Potty Training

Potty training has been a real struggle for us. We have been trying with Aleesia for almost a year now. Trying with Pull-Ups and diapers and panties. Nothing worked. She was with my mother for a few days and got rewarded every time she used the potty. That really seemed to work for my mother. We tried the same thing when she got home, and it didn't work so well for us. The other day it all seemed to click...She finally said, "Mommy, I have to go potty!" I was so shocked I didn't know what to do at first. So this is day three where we haven't had any accidents. She is still wearing a diaper at night, but during the day...it's to the potty we go. I'm so proud of her and a little proud of myself for getting through this and having the patience. I was about to just give up and say...she is going to be in diapers until Savannah gets out of them. I think that was half of the problem. Seeing the other kids in diapers, she still wanted to be mommy and daddy's baby. But when she started to get treated like a baby wearing diapers, I think that her attitude changed. So way to go Aleesia. Love ya babe!!

My How Times Have Changed!

I remember there was a time when I couldn't go to bed before the 11:00 o'clock news. Now, I am barely making it through the shows I want to see that come on at nine. It's crazy. I remember on a Friday night, I couldn't wait to see who was doing what and where. Now, I check the paper for story hours and children's activities. There was a time when I was adamant about not having children. Now, I've had three in the past three years. What have I gotten myself into. I love my children and I wouldn't trade them for the world. Now I treasure my little outings that give me just a few minutes away from the house. Going to the grocery store or to the doctors office, that is my "ME" time now. Coming home and relaxing in front of the TV used to be my thing in the evening... now I can't wait to get the TV off and stop hearing, " I want to watch something." I will cherish every moment and enjoy it to its fullest...that is all I can do now. Enjoy the short times I do have to myself, because when they are all gone, then what???

Thanksgiving!!

This Thanksgiving was one of many firsts... The first time I was a mother of three children. Last Thanksgiving I only had one child...my crew has tripled. This was the first year I cooked my own Thanksgiving dinner. I was worried about how to get everything hot and on the table at the same time. It all worked out pretty well. Have a little marshmallow on the bottom of my oven from the sweet potatos, but other than that it worked out fine. This was the first time I used Skype. I used it to say my thankfuls and grace with my family. Usually I go to my grandmother's for the holiday, but with just having the baby, and not having a vehicle big enough to transport us all, it was just easier to stay home. So...this was the first year I wasn't with my extended family. Seeing them on Skype reminded me of the good times and us teasing each other about who was eating what, and my one cousin separating his food with napkins because he doesn't like for his food to touch. But, I did get to see everyone, so that makes it a little better. This was the first year that I didn't text everyone Happy Thanksgiving. Not that I didn't want to, but with everything going on, it was a little more difficult to get it done. Still trying to find a schedule that will work out for this group. Different feeding times and making sure that everyone is fed. Ryan and Savannah will let you know when they need to eat. Aleesia can go the whole day with nothing, unless you are offering her peanut butter and jelly all day long. OH...here's another first. This is the first year I've had a dishwasher break on me for Thanksgiving...washing all of those dishes by hand is not my idea of a good time, but you gotta do what you gotta do. Most of the pots and pans were washed last night. Now I just have to get through the serving dishes and the plates and silverware. My Thanksgiving feast turned out better than I had hoped for. Next year I may do it again, we shall see. Maybe I will have more guests next year.

Throwing Up!!

Two weeks post-partum....have been feeling a lot more like myself. Although I have been pregnant for two years now, so I'm not really sure what "myself" really feels like anymore. Daddy decides this morning to give Aleesia(my oldest - 2 yrs old)a peanut butter cup for breakfast. Well, that came up along with everything else she ate shortly after that. The only things she was able to keep down, was a few crackers. Speaking of, we gave Ryan(the middle child - 11 months) crackers for the first time today as well. He did a really good job on them. He didn't choke or anything. I don't know why he won't eat the stage 3 food though. He gags on it everytime we try to give it to him. Savannah(our final addition) is such a good baby. My biggest challenge now is finding the right bottle for her to reduce the amount of gas she has. The other two had problems with acid reflux, like daddy, but she doesn't seem to have that problem. Just gas. Holding her for about twenty minutes after feeding seems to help, but with two other kids, sometimes that's a little hard to do.