Potty Training 2.0

As you may remember from a previous post, we tried to potty train Brady once before, with little success.  I'm not sure if it wasn't a hit because I was 8 months pregnant, him not being "ready", or that I was too grossed out by him eating urine soaked marshmellows.  Yep, that's right.  You can read all about it here.

Anyway, we decided to retry potty-training the weekend before I went back to work from maternity leave.  It went much better this time.  We loaded Brady up with lots of juice (he never gets juice so he sucked it down like candy) and set the timer for every 15 minutes.  Sure enough, every 15 minutes Brady would go to the bathroom in his little Elmo potty.  After he went, he would get a sticker for his sticker chart and a piece of candy (out of a Thomas the Train PEZ dispenser) after he washed his hands.  It was going swimmingly.  We still put him in a pull-up for his nap, but did great otherwise.

The next day he was getting a little bored (despite 4 accidents the previous day, he still used the potty 30 times!!).  We had to spice things up by making the 15 minute timer a "motorcycle" sound that he thought was pretty cool, and by the afternoon we were having him tell us when he needed to go.  Granted, it is much scarier when you are waiting for a 2 year old to give you this information, but he had to learn somehow.

All in all, it wasn't near the headache that I thought I was going to be (especially after our first attempt!!)

After a few days though, we noticed Brady was still having #2 accidents in his pants.  We had no idea how to fix this problem, since we couldn't bribe him with PEZ or stickers anymore.  That's when we decided to re-introduce the marshmellows.  By this time, Brady could see in the cupboard that there was two different sizes of marshmellows, and he knew if he did something REALLY COOL it would mean a larger marshmellow.  Now, after being potty trained for nearly 2 solid months, he still expects a treat when going #2.  Just the other day he announced he needed to go potty and started running to the bathroom, then stopped in his tracks (while holding his bottom), looked at me and said, "I get a BIG marshmellow, Momma.  I get a BIG marshmellow.  I go BIG poop."

Oh man......

 

 

DIY Finding Nemo Costume

When Brady told me that he wanted to be Nemo for Halloween, I was ecstatic.  What could be cuter then dressing up a 2 year old as a fish for Halloween?  Nothing.  But.... then when I got online to buy one, the only sizes available were in 4T or above.  Now, Brady's tall, but let's be real, I don't need a Halloween outfit to last him for years to come, so I needed to get one that actually fit him.

So, that led me to a dilemma that I did not want to deal with.  Making the costume myself.  Let me be honest, first, I tried to talk this kid out of being Nemo time after time, but somewhere along the line Brady got himself a memory, and refused to back down.  Nemo it was.  First, I looked into trusty Pintrest.  I found this DIY Nemo outfit.  It was adorable... though, I knew I needed to put my own spin on it to make it more "Nemo-ish". 

So, I first started with these items:

A 3T zippered sweatshirt and matching sweatpants (I found mine at Kohl's... thanks KK for helping!)
A hot glue gun
6 orange felt squares
6 yellow felt squares
6 white felt sqaures
2 black felt squares
2 orange starched banners (for Nemo's crown)
Scissors
A tin can that was bent into an oval for tracing all the scales

First, I cut out Nemo's tail with 2 of the felt squares.  I folded it in half when I cut to make sure it was symmetrical.

Then, I traced out what seemed like hundreds of scales in each color and aligned them in a Nemo-like pattern.  I made 2 stripes of white to make it like a clown fish.

Then, I took the black felt and made oval-like "lines" to separate the white stripe like a clown fish has.  I will be honest, I tried to just marker in these lines with a Sharpie and it did not work, so I had to go this route.  What's nice about working with felt it the lines don't have to match up exactly with each scale because they are flexible once you start gluing.  I was nervous that I was going to have to spend 4 hours making these pieces, but it was pretty simple once I realized that it would form to the bend of the scale.

When making the front of the sweatshirt, make sure not to glue on the zippered part.  On the front of this one, the middle scales are all glued to the left side of the sweatshirt (when looking at it) and "hide" the zipper."

Next, I made the eyes.  You can use a drinking glass or some other bigger oval to make the white part of the eye if you like, I just cut and it turned out okay.  The orange part of the eye is the same size as the scales, and the black part was a scale that I just took off the edges so it would fit inside the orange part.

The crown is made from the stronger, starchy banner felt.  It is made from 6 rectangular pieces that are all the same size.  I bent the bottoms and glued them on opposite sides of the hood so they work with each other to hold each other up.  Then I covered the parts glued to the hood with the softer orange felt to make it look nicer.

Luckily, Brady was at daycare when I was making this so my only breaks were to tend to Lola.  I was worried that Brady wouldn't like the costume when he got home and tell me that it looked nothing like Nemo.  But..... I was wrong!  He immediately started petting it and kept saying (excited) "It's Nemo!  It's Nemo, Mom!  It's Nemo!  Nemo has a tail!"  And.... my heart was filled with joy.  We, of course, had to take it out for a spin to make sure it looked okay too.  :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Jackster

So, I know I've been a little MIA when it comes to updating my blog recently... okay, for the past year or so... but I am really going to try and jump back on the bandwagon and start blogging again.  This blog, if it hasn't already, will turn into a Pintrest and Kids blog.  That's what happens when I when I became a mother of two.

But, my first blog back I am not going to talk about Pintrest and the rockin' outfit I made of Brady for Halloween, or my dear Lola who this blog hasn't even met.  Nope, I am going to write about my adorable nephew, Jack. 

In case y'all missed it.  Jack is Brady's "identical cousin."  Story in short: My sister Molly & I found out we were pregnant the same day, had the same due date, both went into labor 2 weeks early, and both had boys, within 9 hours.  It was all a pretty incredible story.  But, what's even MORE incredible, is how close the boys have gotten.  This year I've been ultra lucky because every Wednesday I get to hang out with him.  We go to "Bible School" (AKA Bible Study) and this year my mom signed up Jack.  My mom volunteers at the Children's Program at bible school, so I get to drive Lola, Brady, and Jack back and forth. After "Bible School" we go to the "play place" to eat (AKA McDonald's) before I take them back to school.  I truly wouldn't have it any other way.  Our families get together about once a week for a big McCartney Family Dinner, but I usually don't get much one-on-one time with Jack.  I cherish my Wednesdays, because I really get to know Jack on a different level, and, let's be honest, the kids is freakin' adorable.  But, what's even more adorable is the things he says!  This kid has a memory of a computer and can recite about anything back to you.... a month later.  It's incredible.  He even knows Spanish!  Let's recap some of our conversations, shall we?

While driving in the car...
Jack: "Hi Lola!  Hi Lola!  Hi cousin! Hi cousin!"
Me: "Is Lola asleep or awake?"
Brady: "Awake!"
Jack: "She's awake.  Why isn't she answering?"

I was singing "The Wheels on the Bus.."
Jack: "I'm really good at that song.  You are not really good, Browyn"

Jack: " There's a yellow tractor on the sidewalk!!  A yellow tractor! Amarillo!"

As we were following Grandma Mac to lunch.... (driving)
Brady: "We're coming Grandma!  We're coming Grandma! Wait for us Grandma!"
Jack: " Faster Browyn!  Drive faster!  Rapido!"

Jack: "Why is Lola crying?"
Me: "She doesn't want to be in her carseat.  She wants to play"
Jack: "Lola, you need to be in your carseat so you can stay safe."

Me: "Jackster, you're a goofball!"
Jack: "I'm not a goofball!  I'm a meatball!"

The boys are so cute together too when they play.  To be honest, they are either best friends, or fighting like brothers.  These moments make my heart melt though...

Jack: (Looking at the refrigerator magnets)  "Where's the O?  Where's the letter O?"
Brady: "I don't know, Jack.  Where IS the letter O?"
Jack: (Picks up the A) "I got it!! I got the letter O!"
Brady: (looks at the letter and giggles) "No Jack!  That's the letter A!"
Jack: "Oh...."

At night while tucking Brady in to bed..
Me: "Brady, what was your favorite part about today?"
Brady: "Jack."

And the best thing he said was today....

" I want a sister.  I will call her Browyn."  Yep, you heard it here first, folks.  One day I will have a niece named Browyn.   Can't wait for my sis to get knocked up now so we can make Jack's hopes and dreams a reality.  :)

 

 

 

 

Breathe

As some of you may know, I lost a friend in the Aurora theater shooting last month. She was my friend by default, my sister's best friend. Every day I miss Jessi, and I mourn for her loss, but also for the loss my sister has had. It is awful to see someone so close to you hurt so bad. I wish I could take away the pain that my sister is experiencing, as well as Jessi's boyfriend, mother, and friend that was also shot.

Whenever I see such a tragedy on TV I immediately pray. I pray for all the people involved, their families, and the shooters families. When I first heard about the Aurora shooting I was up for an early morning feeding with Lola. Austin woke up with me & couldn't go back to sleep. He turned on his computer and informed me of the shooting, and then told me that my birthday would go down in history for such a tragic event. Then, I did what I always do. I prayed. I thought about the friends I have in Colorado and I prayed for them....

A couple hours later my sister, Molly called me frantically. I remember ignoring her call twice, thinking she just wanted to be the first one to wish my "Happy Birthday." It wasn't until I received her text "call me immediately" that I actually called her. She informed me of Jessi... And that someone needed to tell our sister, Bridget, before she found from a text or a phone call. Still in shock & processing the information myself, I went to Bridget's house and had the hardest conversation I've ever had in my life.

Since the shooting, I've gone through all sorts of emotions. Shock. Numbness. Rage. Regret. Sadness. Even happiness when I think of the memories I do have of Jessi. For the first few days I was glued to the TV and Internet and was following the story so closely. I not only would have nightmares about the things I'd read, but while awake I would be so preoccupied and terrified that I was not paying nearly enough attention to my family. I was so preoccupied with this tragic event that I was missing the present. I am still very, very sad and heartbroken about what happened, but I have to remind myself several times a day that I need to be present, now, rather than be worried or upset about the things that have happened in the past. I need to remember Jessi's youthful and contagious happiness for life, and try not to worry about what could happen in the future.

It still does seem so surreal to me though. I see these things on the TV and I always felt so far away from them... So distant. Now, I see a similar event on TV and it brings me right back to that place I was 2 weeks ago... Once again, I need to concentrate on each breath I take in, each breath I let out, and be thankful for every moment that I am given.

Potty Training Flop

With the new baby on the way, Austin and I have been dabbling in the idea of Potty-Training Brady. Last week,we decided THIS would be the weekend to try it. We canNOT have TWO children in diapers.... and now was as good of time as any, before I get too big to bed down and "clean things up".

For the past few weeks, maybe even months, Brady has been going "pee pee" in his Elmo potty when Mom & Dad go in the "Big Potty". And by saying "going pee pee," I mean Brady would sit on his Elmo potty and give him High 5's, but never really go. Well, yesterday we went out and bought two additional potties, Pull Up diapers for when we were away from home, big boy underwear, and a stock of marsh mellows as rewards for going in the potty. We were ready. Set. Now time to go.

Or not...

This morning we woke up with the mindset that we were going to potty train him. After his morning milk, we sat him on the potty, gave him books to read, and eventually my iPhone to play games on and.... WA LA.... HE PEED!!

We were so excited!! Yes, some of the pee dribbled down onto his socks and underwear, but that was our own fault for not pointing his "parts" in the down position. Austin gave him his marsh mellow and we cheered for him. What did Brady do? He threw his marsh mellow into the potty.... with his pee. (Apparently we don't give him enough marsh mellows to know that they are food!) So, we gave him another. This one he ate, and loved. Then he realized he threw a "perfectly good" marsh mellow into his potty.... What would ANY kid do? Open up the potty and pull out the marsh mellow... and.... eat it. As I was screaming in disgust and Austin was running over to save the urine soaked marsh mellow from Brady's salivating mouth, it was too late. Gone.

Well, we tried to get past this event and started cleaning up. Unfortunately, with the little toddler potties we still have to clean out the potty, and any spillage from not pointing things in the downward direction during the pee. As Brady watched his parents clean.... he decided to stand in the kitchen and finish his pee on the kitchen rug, and he cried because he was getting himself dirty.

I tried getting Brady to come back to his room so I could clean him up (again), he ran around the house, covered his urine, running in every direction AWAY from me. I finally caught him, cleaned him up.... and put a diaper back on him. Yes, you heard it right folks, a diaper. It wasn't even 10am before I had given up on the potty training challenge. I realize now that is is going to be, by far, the hardest part in my parenting career up until this point, and I am not ready for it.

Movin' on Up!

One thing that is great about daycare is all the artwork Brady brings home. I love getting his latest "project" he's been working on & seeing how much is artwork improves from day to day, week to week, and month to month. These are some of Brady's creations when he was in his Infant 2 room. As you can see, he is quite talented.

How many children do you know that can make their own Rail-Road Crossing sign? I bet not many.
Red Barn? Just amazes me how he even left off paint where the windows and door should me. That is talent people, talent!!
This is my absolute favorite. When they handed me this one, I about fell over backwards. A robot? Seriously, kid? He is a genius. Obviously daycare is teaching him WAY MORE than Austin & I are.... He's even drawn the heart & little electricity thing.... Genius people! Genius!

Well, the thing is, he recently "moved up" in daycare classes. I have not been as happy with their curriculum. I think it must be more learning, less time for art. This disappoints me that Brady does not have as much time to make the beautiful things he was making previously. Here are just a few examples of what he's been bringing home lately....



I think it's a little obvious what is going on here.... These teachers in his new classroom do not know how to teach the arts..... at all. So disappointed.....

Brady's Little Chompers

In August, Brady "moved up" in daycare. This was a much needed change for him, because just about everyday we'd pick him up he'd have an "incident report" for biting other kids. The "bully" of the classroom got it the worst... I think Brady must have been making up for all the times the bully went after him. His teachers would tell us stories of Brady biting poor Elijah, being sent to time-out, and then when Elijah would walk by him, Brady would stand up and push him. I am not happy to say that Brady had become the new bully of the classroom, but his teachers assured us that it was because he was bored in his classroom & needed more stimulation. Apparently Brady had favorite books and toys, and if anyone touched them he'd attack.

Well, thank goodness he moved up to the "older" class. These kids weren't going to let him get away with him picking on them.... Well, except for one, kinda. Brady's "identical cousin," Jack started daycare the same time the Brady moved up and Aunt Molly insisted they be in the same class... I bet she regret that soon after. Molly would call me and say that JACK would be getting "incident reports" for biting.... but only after another kid would bite him.... And guess who it was that did all the initial biting? Yep.... Thanks, Brady.....

You'd never expect them to fight, would you?


Well, now it had now been months since Brady's last daycare bite (Cross your fingers!!) and Molly now just automatically assumes that Brady is the kid behind each bite. This is how the last conversation when between her & the daycare teacher after Jack's most recent bite mark.


Teacher: "Jack did get bit today, right on the tip of his nose."

Molly: "Oh no, by who? By BRADY?"

Teacher: (laughter) "No Molly, by a mosquito!"


Poor Brady has such a bad rap now...

Maybe he deserves the bad rap though.... almost a month ago Brady & I were at a baby shower for one of my good friends at work. Everyone brought their children & it was so fun to see them all interact. We had just started going to "playgroups" with people from work too, and its been so much fun. Well, Brady changed that quickly. One of the little boys, almost 1 year old, grabbed Brady's book (that was right in front of him).... I was watching Andrea open all her gifts & was not watching Brady.... but apparently I should have been.... he went right up to the little boy and bit his wrist so hard..... he immediately started crying.... I thought I was going to also! Brady immediately got put in time-out. It was the most embarrassing thing that may have happened to me thus far regarding Brady. Those bite marks probably stayed for a good 20 minutes, and I am sure he had a bruise the next day, though his momma assures me he was okay. But, since then, we've been kicked out of our playgroup..... oh sure, they say they, "haven't had any since", but come on? Everyone is afraid of Brady's little chompers!!

I will say, Brady (knock on wood) doesn't bite anymore.... well, at least not others. Now when he gets real frustrated and wants to bite, he bites himself. Yep, you heard it here first, folks. My son still gets sent home "incident reports," but now for biting himself. I'm not sure which one is better?