Sunday, June 28, 2015

Funny things

After a fun filled family day at the pool, we were tucking the kids into bed.  Hud started rubbing his eyes.  I asked him if he was sleepy.  Hud said "No, I'm just rubbing my eyes to get more energy."

haha Steve and I both started laughing

Alexis is getting so big.

Tuesday, June 16, 2015

Adventures in Potty Trainig

I have barricaded Hudson, Alexis, and I in our kitchen.  Alexis is sound asleep and slightly neglected (thankfully she is too little to realize it) in her little swing while Huddy and I work on potty training.  It is 5:00pm and we have had 0-full successful potties, 2-partal successes, and 5 (yes FIVE)-accidents.

In my head, Huddy would catch on really easy and be a super freak child that learned to use the toilet in ONE DAY.  In my head, there would be tonz of opportunities throughout the day for Huddy to get it right.  In reality though, it looks like it is going to take MUCH MUCH longer than I anticipated.  Also, Hudson isn't the pee machine I previously thought he was.  We have been doing a lot of waiting.  in a 10 hour span, he has only needed to potty 7 times.... that's a lot of trial and error (mostly error).  Only getting two chances to praise him for "almost getting it right", doesn't allow for the learning and confidence building I was hoping to give today.  

Why this sudden urgency to get Huddy Potty Trained?  Well, I went ahead and signed Hudson up for preschool this Fall.  They require that all the children in Hudson's age group be potty trained before they can attend.  I've already paid the registration fee and the first months tuition.  Hudson is going to learn to use the potty if it kills me!  :)  

I asked a lot of mommy friends how they went about potty training their children and the main consensus seems to be that it takes a solid 3 days to get the hang of it.  I've already put in a full day.  WE AREN'T GIVNG UP NOW!

Alexis has mostly been swinging in her little lamb swing, but Huddy and I have been doing lots of fun things.  We have read lots of books, watched some MICKEY MOUSE, done some finger painting, coloring, made a pizza....  All in all its been a good day, but I sure am exhausted.  

Who is training who?  

Hudson is being really cooperative and sweet through this whole learning process.  He is happy and in a great mood.  I think he likes all the attention and did I mention the "treats" he gets.  If he uses the potty he gets some m&m's and he gets to put a sticker on his sticker chart that I made him.  His biggest motivator thought is that if he learns to use the potty he can go to pre-school!  I'm feeling very optimistic that Hudson will catch on soon!  He's a smart kid and I think once he starts realizing how this all works he will want to use the potty instead of going in his underwear.   O-did I mention that I took away his diapers.  He was wearing big boy underwear with airplanes on them, but he dirtied all 5 of them so now he's just going around without any bottoms on at all.  Yes, there are some messy situations, but it's so much easier for him to know when he needs to go.  

Thursday, June 11, 2015

So much is going on!

My baby sister is having a baby in about a month!  I am going to be an AUNT (by blood)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Can you tell I'm sooooo excited to have another baby in the family (and I don't have to carry it or birth it).

~Hudson

Hudson is learning to use the potty!  FINALLY!  While we were on vacation Elitha (Grammy) got hud to go #2 on the potty.  4 days later, and we had our very first NO ACCIDENT DAY until right before bedtime.  So One accident total.  ALL DAY.  OMG I couldn't be more excited!  When Hud goes a whole day without having any accidents, he gets to pick out a toy.  He's pretty excited too.  :)

Hudson is so excited for summer and being able to swim.  He still wears his little life vest thing, but loves to swim and kick and play in the water.

Hudson also loves books!  He has been asking to go to the "LIVRARY" a lot and he especially likes story time.  It's so fun having a child that likes to read books and WANTS to go to the library.  :)

Hudson is more independent than he has ever been.  He has started playing in the basement by himself. I don't feel the need to be hovering over him all the time.  Its nice that he can play so well alone, but I sure do love it when he asks me to play with him.

Hudson has transitioned from naps every day to quiet time where he can read books, listen to music, and/or play quietly with toys in his room.  If he is having a bad day or is especially grumpy though, we make him take a nap.

~Alexis

Alexis is the best little eater!  And that shouldn't be surprising since she has ALL HER TEETH!  That little girl LOVES her food and will occasionally bite her big brother if he starts pestering her.  It's pretty much her only line of defense, so she works with what she's got.

Alexis or "Wooo" has Hudson affectionately calls her started WALKING!  She's been standing up on her own for a few weeks, but she only recently started attempting to move without holding on.  Just today she took 6 steps in a row before falling to her knees!  I call that walking, don't you?1?!?!    My little baby is growing up!

Along with walking, Alexis is talking too!  She talks all the time.  We still can't make out what she is saying some of the time, but there are some things that are clear as day.  She will answer yes and no questions, repeat animal sounds, say mama, daddy, up, walk, bounce, ball.....  I'm pretty sure she might be the most adorable little girl that ever existed on earth!

Yesterday was our very first pool day where both kids got in the water with me.  Alexis did great!  I put her in a life vest that kept flipping her on her back and I think it was driving her a little crazy.....  but other than that, she loved the fountains in the baby pool and thoroughly enjoyed watching Hudson splash around.



Steve and I just got back from a nice 12 day vacation!  We flew to Las Vegas the went to LA and stayed with Jessica and Avery for a few days.  After that we drove to Laguna Beach where we spent our final days at the Montage Luxury Resort and Spa.  It was amazing (and much needed).  It was so nice being able to get away and recharge, but I am so thankful and happy to be home with our kids.  The time away allowed me to recharge and regroup, but I think it makes me a better mom to my children and wife to my husband when I can get away and take care of myself for a little while.  Anyway, This first week back home with the kids has just flown bye and I'm working really hard to put into action what I thought about and reflected on during our vacation.