Emma's Potty Trained!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Emma's potty story.

My friend told me the story of how she trained her baby at 2-1/2 years old by doing "potty immersion". She went to the library and rented every book and video for kids about pottying. Then for one or two weeks, they read and watched nothing else but potty books and movies. I thought this was a very practical approach and decided to give it a try. After 2 weeks of potty media I started letting her go diaper free for a convenient block of time, say all morning before nap. I this was more for me than anything - getting used to no diapers and a ticking peeing time bomb :)

The real progress came when we went 2 days diaper and pull-up free. Emma would scream, "I need to go to the potty!" as she was peeing haha. Regardless if she was soaking or semi-soaked, I would sit her on the potty in that moment. After wetting herself for one and a half days, she got it and has only had 1 peeing accident in a month's time. Day 3 she was going without diapers and pull-ups for naps and bedtime and has been ever since.

Now the number 2....well, everyone tells me that's a different proficiency exam and it seems to be true. We've had about half make it in the potty :) I have to be very diligent about timing and make her sit a while for it to happen. She's been very good when we go out and usually holds out for her own special potty. She's done a fabulous job!

It was easier than I thought and I should have done it before because she was ready, but I wasn't! Plus, Emmanuel is terrified of potty accidents, so I think he rubbed off on me! Thanks to Erin and Lexi for all their tips. I could sing the potty song right about now....haha.

Emmanuel Gone, Sam Here (now gone, too)

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

I haven't been posting because I don't have a camera. Emmanuel left 2 weeks ago Saturday to Guadalajara, Mexico to train some guys at USAA's new post down there. He took the camera :) Good news is that my sister came with her awesome camera and skills and took some really nice portraits of me and the kids. Those are the only ones I have to post, all though a lot has been going on besides that. So forgive the picture-less summary, but here it is!

Mar 2 (Sunday)- Emmanuel leaves, Mami realizes that she shouldn't be so cocky that she'd be okay after a tantrum-y mess happens in sacrament meeting. Mami eats out on Sunday (gasp!) out of sheer desperation. As the taco nears her mouth she wonders why she is eating a taco!? Emmanuel is gone after all, and La Madeline or Panera is just across the street. The "who am I-ing" starts until Sam arrives Tues. Mar 4.

March 5-8 - Emma starts sleep walking and waking up in freakish frenzy. I start putting her to bed later (aka very tired) and it stops. Thank goodness!! Mami realizes she NEEDS Emmanuel even more. He slept walked as a child. The only thing that snapped him out of it was his father's priesthood blessing.

March 6 - Michelle holds her first ever cooking demo on how to make chicken stock.

March 7 - I take Sam to San Marcos and get the kid some clothes! She was in rags when I received her!!

Mar 8-9 - Sam is feeling better on a no-proccesed food diet (traditional) and wants to know more.

Mar. 9 - Oh yeah, Emma is potty training 1 week now and she pooped in her underpants in sacrament meeting (argh!!). In Relief Society, Kristen Weathers asks the question in her lesson, "of course you believe in Christ, but do you believe him? Do you believe the promise he has made to us through his Atonement?" My burdens fly away in this hour REMEMBERING that I believe.

Mar 10 (Mon.)- Sam and Shell (yep, family calls me Shell and Shelly) connect for real and cry our eyes out. It's not always that you can talk face to face with someone you grew up with. I love you Sam!!! Thanks for trusting me.

Mar 11 - Sam leaves and Shell feels recharged and content. Life is good.

March 15 Emmanuel comes home and we are having a party!!!

Now for some eye candy.

February Happenings

Sunday, February 28, 2010

With the help of the fairy, Emma gave up her chupon (paci)!!!!!! Wahoo.

The second night without paci the fairy brought

Emma dress up clothes!

The first night Emma slept without paci the fairy brought her a scooter.

(And the third and fourth night were downgraded to stickers haha.)

Papi and Mami had box seats to the rodeo, courtesy USAA.

They also gave us this little suite with snacks, drinks, TVs and couches.

After the rodeo we saw the Eli Young Band play.

Another thing to mention is that we got a babysitter we very much like and that isn't moving away anytime soon! Hip hip hooray!

Ben's First Hair Cut

Monday, February 8, 2010

My baby got his first hair cut today! (That is, from a professional. Mom used to buzz him as a baby, mean mommy!) This is a very controversial topic. Many have expressed the opinion that we should never cut his curls. I say they'll grow back! This kid is curly down to the bone! We cut off 2-3 inches and he still has springs!

Before.

During (haha my distraction backfired - I gave him the camera so he'd let her buzz but then he dropped it and I had to take it away!) Otherwise he was perfectly content to get a cut.

Emma in a Dora trance while getting her bob refreshed (this was her 3rd or 4th haircut, she's a pro).

After. Happy now. (See lollipop.)

And the back - see - he still has lots of curl! My baby has sideburns....ahhh!

Aww little baby curls (tear).

Okay so maybe this whole first haircut thing is more about Mom than kid. He had a completely blissful time watching Diego, looking at the bobos (globos, balloons) and playing in his neat little car. He doesn't know his hair is cut. But Mom, who must inflict society upon him, says that proper little Jimmys must keep their hair short. And then Mom, not baby, wants to cry and save little curls from the floor and thinks her baby is growing up. But in fact he's the same he was an hour ago with long hair. He must think I'm nuts.

Settling Back In

Thursday, February 4, 2010

The past month there has been a lot going on, but nothing exciting enough to blog specifically about like romantic Mexican getaways and sandy beaches like last month :) But this is a pretty good idea of what we've been up to:Emma ready to be loaded in the car to go to church. She was happy to get back to nursery and see her pals.

My sister-in-law taught me how to make these and I've been crocheting away every free minute I get. They are hair clips in-the-making. You wanna buy some haha?

We were very excited to be able to join a CSA this month and get fresh, organic produce straight from the farm! This is a vibrant rainbow chard leaf. These vegetables are motivation to eat more they are so fresh and gorgeous.

Ben playing outside before the rain and clouds rolled in this week.

The rye grass me and Emma planted mid-Dec. is coming up nicely and is warding off the weeds as desired. And I climbed that tree myself to put up my new clothesline!