home. She just gets up and goes. At dinner, I noticed her squirming around and asked her if she needed to go. She said yes, so I took her. She did go, but we didn't quite make it in time. She did sit on the potty and finish though. That's very promising. Now I just need her to tell me just a minute or two earlier. But, that will come with practice.
Anyway, she's very proud of herself.
In other news, Mini Me is still very obsessed with Elmo and Sesame Street. It's great in some ways, because of all the children's programming, SS is my favorite. I bought her a SS CD as a reward, but the truth is: I think I wanted it more than she did.
And, no, I have not forgotten to post about our vacation. I'm still working on it. I've just been completely involved with the whole potty training saga. Also, I've been "nesting" like crazy (there will most likely be a post on Mini Me Jr.'s blog about that soon).
So, we've had a few more very successful days of potty training. Mini Me is fairly consistently peeing on the potty independently. She has also pooped on the potty (with a little assistance from me when I noticed her get into her poop stance, I swooped her over to the potty, where she went). We also had one poop accident. But, all in all, things are going really well.
We also ventured out to dinner with her last night. We did put her in a pull-up, because she's not telling us she needs to go at home. She just gets up and goes. At dinner, I noticed her squirming around and asked her if she needed to go. She said yes, so I took her. She did go, but we didn't quite make it in time. She did sit on the potty and finish though. That's very promising. Now I just need her to tell me just a minute or two earlier. But, that will come with practice.
Anyway, she's very proud of herself.
In other news, Mini Me is still very obsessed with Elmo and Sesame Street. It's great in some ways, because of all the children's programming, SS is my favorite. I bought her a SS CD as a reward, but the truth is: I think I wanted it more than she did.
And, no, I have not forgotten to post about our vacation. I'm still working on it. I've just been completely involved with the whole potty training saga. Also, I've been "nesting" like crazy (there will most likely be a post on Mini Me Jr.'s blog about that soon).
Friday, June 5, 2009
Day 4 of Potty Training
Mini Me was up at 5:30am. Grrreeaat....
Took off her diaper and that was that. A couple of minutes later, I find her sitting on the potty saying, "I did it!". Sure enough, she did! Day is off to an awesome start!
Other than that, I'm done with the play-by-play of potty training. She has done well today. We still have a long way to go before we use the phrase "potty trained" to describe her, but I am very proud of her and she is doing well. Even if we have her in pull-ups when we go out, just in case, I am confident that we can be diaper free at home.
So, congrats, Mini Me. You are getting to be such a big girl! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!
Took off her diaper and that was that. A couple of minutes later, I find her sitting on the potty saying, "I did it!". Sure enough, she did! Day is off to an awesome start!
Other than that, I'm done with the play-by-play of potty training. She has done well today. We still have a long way to go before we use the phrase "potty trained" to describe her, but I am very proud of her and she is doing well. Even if we have her in pull-ups when we go out, just in case, I am confident that we can be diaper free at home.
So, congrats, Mini Me. You are getting to be such a big girl! Mommy and Daddy are so proud of you!
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Day 3 of Potty Training
Ok, well, really day 2.5 since Day 1 was really only a few hours.
Since I was working, Daddy was responsible for the first few hours today. He reports that she did not pee from the time she got up (sometime a little after 5am) until the time we made the hand off...which was around 8:30. Hmmmm, that doesn't seem right.
Anyway, I gave Mini Me a snack and drink, and then a few minutes after 9, Mini Me once again had an "almost". I think the new-ness and excitement are wearing off and she's getting annoyed with the reminders.
I think that I am just about at the point where I will just not say anything anymore, and let her figure it out. She's recognizing when she is peeing, and as evidenced by yesterdays 2 complete successes, is capable of recognizing the need to go ahead of time. So, let's not turn this into a power struggle. There are no more daytime diapers, and she'll just figure out what to do about that...
Except...one problem. She hasn't pooped since Monday, which is quite unusual for her. Not sure how to address that. She hasn't asked for a diaper, and seems to not be "attached" to them at any emotional level like some kids. She loves her underwear.
So, that's it for the day. I'm just going to let her have at it, and see what happens.
By 12:30 she still has not peed, so pull up is on and she's off to bed for her nap. I am sure she will pee during her nap....
Yup, woke up at 3pm with a wet pull up. But, that's OK. I'm not talking about it anymore, and we'll just see what happens.
Ha ha ha. I was right. At 4:30 while I was in the other room on the phone with Daddy, Mini Me apparently decided to pee on the potty. I came into the living room and found her sitting there. She said "all done" and jumped up...and she was! The floor wasn't wet, so she evidently made it in time. YAY!!!
And, yet again! At 6:45 we were playing in the playroom, and she just got up, walked over to the potty and went pee. No reminders from me or anything. How awesome is this kid?
Since I was working, Daddy was responsible for the first few hours today. He reports that she did not pee from the time she got up (sometime a little after 5am) until the time we made the hand off...which was around 8:30. Hmmmm, that doesn't seem right.
Anyway, I gave Mini Me a snack and drink, and then a few minutes after 9, Mini Me once again had an "almost". I think the new-ness and excitement are wearing off and she's getting annoyed with the reminders.
I think that I am just about at the point where I will just not say anything anymore, and let her figure it out. She's recognizing when she is peeing, and as evidenced by yesterdays 2 complete successes, is capable of recognizing the need to go ahead of time. So, let's not turn this into a power struggle. There are no more daytime diapers, and she'll just figure out what to do about that...
Except...one problem. She hasn't pooped since Monday, which is quite unusual for her. Not sure how to address that. She hasn't asked for a diaper, and seems to not be "attached" to them at any emotional level like some kids. She loves her underwear.
So, that's it for the day. I'm just going to let her have at it, and see what happens.
By 12:30 she still has not peed, so pull up is on and she's off to bed for her nap. I am sure she will pee during her nap....
Yup, woke up at 3pm with a wet pull up. But, that's OK. I'm not talking about it anymore, and we'll just see what happens.
Ha ha ha. I was right. At 4:30 while I was in the other room on the phone with Daddy, Mini Me apparently decided to pee on the potty. I came into the living room and found her sitting there. She said "all done" and jumped up...and she was! The floor wasn't wet, so she evidently made it in time. YAY!!!
And, yet again! At 6:45 we were playing in the playroom, and she just got up, walked over to the potty and went pee. No reminders from me or anything. How awesome is this kid?
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Day 2 of Potty Training
The day started at 5:30am. Why Mini Me feels the need to be up that early, I have no idea.
Anyway, our first "almost" was at 5:45. Mini Me started to pee and a scooped her up and sat her on the potty where she finished. OK.
7:30 I'm checking my e-mail and Mini Me is playing in the playroom. I look over and she's sitting on the potty saying "pee". I go over and she had MADE IT TO THE POTTY COMPLETELY ON HER OWN!!!!! (Well, she didn't pull down her underwear, but still....it was awesome!!)
9:15 another "almost", but this time she started to pee, but with only a verbal prompt, she stopped and ran to the potty herself.
By 11:15, she was ready for a nap, but I was holding out because I *knew* she needed to pee again any second. Waiting...waiting... Finally decided to do lunch. She ate, played for a couple of minutes. I reminded her that if she needed to pee, she should go on the potty. She folded her arms and said, "I quit!". Uh oh! But, then miraculously, 2 seconds later, ran to the potty, sat down (yes, still in her underwear) and peed. Awesome!
Now, what to do about the underwear situation?? I think just ditch the underwear for now? Hmm, I'll have to mull it over during nap time.
As of now, nothing new to report. Mini Me woke up from her nap wet (not a surprise) and hasn't peed since. She's due any second now. She's been up for just about 2 hours, so I'm on pee watch.
5:05 and she pees while riding her Pooh car...at least she didn't poo on her Pooh car. And, is devestated when she doesn't get a sticker.
6:45 starts to pee on the floor, and get's scooped up and moved to the potty. Got a sticker, even though it wasn't a true success.
Today, stickers were given for "almosts". Tomorrow, no dice. Stickers are only for true successful potty attempts.
Hmm..actually rethinking the sticker thing. Mini Me found one of her sticker books, and has been attempting to sneak extra stickers onto the chart. Note to self: search the house for sticker books and hide them.
Daddy is taking over while I go to work. Mini Me will be heading to bed shortly anyway. All in all, the day was much more successful that I would have thought. Here's hoping that tomorrow goes at least as well, if not better!
Anyway, our first "almost" was at 5:45. Mini Me started to pee and a scooped her up and sat her on the potty where she finished. OK.
7:30 I'm checking my e-mail and Mini Me is playing in the playroom. I look over and she's sitting on the potty saying "pee". I go over and she had MADE IT TO THE POTTY COMPLETELY ON HER OWN!!!!! (Well, she didn't pull down her underwear, but still....it was awesome!!)
9:15 another "almost", but this time she started to pee, but with only a verbal prompt, she stopped and ran to the potty herself.
By 11:15, she was ready for a nap, but I was holding out because I *knew* she needed to pee again any second. Waiting...waiting... Finally decided to do lunch. She ate, played for a couple of minutes. I reminded her that if she needed to pee, she should go on the potty. She folded her arms and said, "I quit!". Uh oh! But, then miraculously, 2 seconds later, ran to the potty, sat down (yes, still in her underwear) and peed. Awesome!
Now, what to do about the underwear situation?? I think just ditch the underwear for now? Hmm, I'll have to mull it over during nap time.
As of now, nothing new to report. Mini Me woke up from her nap wet (not a surprise) and hasn't peed since. She's due any second now. She's been up for just about 2 hours, so I'm on pee watch.
5:05 and she pees while riding her Pooh car...at least she didn't poo on her Pooh car. And, is devestated when she doesn't get a sticker.
6:45 starts to pee on the floor, and get's scooped up and moved to the potty. Got a sticker, even though it wasn't a true success.
Today, stickers were given for "almosts". Tomorrow, no dice. Stickers are only for true successful potty attempts.
Hmm..actually rethinking the sticker thing. Mini Me found one of her sticker books, and has been attempting to sneak extra stickers onto the chart. Note to self: search the house for sticker books and hide them.
Daddy is taking over while I go to work. Mini Me will be heading to bed shortly anyway. All in all, the day was much more successful that I would have thought. Here's hoping that tomorrow goes at least as well, if not better!
Day 1 of Potty Training
Day 1 of Potty Training
I had planned to start on Wednesday, but since I was just home with Mini Me after school on Tuesday, I started after her nap.
She woke up and I took her to the potty. She sat for a couple of minutes but didn't pee. Insisted on getting up. Went to the playroom, and peed on the floor. ::change #1::
An hour and a half later, she was in the playroom and I caught her start to pee and picked her up and got her on the potty where she finished going. Partial success! ::change #2::
After dinner, Mini Me was in the playroom with daddy and said she needed to go. She sat on the potty for 30 seconds then got up and came into the kitchen. I reminded her that to get her sticker, she needed to go on the potty. Too late. She peed on the kitchen floor. ::change #3::
So, I sent her with daddy for a bath. After bath, we put her in a diaper (we're not overnight training, these first few days). A few minutes later, she looked down, grabber her diaper and said "pee". Sure enough, she had gone. Awesome for telling us!
Changed her diaper right before bed. She got into bed and 2 minutes later convinced daddy that she needed another change. But, she didn't, and went to bed for the night.
So, Day 1 was not a total bust. We did have some promising moments...and a lot of laundry.
I had planned to start on Wednesday, but since I was just home with Mini Me after school on Tuesday, I started after her nap.
She woke up and I took her to the potty. She sat for a couple of minutes but didn't pee. Insisted on getting up. Went to the playroom, and peed on the floor. ::change #1::
An hour and a half later, she was in the playroom and I caught her start to pee and picked her up and got her on the potty where she finished going. Partial success! ::change #2::
After dinner, Mini Me was in the playroom with daddy and said she needed to go. She sat on the potty for 30 seconds then got up and came into the kitchen. I reminded her that to get her sticker, she needed to go on the potty. Too late. She peed on the kitchen floor. ::change #3::
So, I sent her with daddy for a bath. After bath, we put her in a diaper (we're not overnight training, these first few days). A few minutes later, she looked down, grabber her diaper and said "pee". Sure enough, she had gone. Awesome for telling us!
Changed her diaper right before bed. She got into bed and 2 minutes later convinced daddy that she needed another change. But, she didn't, and went to bed for the night.
So, Day 1 was not a total bust. We did have some promising moments...and a lot of laundry.
Monday, June 1, 2009
V is for Video
V is for video.
Since I have, at least for now, solved my tech issues and managed to get a video to play here....well, I'm just going to post all of the video's from the trip here and will get you the narrative later on. Enjoy!
These are the Twiddle Bug Tracks.
Nets & Climbs
Since I have, at least for now, solved my tech issues and managed to get a video to play here....well, I'm just going to post all of the video's from the trip here and will get you the narrative later on. Enjoy!
These are the Twiddle Bug Tracks.
Nets & Climbs
Now, if I can only figure out how to rotate this...oh, well, just tilt your head.
P is for Potty Training
P is for Potty Training, take 2.
No, for real this time. We've made several half-hearted attempts at potty training in the past few months. However, we had decided that after vacation and our crazy month of May was over, that we were going to just bite the bullet and go full steam ahead with potty training.
We've been hyping it up, and today I'm making a potty chart for Mini Me. I decided that as a big reward when she is potty trained, I would take her back to Sesame Place for a day. Let's all just hope she takes to potty training quickly, since I don't relish going to Sesame Place in September, just days before my due date.
No, for real this time. We've made several half-hearted attempts at potty training in the past few months. However, we had decided that after vacation and our crazy month of May was over, that we were going to just bite the bullet and go full steam ahead with potty training.
We've been hyping it up, and today I'm making a potty chart for Mini Me. I decided that as a big reward when she is potty trained, I would take her back to Sesame Place for a day. Let's all just hope she takes to potty training quickly, since I don't relish going to Sesame Place in September, just days before my due date.
E is for epic
E is for epic.
Epic is a good way to describe the length of the post I am trying to compose about our vacation. Perhaps, I will break it down into multiple posts.
Anyway, we are home and are settling in for a nice quiet month, after the crazy month of May that we had.
I'll start working on getting the vacation post(s) up later today.
Epic is a good way to describe the length of the post I am trying to compose about our vacation. Perhaps, I will break it down into multiple posts.
Anyway, we are home and are settling in for a nice quiet month, after the crazy month of May that we had.
I'll start working on getting the vacation post(s) up later today.
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