Flashback!!! Porter Potty Training

Porter sitting on the potty with his Elmo potty book watching "Elmo's Potty Time" video when he was three. (7/25/11)  He finally fully potty trained at age 3.5.  Finally!!!  Previously he could have, just didn't want to.  Didn't have the desire. 
When Porter was two (2010) he would tell me when he had to go potty and was showing all of the signs of being ready.  I think his mind was but his body wasn't.  There was no bladder control. 
When we decided it was time we went as a family to Kohl's to pick up the goods.  Picking out the "undies"! Disney pack with Toy Story (Buzz), Cars (Lightening McQueen), Incredibles, Nemo, and Walle theme. We asked him to pick out what he wanted and first thing he does is point to this package and say "Buzz!" Good thing he picked that because it was the ONLY size 2T/3T (smallest size I can find) underwear! I looked to see if we had other options but that was it. I wanted to make a big deal of him picking them out so he would be excited and want to wear them. He cared for about 1/2 a second and played with the toys the rest of the time.

Potty training essentials: a potty (already have one he's been using or sitting on for the past year that I like better and got at a garage sale for $2 or something last year; this one is for the car or other bathroom), "big boy" underwear, and treats. Porter loves "candies" so he gets two M&M's when he pee's in the potty and he LOVES "roar chips" (Cheetos) so he gets a small baggie of those when he goes poo in the potty. Only a mother would appreciate all this potty talk.
Books we have and read about the potty.
Lots of liquid and a timer to create lots of potty practice and opportunities.
Aaron calls the undies "du-du-du-duns", 'cause he says when a little boy has on his undies and a cape he does a super hero pose (fists on hips) and says "Du-du-du-dun!" Good to know. Did not know that. I got a good laugh out of it. And I so happened to have a cape I got at DI to take a picture.
Porter in his Nemo undies recording stuff with the video camera. This is Monday night after we went shopping for the underwear. He was SO excited to put them on and they must have special energy powers because he went crazy. Ran all over the place and was so happy and excited!
Hope these aren't embarrassing or inappropriate pictures to post but I think they sure are cute!
(Originally to post November 19, 2010)

Porter Funnies-Fall/Winter 2012!

Porter--Age 4+  [picture 12/6/12]

• We were cleaning.  Porter:  "I know how to party!"  9/8
• Staying at Steiners & boys went to school on bus.  Porter ran after the bus one day saying, "I have to catch the bus 'cause I want to talk to the school bus man."  9/10
• Porter asked for help to rush to the bathroom.  "Hurry it's going to poop out!"  9/11
• "Hey Mom, are you a princess?"  What a question!  Love him.  9/12
• Dropped Porter off at preschool & he said to me, "Get in the car & don't take a picture of my preschool."  Well yes sir bossy boy.  Geez.  Nothing wrong with taking pictures.  9/14
• In Porter's prayer:  "Bless me that I can go to the Temple & see Jesus & be a missionary."  9/15
• "I want to go inside Temple next morning."  9/21
• Porter eating ice cream:  "Only my face is a mess."  9/27
• Porter stands back to back to me & said, "Let's see if I'm bigger than you...nopes!  But I'm getting taller than you!"  11/2
• I asked Porter to make his bed.  "Hey, do you know ninja's don't do chores--they fight!"  11/3
• "I won't be a brownie face anymore!"  (He meant brat...not sure what brownie meant or came from.)  11/12
• "America means you have to be patient.  Jesus wants you to be nice.  Don't be mean."  Guess he wants a nicer Mommy.  11/16
• "I want to see Jesus."  What a sweet righteous desire.  Someday son.  11/16
• Prayer about my friend Aubri Cox:  "Bless Aubri.  Bless Aubri to come to my house next later & I go to Aubri's house."  11/18
• Talking about Aubri:  "I'm not scared talking to her."  11/25
• We were in the car.  Out of nowhere Porter said, "Everyone's going somewhere."  11/26
• "I don't need to go potty--see I'm not dancing!  You dance if you need to go potty."  Good point.  11/28
• "I want to hold the moon!"  11/30
• "Mommy do you know how to roll a snowball?...Then teach me."  12/1
• "When I get bigger I want to ride Santa's sleigh & go to his workshop!"  12/1
• Picked up Porter from preschool & he said, "Mommy I have a girlfriend.  [Ask her name]  I don't know...can't tell you.  I'll show you the next morning."  12/5
• Porter told me that in hospitals we "hold babies & get band-aids".  12/5
• "Aaron is my Daddy.  Aaron looooves Jed.  'Cause Jed is his friend."  12/8
• Porter did his hair & when I told him we needed to go he said, "I need to get it bigger 'til it's pokey!"  12/9
• "When I get big I'll have no hair & a beard just like my Dad."  12/13
• "I wish I could see Jesus......Jesus speaks to bad guys & tells them not to be mean to Him."  12/13
• Talking about cousin Landon:  "I love my friend.  He's my best buddy.  He doesn't push or hit me."  12/22
• "Mom want to see my whole body?  It's getting way bigger.  I got a lot more water so I can get big."  12/30

Common phrases:  "I can't beweeve (believe) this." //  "Are you serious me?!?!"  Translation:  Are you serious?!

Friends Nicknames for Porter:  Hoarder, Quarter, Porker

Porter Funnies-Summer 2012!

 << Picture taken 6/22/12 >>

• I lifted the couch to get a toy under the hide-abed.  Porter said, "You have great muscles Mom!"  6/1
• "Mom come sit down on the couch.  Let's have a talk....What's your favorite part of the day?"  PRECIOUS PRICELESS MOMENTS!!!  One of my favorites and sweetest.  6/1
• "Cawub (Caleb) do you like me?...You do?  Cewl (Cool)."  6/1
• "Ssshhh!  I'm talking in the phone."  6/2
• After singing Happy Birthday to cousin Renae on the phone in a video, "Blow a candle off!"  6/6
• After I threatened to spank if he had another pee accident:  "My Daddy's a good spanker too."  6/6
• "When I get bigger I can be baptized!"  6/7
• "Mom, I got good throws."  6/9
• "The clouds keep us warm."  6/9
•  Porter while eating breakfast:  "My baby brother is so cute!"  Then he said about the strawberries/raspberries/blueberries:  "That's the most perfect fruit I've ever seen!"  6/18
• "I'm gonna have a birthday last morning."  6/18
• "Mommy you got fluffy hair."  6/21
• I said Chancho was stinky (referring to his fur).  Porter smelled Chancho's butt.  6/23
• During a clean up race:  "I have extra super fast powers!"  6/23
• "All superheros are neat and nice!"  6/22
• I told Porter to leave Chia alone.  "You're being mean to me...You're not listening to me!"  6/22
• "Mom you know what?  Costco's really fun!"  6/25
• I had a cleaning day with boys help. Porter:  "Whoa this is a long day."  6/26
• "I got tough muscles."  6/28
• At lunch Porter said, "Let sit like a family."  I asked what he meant.  "As a family together."  6/28
• I sprayed butter on a pan.  "You're a good sprayer."  Such a sweet boy and so good with the compliments!  6/28
• "It's the ding bell--that's when it's time to go!"  7/2
• In prayer during summer:  "Bless Santa..."  7/2
• "You and me and Caleb are having a food race and whoever is the fastest gets to PLAY!"  7/2
• Porter picking out a spoon for cereal, "I want a big one cause it matches my size."  7/3
• We were going to Costco.  "I don't want to go to that store."  I asked why.  "Because I'm not hungry for Costco."  7/6
• "My Dad's the best fixer.  My Dad has a lot of tools.  I'm a good fixer too."  7/9
• "Something stinks.  I think I did a fart."  CLASSIC BOY!  7/9
• Porter had a mask on:  "Ninja!"  Took mask off..."Okay, it's me now."  7/11
• "We need our life jackets so it won't get rainy on us."  7/11
• Thunderstorm night.  Porter said, "Let's wait for show...Show's not working."  7/12
• "The raisins are at the raisin store.  With all the foods."  7/14
• "That's the most stinker Aaron I've ever seen."  Talking about his Daddy.  7/25
• In prayer:  "Bless Daddy and Porter be friends forever."  MELT MY HEART!  7/26
• "My tummy hurts.  I need candy so my tummy will feel better."  7/26
• "Cause it's very fun to poke eyes!"  7/26
• "I got shorts on--check!"  7/27
• Aaron farted and blamed Porter who quickly protested, "That wasn't my bum!"  8/2
• "I smell something weird.  It's coming from our noses."  8/3
• I made up a song and was singing.  "Stop singing the chocolate milky song.  That makes me so weird."  8/3
• After swim class Porter randomly said, "I'm not afraid of airplanes anymore!"  8/8
• Talking about the county fair:  "It will be so fun and great!"  8/8
• "You're making me crazy!...You're being crazy at me."  Porter says to me.  8/14
• About Caleb walking:  "I can't believe this guy!"  8/16
• "When Caleb grows up you'll have two big boys!"  8/16
• "I'm hungry for a house!"  8/17
• "When I get big I'll pour the milk so you can let go."  8/17
• "I won't get broke cause I'm a little boy!"  8/17
• When Porter is tired and looks it, I tell him he has "tired eyes" meaning it's nap time.  Porter didn't want to take a nap and tried to convince me he wasn't tired by saying, "I got happy eyes."  8/17
• "Daddy said I'll be a good boy for you Mom..."  8/21
• Boys bonked heads.  "Bubs, you forgot to watch out!"  8/22
• Driving along. "Mom the desert!  I don't see any camels."  8/23
• Prayer few days before his birthday party:  "Please bless me to have a great party."  8/24

Common Porter phrases:  "Turn around your head"=Look at me.   "Next later"=Later.  "Yesterday morning" or "Last morning"=Yesterday. "Oh for heavens!!!" 

Favorites "games":  "What the password?"...before he let's you past him or into a room.  Usually anything you come up with works.  Suddenly VERY interested in spelling and often asks how to spell words. 

Porter Funnies-Spring 2012!

•  << Picture taken 2/3/12 @ age 3.5 >>
• "You have to eat my boggers."  Ewwwww!!!  No son!  2/10
• Porter pooped in his diaper (almost always poops in potty). I said I was so disappointed and he said sorry over and over, wanting me to say "it's okay".  I did finally.  Then he said "Be happy Mom".    2/29
• At story time Porter wasn't sitting still so I said no donut when we get home.  "But I want to be such a good boy!" 3/1
• "Some time Jesus is going to bring me a Hulk costume."  Porter randomly says in the car.  3/13
• Easter Sunday Porter said "I want to grab a star up there."  4/8
• We had a loaf of delicious dessert bread and I asked Porter if he wanted some "special bread".  He said, "No, it's too groddy for me."  He didn't even know what it was and later loved it!  4/9
• "You're my best friend Mom." 4/11
• "Doggies it's okay; I'm a nice boy."  4/16
• "I'm growing!"  -Sitting in car seat in the car and suddenly shouted out  4/18
• Week of April 15th Teddy suddenly became "Teddy-baby" or "Baby-Teddy" or just "Baby".  Porter would "diaper" (all of this pretend), feed him baby food, etc.
• Porter played hide and go seek w/ Teddy.  He hid him, went to the wall, counted "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10", went and searched for Teddy and found him!  Adorable!!!
• The car window is Porter's "shield".  4/19
• For a long time when I'd tell Porter to just try and go potty he would and then come out saying, "There's no."  He doesn't ever say "There isn't any or there is none", just "There's no."  4/27
• Michelle visited and I dropped her off at the shuttle.  As she walked away Porter said, "I miss Aunt Shell so much."  4/30
• "Can you hear me?  I said I'm all done cereal milk!......Be right back pear smell!"  (Don't remember exactly what that was all about but it was all at breakfast.) 5/1
• Sitting in Daddy's recliner chair:  "Stir me around Mommy!"  5/1
• At story time told the library lady, "We get mad at our mom's and dad's...sometimes."  5/4
• "Who bought this for me?" ....A Porter phase going on all year of 2012.  Anything he'll play with or wear he'll ask about and when I tell him or remind him he'll then immediately shout out a thank you to that person.  "Thanks Grandma!"  5/7
• At doctor's office in lobby with high ceilings.  Porter looks up and says, "That's so high.  I think Hulk can jump up there."  5/14
• While at doctor Porter took a picture and said, "I'm a big boy, do this all by myself!"  5/14
• "Where are we going to at?"  5/14
• "Santa brought me scooter when I not whiny....I'm so happy cause I can get presents now!" 5/14
• "Someday you turn to a boy and play baseball with me and Daddy!"  5/15
• A word/name I use a LOOOOT and subsequently Porter as well:  "Stinker" 5/15
• While praying:  "...thankful for me..."  5/21
• Got to the parking lot of Walmart and Porter said, "Mommy I don't want you to leave me, I want to come in the store."  When have I ever left him in the car at the store?!  5/23
• Porter started playing the "I want Daddy" card whenever I got mad.  5/25
• "Bury me up!"  Talking about the couch cushions and pillows.  5/25
• We were washing his hands and he said, "I can't reach; my hands are short."  5/25

Mispronunciations:  "Mix-kit"=mix it.  "Mag-kick"=magic. "Weabons"=weapons

 Common Phrases:  "I kidding"

• 
   

Porter's Thoughts?

(picture taken 8/29 @ Porter's 3 yr old check up)

This is a poem in "Tomie's Little Book of Poem's" by Tomie dePaola. The poem is titled 'Some Things Don't Make Any Sense at All", and was written by Judith Viorst:

My mom says I'm her sugarplum.
My mom says I'm her lamb.
My mom says I'm completely perfect
Just the way I am.
My mom says I'm a super-special wonderful terrific little guy.
My mom just had another baby.
Why?

Isn't that precious? The only difference is Porter is my pumpkin, not my sugarplum. I can't help but wonder if there has been any kind of thought like this going through Porter's head. I hope not. =P

Porter gave a card to baby Caleb when he was born; let's just pretend he wrote it. This is what it said:

"Welcome to the world baby 'Cawub'! I'm your big brother Porter. I'm super excited to have a brother. We are going to have so much fun! I'm going to teach you everything I know. We will hunt and shoot dinosaurs, play superhero's, run super fast, play 'ports (baseball is my favorite; basketball & football are fun too), make cabes (caves), torture...I mean play with our doggies, read bookies, drink lots of choc-ate milkie, play at the park, swing-swing, go down slides, swim-swim, make cakies with Daddy, have sword fights, ride my vroom-vroom, and play toys. I'll teach you how to bix stuff with tools (I taught Daddy everything he knows), get out of trouble, how to make messes 'cause that's what kids are 'posed to do, how to pray, how to not be afraid (of going to the doctor, or tooth doctor, but not of Santa Clause...you're on your own with him), how to make Mommy happy and do your chores, how to play pretend, how to act good in church and love nursery class, how to draw and do colors, how to blow bubbles, how to be cool, and how to get treats and specials from Daddy. We got the very best Mommy and Daddy too. Just 'member they were mine first. I wub you Cawub! Wub your big brother...Porter"

Pregnancy Overview

While pregnant with Porter:

• worked full time at Sprint
• tubing on the lake
• camping/4-wheeling @ Duck Creek (6 months)
  
• rappelling
• served as secretary in RS Presidency at church
  
• Blood work revealed antibodies thus sensitization diagnosis--began seeing perinatalogist
• Non-stress tests twice a week during last few weeks
  
• preterm labor...restricted activity...baby born next day @ 35 weeks
  

(Picture pregnant with Porter-August 21, 2008 at 34+ weeks)

While pregnant with Caleb:

• ice skating (one month along)
• snowboarding (1m)
  
• motorcycle ride
• 4 wheeling
• camping--cabin & trailer
• rappelling (4m)
  
• horseback riding (6m)
• served as 2nd counselor in Primary Presidency
  
• Seeing perinatalogist starting at 16 weeks due to sensitization & baby at risk for anemia
  
• Labor & Delivery visit @ hospital for pressure/discomfort/pain--27+ weeks
• positive fFN swab test...restricted activity @ 27+ weeks
• Betamethasone steroid shot to develop baby lungs @ 27+ weeks
• Me a little anemic--have to take iron pills accompanied by a stool softener (just in case)
  
• Begin weekly Progesterone injections to reduce risk of preterm labor--28 weeks & weekly OB visits
• Start weekly non-stress tests at Maternal Fetal Medicine @ 34 weeks
• Start doing non-stress tests twice a week & perinatalogist once a week @35 weeks
• Scheduled induction @ 37 weeks for August 18
• Contraction all day August 11
  
• Delivered vaginally w/ epidural August 12 @ 2:56am...Caleb! 5lb 1oz & 18.5 inches
  

(Picture pregnant with Caleb-June 10, 2011 at 27 weeks)
(~35 weeks Pregnant with Caleb-August 3, 2011)

In terms of pregnancy I have been very lucky with few of the "typical" symptoms. With both pregnancies I have only thrown up a hand full of times, so not bad at all. With Porter I remember waking up several times with a charlie horse (leg cramp in the calf muscle) and with Caleb I think I had a couple days of heartburn (assuming that's what the discomfort was). Both times my skin was happier for the most part and of course I didn't have fists full of hair after every shower or in the hair brush. My babies have not been heaters for me (something I wanted in the colder months since I'm always so cold), haven't had nausea past the first trimester, no heightened sense of smell, swollen ankles/feet, and no sore parts. I don't remember ever really experiencing fatigue with Porter but that may have been because I was working so no time to be tired. With Caleb I had some days of pure exhaustion and having to take naps even though I'd rather not. Something I started to really notice around 20+ weeks was a shorter fuse. I could tell I had less patience and several times I know I got more upset with Porter than I should have. Now I have guilt! I had a few things to overcome with antibiotics with this second pregnancy: yeast and bacteria, and a UTI. Then there's the preterm labor thing. And of course the sensitization.

Total weight gain in pregnancy #2: 26 lbs

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, here are the averages of the weight gain: Baby 7.5 lbs, amniotic fluid 2 lbs, placenta 1.5 lbs, increased blood volume 4 lbs, body fluids 4 lbs, increased weight of uterus 2 lbs, body changes for breastfeeding 2 lbs, maternal storage (reserves of extra fat & protein for energy & milk production) 7 lbs. That's an average of a 30 lb weight gain during pregnancy. All that to sustain the life of one tiny little human being. It's amazing.

Cute Funny Silly Porter Son

Porter is such a fun, cute, silly little guy. I just love how Porter always lines up his toys; in this case his animals. (8/2)

Being on restricted activity and semi-potty training (hence the recent pant-less, bare-bummed boy), Porter and I have been spending many days at home...aaaaall day. He watches shows and plays with toys. This day I gave him Disney stickers and he decorated himself. (8/4)
So cute and what a creative little guy!
I'm in a current habit of reading the newspaper in the mornings/afternoons while Porter and I eat breakfast or lunch. Porter decided to read as well. (8/5)

My silly little guy. I sure do love him!