A little about… September 30, 2006

Ellie…

Yesterday, we went to the farm for the last time. The first time we went to the farm, she had a great time. She loved to feed the chickens the best and she was afraid of the goats. She would watch me feed the goats, but she wouldn’t go near them. After a couple of visits, she would touch the hay while I held it and the goats ate it. Finally, this last visit, she not only fed the goats all by herself, she wanted to pet them too! It was so cute and I was so proud. On my way to the farm, I was wondering if it was worth our $300 for the season. It was a long drive and we missed a few weeks. Anyway, seeing her so familiar with the farm, feeding the chickens and goats indicated that it was definately worth it. She knows how to pick out some of the produce, cut herbs and cut flowers. Money well spent! Oh, and she could pick out a rooster! bonus!

And, she is wearing her underwear all day long. She hasn’t had any accidents. She is still just holding in her urine all day. Yesterday, she sat on the potty for 45 minutes trying to pee. But, she couldn’t. So, she wore a pull up over her underwear, just in case. But, she was dry when we got home. She went from 9:30 am until after 6 pm without going to the bathroom once! I’m not sure what to do. She refuses a pull up during the day. So, that is good news. But, I hate the idea of her getting an infection. And, I don’t feel good about giving her toys each time she goes. In the long term, I think that could get out of hand. So, somehow, she has received the message that the goal is to wear underwear and not pee at all. She can be such a literalist!!! I must have talked about staying dry too much or something. Ugh.

some of her expressions that I would love to not forget…
“fanks!” = “Thanks!”
“I amn’t…..” = am + not

Thomas…
In a word, he really is relentless. He has no fear at all. He is almost always bruised. I swear someone is going to call CPS. And, we are not neglectful. When Andy was feeding him lunch today, he tried to dive out of his booster chair. Now, that is not safe! He is definately too small for a regular chair. Do we have to bring out the high chair? He was climbing out of that too…

He is learning more words every day. His favorite is “UP!” Today, I think he started to say thank you. But, it is his definately his own version and noone else would understand it.

He doesn’t sleep through the night most nights. Last night was a long night…awake at 2:30..3:30…5. ANd, yeah, he was up at 5 am for the day. I think that was because he went to bed at 6 pm last night.

The Family…
We’re going to Grandma and Grandpa Jackson’s house in a while for dinner. Great Grandma O’Brien is going to Kalamazoo next week, then directly to Texas.

Ok, I had more things to share, but Ellie is asking for a snack. Back to mothering my children…

Daddy at work….water park pictures September 29, 2006

We visited APHS today. We visited Andy’s new classroom. It was really nice….a professional environment, even. Ellie loved it. In the middle of the tour, Ellie said, “Daddy, I love you so much.” Awww, just makes my heart melt.

One more picture from APHS:

And, onto the waterpark…
Ellie loved the waterpark. She is just like a fish. Thomas had a great time too. He is relentless. He wanted to be anywhere but the baby pool. I think Ellie’s favorite part was the kid slides. Thomas just liked the walking…which he did non stop. Bed time went ok. The second night, Thomas was up for about three hours in the middle of the night. I was pretty tired when I left. Ellie was exhausted and had some fits the day we left. She slept well last night. Actually, both kids slept well last night.

A few pictures of the water park…

Ellie is saying good night to Daddy.

Thomas and Aidan are playing together.

One of my favorite moments

Ellie, Hannah, and Aidan swimming.

I think Thomas sat down once and I got a picture of it!

We’re back and we had a great time! September 29, 2006

Ellie, Hannah, and Thomas at Great Wolf Lodge

Ellie and Thomas at the water park.

We’re back and had a great time.

More details and pics tomorrow!

We’re outta here for a few days! :) September 26, 2006

Hi..

Thomas is all better. Yahoo! Well, I think he had Roseola (again!)

I didn’t know that you could get it more than once, but he has had it before and the rash is back. It is on his head! Anyway, I guess people can get it several times. I guess most kids are immune by three years old. So, he is back to his old self.

We’re meeting The Fisks (minus Rick) at Great Wold Lodge in Ohio. I can’t believe it. We’re staying tonight for sure and if it goes well, we will stay another night. Rick went out of town on business and Di decided to go to the water park. She has different friends spending nights with her so I think she is only alone one night! Wow!

Oops…Thomas is calling. I’ll update when we get back! With pictures!

It’s a good thing we didn’t have plans this weekend… September 24, 2006

because we have been busy taking care of our sick baby. He is finally asleep. The poor guy has had a fever since Friday morning. I’m not sure if it is teething or something else, but my poor baby is suffering and I don’t like it. He is still active, just not as active as usual. And he is still eating, just a little less…still a lot of food, really, just not as much as usual. So, it is probably a virus. Andy has a cold and I’m not feeling so great either. But, overall, we know that we are very blessed so we’re doing ok. Thankfully, Ellie is doing well.

Di gave Ellie a Sleeping Beauty dress today (a great mom to mom sale find). Ellie loves it and is wearing it to bed tonight. I forgot to take a picture. Ellie spent the afternoon at Di’s house. Thank you Di! And, Ellie wore her Belle underwear and stayed dry. She refused to use the potty until I got there to pick her up. But, she did use it when I arrived! yahooooooooooo! She is getting the hang of it. She doesn’t like it that she is still wearing a diaper at night. So, maybe that will change soon too. She is still quite wet in the morning, though. And, she has no interest in pooping in the potty. But, we’ve made so much progress this week. We’re very proud.

Well, Andy just told me that dinner is ready. On Saturdays, we try to have dinner alone after the kids are in bed. Some Saturdays, that means 10 or later. But, it is our way of having a date.

Resale shops, cinderella shoes and eating September 22, 2006

It’s almost Friday and I’m very excited about that. Andy and I don’t have big plans this weekend. Those are often my favorite weekends because we get to choose what we do.

Our garage is coming along. Still no pictures…maybe tomorrow. I think the painting will start Friday or Monday. We have a new door going into the laundry room.

The potty learning (sounds so much better than training) is progressing also. She had one accident on Tuesday. She was so upset about going potty in her princess underwear. But, she helped me clean up and kept the rest dry. We took a break and went to Jungle Java in the evening in order to spend some time with Jamison before she moves.

Oh, and about that Jamison. She is one of the nicest people I know. She is so caring and positive. And she is moving…if I could whine on this blog, I would. In reality, I haven’t known her long but I know that she is definately someone that I would like to spend more time with. We bonded over her struggle with breastfeeding. And, I’ve never seen someone try to hard to successfully breastfeed a child. God bless you, Jamison. And, now, Charlotte is still nursing. Anyway, I am really going to miss her and Charlotte.

Thomas and Ellie had a great time at Jungle Java. My camera was stuck at home…forgotten. But, we have the memories. Thomas loved the toddler area and climbed all over the place. He is so brave…fearless, really. I could really tell that he felt like a big kid, too.

Grandma and Grandpa Brooks came today. I got to spend time with Di. Rick took the day off. So, I bought paint for the garage in the morning and then played all afternoon. We went out to lunch and then to some consignment shops. Ellie and Thomas’ Christmas clothes are all set and were bargains. Thomas will be in Gymboree and Ellie will be in Hanna Anderssen. (I’m not sure I spelled Hanna’s name correctly…oh well..I haven’t made it to Hanna snob level..YET)

Ellie used the potty twice today. She had to have the potty in the shower, but she did it. I have some hope and am no longer beating myself up over it. She earned her Cinderella shoes today and is quite proud of herself!

Thomas spent the day eating. Seriously. That boy does not stop. His favorite food is tomatoes. He would live off of those if I would let him. I’ve never seen anyone love tomatoes so much. Hilarious.

Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow September 20, 2006

That is when she says that she will put her pee pee in the potty. So, she stays dry. But, like I posted a few days ago, she does not let it go. After holding her pee pee in all day, she gets a stomach ache, becomes unreasonable, refuses a diaper and refuses to pee. She will sit on a potty, but not go. So, yesterday, for motivational purposes, I brought out the wand and the crown. The hysteria started. She just became extremely unreasonable. And, Hannah wanted to help her, but I think Ellie was embarrassed and didn’t want Hannah anywhere around. Oh, it was a long afternoon filled with many tears. I even had a few tears, but I hid them from Ellie. Di kept motivating me. I almost gave in and gave Ellie the crown to end the fits. But, Di kept saying, “Don’t do it. You are in this far, keep going.” So, we kept it up. Di, Hannah and Aidan did their best to distract Ellie. Aidan went on duck rides with our big rubber duckie. That made Ellie giggle through her tears. We brought her potty into the living room so she could watch Aidan’s duck rides and giggle. It didn’t help her to relax. She would cry so hard. She would yell. She was so frustrated and sad.

And, I can’t even begin to say how I felt. I hate to see her suffer. I hate to see her struggle. I just wish that every minute of her life could be wonderful. Now, I know that isn’t realistic. But, honestly, that is what I want for her. If there were a button I could push to make her pee, I would. Instead, I calmly explained options, offered suggestions and encouraged her all I could. Inside, I was falling apart. Of course, I felt like there was something that I was doing wrong. I don’t want to be the kind of mother where everything is about me. And, I do know this is about her. But, at that gut level, I feel like a failure when my daughter struggles with her learning experiences. Anyway, Ellie finally gave up and played with Hannah a bit. Andy came home, visibly tired from his day. He was probably hoping to rest but I was distraught. Andy, Di and I brainstormed a bit and we came up with an idea.

“Ellie, what if we put your potty in the shower, turn the shower on and you sit down on the potty. Do you think you could make your pee pee in the potty that way?”

“Yes, mom. Ok! Ok! Let’s do it.”

So, upstairs we went, with her potty. She took off her clothes, we warmed up the water. We put her potty in the shower. She sat down. The water fell on her back and she did it! She did it! She did it! We were so excited and she earned her wand and crown.

She was moody all evening, probably from all of the emotions. I felt like I had been hit by a truck. We’re so close to her learning and yet so far away!

I went out for a drink with Di and we spent some adult time together…yay! Andy and I need to figure out a way to do that together more often too.

So, today, she asked for underwear. When I happily mentioned that we would practice w/the potty more today, her response was…

“Not today, Mom. Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.”

I have some Cinderella shoes that we may get out later.

Cinderella’s crown and wand…. September 20, 2006

That’s what Ellie earned today.

Just a short update today. We’re working on potty training. Mommy is too traumatized to go into details. But, we’re making progress.

Thomas was sooooo cooperative. He took a 3 and a 1/2 hour nap. I don’t know how I would have made it through the afternoon if he would have been awake. Oh, and the Fisks were here too. Thanks Di!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m so grateful for you!

My dear husband (begrudingly) took over this evening so I could get out of the house. I needed a break so bad. Thanks Andy!

Ellie wants to wear underwear again tomorrow. Pray for us!

September 19, 2006

What a day..

Day of one of working on the garage. I forgot to take any pictures. I’ll take some tomorrow. The drywall is up. It already looks so much better. I can’t wait to see the finished product!

Thomas had a good day today. He ate all day. That is his favorite thing…Eating. And, he still nurses his fair share too. Thomas worked on jumping today. I say he isn’t really jumping yet. But, I’m probably in denial. He is probably really jumping. Andy says that Thomas jumps in delight when he gets home from work. I pretend to not notice. My baby isn’t a baby anymore even though I try to deny it.

Ellie’s best friend Hannah was here today.

This picture wasn’t taken today, but that is Hannah and Ellie together.

Anyway, Di, Hannah and Aidan came over today. Hannah dressed as Mulan. Ellie dressed as Cinderella. They had a great day together.

Ellie decided to try out her princess underwear today. She was dry all day w/no accidents. Yahoo! The problem is that she still won’t pee on the potty. She just holds it in. After dinner, she let it all go in the shower. Then, she stayed dry after her shower. She agreed to sleep in a diaper and then wear underwear again tomorrow. But, now, I am concerned about her holding it in all day.

Some Ellie-isms…
Emerald City (from the Wizard of Oz) is called “Animal City.”
The munchkins are “bunchkins.”
The “Our Father” prayer is the “Moon Prayer” and is also her favorite prayer of them all.

Some of our favorite Ellie expressions:
“That wouldn’t be too good.”
“I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed _____ .”
“I need my help.”
“Is Hannah going to be there?”

Some of our favorite Thomas expressions:
“Mama!”
“Dadadadada!”
“Deekah deekah deekah deekah”
“Nye-nye” (anytime he wants to nurse)

September 17, 2006

We’re having a busy weekend. Saturday was the mom2mom sale. I made around $300 so it was definitely worth it. Andrew spent lots of alone time with the children. Of course, they were high maintenance. Saturday morning, Ellie vomited (from fatigue, we think) and Thomas dumped a can of pop on himself. We’re not sure where he found the pop. Someone had left it sitting within his reach. Oh well…Welcome to my life dear husband of mine. After the sale, we gave Ellie her money that she had made from the sale and she bought herself a few things. She now has the sleeping beauty crown and wand, a couple new DVD’s and some princess underwear.

Speaking of potty training…Can I just say that this has been a nightmare. I’m pretty much of the philosophy of child led potty learning..Meaning she decides to use the potty with our encouragement. She was excited about her underwear. She came downstairs and said, “Mom, my diapers are too small. I have to wear underwear like a princess.” So, of course, I helped Ellie try out all six pair. She practiced taking them on and off..On and off…On and off…Then she wanted to go potty like a big girl. The problem is that she didn’t have to go. She sat on that potty for about an hour..Drank some chocolate milk….And waited. And waited. And waited. And changed her underwear. Then, she gave up. “Mom, I want my diapers back.” We talked about it. We tried to reason with her. But, she had decided. That is enough for today. We gave her diapers back.

I’m trying to be happy that she is open to the possibility of using the potty. I’m just frustrated. I feel like I’m doing something wrong, but I am not sure what. And, I’m not willing to just take the diapers away. Ellie panicks easily and is not easy to live with when she is in a panic.

So, we’ll just wait. We’ve tried M&Ms, stickers, the potty faerie, presents, etc. She watches her friends potty. She just says that she isn’t ready.

Meanwhile, we like to pay attention to Thomas also. After all, he is quite active. He prefers running over walking and jumping over standing still. He is also fearless. So, he keeps us on our toes.

Today is Sunday, so it started with a family breakfast of pancakes. Then, we went to Mass. We have to do some work today, unfortunately. Part of the drywall ceiling in our garage fell. We have to clean it up and get the garage ready for someone to do the repair work tomorrow.

First, though, Andy has to torture himself by watching those Detroit kitties.