Does Chase have a Potty Train, too?

About 6 months ago I decided I needed to potty train Isaac. I checked out every potty training book from the library that I could find (every single one gave me different advice, by the way). I talked to every mother I knew who had potty-trained children. I was determined to potty train him as quickly and easily as possible. And I was ready.

The only problem was, he wasn't.

We went full boar for a couple of days and dozens of accidents and I called it quits. I resigned myself to the fact that I would have 3 kids in diapers at once, and to be honest with you, I took a little bit of pride in being able to take on that challenge (strange, I know). I decided that I would train Isaac (and possibly Maddie) this summer while living at my parents' house.

Then, couple of weeks ago, Isaac suddenly took a great interest in the potty. Who am I to stop him? Most of his friends are potty trained, which I'm sure helped with the positive peer pressure. Not to mention the fact that we purchased the beloved Mack Truck that he has always said he wanted as his final prize "when I'm a big boy and go poo-poo in the potty all the time."

A few days after we bought the truck (it sat on top of our fridge where it could be seen but not touched), his friend, Cumorah, was using the bathroom and he decide he wanted to take a turn when she was done. Low and behold he sat down and took care of some business.

He was so proud of himself.

So was I.

He has been using the potty ever since. After about a week of staying dry and clean at home, we decided that this week we would venture out in big boy undies. He hasn't had one accident outside the home (yet---I'm sure we will experience that soon enough). He takes a lot of pride in going all by himself and if I try to help him (or even if I'm in the bathroom with him) he'll usually look at me and say, "Could you give me a space, please?" No problem, little man. Everyone deserves their privacy. I must admit that it is so nice to be changing half the amount of diapers (that will soon more than double again, of course, but I'll enjoy the break while it lasts).

The other day we were heading over to play with his friend, Chase. I explained to him that there were plenty of places to go potty outside of our house, and that all he had to do was let me know if he needed to go.

"Does Chase have a potty train, too, Mama?" he asked.

"Yes he does, my boy. Yes he does."

Maddie is Ike's biggest cheer leader and she has even been known to do her little "We did it!" Dora dance when he has success. She always has to check out his work (and gets way too close for my comfort). I'm sure it doesn't hurt that when Isaac earns a potty treat, so does Maddie--we're all about giving the entire family a reason to celebrate around here. Win/win, right? After all, what's one more M&M or Sweetart?

The other day, while throwing a classic Maddie fit, she was sent to her room for some "calm down" time. A couple of minutes later she got really quiet, so I peeked inside to see if she wanted to come out. Instead, she had opened up Isaac's underwear drawer. I found her sitting on the floor, attempting to put some Lightning McQueen underwear on over her clothes. Just like big brother...

He's definitely not completely trained, and I'm planning on a few problems and regressions when the baby comes, we move, and Ryan takes off for a few months (that's a lot for a little guy to handle, don't you think?), but we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. We are pretty proud of our Ike around here.

Celebrating 30 Big Ones

This past Saturday we celebrated Ryan's 30th birthday. It was a pretty laid back day, but we tried to make it special for him. His one and only birthday request was that I not make him take me to the annual DMU Winter Gala (also known as medical school prom). No problem---the idea of dancing between Braxton-Hicks contractions didn't sound all that appealing to me, either :). The kids and I made him a candy bar birthday card while he played basketball with some friends on Saturday morning, and they couldn't wait to give it to him (I have no idea why).Isaac helped me make the requested birthday cake, Tres Leches.While Maddie preferred to demolish Isaac's preschool art project instead of bake.

Thanks to our good friends, Mark and Aupreille, we were able to go to lunch sans kids that afternoon. It was great to have him all to myself for a few hours. Sadly, I didn't take one picture of the birthday boy on his special day. There's always next year, right? Happy Birthday, Ryan!

A Couple of Family Requests...

My niece and nephew, Natalee and Carson, told their mom that they have a hard time believing that I'm actually pregnant because they can't see my growing belly all the time. So per family request, here's a photo taken this morning, a couple days shy of 34 weeks.  

So kids, do you believe it now?

Below is a picture especially for Ryan's mom---she wanted to see what Maddie's hair looked like in a heart-shaped braid. I used to do this every Valentine's day to my little sisters' hair, so I was really excited when I realized that Maddie's hair was long enough to braid this year. She, unfortunately, wasn't nearly as excited, but didn't voice her opinion until I was already halfway done. Let's just say it took some major convincing to finish the job. I think we may have started a new family tradition yesterday morning. In honor of the big V-day, Ryan took us all to Krispy Kreme's for donuts. The kids had never been there before and they thought it was pretty rockin' that they got to choose their very own donut. Isaac went with lemon custard-filled.And Maddie chose the festive sprinkles.

Happy Valentine's Day Everybody!

Exploring the Skywalks

Ever since Isaac really learned to ride his tricycle, he can't get enough. Every once in awhile we take the kids to the skywalks downtown so he can practice his mad pedaling skills. He focuses on moving his feet so fast that he often forgets to successfully steer the handlebars and/or watch where he's going. So when Ryan suggested that Maddie hop on back of the trike (she's usually content just to run behind him yelling "Para (Stop!), Isaac! Para!"), I thought he was a little crazy. Luckily no head injuries were sustained and the kids loved it---especially Maddie (Isaac figured out pretty quickly that the extra weight slowed him down). Notice how Ryan tells Isaac to keep going faster while I urge him to slow down.

In other news, Isaac and Maddie have a new cousin---Quincy Lynn joined the family last week and we love her already! She spent her first few days of life in the NICU after catching pneumonia, but she is home now and doing great! Isn't she adorable?

 Welcome to the family, Miss Quincy!

My Favorite School Day of the Year

This past fall some friends and I started a little joy school for our boys. They meet every Friday and we take turns teaching and watching younger siblings for each other. It has been so much more successful than any of us thought it would and it is one of the highlights of Isaac's week. From what my friends say, the other boys love it as much as he does.

I was in charge of teaching today's class, and when I realized it fell on Valentine's day weekend, I was super-excited. As an elementary school teacher, Valentine's day was my favorite day of the year. What's not to love about everyone giving and receiving Valentines? Mandy and I took a few pictures today of the boys since it's the first time I've remembered the camera since we started our little joy school.

A few of the boys singing the welcome to preschool song. We have missed one of the 5 little boys, Alec, who has been in Utah for the past two weeks.

For their art project they decorated Valentine "mailboxes" (aka paper lunch sacks). Chase here seems to be the most artistically inclined one of the group--he loves art projects.

Isaac, not so much. He is usually the first one done--about 30 seconds after we start.Since we are learning about friendship this month, Carter and Chase are here playing a game and learning to share and take turns. They did a great job.

And what's Valentine's day without too much sugar? I'm pretty sure Harrison liked his cupcake.

...and so did Carter.

The Kicker

I had a doctor's appointment this morning, and while he was monitoring the baby's heartbeat, our little babe started kicking a few times. The doctor thought it was hilarious and couldn't get enough of how active the little bambino was.

I, on the other hand, thought the most interesting thing about the whole situation was the fact that these mini kicks the baby was performing for the doc were nothing compared to the karate chops I feel all day long from inside my belly.

Literally, there are times when I am laying in bed at night and this baby can make the whole bed move with how hard s/he kicks.

My memory may be failing me, but I'm pretty sure this is our most active child in the womb.

"Is it a boy or a girl?" my doctor asked, still chuckling.

"We don't know. It's a surprise." I replied.

"Oh, this baby is definitely a boy." (judging from the kicking, I assume).

Clearly, he hasn't met Maddie.

I'm pretty sure mellow is a word that has never been used to describe my children (they get it from my side of the family), and it looks like our little peanut is already following in the footsteps of it's siblings.

I am in for it.

Don't get me wrong, I love my children just the way they are, but could I pre-order one that doesn't climb on top of the kitchen table multiple times a day or use their new baby stroller to hoist themselves up on top of the entertainment center? We could use a little mellow around here.
Isaac the Nephite...or is it Lamanite?Maddie following suit.How could I not love this face?

The Orange Julius Moment

I am addicted to orange julius. I have always loved them, but during this pregnancy they have become a staple. I probably drink one 3 or 4 times a week! The baby needs the extra calcium, right? The other night, Ryan was gone and I had just put the kids to bed. And I needed an orange julius...desperately. Ryan usually helps me drink the glorious blended concoction, so I felt a little guilty having the yummy drink to myself. I really wanted someone to share the deliciousness with!

After blending it up, I peeked into Isaac and Maddie's room to see if they had fallen asleep. I think Maddie was gone as soon as her head hit the pillow, but Isaac shot up when he heard the door open. I was secretly excited that he hadn't fallen asleep and quietly asked him if he wanted to get out of bed and share a special drink with me. I could tell he was even more excited than I was. I poured him a glass and sat down on the Lazyboy with him, hoping to watch his favorite book-turned-to-video, Chrysanthemum, and get a little cuddle time with my favorite 2-year-old. The opening credits hadn't even ended when he took a break from guzzling the orange julius, looked up at me, and with the sweetest voice said this:

"Mama, will you leave me alone, please?" (translation: Stop hugging me, get off the recliner, and give me a little space, would ya?)

He asked so politely that I slid over to the couch and let him watch his 14 minute video without my arms wrapped around him.

I missed out on cuddle time, but got a good laugh out of Ryan when I told him the story later on that night.

Here's Ryan's delicious Orange Julius recipe for any who are interested:

• 6 oz. orange juice concentrate (half of a 12 oz. can)
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 cups milk
• 16 ice cubes

Blend together to desired consistency. Garnish with whipped cream if desired.

The Tricycle Brigade

During the winter months here Iowa, the weekly play group we attend is held at the church gym. It is one of the highlights of the week for Isaac because he has tons of space to ride his tricycle with his friends. Today I got a few pictures of them chasing each other. They aren't the greatest photos, but at least show how they congregate together and follow each other around. Isaac and Maddie are really lucky to have so many kids their age to play with.

Ike, Ike, rides a trike...

Maddie loves to steal Benton's car, even though she has one that is almost identical. He is very good about sharing with her.