a different type of number two

Official Potty Training: Day One

Over the past 6 months or so - I've been slowly introducing Aiden to the potty. He's gone a few times, but nothing too seriously. But for a while now I had decided to wait until he officially turned 2 in order to start potty training - and today was the very first day.

He woke up, ate breakfast and then the diaper was OFF. 

We had NO accidents and he is awesome at going to the potty. I reminded him a lot and would take him often - but he usually told me when he didn't need to go. Then all of a sudden we'd be playing and he'd say, "pee pee!" and run to the potty and tinkles. It was great, he knows that he needs to go in the potty and is so good at making himself do it. 

Number two is a different story though. He is extremely private about the poo. He'll usually hide and poo - and if people are around and they look at him he tells them not to. So when it came time to poo (he has an amazing poo schedule, so I know when he was going to have to go) he would go in the bathroom and shut the door. I was worried that he wouldn't sit on the potty to poo - so I'd go in there and he didn't like it too much. I left him in there a little longer with the door closed one time, and he was sitting and pushing but I think got stage fright and just went pee without the poo. By 1:45 (an hour and 45 minutes after nap time) I decided to let him just poo in his diaper on this own time. I put a diaper on him and he walked away, found a private area and pooped in 5 minutes. 

After nap - we again had NO accidents and the entire potty training day was a success. Even when Jeremy got home from work and I got distracted from asking him if he needed to potty - we found him going pee in the potty by himself. 

I'm so blessed, as of now. Because potty training is one of those things that stresses me out and seems completely impossible. But we're getting there, slowly. I would just really love at least 2 months of no diapers before an extremely wet and poopy newborn gets here.  

the big number two

Today was Aiden's birthday and I had to sit down and document it today, before my pregnant brain forgets everything that's happened. All day today we'd ask Aiden how old he was and he'd say, "Two." and then try and put two chubby little fingers up. We were super busy all day - running errands, but well worth it since we bought him his birthday present. Jeremy though the pool would be too small but Aiden's in love with it! The water was a little cold - but honestly nothing could stop us from keeping Aiden out of the water. This kid is a fish. We let him be naked outside, and he LOVED it. 

He peed in the pool too. Which he also loved. 

He ate ice cream and cookies. 

Got new clothes.

It was just a great yet simple day for my Mr. Two.

He actually said cheese for me in this picture, while he poured water into the pool. Occasionally splashing mommy and daddy with it. 

Aiden and Nani

Daddy and his little boy

Notice how large my little girl is getting.

I can't believe that two years ago today I got to officially meet his little man. It was the best day of my life up to that point. Aiden is one of the best things that has ever happened to me - and I love him more than words can describe. I was in denial about Aiden turning two - somehow thinking that it really wouldn't happen. But today has come and is almost gone. I can't help but reminisce about that special day two years ago - I was more exhausted than I have ever been, but I could still lay awake to simply stare at my newborn bundle. These last two years have just blown by, I couldn't be more proud of the toddler Aiden is becoming. He is so smart, sweet, funny, creative, daring, curious and so many more qualities I can't even name them all. I'm sad that I won't ever get that time with my baby Aiden again, but I love watching him learn and grow. 

Anyway, enough of my sappy mommy love - we also had a joint birthday party for Aiden and Jeremy on Saturday that I have pictures of which will be coming soon. 

But for now - Happy Birthday my favorite little monkey. 

Active Aiden

Summer is here. Well…it feels like summer never left, but officially – it is here. Aiden and I have been trying to keep busy during the day and my mother in law recently sent me a toddler busy day book which I love. There are SO many fun activities to do with Aiden and they’re so simple. Aiden has loved everything we’ve done - but I must say this is one of his favorites. I just fill up water jugs and grab a big bowl, a whisk, measuring cups and I'll either put some food coloring in the water (which he loves to mix with the whisk) or a few drops of soap (which he loves to mix also, and make bubbles). He could be out there for hours playing.  He pours the water from the jugs into the bowl - then fills up his measuring cups and pours them on the grass...cement...bugs...mommy's feet (which is so nice)...on his head...pretty much everywhere. Aiden loves anything to do with the outdoors. 

He's probably pouring water on some ants here - he loves to do that. 

Jerm

Jerm is gone this week. He had to be in Houston for work and will be gone until Thursday.
I'm supposed to be doing something productive, but instead am thinking about my sweet husband.

We have been recently talking about marriage a lot (because a few people we know are in the process of getting hitched) and have talked about what marriage is really like.

When we lived in Rexburg, before we got married all we'd hear about is how awesome it was and how perfect it was and how there wasn't anything better than being married. Then you see how people talk about their spouses like there isn't one imperfection about them. I was in for a rude awakening when I got married. I had no idea how hard it could be. Marriage is hard work. We went through some tough times and we argued and had disagreements and it was hard. We've been married for a little over 3 years now and I can honestly say that there isn't anything better than being married - but it hasn't been all easy peasy lemon squeezy. We've had to earn this time of bliss, we've had to get to know each other and learn to love each other in a selfless way. We're still working at it everyday, but everyday we work - it gets better.
I'm the luckiest woman alive. I get to spend everyday (except for this week) with my best friend, talking to him, kissing him, holding his hand. I get to share my life with someone who adores me as much as I adore him. I get to live my life with meaning - wanting to reach an eternity with my loving companion. I get to experience what true love is. A love that has no definition and no end.
Jeremy isn't perfect, neither am I. Our marriage isn't perfect. We still don't agree on everything, and we still argue sometimes. But we know how to work it out in minutes, and how to love each other regardless of all our mistakes. We've discovered the true meaning of an eternal relationship - and we have a better perspective on life.
Everything we've been through and all the challenges in our marriage have made us the people we are now, the couple that loves each other more than anything. I'm so grateful for Jeremy and the family he has given me. For being able to have him with me forever. I simply can't describe how much I love him, or what type of love it is. I just do.
Marriage, at least for us, hasn't always been the most perfect thing. But it is the best thing that has ever happened to us. I thought I knew what love was, but am happily finding out that I didn't.

I don't usually like sharing such personal thoughts, but seeing as I'm the only one who reads my blog anyway, I thought I'd write. I just didn't want to let the opportunity pass to write down how I feel about my Jeremy. Because that's what he is, mine. I'm overwhelmed with love and gratitude for having such a great husband. It hasn't even been 24 hours, and I already miss him so much. I guess it just makes me realize how much I can't live without him.
He has given me my most prized possessions on this earth and I am eternally grateful.
Can't wait hug my sexy man again. Soon enough. I guess for now, having a few pieces of him through Aiden and our daughter will do.

Look how cute he is. 

Memorial Day

My beautiful family, all together celebrating Memorial day

Most of the boys, missing a few here and there

The girls...and Jacob.

Baby Sofia and Me plus a 25 week pregnant belly

My sweet little monkey. Loving the lake.

Memorial day was so much fun. We went up north a bit to Ray Roberts lake and my whole family got together, it has been a long time since we all got together and it was great to hang out with everyone. I stole these pictures from my cousin Leslie, thank goodness she took some. There are other pictures here and there that I'll try to find and steal also. 

Although the lake was SO crowded and that it was hotter than satan's layer, I really enjoyed a day away from everything to just have fun. And I'm really glad we did it since I've gotten to see Jeremy a total of 3 hours this week. He's been working so late and I've had church and Aiden and he's had things to do when he gets home too - so it was nice to have Monday to be with each other. 

Aiden absolutely loved the lake. He had no fear and wanted to stay in the deep. So we took him out a few times, but kept telling us, "Self." Which meant he wanted to swim by himself and not be held. It was a little frustrating, because he didn't understand how deep the water was and he kept seeing his cousin Giovanny swim around with his life jacket on and figured he could swim around too. Needless to say, we bought Aiden a life jacket last night for the next time. 

I can't express how much being near my family has been a blessing. I love hanging out with everyone and being in the loop of what is going on. I love sharing the pregnancy with the people I care most about. For example, they've all been able to feel baby girl move and kick - she is so stinkin active. They have also been able to see me grow and experience this all first hand, it has been nice. It was really hard for me when I was pregnant with Aiden to be so faraway from everyone. This experience has just been really great. We hope that as our plans start sorting themselves out - we'll be able to stay close enough to these great people I'm lucky to call family. 

Watch me grow

 Here it is. 23 weeks. This little baby is growing wonderfully. We just went to the doctor and got our...fourth ultrasound this pregnancy. Thank you complications. But the baby is great - not too big, not too small. She is smaller than Aiden was by this point - and all I have to say is Thank the heavens above. I would love an average 7 pound baby, and an easy peasy delivery. Anything that will have me pushing less than 4 hours would be great. The stinky thing is though, that I feel just as big, if not bigger, than what I was with Aiden. My loose muscles and abdomen still remember too well how to be pregnant. And I need to really stop seeing all the pictures of other girls that are pregnant who are skinnier than I'll ever be. Why can't being chunky be in, just while I'm round. I tell myself it isn't a big deal that I'm getting big, I realize it's for the best - but I can't help it, it bugs me. AND, I'm getting so swollen this time around. I hardly ever got swollen with Aiden, which I'm pretty sure I can thank Idaho and it's cool weather for. But being in Texas and it hitting 90 degrees most days makes me so swollen. I also don't have those precious hours of me time. I have an active toddler that just wants me to hold him, tie his shoes, pick up bugs, sit on the ground, garden and do a million other things that involve me to squat down, stand up, dance, play, etc. All things of which are already becoming extremely impossible at the moment. But, only a week and 3 months left. Seriously, in a week I'll be 6 months pregnant. It kind of has gone by quickly.

Week 20

I can't always get Jeremy to get pictures of me, and I really like keeping track of my belly progress - so here it is. Me at 20 weeks. I'm actually 23 weeks right now, and I really need to get some pictures soon before I don't fit in one. This is just the latest picture I have. I'll hopefully post some where Jeremy takes it, I don't like taking them on my own. 

I also wanted to post what I found my mister doing earlier today. He wanted to reach the light switch, and he loves climbing on everything and anything. Little monkey. He is going to teach his sister so many wonderful things...can't wait :)