Potty training...etc

We have been such a busy household recently-with lots of changes. The biggest to occur is Daniel is now potty training! About two weeks ago as I was getting him ready for bed he looked up at me and said, 'Mommy, take off my diaper, I want to use the potty', and so we did and he did! Since then we've been in bog boy underwear and aside from a few accidents has done pretty well in keeping his pants dry. It's still a new learning process for all of us, and a lot of patience and extra time on my part (something that fails to get mentioned in potty training literature) with having to watch Jake and make sure we get Daniel on the potty in a timely manner, but oh so worth it. I do still have a lot an anxiety with Daniel going to the potty in public with Jake in tow, but I can't live my life in one hour increments all the time. We're all super proud of him and you can tell he's proud of himself too. He loves wearing his big boy underwear and making bubbles. Just as long as we don't have a repeat of placing hands in said bubbles (gag, I know)I'm all for whatever gets him excited to go. And as far as my opinion on potty training goes, it really is whenever they are ready. We've made going on the potty fun, and Daniel has watched and played with his potty and we've encouraged him but it's really all about their timing. Or, a threat made be me when I told him once he turned 3 I wasn't going to change his diaper anymore ;)

Jake is doing so well, too. He's trying to put more words together and is becoming quite the entertainer. He loves to spin around and around and his newest game is to stand on our bed and "fall down" onto the pillows. He is such a crack up.


And because I have fallen waaay behind, here is Day 16: What I want to do in the next 5 years. Go on a Honeymoon! R and I weren't able to when we got married because of new jobs and then 2 children later and I would love to spend some time with just him. We tend to lose the husband/wife aspect and live more in the mommy/daddy.

A wonderful goal!

http://rameelinlarson.blogspot.com/2010/09/weigh-in-wednesday-challenge.html




I'm logging my hours, how about you?

Growing up

They say 15 months is the milestone for babies. This month little tots realize they can move around at their will and those chubby little appendages aren't just for grabbing onto mommy anymore. Jake has entered into his 15 month like a tornado. (Which really shouldn't surprise me since he is developing the temperament of one-that kid can have a fit.) He is trying so very hard to run, knows exactly what toys he wants and won't let anything-or any brother-stand in his way and wants down as soon as he is up. His hand-eye coordination is getting more defined too. He absolutely loves his blocks and can stack 4 at a time. His favorite word? Still Mommy. We're working on ball, hat and baby. And the boy has definitely got an arm. His Diego ball goes flying. He is really enjoying his newfound freedom and sometimes you can see the gears turning in his head when he encounters new things. He's changing into a totally different baby and friend for his brother.

Speaking of bro, we've been working on Daniel's letter writing. He's very good at making D's-or lopsided circles ;) The mommy in me says the letter "D", the practical one in me says circle, but he's getting the rudimentary skill down. His new favorite game is squeezing himself into the cabinet and "going night night". We're also enjoying trips to the library. He loves carrying the books and putting them in the collection box. And running up and down the shelves. We're working on that. It doesn't help that he can catch me at a tired moment and I just let him go for a bit. Is that bad?

I may be getting a little more growing up as well. It's still early stages so I don't want to mention a whole lot, but I do pray it works for the best. God's got my back ;)

Hanging out with Grandma Chris and jamming on Guitar Hero

Playing nicely...although shortly after this I think Daniel took the shopping cart away

Such balance

My lease on life

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. 2 Timothy 3:16

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 1 John 5:6

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

A blogger that I read (http://rameelinlarson.blogspot.com/) recently posted her thoughts on her faith and belief system and it really spoke to me. The past few days I've been able to reflect on my faith and what I believe and both these scriptures are so near and dear to my heart. Honestly, people think and ask what makes me so certain that He is real and worthy and how can I fully place my life into something not physically present and this is what I turn to. This is my rock, He is my rock. Without Him and his word, I am floundering in the darkness, my feet are not planted on the ground and I lose my way. I feel like I am drowning and cannot catch my breath sometimes. It's no secret that I have a ton on my mind and in my life and without his friendship and advice I would be a mental and physical mess. The devil tries and invades my thoughts and tries to make my life hectic and unfulfilled and I just have to push those thoughts away and remember He will not give me more than I can handle and He is always in my corner. He gave me free will and with that I choose to believe He guides my life-my path and that of my family.

Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see Hebrews 11:1

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In other news, Jake is walking more and more now and it is the absolute cutest thing in the entire world. He is growing so fast. As is his hair which is why I've decided to bite the bullet and get him a haircut and chop those beautiful curls :( He and Daniel are also interacting a lot more and it is so cute to watch; it's like puppies playing. Jake even bites like one. Mr. Daniel continues to amaze us and a few weeks ago recited his entire alphabet to us. We're working on learning to read his name.

Memories

With all the business that Ryan and I have had in June, it has really felt like our family hasn't been whole in awhile. This post is to remind me of our special day today and of our reconnection of a family. Ryan worked from 10p-2a last night and I really thought he was going to sleep in longer than 8:45, but he came downstairs bright eyed. We had our day planned, grocery shopping and cleaning, but then he suggests going to get Jilly's cupcakes and La Pizza (both award winnng food and both we've never tried) and having a picnic with the boys. Needless to say, I jumped at that chance for some family bonding. We loaded up the boys, got our treats and relaxed as a family and it was so needed. In the midst of all the chaos and choring and working, we all got to spend some quality time together and it felt great. My boys are growing fast (too fast sometimes) and I really needed this kind of day.

Scale says I gained 3 lbs back this week. Feels like it too. Just kinda bummed this week. Keeping a low profile.

Updates

Down another 3 lbs. Sadly, back down to the weight I normally am. BUT, I know I can lose weight so that is encouraging. Now I just have to figure in more exercise.

This past week my brother and his family have been in town. It's been so nice to see them all-even if I did have to work 3 days this week. I haven't seen my niece in a year and a half but she warmed up so quickly to me. I love her to pieces. She is such a loving, independent, rambunctious child! She is also very delicate and soft which is quite a change from my broad and thick men. It's also been so enjoyable seeing Daniel and Jake interact with her. Normally, Daniel is my quiet observer and more jealous of the 2 boys but he's loving having a playmate and has no qualms about me playing with Sophia. Jake, on the other hand, has been exhibiting a bit of a jealous streak and is constantly wanting to be held. It could possibly be due to teething though. His poor gums are swollen. Oh well, any excuse to cuddle with my guy is a good one. On the same token, I haven't seen my brother in over a year as well and it came to be quite a shock when I did see him for the first time. Sadly, sometimes I forget I have a brother-briefly!-only because he isn't here day to day. I've forgotten how much he looks like my dad. It's comforting to feel like the family is complete.

I've also been thinking about my own parenting style. In no way is any other parenting style wrong from mine or better, I've just had time to evaluate differences. I've been reading other blogs and articles categorizing parenting and not matter how confident you are in your skills sometimes your beliefs can get shaken up a bit and you can either justify what you're doing and know it's what is right for your family, or you can reevaluate what you're doing and possibly even change course.

I know that there isn't one specific article that can explain how I rear my children, but rather it's from a collection. From day 1 (or, the day beginning when I found out I was having boys) I have known I wanted men like Ryan. Strong, bold, moral and tall. (The last is a joke-sortof.) I also knew I wanted my boys to grow up being respectful to woman and compassionate in love and life. I also knew I would need to parent to their personalities as well. So, I parent with a firm hand and big heart. Ryan parents with a firmer hand which probably balances me out when I give in :) I am teaching my boys to clean up after themselves, that grooming makes for a clean body and soul, to respect our bodies and our family and to honor God and mommy and daddy. I am not shy with affection for the boys because I want them to know they are in a safe place. Plus, they're just so darn adorable. Granted, there are plenty of times when I feel like a broken record after having repeated myself a million times, but it's so worth it when Daniel begins cleaning up without being told (Jake's only 13 months so not a whole lot of that going on ;), they lovingly give a baby doll care or interact in our prayers.

As far as parenting their personalities, Daniel is my shy observer and is so intense. He is independent and very sensitive. I have to remember to let him test himself but calmly step in when he's being destructive. He gets very nervous when he is being reprimanded so I find mymself speaking quietly and getting down to his level. He is a moody man too and most often times wakes up from his naps whining and out of sorts. I know that he is a boy who needs alone time to regroup. Ryan and I had a lot of trial and error before figuring that. Now, we rarely get such a huge tantrum as before. Jake is my light. He is rarely in a bad mood, except when he's teething or hungry. He is still learning and doesn't understand much outside of himself, but from day one he has been the easy natured and laid back baby. They are both a nice complement for each other. Jake seems mischevious and I know sooner or later, my hands are going to be full. Something tells me he'll see a lot of the time out corner.

My parenting isn't rocket science and it has no tricks bells or whistles, but it bonds well with our household and my boys and that is all that matters in the long run. I am grooming my men to be leaders and while the task seems taunting at times, I feel in my heart they will be the type of men Ryan and I would be proud of.