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July 16, 2008

Is this going to work? More potty woes.

So after a near melt down at the pediatrician during Caroline's wellness visit we are on the road to a new potty strategy with Julia. She still does not care as much as we would like her to and doesn't initiate enough. It has been a long difficult battle and once we realized it had turned into just that we decided to change tactics, with the encouragement of her dr.
My anger and frustration levels were going through the roof with each incident and I'm ashamed to admit that my handing of it was very negative as I lectured her after each time she soiled her drawers. I was at the end of my rope with her.
We recognize that Julia knows what it feels like and knows where our bathroom is and we are letting her take responsibility now. This means we just don't talk about it anymore which is SO hard after a year of being trained to stalk your child and ask them every 20 minutes if they have peepee for the potty. Also if she goes in her pants then she helps with clean up, both the floor and her pants. The first time we rinsed her panties out together she said, "I really love this mommy." LOL Not exactly the affect I was hoping for but possibly her realizing that my attitude was very different. We are taking a totally neutral stance on the process and letting her lead. Seems simple and we'll see how long the road is ahead of us but I am no longer angry and feel more peaceful. As peaceful as one can feel knowing someone might be peeing on the carpet at any moment. I think the anger is gone since I'm not asking her all the time and if she has an accident I haven't just asked 5 seconds ago. If that's all this process accomplishes then its worked for now.
We're not sure if we'll be sending her to the preschool coop Lizzie went to, at least until after winter break. This makes me a little sad for both her and myself, but I don't want to send her unless I'm sure she'll do her business in a potty.
When I think about training Julia and where we are at with it I really struggle with pride and embarrassment over her age (3.5) and the fact that she hasn't taken to potty training after a year! I think that too was where some of my anger and frustration was coming from, which is completely unfair to place on her.
So thats where we're at with our potty journey and Jules, that began oh so many months ago when she was taking off her own diaper to use the bathroom and I reluctantly began the process. Since then we've done, m&ms, skittles, jelly beans, pennies, sticker charts and any other incentive I can think of. LOL
Besides the accidents, it is kind of relaxing not to be asking her during the day and when she initiates its so exciting because we know its all her!

Posted by JennR at 2:36 PM | Comments (7) | TrackBack

July 14, 2008

seven years

It seems like its been a blink of an eye, these last 7 years and yet SO much has happened since that walk down the aisle.
I hate that our anniversary is during such a particularly hectic time this summer, I didn't even realize till last night that it was today and sadly there are no fun plans to celebrate. But an evening of hanging out together at home and watching the girls be crazy will be enough for me. :) Hmmm, maybe with some flowers thrown in somehow. LOL

I love you tons honey and there is no one else I'd rather share this adventure with! You are an incredible father, a true girls' dad which is an amazing blessing. Your patience and calmness is a necessity in this household of crazy ladies and we would be lost without you. Thank you for living in our estrogen ocean and being a wonderful partner in life!

You are the best!

Posted by JennR at 9:50 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack

July 9, 2008

Happy Birthday sweet Lizzie Lu!!!

My sweet Lizzie is 5!! I can't believe it, my baby is getting so big!

As a little baby a mere five years ago.

After a tough afternoon of "crying it out" this is how you fell asleep at nap time. LOL

Happy little toddler!

You are an amazing big sister, always trying to find the balance between leading and yet still able to be compassionate which is something I'm so thankful for.

You have surprised me on so many occasions this year, your ability to handle certain situations has made us so proud. We love you so much and can't wait to see what this next year brings, watch out kindergarten here you come!!!

Posted by JennR at 10:31 PM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

What is up with White Cloud diapers

I think White Cloud diapers (sold at Walmart) have changed their quality and size slightly in a way that I am not happy with. I went to buy a box of size 3s last week and noticed you get more per box and there was a new design, which was exciting at first. But when we put them on Caroline they were like string bikinis! How could she have outgrown them so quickly? I don't remember the last box being so small! So I literally gave away half the box and bought the 4s to try and figured they might have changed their design but its also likely she really did out grow them.
Well, I just found a size 3 in the girls' room with the old design and it fits fine! So they did change the design and fit!! I don't like the new ones and am fairly annoyed.
Anyone else noticing issues? I might break my generic buying streak and change to pampers!

(I know, a whole post about diapers but I'm thinking majority of my readers are in the same stage and if not they probably clicked away at the first sentence)

Posted by JennR at 9:42 AM | Comments (9) | TrackBack

TV makes me feel better. :)

A few nights ago Andy and I stumbled upon the show Clean House and got stuck watching. I have passed by this show before but turned it because the host is so obnoxious! But they were cleaning the second dirtiest house in America and I couldn't change the channel although I really wanted to. It was as if this couple had taken their bed and placed it in the center of a dump, seriously. It was unreal and GROSS! But after watching that I didn't feel nearly as stressed about my own house, especially since I so wisely chose that time to watch tv and not pick up or do dishes. After all I don't have petrified cat poop in my hall closet!
Another show I like to watch to make me feel better is Super Nanny. I'll click over to see how wild other people's kids are so it can put my kids crazy antics into perspective. I usually really appreciate Andy after those episodes as well since the husbands are not always terribly involved and my husband ROCKS! LOL
Surprisingly enough I've actually talked with some friends about her methods before, like how she gets kids to get back into their own beds at night. I've actually heard myself saying, Super Nanny suggests just to walk them back to their room with minimal to no interaction. LOL
And last but not least one of my faves Jon and Kate plus Eight. This show is addicting and watching her makes me feel less critical and less controlling. LOL
Put the daily insanity into perspective. :)
I'm not able to catch all these shows ALL the time but its fun to check in every once in a while.

On another note, since I haven't posted about this yet this season- my show that I absolutely won't miss is So You Think You Can Dance. I've mentioned this to folks before and someone said to me, ugh those dancing shows like Dancing with the Stars. No no no, this is so much better, with real dancers and real choreographers. Granted if you don't like that type of thing then you won't like it. But its my one non negotiable show during the week- meaning Andy has to endure it. So here are my faves if you are a fan too- Katie and Joshua and Kerrington and Twitch.

And there's my little tv two cents. I swear I don't spend each evening on the couch in from of the tv. No really I don't!!!!! LOL

Posted by JennR at 9:06 AM | Comments (4) | TrackBack

July 7, 2008

Where we've been...

I can't believe its been so long since I've posted, oops!
Life has been a bit nuts. We redid our kitchen and have been cleaning the house in preparation for some big visits coming up. Granted we didn't need to paint the kitchen and install new countertops for family but it was fun to use it as a deadline and we have wanted to do it for a while anyway. Andy is also working hard at finishing the base boards in the basement, our final step to completing that project.
Our holiday weekend was more fun than I had expected. We went to a cookout on the 4th and had a great time with friends. We also met up with friends at Coolidge on Sat night which was lots of fun too. The girls are thoroughly tired but had a great time.

This week the craziness is not ending. Lizzie's birthday is on Thursday and we're having a small party with family on Saturday. Andy's parents will also be coming to visit for the weekend and then the following week my Dad and family are coming for a 10 day visit. Phew! I really want to do my best to enjoy each day of the next few weeks and not get caught up in the tasks that need to be done. Please pray for me to this end. : )

Until then, here are some picts of my patriotic girls on the 4th and from the fountain last week.

Posted by JennR at 11:02 AM | Comments (3) | TrackBack