Potty Training - Preparing

This topic will be covered over a few posts. I think it makes the most sense that way. This one is about everything I did to prepare for the "BIG DAY".

Special Notes: In these posts I'm focusing on Emily's training, she was 2 years and 7 months old when we started and within 4 days she was 100% potty trained including naps and nighttime! Abby began her potty training today and I will do a whole series of posts about that at a later time.

I searched a ton online about potty training and read a bunch of blogs. The one that made the most sense to me was this one. She said she trained all 4 of her kiddos this way in 1 day each! The key was putting the child on the potty every 15 minutes. To be honest I tried this 2 different times with Emily but I wasn't really into it...I kind of half-*** it. But this time would be different!! I'll go more into my actual method in a later post.

Before the BIG DAY, Grandma and I took the girls out shopping. We went to a few different stores to find Emily her new potty. (The previous 2 times I had used the insert that goes on the big potty, but my OB made a great point, Emily can't get on the big potty by herself and who wants their little legs dangling all over when on the potty?!)  Emily first wanted the loud, flashing light potty that she could make go on with the flushing on the fake handle. I knew that would be a mistake...she would do that all day long and not be doing her business.

Instead she decided on this pink, princess one.



I like this one, when she goes it plays music...so no guessing!

The other item on my list was training pants. Emily picked out some real underwear (Toy Story, Princesses, and Pixar Characters) and I grabbed a few sets of training pants that provided some extra padding.

And lastly, the rewards. I decided to provide a bag of goodies (toys, stickers, coloring books, books, etc). Pretty much things found in the $1 section of Target and a couple higher price items for the times she first went #2. The smaller rewards went into the bags and the "larger" items were kept out of sight...I tied them with pretty ribbon to really jazz them up.

Whew....we were ready to go home and get ready for the BIG DAY.

Later that night after the girls went to bed I set up the bathroom for them. Providing labels on the goody bags and their potties!

Seeing that Emily and I would be spending LOTS of time in the bathroom I also found some adorable bins at Target and filled them with books both reading and coloring, flash cards and crayons.

Next post....Day 1 of Potty Training.

Baby Update Week 16

Not a whole bunch going on these past couple of weeks. It's in between Dr appts.

Weight:  I feel like a gained a bunch more. I have the bump for sure. Hubby said things are really taking shape. Luckily I know he means that in a good way...not that I'm getting fat. Although I did have to give him a hard time about it!

Following my Dr's Advice:  First, Emily is potty trained! Wow!!! She is staying dry during naps and at night. It's so amazing, I will be crating a post (or multiple posts) on how we did it. I'm trying my best to limit my stress...but it seems to find me. I worked out 3 times last week and think that helped.

The iron pills are making a huge difference I have so much more energy. I'm so happy!

Baby Sex: Still a mystery...hubby and I talked the other day and we are leaning towards finding out! I honestly go back and forth on it all the time!

Getting Ready for Baby: Haven't done much more since the last update. I want so much to prepare for the baby and that's why I may find out what it is. A couple more weeks until we have to make our decision.

A Great Week

It's been a great week. Emily decided to potty train and I can say she is pretty much trained! I'm going to write a post about what worked for us in the near future.

The girls have been in great moods, I think that getting out a little bit each day really helps this. We have another busy week with meetups this week. It's great, all these little outing really help Emily understand that we go potty not just at home.

This week the "game" or "ride" has been bin sledding. Emily dumps out all of her toys from the bins and brings one for her and one for her little sis...yes she is very mindful that Abby is always included. Then Dad has to push them down our make-shift hallway. The girls LOVE it. They start to get ready for their rides as soon as they see Daddy's car pull in from work.

We did get a little...very little...bit of snow yesterday. Emily has been dying to go and play in it. So we bundled up and grabbed the sleds and we pull them around for a little bit. Good thing we took the opportunity when we did. When we woke up this morning the snow was already melted!

I'm excited that I'm sticking to my New Year's resolution to cook more. Which means I plan our meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) in advance. For me I plan a month at a time. I love this. I take an hour or two and plan it out making sure we don't do chicken everyday for a week and the such. Then each week I can make my shopping list, look for deals and coupons and it takes almost no time at all. Last week I tried a few new recipes that we love and I will be sharing these here as well...so stay tuned! The meals were all pretty healthy and turned out great and I must say I felt better this past week and I think some of this is due to the healthy meals.

Have a Great Week!

My Little Artsy Girls

I just adore how much my girls love to be creative. In our home we go thru tons of art supplies...mostly paints. Emily's passion has rubbed of onto Abby. It makes for huge messes but that's okay it cleans up pretty easily...most times the girls end up in the tub, especially Abby she tends to paint herself as much as she does on the paper.

I'm so shocked how much supplies we go thru. It's just amazing...but they make the most adorable paintings. I try to spread the 'wealth' of these paintings by giving the girls blank cards to paint. Then we use them for all the special occasions we have, they are a huge hit!

I have my 'to-make' list for the new home and I will be making a tarp to go under their table to catch all the extra paints, glitters and such. I'll be sure to post the project for everyone to see.

Baby Bump 14 Week Update

My first baby bump update for #3. The girls and I just returned from my Dr. appt and running a few errands. The appt was good but I had a scar for a couple of minutes. This little one was hiding for a bit and the nurse had a very difficult time finding the heartbeat, but she did finally and all was good.

Here is a self-belly portrait. I'm going to try and remember to have hubby take one but just in case I forget I will have this one for reference.

Weight:  Up 4 pounds from my last visit (last month) today's weight is 131.5, which sounds like a ton to gain in 1 month but I'm starting off this pregnancy much, much smaller and the Dr was very happy at the weight gain.

Heartbeat: 152. Took the nurse F-O-R-E-V-E-R to find this stinkers heartbeat today.

How Did This Happen?!: Let's be honest, Hubby and I "know" how it happened but we have both been perplexed as to how the precautions didn't work (aka...full strength birth control). Well my Dr looked into it and this is what she figures. I was in the hospital late July with what was thought to be gallbladder attacks. I was given grade C & D medications, which I was told would not affect my breast milk or my birth control. This is true for 99% of people, but it seems that my metabolism is in high gear (which I can agree too with my weight loss) and that all mixed together = lower effectiveness in the birth control. Needless to say we will take permanent precautions after this one arrives. 

Notes from the Dr: Given my history she's got a plan. If I begin to have early contractions, on to the medicine I will go. No need to worry about that with 2 little ones running around. If the contractions come on sooner than before I will work with a nutritionist to help put on some extra weight. I'm also anemic and will begin to take Iron supplements and drink lots and lots of fluids. She says this will help with my shortness of breath and being so tired. I need to avoid/limit my stress. Not easy to do, but she says I need to make this a priority. It's in everyone's best interest. I'm going to start by adding in yoga to my day during the girl's nap time and limit my time in my Etsy shop. 

Dr. also thinks that I can have both girls potty trained before baby arrives. Hmm...sounds like a great idea but only time will tell.

Baby Sex: Still a mystery and not sure if we will find out. I kind of want to. Mostly becuase I want the nursery to be complete before the arrival and know if I can get rid of the girl's stuff. But part of me loves that moment when the baby arrives and we find out. Hubby does not want to know. I have about 4 more weeks before the "big" ultrasound to make up my mind.

Getting Ready for Baby: I've been "pinning" a lot of ideas for the baby room. I also found a dresser that I will be making-over. Hubby and my Dad picked it up and once we move I will begin to work on that.

That's about it. I'm exhausted from the morning. Getting everyone ready/fed and to the Dr by 9a.m. was a workout. I made the next appt for 9:30...I think those extra 30 minutes will do wonders.

Breakfast with Her Crew

Whew! She actually slept in her own bed last night. Emily has been waking up for about a week crying and screaming between midnight and 2a.m. and the only thing that was working was her sleeping with Hubs and I. But all three of us in one queen size bed = less than a restful night.

But last night she made it all night in her room. And she woke up in a great mood, playing with her sister and then she setup a special breakfast for her and her Toy Story crew. All on her own she carried out her 4 charis and made a special one for Bullseye.

Then she entertained and fed them yogurt and juice. It was adorable to watch.

-Amy

Mommy Brain

Wow...my "Mommy Brain" has kicked into full swing with this pregnancy. Now granted, we do have a ton of things going on and I sometimes find myself not even sure what to do next. This even includes wandering the grocery store trying to recall what we need back at home.

But then when I go to fall alseep at night everything I forgot comes rushing back to me and I toss and turn and struggle to fall asleep. As a solution I decided to take a few minutes before bed to make a list for the next day. What a blessing!!

I feel so much more on top of my game. I'm getting things accomplished and I can "shut off" my brain each night.

I just printed off a calendar for 2013. We have been without and I never realized how much I use it. I love the colors of this one and thought I would share!

http://www.thetomkatstudio.com/2013printablecalendar/

I love the colors and have the year printed out and ready to jot down our important dates.