There were lots of kids, lots of food, tons of fun, frequent laughter, and good ole times.
(BTW, how cute is this picture of Jason with our neighbor GK??? We definitely need us a little girly)
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Street Cookout
So I live by some pretty fun neighbors. And here recently we had a new one move to the hood sandwiched in between Amanda and I. His name is Ira and he's great. He's from New Orleans which means he can cook. This past weekend a group of us on the street decided to do a cookout. Ira said he was in, too, and his driveway became the central point. Welcome to the neighborhood full of extraverts, Ira! :)
There were lots of kids, lots of food, tons of fun, frequent laughter, and good ole times.
There were lots of kids, lots of food, tons of fun, frequent laughter, and good ole times.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Got Cake?
Pinterest. Had no clue what this was until my neighbor Ashley wrote a post about it. So I went, I browsed, I signed up to pin (whatever that means...I'm still not sure), and I left a little confused.But I did stumble upon this cake...of course leave it to a cake to catch my eye.
Now mine doesn't do justice to the picture I saw, but it did turn out way better than I was expecting and was a massive hit amongst all males in my household.
Behold the cake in pictures:
A certain toddler was CRAZY excited for cake time tonight. It was literally as if a magnetic field was drawing in his hands toward the icing.
(See the hand?)
But the part that won me major cool points was when it was cut open:
So back to Pinterest...is it for the not-so-creative (me) to glee amazing ideas from others?????
Now mine doesn't do justice to the picture I saw, but it did turn out way better than I was expecting and was a massive hit amongst all males in my household.
Behold the cake in pictures:
But the part that won me major cool points was when it was cut open:
4 layers of sheer awesomeness (if you're a 2-year-old).
Almost Getting It
As parents we're suppose to instill morals, compassion for others, and an undying love for Jesus into our children's hearts. I think I both fail and succeed at this everyday. What a responsibility...what a challenge...but what a privilege.
After years of watching my friend Christine parent her 3 little ones, I've picked up on many things from her (cause she is an excellent mommy role-model), but one of the things I love that she does is talk about "happy hearts" with her kids.
I in turn use this language on a daily basis with mine. Lincoln knows that Jesus gives him a happy heart and when his heart is grumpy, we pray and ask Jesus to give him a happy heart. Sometimes it's a process to get the happy heart, but when he does, he'll run out to you and exclaim, "Mommy! I happy now! Jesus gave me happy heart!"
He gets it. It's great because all I have to do now is ask him where his happy heart is and he gets it. This language can often snap him out of a grumpy mood or lead him quickly to the path of getting there.
Another word he gets is "Obey."
I have found that when he's testing the limits, the only word that he really understands is obey. He knows this is a serious word because he knows the consequences of not obeying. We taught him the bible verse "Children obey mommy and daddy in the Lord for this is right." We taught it back when obeying was seeming to become a big issue. So a lot of times if he's not making a good choice, we use that word, and ask him what his Bible verse says about obeying. Amazingly, this works for him.
Now, we also work on a lot of "sorrys" and "I forgive you's".
Yesterday, Lincoln pee-ed his pants three times throughout the day. He started digressing some a few days ago, so when he does this (unless it was an accident from us tickling him or something) we immediately take away something fun he is playing with/watching.
When he did it yesterday, he happened to be watching one of his Veggie Tales movies.
So I turned it off and explained to him why.
He whined some and was upset, but was able to explain back to me why I turned it off.
Then he came and sat in my lap and snuggled and goes,
"Mommy, God will help me not pee-pee my pants!"
I told him he was right and asked him if he wanted to pray and ask God for some help. He said yes...we did...then he goes:
"Mommy, God will help me not pee-pee my pants AND he will help me watch a movie!!"
Hmmm....
He said this about 3 more times, then he goes (in the sweetest, tender voice):
"Mommy, I forgive you...I forgive you for that pee-pee..."
Ha! I wanted to bust out laughing he was so cute and I appreciate the effort of him trying to piece all of this together.
After years of watching my friend Christine parent her 3 little ones, I've picked up on many things from her (cause she is an excellent mommy role-model), but one of the things I love that she does is talk about "happy hearts" with her kids.
I in turn use this language on a daily basis with mine. Lincoln knows that Jesus gives him a happy heart and when his heart is grumpy, we pray and ask Jesus to give him a happy heart. Sometimes it's a process to get the happy heart, but when he does, he'll run out to you and exclaim, "Mommy! I happy now! Jesus gave me happy heart!"
He gets it. It's great because all I have to do now is ask him where his happy heart is and he gets it. This language can often snap him out of a grumpy mood or lead him quickly to the path of getting there.
Another word he gets is "Obey."
I have found that when he's testing the limits, the only word that he really understands is obey. He knows this is a serious word because he knows the consequences of not obeying. We taught him the bible verse "Children obey mommy and daddy in the Lord for this is right." We taught it back when obeying was seeming to become a big issue. So a lot of times if he's not making a good choice, we use that word, and ask him what his Bible verse says about obeying. Amazingly, this works for him.
Now, we also work on a lot of "sorrys" and "I forgive you's".
Yesterday, Lincoln pee-ed his pants three times throughout the day. He started digressing some a few days ago, so when he does this (unless it was an accident from us tickling him or something) we immediately take away something fun he is playing with/watching.
When he did it yesterday, he happened to be watching one of his Veggie Tales movies.
So I turned it off and explained to him why.
He whined some and was upset, but was able to explain back to me why I turned it off.
Then he came and sat in my lap and snuggled and goes,
"Mommy, God will help me not pee-pee my pants!"
I told him he was right and asked him if he wanted to pray and ask God for some help. He said yes...we did...then he goes:
"Mommy, God will help me not pee-pee my pants AND he will help me watch a movie!!"
Hmmm....
He said this about 3 more times, then he goes (in the sweetest, tender voice):
"Mommy, I forgive you...I forgive you for that pee-pee..."
Ha! I wanted to bust out laughing he was so cute and I appreciate the effort of him trying to piece all of this together.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Success
Today we went swimming...twice. And in-between, we ate Popsicles, played outside (which is why we ended up going down to the pool again...that hot), took naps, made new friends, hung out with old ones, and literally wore out. I consider it a success. :)
A Story to Share
I know vacation's way gone but there was another story that about made me die of both laughter and embarrassment that I forgot to share.
On our insanely long drive home that Saturday, our three car loads all made a much needed joint stop at a huge gas station for snacks and drinks. Lincoln had picked out a package of Teddy Grahams and was quite proud of them.
We took them up to pay, and then he said he was going to hang on to them until we got to the car.
No big deal.
We rummage some more around the store...I pick out a nice looking roll of Sweettarts, and then my mom motions me over to the fountain drink isle, asking me if she can buy me a drink. Why sure.
As we're standing there getting drinks, I notice Lincoln has been standing in front of the microwave, just staring at it intently.
Mind you, the microwave was the height of a 2-year-old - right within his grasp...really???
Lincoln still wasn't moving from that microwave...just staring. I asked him what he was doing.
"Just cooking mommy!"
I thought, "Oh how sweet...he's playing pretend kitchen."
Then I noticed the microwave was on and he no longer had teddy grahams!
I quickly swung the microwave door open to a burning heap of what used to be teddy grahams! It smelled awful and the bag had literally burned up (those bags have foil in the wrapping!).
He never blinked. He reached in, grabbed it out and goes "Look mommy! I cooked it!"
Oh dear.
On our insanely long drive home that Saturday, our three car loads all made a much needed joint stop at a huge gas station for snacks and drinks. Lincoln had picked out a package of Teddy Grahams and was quite proud of them.
We took them up to pay, and then he said he was going to hang on to them until we got to the car.
No big deal.
We rummage some more around the store...I pick out a nice looking roll of Sweettarts, and then my mom motions me over to the fountain drink isle, asking me if she can buy me a drink. Why sure.
As we're standing there getting drinks, I notice Lincoln has been standing in front of the microwave, just staring at it intently.
Mind you, the microwave was the height of a 2-year-old - right within his grasp...really???
Lincoln still wasn't moving from that microwave...just staring. I asked him what he was doing.
"Just cooking mommy!"
I thought, "Oh how sweet...he's playing pretend kitchen."
Then I noticed the microwave was on and he no longer had teddy grahams!
I quickly swung the microwave door open to a burning heap of what used to be teddy grahams! It smelled awful and the bag had literally burned up (those bags have foil in the wrapping!).
He never blinked. He reached in, grabbed it out and goes "Look mommy! I cooked it!"
Oh dear.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Gluten-Free Pasta
So tonight I made my first gluten-free pasta dish.
I had made Jason chicken fettuccine last night (gluten-loaded), and since that's what he was also having again tonight (we're a leftover family), I decided to try the gluten-free noodles I bought a few days ago and share a pasta dinner with him.
It ended up being awesome. I seriously loved it. And both the kids ate three helpings of it - seriously. So I thought I'd share how I made it in case you wanted to try it out for yourself!
I kind of threw together things in the kitchen, so I'm sure tweaking could make it better depending on what you have but here it goes:
First, the noodles.
Now these are the first I've tried, but my gluten-free pal Christine told me they're the best ones (got lucky on that one). The reason I bought them is because they were only $2 - only a dollar more than the others I usually buy. Other GF brands were at least 2x's that price.
The package says cook for 14 minutes, but Christine advised me to cook them longer. I did for 17 min. and they were perfect.
Next I cooked fresh asparagus, broccoli, and mushrooms in a skillet type pan with PAM olive oil spray, salt, pepper, BAM all-purpose seasoning, and an Italian seasoning blend. When the veggies were tender, I added about 1/2 cup of white cooking wine, and 1/2 cup of chicken broth. I let the veggies cook in the sauce for a bit, then dumped it all on the noodles.
That's it. :)
It really was super yummy and will be something I make often.
And it has been one complete week now doing strict GF, and I have experienced ZERO digestive problems. It's been amazing. I think I'm hooked. :)
I had made Jason chicken fettuccine last night (gluten-loaded), and since that's what he was also having again tonight (we're a leftover family), I decided to try the gluten-free noodles I bought a few days ago and share a pasta dinner with him.
It ended up being awesome. I seriously loved it. And both the kids ate three helpings of it - seriously. So I thought I'd share how I made it in case you wanted to try it out for yourself!
I kind of threw together things in the kitchen, so I'm sure tweaking could make it better depending on what you have but here it goes:
First, the noodles.
The package says cook for 14 minutes, but Christine advised me to cook them longer. I did for 17 min. and they were perfect.
Next I cooked fresh asparagus, broccoli, and mushrooms in a skillet type pan with PAM olive oil spray, salt, pepper, BAM all-purpose seasoning, and an Italian seasoning blend. When the veggies were tender, I added about 1/2 cup of white cooking wine, and 1/2 cup of chicken broth. I let the veggies cook in the sauce for a bit, then dumped it all on the noodles.
That's it. :)
And it has been one complete week now doing strict GF, and I have experienced ZERO digestive problems. It's been amazing. I think I'm hooked. :)
Thursday, July 21, 2011
It's Working
Guess what???
I got a new camera card. It's always nice when the camera card breaks and the problem is not your camera (makes the broken card much more bearable and reminds you how thankful you are that you back up your pictures).
So today I dusted off the old thing that has been used in a while (i.e a week) and snapped a few.
Lincoln and I have been busy putting together a new toy table that was given to us by one of his favorite B'ville players parents (Nick). They're super generous people and we've been blessed to get to know their whole family since we've been here.
So we cleaned out tons of toys that don't get much use anymore (sent them over to Tucker!) and made way for our new fun table:
The our Noah woke up just in time for his photoshoot. :)
This morning some of our friends came to play before we met up with the husbands at Chick-fil-a. I think they were ganging up together in this picture to fit bad guys or something of the sort. Silly guys.
So no deep thoughts today. The heat's draining anything deep out of me. And the stir craziness of not having a car for 2 weeks now :)
But I will leave you with a pee-pee story (Oh boy!):
Lincoln woke up this morning SOAKED for the first time. His bed was drenched and his entire shirt was absolutely soaked (as were, of course his pants). His pull-up was also saturated.
I asked him, "Lincoln, did you pee-pee your pants?"
To which he looked at me super serious with wide eyes and goes "No mama...it was just my milk."
Hmmmmm....nice try buddy.
I got a new camera card. It's always nice when the camera card breaks and the problem is not your camera (makes the broken card much more bearable and reminds you how thankful you are that you back up your pictures).
So today I dusted off the old thing that has been used in a while (i.e a week) and snapped a few.
Lincoln and I have been busy putting together a new toy table that was given to us by one of his favorite B'ville players parents (Nick). They're super generous people and we've been blessed to get to know their whole family since we've been here.
So we cleaned out tons of toys that don't get much use anymore (sent them over to Tucker!) and made way for our new fun table:
The our Noah woke up just in time for his photoshoot. :)
This morning some of our friends came to play before we met up with the husbands at Chick-fil-a. I think they were ganging up together in this picture to fit bad guys or something of the sort. Silly guys.
So no deep thoughts today. The heat's draining anything deep out of me. And the stir craziness of not having a car for 2 weeks now :)
But I will leave you with a pee-pee story (Oh boy!):
Lincoln woke up this morning SOAKED for the first time. His bed was drenched and his entire shirt was absolutely soaked (as were, of course his pants). His pull-up was also saturated.
I asked him, "Lincoln, did you pee-pee your pants?"
To which he looked at me super serious with wide eyes and goes "No mama...it was just my milk."
Hmmmmm....nice try buddy.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
California Style
For 5 years before I moved back to Arkansas, I lived in So.Cal...4 of those years were spent in college at Biola, and the 5th year as a grad student in Rosemead School of Psyc (doctoral program of Biola).
Most that hear me talk of Biola and my time there, follow up our conversation with "You should seriously be a recruiter for that school!"
I love it that much.
I've already told Jason if he ever gets a call from them and they are interested in hiring him as the Bball coach, he not ask my permission...just give them a definite "Can we be there tomorrow?"...and maybe "Do you have an opening in the recruiting office?".
I have some amazing memories of my time there that stem from even more amazing friendships. When I moved back there were some things that I definitely missed! It's funny because some of things have actually appeared now here in NWA which bring great delight to my Biolian heart.
Anyway, today at Sam's, I discovered another one of "those things" that they're recently started carrying and I got all giddy:
Yes. The best gummy's in the WHOLE world...and they come in a 5lb bag (in Cali, only Ralph's carried this bad boy bag!).
It got me thinking about the things I loved in California and I thought I'd share some of them.
**Disclaimer** Most of these (I realized after the fact) have to do with food. :)
1. Trader Joe's: lots of healthy, unique options, and super cheap - but great quality - wine. And only a few miles down the road.
3. Bristol Farms (I know - I seriously have THREE grocery stores on my list): This one is FANTASTIC and provides the ultra grocery shopping experience. If you see one, you must try it!
Okay. I'm done with grocery stores.
4. Baja Fresh: This is one of those better-fast-food places that had the most amazing shrimp salad. Super fresh ingredients and really you can't go wrong with anything you order.
5. Miyagi's: This place was my first real sushi experience. They claim to have the most sushi combinations (not sure how broad that claim is), and the place has a few different levels right in the heart of Sunset Blvd. It turns into a dance place at night and sometimes they have karaoke (my lil sis can tell you that story sometime). We went here a lot (it seemed).
6. Wahoo's Fish Tacos: Love. This. Place. This was my first fish taco experience and I feel like anytime I have seen one since on a menu, I order it. This one's down on Huntington Beach and if you're ever there, you must try one.
And while we're on the Huntington subject, here's the next...
7. Running Huntington to Newport Beach: This was a long run day and I would do it every now and then. There's a boardwalk between both beaches so no, it wasn't hardcore on the sand! I would park at Huntington (closest to Biola), and run to Newport and back. The reward? The most AMAZING farmer's market you've ever experienced on the beach in Huntington on Saturdays. It's massive and consists of Cali and Mexico farmers with all their goods.
8. 1000 Steps at Laguna Beach: My friends and I went camping on the beach numerous times and we always went to the same spot in Laguna called 1000 steps. You park on the street and the steps are kind of hidden, and when you find them, it's a long way down (but and even longer way up - ha):
But those steps lead you here:
9. Skid Row (Downtown LA): This is one of the saddest places I've seen. It's 10 blocks of approximately 10K homeless people. It's the police's attempt to congregate these people to one location where they can legally sleep in boxes lining the streets and be somewhat confined to these 10 blocks. And it's a only a few exits of the 101 away from some of the richest places in LA. I went here often. Me and Jana worked on one of the blocks at a church with kids one year, and then I would frequently re-visit, talk with people, and bring things I didn't want/need to give away down there. I loved going down there. If you visited me out there, you know that because I took you :)
10. Francis Chan: What a fantastic man of God and dynamic speaker! He spoke in chapel at Biola at least twice a year and the place was packed when he came...always.
11. And then there was my church, Rock Harbor: I struggled with leaving this one the most. I still listen to podcasts from there. I fell deeper in love with Jesus those years of attending this church. I was the first time I was giddy excited about going to church and heart sick when it was over. I had never experienced church like that and it was such an amazing experience to have the Holy Spirit work in my life through that church. It's funny because when I moved to Siloam and started attending CCF, 2 pastors left CCF while I was there to go be pastors at Rock Harbor - crazy!
Thanks for indulging in my nostalgia with me. :)
Most that hear me talk of Biola and my time there, follow up our conversation with "You should seriously be a recruiter for that school!"
I love it that much.
I've already told Jason if he ever gets a call from them and they are interested in hiring him as the Bball coach, he not ask my permission...just give them a definite "Can we be there tomorrow?"...and maybe "Do you have an opening in the recruiting office?".
I have some amazing memories of my time there that stem from even more amazing friendships. When I moved back there were some things that I definitely missed! It's funny because some of things have actually appeared now here in NWA which bring great delight to my Biolian heart.
Anyway, today at Sam's, I discovered another one of "those things" that they're recently started carrying and I got all giddy:
It got me thinking about the things I loved in California and I thought I'd share some of them.
**Disclaimer** Most of these (I realized after the fact) have to do with food. :)
1. Trader Joe's: lots of healthy, unique options, and super cheap - but great quality - wine. And only a few miles down the road.
2. Albertson's: Right across the street from Biola and for some reason I just LOVED this grocery store and so badly wish we had one! They had the best bakery items and great prices on everything.
3. Bristol Farms (I know - I seriously have THREE grocery stores on my list): This one is FANTASTIC and provides the ultra grocery shopping experience. If you see one, you must try it!
4. Baja Fresh: This is one of those better-fast-food places that had the most amazing shrimp salad. Super fresh ingredients and really you can't go wrong with anything you order.
5. Miyagi's: This place was my first real sushi experience. They claim to have the most sushi combinations (not sure how broad that claim is), and the place has a few different levels right in the heart of Sunset Blvd. It turns into a dance place at night and sometimes they have karaoke (my lil sis can tell you that story sometime). We went here a lot (it seemed).
6. Wahoo's Fish Tacos: Love. This. Place. This was my first fish taco experience and I feel like anytime I have seen one since on a menu, I order it. This one's down on Huntington Beach and if you're ever there, you must try one.
7. Running Huntington to Newport Beach: This was a long run day and I would do it every now and then. There's a boardwalk between both beaches so no, it wasn't hardcore on the sand! I would park at Huntington (closest to Biola), and run to Newport and back. The reward? The most AMAZING farmer's market you've ever experienced on the beach in Huntington on Saturdays. It's massive and consists of Cali and Mexico farmers with all their goods.
8. 1000 Steps at Laguna Beach: My friends and I went camping on the beach numerous times and we always went to the same spot in Laguna called 1000 steps. You park on the street and the steps are kind of hidden, and when you find them, it's a long way down (but and even longer way up - ha):
9. Skid Row (Downtown LA): This is one of the saddest places I've seen. It's 10 blocks of approximately 10K homeless people. It's the police's attempt to congregate these people to one location where they can legally sleep in boxes lining the streets and be somewhat confined to these 10 blocks. And it's a only a few exits of the 101 away from some of the richest places in LA. I went here often. Me and Jana worked on one of the blocks at a church with kids one year, and then I would frequently re-visit, talk with people, and bring things I didn't want/need to give away down there. I loved going down there. If you visited me out there, you know that because I took you :)
10. Francis Chan: What a fantastic man of God and dynamic speaker! He spoke in chapel at Biola at least twice a year and the place was packed when he came...always.
11. And then there was my church, Rock Harbor: I struggled with leaving this one the most. I still listen to podcasts from there. I fell deeper in love with Jesus those years of attending this church. I was the first time I was giddy excited about going to church and heart sick when it was over. I had never experienced church like that and it was such an amazing experience to have the Holy Spirit work in my life through that church. It's funny because when I moved to Siloam and started attending CCF, 2 pastors left CCF while I was there to go be pastors at Rock Harbor - crazy!
Thanks for indulging in my nostalgia with me. :)
Monday, July 18, 2011
Gluten Free, Shall We?
I've had some tummy troubles for a while now and they seem to be worsening over the past few months. What are the symptoms?
Extreme bloat sets in around dinner time and is out of control after dinner. We're talking, my stomach extends to look like I'm 5 months pregnant and it's super uncomfortable. Sometimes I can't even stand up straight.
This has been going on for years in different extremities.
I can remember this happening after dinner at a restaurant when I was in 7th grade. An adult on our trip told me to do a certain stretch, and I've been doing that stretch ever since when this happens. It brings some relief (sometimes). And then in college I had the same issues, but it seems like since I've had kids, it's almost become a nightly thing. I asked Jason a few days ago how many nights he thinks I have this and he said it feels like every night now now.
So what have I tried?
I did a mild cleanse thinking that might help.
I have cut back on salt intake.
I took a diuretic.
I started a pro-biotic a few weeks ago.
None of these worked. None.
So yesterday I got the idea to cut out gluten. I have some friends who are gluten-free eaters and I've heard of numerous talk about how simply cutting out gluten solved their tummy issues. I know I'm not allergic to gluten, but I wondered if maybe I had a sensitivity to it?
Worth a try.
So yesterday was the first day I did it, and MIRACLE. People I had zero tummy issues last night and woke up feeling great (as far as tummy goes).
I'm gonna do the gluten-free thing for at least three days and then maybe eat it again in a few days and see if there's a difference. Just a little experimenting.
And for me, cutting out gluten really isn't a hard thing. It's by no means a "low-carb" thing, so I think it's doable.
Plus, if we're going Italian and I want some pasta, I'll eat it still (and just know that night I'll be uncomfortable).
But just wanted to share because I'm excited and hopeful this helps!
******BTW, Lincoln woke up this morning and went straight to the potty and peed first thing! And his diaper from overnight was almost completely dry!!!! :) He's doing so great now!!!!
Extreme bloat sets in around dinner time and is out of control after dinner. We're talking, my stomach extends to look like I'm 5 months pregnant and it's super uncomfortable. Sometimes I can't even stand up straight.
This has been going on for years in different extremities.
I can remember this happening after dinner at a restaurant when I was in 7th grade. An adult on our trip told me to do a certain stretch, and I've been doing that stretch ever since when this happens. It brings some relief (sometimes). And then in college I had the same issues, but it seems like since I've had kids, it's almost become a nightly thing. I asked Jason a few days ago how many nights he thinks I have this and he said it feels like every night now now.
So what have I tried?
I did a mild cleanse thinking that might help.
I have cut back on salt intake.
I took a diuretic.
I started a pro-biotic a few weeks ago.
None of these worked. None.
So yesterday I got the idea to cut out gluten. I have some friends who are gluten-free eaters and I've heard of numerous talk about how simply cutting out gluten solved their tummy issues. I know I'm not allergic to gluten, but I wondered if maybe I had a sensitivity to it?
Worth a try.
So yesterday was the first day I did it, and MIRACLE. People I had zero tummy issues last night and woke up feeling great (as far as tummy goes).
I'm gonna do the gluten-free thing for at least three days and then maybe eat it again in a few days and see if there's a difference. Just a little experimenting.
And for me, cutting out gluten really isn't a hard thing. It's by no means a "low-carb" thing, so I think it's doable.
Plus, if we're going Italian and I want some pasta, I'll eat it still (and just know that night I'll be uncomfortable).
But just wanted to share because I'm excited and hopeful this helps!
******BTW, Lincoln woke up this morning and went straight to the potty and peed first thing! And his diaper from overnight was almost completely dry!!!! :) He's doing so great now!!!!
Sunday, July 17, 2011
UPDATE!!!
DISCLOSURE: This is about the potty again. So feel free to skip if this reading doesn't pertain to you. :)
We have progress...major progress!!!
After my last potty post where I was beside myself begging for advice and frustrated, I woke up Saturday to a different tune from Lincoln!
Saturday was the day we had set for celebration at Chuck E. Cheese for his hard work on the potty. Though I'll confess, I was hesitant to take him cause I felt like there was no progress, but we decided to go ahead as planned because he was working hard and it wasn't fun for him all the time.
And then on Saturday morning, before we were to go (by which he was nuclear excited!), he asked me to go poop, then about 20 minutes later asked me to go pee! He then went 3 times while at CEC, and never had an accident all day!!!!
Then today, he came in while we were getting ready for church and told me he had to poop...then told me later this morning that he had to pee...again - 2 days in a row!!!!! He went at church in his class and has had zero accidents so far today as well!
If that wasn't enough, as a bonus, today he was mad when he had to wear a pull-up to church because he wanted to wear his "undies"...this was a first as he has been begging to only wear diapers for the past week!
So just like that, we took a huge step in the right direction! I feel super encouraged about this.
In all honesty, I would have stopped trying to train him last week, except I really don't wanna start doing it in the middle of basketball season b/c we just aren't home that much at all. My goal is to have him rolling pretty well by the time season starts.
Thanks so much for all the encouragement!!!!!!! :)
And here's a pic I took with my phone from CEC:
We have progress...major progress!!!
After my last potty post where I was beside myself begging for advice and frustrated, I woke up Saturday to a different tune from Lincoln!
Saturday was the day we had set for celebration at Chuck E. Cheese for his hard work on the potty. Though I'll confess, I was hesitant to take him cause I felt like there was no progress, but we decided to go ahead as planned because he was working hard and it wasn't fun for him all the time.
And then on Saturday morning, before we were to go (by which he was nuclear excited!), he asked me to go poop, then about 20 minutes later asked me to go pee! He then went 3 times while at CEC, and never had an accident all day!!!!
Then today, he came in while we were getting ready for church and told me he had to poop...then told me later this morning that he had to pee...again - 2 days in a row!!!!! He went at church in his class and has had zero accidents so far today as well!
If that wasn't enough, as a bonus, today he was mad when he had to wear a pull-up to church because he wanted to wear his "undies"...this was a first as he has been begging to only wear diapers for the past week!
So just like that, we took a huge step in the right direction! I feel super encouraged about this.
In all honesty, I would have stopped trying to train him last week, except I really don't wanna start doing it in the middle of basketball season b/c we just aren't home that much at all. My goal is to have him rolling pretty well by the time season starts.
Thanks so much for all the encouragement!!!!!!! :)
And here's a pic I took with my phone from CEC:
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Dinner Woes
When Jason and I got married in 2007, we both quickly realized that we ate completely different. We even drank different!
We had two pitchers in the fridge - one of his lemonade he would make and one of mine.
Mine was crystal light...his was a mixture of pure lemon juice, water, and (it seemed) 5 bags of sugar (it was an insane amount of sugar!). He claimed he didn't like my lemonade and I wasn't about to take up drinking sugar water with a dazzle of lemon!
Before we had kids, we would often eat at the same time, but eat different things. I liked the vegetables, he liked the potatoes.
Jason always claimed he hated all vegetables except corn (which some would not consider a good veggie), and at the time I felt like that ruled out 90% of the recipes I cooked from!
But through that year I was able to find some things we both liked...and that included changes on my part as well. For instance hamburger meat: I had never bought this (much less cooked it) in my life before I married Jason!
But I discovered a lean option to ground beef, and also discovered Jason liked it too, as long as it was not hamburgers. So this opened up more dinner options instantly.
And now, folks, I wanna fast-forward you to present: In this week alone, Jason has GLADLY eaten asparagus (this is now his favorite), a salad (this is AMAZING), and green beans mixed with other veggies I cooked in a small crockpot (he went back for seconds on these).
Not only did he eats these...he now enjoys them.
And as for the lemonade? He hasn't made the sugar water now for at least a year. He now loves crystal light...we literally go through 2 liters/day.
So though coming up with recipes and meal planning isn't my strong suit, I have a hearty rotation now of things we both enjoy, and I'm willing to try new things just like I get him to do.
Oh. Except frying things.
I never have and I refuse to. Fried porkchops is his favorite meal, but I leave that for his mother when we go visit!
I do cook his second favorite - chicken fettuccine every now and then.
We had two pitchers in the fridge - one of his lemonade he would make and one of mine.
Mine was crystal light...his was a mixture of pure lemon juice, water, and (it seemed) 5 bags of sugar (it was an insane amount of sugar!). He claimed he didn't like my lemonade and I wasn't about to take up drinking sugar water with a dazzle of lemon!
Before we had kids, we would often eat at the same time, but eat different things. I liked the vegetables, he liked the potatoes.
Jason always claimed he hated all vegetables except corn (which some would not consider a good veggie), and at the time I felt like that ruled out 90% of the recipes I cooked from!
But through that year I was able to find some things we both liked...and that included changes on my part as well. For instance hamburger meat: I had never bought this (much less cooked it) in my life before I married Jason!
But I discovered a lean option to ground beef, and also discovered Jason liked it too, as long as it was not hamburgers. So this opened up more dinner options instantly.
And now, folks, I wanna fast-forward you to present: In this week alone, Jason has GLADLY eaten asparagus (this is now his favorite), a salad (this is AMAZING), and green beans mixed with other veggies I cooked in a small crockpot (he went back for seconds on these).
Not only did he eats these...he now enjoys them.
And as for the lemonade? He hasn't made the sugar water now for at least a year. He now loves crystal light...we literally go through 2 liters/day.
So though coming up with recipes and meal planning isn't my strong suit, I have a hearty rotation now of things we both enjoy, and I'm willing to try new things just like I get him to do.
Oh. Except frying things.
I never have and I refuse to. Fried porkchops is his favorite meal, but I leave that for his mother when we go visit!
I do cook his second favorite - chicken fettuccine every now and then.
Friday, July 15, 2011
Need Your Advice
I'm frustrated. And advice is WELCOME.
I feel like I do a pretty good job of getting babies on sleep patterns and getting them to sleep good and that stuff SLEEP related...but when it comes to the potty I. AM. LOST.
So here's what we're doing. Since Monday, he has only worn undies during the day, and diapers at nap/night time. One of those days, I put a pull-up on him cause we made a trip to Siloam to watch some basketball.
I take him to the potty every 20 minutes or so.
I praise him.
The mornings are usually better. Sometimes with zero accidents. But I feel like it's because I take him so often. I don't think he cares if his pants are wet. And the kid also pee's like 20 times a day!
After naps are when we can literally go through every pair of undies he has - literally.
He gets tired of having to stop playing to go to the potty every 20 minutes and this can frustrate him, but if I don't take him, he'll pee on himself.
He knows he's only suppose to pee in the potty and can tell you that, but seriously has no problem going in his pants and I only discover it if I see it.
So we've finished day 5 and I honestly think he's the same as he was on day 1.
So tips PLEASE. And is this normal?
I feel like I do a pretty good job of getting babies on sleep patterns and getting them to sleep good and that stuff SLEEP related...but when it comes to the potty I. AM. LOST.
So here's what we're doing. Since Monday, he has only worn undies during the day, and diapers at nap/night time. One of those days, I put a pull-up on him cause we made a trip to Siloam to watch some basketball.
I take him to the potty every 20 minutes or so.
I praise him.
The mornings are usually better. Sometimes with zero accidents. But I feel like it's because I take him so often. I don't think he cares if his pants are wet. And the kid also pee's like 20 times a day!
After naps are when we can literally go through every pair of undies he has - literally.
He gets tired of having to stop playing to go to the potty every 20 minutes and this can frustrate him, but if I don't take him, he'll pee on himself.
He knows he's only suppose to pee in the potty and can tell you that, but seriously has no problem going in his pants and I only discover it if I see it.
So we've finished day 5 and I honestly think he's the same as he was on day 1.
So tips PLEASE. And is this normal?
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
I Promise I'll Stop Talking About Poop Soon
You have my word.
Buuutttttttttttttttttttttt....
Lincoln's been doing it in the potty like none other;
And Noah did it at the pool in his swim diaper. Have you ever experienced poop in a swim diaper after a swim? I hope you never have to.
But we only had one accident with Lincoln today! Granted, he did wear pull-ups when we went and watched basketball games (and he went once in those).
I was actually frustrated today because I thought yesterday would be bad, today would be significantly better, and tomorrow he'd be trained. That's how it was sleep training him...why not be that way this time, right?
Apparently I am not right.
In fact 2 friends (kindly) laughed at me when I shared this philosophy tonight.
So when did your little one actually start telling you they need to go and then holding it till you got there? The only reason we had 1 accident today was because I took him every 20 minutes!
And I'm serious. I will stop talking about this soon. :)
Buuutttttttttttttttttttttt....
Lincoln's been doing it in the potty like none other;
And Noah did it at the pool in his swim diaper. Have you ever experienced poop in a swim diaper after a swim? I hope you never have to.
But we only had one accident with Lincoln today! Granted, he did wear pull-ups when we went and watched basketball games (and he went once in those).
I was actually frustrated today because I thought yesterday would be bad, today would be significantly better, and tomorrow he'd be trained. That's how it was sleep training him...why not be that way this time, right?
Apparently I am not right.
In fact 2 friends (kindly) laughed at me when I shared this philosophy tonight.
So when did your little one actually start telling you they need to go and then holding it till you got there? The only reason we had 1 accident today was because I took him every 20 minutes!
And I'm serious. I will stop talking about this soon. :)
Oh the Potty
I'm gonna log the "no-diapers-by-friday" progress from yesterday. I would call it "Day 1" but come on - we all know this is my third time to try this in the past 7 months, and, well - another "Day 1" post probably sounds like a joke now (boy-who-cried-wolf sort of thing).
But in all seriousness...I'm serious this time.
So, yesterday's progress?
If you would have asked me last night I'd have told you it was no progress.
I lost count of how many times he peed his pants, and then when we ran out of undies and just had shorts on him, he decided to poop his pants with nothing significant to catch it - yeah. I'll just stop there on that one.
But TODAY (ta-da!) we have had no accidents thus far and have had a successful #2 in the potty!
A few have asked my tips/secrets??
Well, I have none. I actually feel like I'm probably doing this all wrong. Never read a book. Never made him watch a video. Never bought all these rewards and made a big plan for it. In fact, I pretty much decided on a whim it was time. Actually I decided when I paid $14 for his pack of diapers 2 days ago.
I have talked to a few friends over the past year, but that's about it. We use undies and the big potty (backwards). He has yet to ask me on his own. I make him go about every 20 minutes. I'm waiting for the golden day when he says "Mommy, I need to go potty!"
We'll see. I predict we go through all his undies yet again today (not-so-high-expectations will never let you down).
Now off to the pool!!!
But in all seriousness...I'm serious this time.
So, yesterday's progress?
If you would have asked me last night I'd have told you it was no progress.
I lost count of how many times he peed his pants, and then when we ran out of undies and just had shorts on him, he decided to poop his pants with nothing significant to catch it - yeah. I'll just stop there on that one.
But TODAY (ta-da!) we have had no accidents thus far and have had a successful #2 in the potty!
A few have asked my tips/secrets??
Well, I have none. I actually feel like I'm probably doing this all wrong. Never read a book. Never made him watch a video. Never bought all these rewards and made a big plan for it. In fact, I pretty much decided on a whim it was time. Actually I decided when I paid $14 for his pack of diapers 2 days ago.
I have talked to a few friends over the past year, but that's about it. We use undies and the big potty (backwards). He has yet to ask me on his own. I make him go about every 20 minutes. I'm waiting for the golden day when he says "Mommy, I need to go potty!"
We'll see. I predict we go through all his undies yet again today (not-so-high-expectations will never let you down).
Now off to the pool!!!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Almost Forgot!
Can't believe I almost forgot this one!!!!
Evidence #13:
My precious dad. He has a bad knee. Yes, that's him who likes to get into the hot tub when the temps are 100+. So on our last full day, we were at the pool, and he heads over to turn on the jets and get in the hot tub to help relieve some knee pressure.
While he's in there, a 6-year-old little girl comes and jumps in with him.
She sits there for a while, looking at him, then says:
"My mama tells me to come in here and pee-pee."
Then she gets up and goes back to the pool.
Needless to say, my dad returned to the pool as well. Pee-pee + powerful jets in a small, confined space are no good.
Evidence #13:
My precious dad. He has a bad knee. Yes, that's him who likes to get into the hot tub when the temps are 100+. So on our last full day, we were at the pool, and he heads over to turn on the jets and get in the hot tub to help relieve some knee pressure.
While he's in there, a 6-year-old little girl comes and jumps in with him.
She sits there for a while, looking at him, then says:
"My mama tells me to come in here and pee-pee."
Then she gets up and goes back to the pool.
Needless to say, my dad returned to the pool as well. Pee-pee + powerful jets in a small, confined space are no good.
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Redneck Riviera
Our trip to Destin this year was the first time I had heard our pleasant little destination referred to as the fabulous "Redneck Riviera".
So this time around, I thought I'd pay special attention as to where in the world this name may have come from.
Consider the evidence with me:
1. Tourists all identify themselves by their favorite SEC teams, sporting their colors loud and proud.
2. Our parking lot in the condo area consisted of such identification from about every SEC state...Alabama, Tennessee, Us, Florida, Georgia... (some would consider these redneck states alone).
3. In one day, I witnessed my husband have 3 lengthy conversations with complete strangers about who was going to dominate the SEC in football this upcoming year.
4. We had a balcony in our condo and I witnessed Nathan yelling down from the balcony for Amy to bring over a trash can (she was on the lower level) so that she could catch a poopy diaper in it. He missed.
5. One night after dinner, we were at the car getting the boys out of their strollers and realized Noah had peed through his pants. We decided to change him their in the parking lot (if that's not redneck enough) - only when I pulled down his pants, poop started falling out in chunks on the parking lot! We went to look for wipes and found NONE. So Jason held him up in the air while I wipe him down with a paper towel we found in the car. Their was no trash can in site, so the diaper (and paper towel) were left on the curb - along with the turds that fell to the ground. Please don't judge.
6. Nathan was walking on the beach one day when some people started calling the Hogs...of course they started talking instantly :). Then Nathan proceeded to tell these strangers how our beach chairs were next to Alabama people. The strangers got upset yelling "Oh we hate Bama! And we saw LSU people a bit ago and we hate LSU, too!"
7. Jason and I were at the outlet mall on night and my parents brought the boys to us. When we saw Lincoln, he had on these tiny boxer shorts from his nap still that looked quite ridiculous. If that wasn't bad enough, though, within an hour, we noticed he had peed all over himself (I swear I change my kids diapers!). I did what any shopper would do - I changed him in the dressing room while simultaneously trying on some cute workout clothes! I realized quickly the shorts were no longer wearable, so our big boy continued the shopping trip without pants! I thought if I kept him in the stroller, maybe no one would notice. But the minute we got out of the store, he saw something "cool" and jumped out in the midst of a crowd and ran to it...without pants and without shoes. Total redneck.
8. That same night, Jason and I found ourselves talking to a man we didn't know but was super nice. We got into a lengthy conversation with him (all the while I was wondering if he was noticing my pants-less child), only to realize way into our talk that the man was the super famous Sammy Kershaw (country singer who sings "She Don't Know She's Beautiful"???). Yeah.
9. Then, right after we left Sammy Kershaw (with our pants-less child), we got a ways passed our last store, looked down, and realized our sweet Noah had two packs of men's jockey underwear in his hands - unpaid for. His first theft experience (we took them back).
10. One night all us sisters/husbands went for a swim in the ocean around midnight. We thought it would be fun to then go jump the gate to our pool and take a late-night swim. The pool closed at 10:00. We're being all stealth when Amy drops her phone and shatters the case in to pieces, then Kristen starts dying out laughing, while I am half way over the wall and into the pool (apparently everyone said I did a cannonball...whatever). Within 5 minutes we see lights headed our way and we all just go under water (Navy SEALS style)...but when we come up (cause we're not SEALS), security is staring us down. They threatened us with a $600 fine and cops - including a night in jail - but we got out of it all and headed back home to our kids. Yes. We are responsible parents.
11. I wore my Razorbacks shirt to the outlet mall one night and got stopped a lot. Some fans and some absolute haters.
12. And then there was this guy...running up and down the beach everyday.
So this time around, I thought I'd pay special attention as to where in the world this name may have come from.
Consider the evidence with me:
1. Tourists all identify themselves by their favorite SEC teams, sporting their colors loud and proud.
2. Our parking lot in the condo area consisted of such identification from about every SEC state...Alabama, Tennessee, Us, Florida, Georgia... (some would consider these redneck states alone).
3. In one day, I witnessed my husband have 3 lengthy conversations with complete strangers about who was going to dominate the SEC in football this upcoming year.
4. We had a balcony in our condo and I witnessed Nathan yelling down from the balcony for Amy to bring over a trash can (she was on the lower level) so that she could catch a poopy diaper in it. He missed.
5. One night after dinner, we were at the car getting the boys out of their strollers and realized Noah had peed through his pants. We decided to change him their in the parking lot (if that's not redneck enough) - only when I pulled down his pants, poop started falling out in chunks on the parking lot! We went to look for wipes and found NONE. So Jason held him up in the air while I wipe him down with a paper towel we found in the car. Their was no trash can in site, so the diaper (and paper towel) were left on the curb - along with the turds that fell to the ground. Please don't judge.
6. Nathan was walking on the beach one day when some people started calling the Hogs...of course they started talking instantly :). Then Nathan proceeded to tell these strangers how our beach chairs were next to Alabama people. The strangers got upset yelling "Oh we hate Bama! And we saw LSU people a bit ago and we hate LSU, too!"
7. Jason and I were at the outlet mall on night and my parents brought the boys to us. When we saw Lincoln, he had on these tiny boxer shorts from his nap still that looked quite ridiculous. If that wasn't bad enough, though, within an hour, we noticed he had peed all over himself (I swear I change my kids diapers!). I did what any shopper would do - I changed him in the dressing room while simultaneously trying on some cute workout clothes! I realized quickly the shorts were no longer wearable, so our big boy continued the shopping trip without pants! I thought if I kept him in the stroller, maybe no one would notice. But the minute we got out of the store, he saw something "cool" and jumped out in the midst of a crowd and ran to it...without pants and without shoes. Total redneck.
8. That same night, Jason and I found ourselves talking to a man we didn't know but was super nice. We got into a lengthy conversation with him (all the while I was wondering if he was noticing my pants-less child), only to realize way into our talk that the man was the super famous Sammy Kershaw (country singer who sings "She Don't Know She's Beautiful"???). Yeah.
9. Then, right after we left Sammy Kershaw (with our pants-less child), we got a ways passed our last store, looked down, and realized our sweet Noah had two packs of men's jockey underwear in his hands - unpaid for. His first theft experience (we took them back).
10. One night all us sisters/husbands went for a swim in the ocean around midnight. We thought it would be fun to then go jump the gate to our pool and take a late-night swim. The pool closed at 10:00. We're being all stealth when Amy drops her phone and shatters the case in to pieces, then Kristen starts dying out laughing, while I am half way over the wall and into the pool (apparently everyone said I did a cannonball...whatever). Within 5 minutes we see lights headed our way and we all just go under water (Navy SEALS style)...but when we come up (cause we're not SEALS), security is staring us down. They threatened us with a $600 fine and cops - including a night in jail - but we got out of it all and headed back home to our kids. Yes. We are responsible parents.
11. I wore my Razorbacks shirt to the outlet mall one night and got stopped a lot. Some fans and some absolute haters.
12. And then there was this guy...running up and down the beach everyday.
Okay - so just kidding. I found this picture online. But it's pretty stinking hilarious, huh?
So there you have it.
Why is it called the Redneck Riviera?
Well, because we go there, my friend. :)
Friday, July 8, 2011
When Lightening Strikes
Today is our last full day here in Destin. Sad to leave but that's also what's great about how long we stay here - also feels like it's time to head back.
I buried my darling husband in the sand as any good wife should...
And Lincoln decided that looked like a good idea, so I buried him, too. :)
Happy last day. The rest was spent by the pool (the sun did come out finally), and now we're about to head out to attempt a big huge family picture on the beach (I WILL be camera ready this time!) before hitting up the outlet mall and dinner.
Home sweet home soon!!! :)
Today was the first day it's rained the whole trip so not everyone headed to the sand. But our clan and Mimi & Papa enjoyed the clouds, sprinkles, thunder and lightening (in the distance - don't freak) one last time.
How did we spend it?
Noah surfed (on the sand of course)...
I buried my darling husband in the sand as any good wife should...
And Lincoln decided that looked like a good idea, so I buried him, too. :)
Home sweet home soon!!! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)