Once Upon a Potty...

Potty Training. Stop reading if you don't want to hear all the lovely details.

I have been dreading this task for months. I had decided I would just wait until Caroline was 2 1/2 (February) to begin the process. I really just had no desire at all to conquer the potty just yet! Diapers are so easy and low maintenance, and potty training just seems so...messy.

Anyway, apparently Caroline didn't get the memo. Over the past several weeks she began showing more and more interest in the potty. She would ask multiple times a day to go potty, and loved sitting on her potty. So, I knew the time had some. She was ready...even though I was NOT!

We picked out Dora and princess panties, stocked up on fruit snacks, and waited until we had a weekend with no plans so we could have a little "potty boot camp". Here's how it went down...

Friday, we got up and put on panties. I explained that she was gong to wear panties now and go potty on the potty. And that she would get fruit snacks when she did. I took her every 10 minutes for the 1st hour. Every 15 minutes for the 2nd hour. Then every 20 minutes, and so on...We had several (approx. 6, I think) accidents and I found that 20 minutes was a bout the max we could handle between visits.

Saturday, repeat. We started the day going every 15 minutes and built up from there, but I felt like every 30 minutes was our max. She did well again. I noticed her initiating more on her own. 6 accidents.

Sunday, repeat. Every 30 minutes, building to every 45. only 3 accidents! And 2 were in route to the bathroom. Woohoo!

Monday, repeat. Went every 45 min-1 hour, and she was accident-free ALL DAY! YEA!!! We even went to the grocery store!

Today, repeat. She went to school and stayed dry the whole time! She went potty all on her own at school :) So proud. She had a little accident after her nap today, but that's to be expected :)

She is still in a diaper/pull-up for nap and bedtime. We are still working on #2. She actually really likes to go on the potty, but her nap time is typically when it happens, so she is going in her diaper. She gets upset when she wakes up and realizes she has gone :( She REALLY wants to "put her poops in the potty". Go figure ;)

Needless to say, I am SO proud of her! It wasn't nearly as traumatic (for me) as I thought it would be.

YEA for CAROLINE!!!!!!!

6 months

Miles is 6 months old! Half a year. SIX MONTHS!?! Time is just flying by!

He is really, truly is the sweetest, happiest, most adorable chunky monkey ever. He looks at me with his big blue eyes and flashes his huge smile, and I am toast. He just melts my heart. Sigh :)

We tried sweet potatoes. Despite the pititful look on his face, he actually liked them slightly more than he likes cereal. ALthough, he actually hates cereal, so that's not saying much ;) He hasn't shown a ton of interest in eating his solids yet :(

He is getting better and better at sitting. He can sit in his boppy or even all by himself for short spurts. You just never know when he is going to get bored, and fling himslef to the ground...

He loves his sister. He just lights up everytime he sees her or hears her voice. She can really get him laughing...like depp belly laughs...better than anyone.

She recently treated him to some delcious tea during a tea party ;)




He loves to play with his feet, puts anything and everything in his mouth, and still enjoys his exersaucer.

I am totally done nursing (as of 2 weeks ago). I was hoping to make it at least 6 months, but once those teeth came in, I couldn't take the pain! He takes an 8 oz. bottle of formula every 4 hour during the day, and takes 3 naps (about 1 1/12-2 hours each).




There's my happy guy!

We (mostly me) have several random nicknames for Mr. Miles...Bubber and Boo Bear are probably the ones I use the most. Even Caroline calls him Boo Bear sometimes :)

LOVE him!!

Stats:

Weight: 18 lbs. 7 oz. (70th %ile)

Height: 27 in. (70th %ile)

Head: 45 cm. (80th %ile)

Halloween Festivities 2010

We had so much fun celebrating Halloween this year! We had an action packed weekend...Costume Parade at Caroline's school on Thursday, Playgroup Party on Friday, Festival at C's school on Saturday, and then on Sunday, we had the neighborhood festival, follwed by a block party and costume parade, and of course trick or treating! whew! I won't bore you with pics of everything, but here are a few highlights :)

Miles's 1st Halloween!

Caroline LOOOOOOOOOOVED trick or treating. She thought it was the most amazing thing. She totally had the whole routine down and (of course)wasn't shy AT ALL.

We met up with our good buddy Jack, who was kind enough to let us hitch a ride in his wagon. They would run up to the door, get their candy, and come running back to the wagon saying they were ready for "the next house"

Jack taking a turn pulling Caroline :)

Caroline talked about trick or treating non-stop for the enitre week after Halloween. "Mommy, I really like trick or treating" "I had so much fun trick or treating."

Hangin' Around...

Miles catching up on some light reading, while practicing his sitting skills...such a multi-tasker.

Caroline loves to help me cook. She especially loves to lick the spoon, of course! Pumpkin muffins...YUM!

Daddy enjoying some play time before bed. Both of them absolutely ADORE Jon. It's so sweet :)

Caroline really enjoys playing with Miles most of the time. She likes to "hold" him. And really wishes she could carry him around...ha!

Not a great pic, but she was making me laugh by crawling in this basket. So random.

We've enjoyed a few "movie mornings" recently. She doesn't usually last the whole time, but its fun to mpop popcorn, stay in our , and cuddle :)

Not sure what is going on with the "leg up" pose here...love them matching jammies. What's the point of having 2 kids, if you dont dress them alike form time to time, right??? ;)

I thought I'd leave you with a little video...

I have been working out with "Stroller Strides" the past few weeks. Basically, a group of moms meet up at a park with our strollers and do a full-body workout. Caroline has been imitating me, and its so funny. She will push her shopping cart around the play room stopping periodically to do her "workout" or her "stretches" I have been trying to capture it on video, but of course, much easier said than done! Hopefully, you can hear her telling me that she is doing squats. ha ha...i love this girl.

Gotta love that she is wearing her halloween costume while working out. She likes to put her costume on over her clothes most days...This day, she decided costume with no pants was the way to go. Ha!

Sic 'Em Bears!!!

Obviously, we loooooooove Baylor Football. The good, the bad, the ugly...we consider ourselves true fans. We have definitely had our fair share of the bad and the ugly, but this weekend we finally got to relish in some GOOD! We beat KState, became bowl eligible, and are finally ranked in the BCS standings!!!!! Seriously, so exciting!

We started bright and early at the parade. It was so fun to be with my BFFs and have all of our daughters together :)

Kristin and Libby, Me and Caroline, Ginny (expecting baby boy in March!!) and Mattie

The girls taking in the sights and sounds.




After the parade, I asked Caroline what her favorite part was...

Me: "Was it the band? or the bears? or the cheerleaders?..."

Her: "Or the candy?" :)





Next we made a quick stop off to see Kristin's parents. Then headed to the tailgate. It was great!! We put Miles in the exersaucer, and set Caroline up with stickers and crayons. They had a great time! Caroline even napped in the car for a little while. I didn't get any pics :(


We went into the game, but as soon as we got to our seats, got settled, they suspended the game because of lightening. After a huge downpour, and almost 2 HOURS of rain delay, the game resumed. We were SOO thankful for the privilege of the Letterman's Lounge. We were able to stay nice and dry...even thought it was VERY hot and crowded in there ;)



Hanging in the lounge with Connor





I almost gave up and took the kids home at this point. It was rainy, hot, and they were getting restless. But thankfully, I decided to tough it out because....WE WON and I got to see it :)







(They scored after I took this pic...so the final was actually 47-42)

Everyone rushed the field, which was SO fun!


Daddy and Miles celebrating on the field

Caroline ran around high-fiving random people

She loved playing around on "Daddy's field."

After the crazy weather, the 2 hour delay, and chasing/carrying around the kids ALL day...I was exhausted, but it was worth every single minute :)

We can't wait to see our Bears in a bowl!!

Sic 'Em!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More Pumpkins!

While Daddy was in Colorado watching the Baylor Bears WIN, Minnie and Papa came to play with us!

We loaded the kids up and headed to a pumpkin patch to play, and Minnie took some GREAT pics of them :)

Caroline turning the tables and taking pictures of her Minnie...

If you look close, you can see the little man's teefers

Minnie and Papa with Miles...Caroline was too busy playing to join them for a photo op ;)

Me and my little buddy :)

Our sweet girl striking a pose

I just LOOOOVE this time of year!

Pumpkins with the Punkins

We made a last mintue decision NOT to go to Dallas for the Baylor-Tech Game at the Cotton Bowl this weekend. While we were sad to miss out on the fun of the fair and football, we needed a restful weekend at home with just our little family!!!

Saturday morning we headed to the Pumpkin Patch! We got there bright and early so we could beat the crowds, and so we could get home in time to watch the BU game on TV :)

Our Punkins

Caroline LOVED all the scarecrows everywhere

Her first ride on a horse! The horse's name was Kitty, and Caroline had the time of her life riding her!

The hayride

The barrel train ride.

feeding the goats

A failed attempt at a picture of the kiddos. This is when we realized it was tiem to go home ;)

So we loaded up our pumpkin purchases and headed out!

After the pumkin patch, we came home and fired up the smoker. Jon made ribs, a pork butt, and homemade mashed potatoes! We spent the res tof the day with the doors and windows open, playing outside, and watching football. If only the Bears had won, it would have a been a PERFECT day ;)


After her nap today, Caroline only wanted her DADDY to get her out of bed, so he asked that we document "the day she became a Daddy's girl" because she chose him over me ;) Of course, she has actually ALWAYS been a daddy's girl!

*A few disclaimers about this pic:

-Jon is sweaty because he just finsished mowing the yard.

-The walls in Caroline's room are currently painted in a blue cammo pattern. Soon, they will be repainted green :)

-Yes, Caroline was still wearing her PJ's at naptime. We had a bit of a lazy Sunday due to a fairly sleepless Saturday night :( Miles has a cold and is teething, which meant no sleep for Mama. Luckily, After I fed him this morning, Daddy took over all partenting duties and I got to sleep in and read in bed until 11:30!!!!!!!!! We didn't make it to church, but it was AMAZING to get caught up on sleep so I can function this week :) Thank you Daddy!!

-Don't you just love the way C is looking at her Daddy in this pic? I sure do love these two :)

That's all folks!

Fall Favorites

I love everything about Fall...the weather, the football, the pumpkins, the leaves, all of it!

And of course, I love these festive little cuties :)

Happy Fall, Y'all!

5 months!

Miles is 5 months old today!

He has been up to all kinds of big boy things lately,

practicing his sitting skills...

playing in the ball pit...

jumping...

swinging at the park...

Everyone keeps asking if he is "always this good" or "always this happy" and the answer is YES! He is just a really content and happy little guy. I love his sweet nature :)

He has his 2 bottom teeth now, which makes him look so old and grown up!

He is FINALLY sleeping through the night, which means he goes down at 7, we wake him and feed him once more around 10ish, then he sleeps til 7:30. Sometimes we still have to go in to give him his paci at some point during the wee hours of the morning, but I'll take it! Last night, we decided not to wake him and feed him at 10, He did great, but he needed a little more help getting resettled when he woke in the middle of the night. I would say we are very close to getting 12 hours of sleep at night...YEA!

As far as naps go, he has to be pretty flexible since we are often (or always) on the go. He gets lots of naps in his car seat :) But he takes great naps in his crib, too...when we are home.

His absolute favorite activity is rolling onto his tummy. When I put him on his back, it is literally almost instant that he will flip himself over. He will play on his tummy for a while, and kind of inch and scoot all over the place. I get the impression he is going to be a crawler just like his big sis was ;)