Potty Training

WARNING…BATHROOM HUMOR AHEAD…No queasy stomachs aloud.

Has it ever surprised you when your kids start going poo in the potty how big their B.M.s are? I remember thinking Maddi’s were like adult size poops the first time I saw them in the shape they came out instead of squished in her diapers. I know it’s gross, but it is also such a wonderful feeling (whatever their size) knowing that you don’t have to wipe it off their bum anymore. Aaaahhh.

So, we’ve continued working with Olivia and she has progressed to not only peeing on the potty but also pooing. Now, we’re all familiar with the kids little training potties. They’re small, like our kids. But, as I just mentioned their B.M.’s are not really kid size. So, what has happened with Olivia is that instead of them extending out (like a hot dog), they squish up into lumps.

Now, here is the interesting part. The first time Olivia pooped in her little potty she stood up and looked at it and said “Elephant!” It had kind of mooshed and then hot dogged over to look like a trunk. So I agreed with her and we moved on. Next B.M…snake. Next one, cow. Next one, turtle. Dog. Cat. Etcetera, etcetera. It’s like playing that game where you name the shapes of the clouds in the sky, but only way more disgusting and you want the game to end as soon as its shape has been identified.

Kids are so fun, very creative and a little gross.

Maddi turned four on Thursday. She has literally been looking forward to this birthday since the day after she turned three. She has been talking about it, praying about it and wishing on stars about it. With all that anticipation a constantly-questioning-myself mom like me is bound to be nervous, but it turned out great.
Paul’s parents arrived by plane Wednesday afternoon and after a walk at a nearby park where we saw a spotted owl with the local “birders”, my sister, mom and nephew arrived. Thursday started out with opening one present from each person. The belle dress from us got a classic “It’s just what I wanted!” that is obviously exactly what parents want to hear. The photographed pink and black velvet dress from Uncle Al and Aunt Dayna got a “Oooooh Boy!” that was also very cute. Obviously by the photos you can see there was a “dress-up dress” theme and Maddi had to try on every one immediately after opening them. After opening a few gifts we all went to the zoo. It was a lot of fun for kids and us older folks. That evening we had a family dinner of spaghetti and meatballs-Maddi’s favorite. The kids helped me make cupcakes for that evening and we saved the long awaited Belle cake for the next night when Maddi had her princess party. Friday morning we were getting ready to take everyone to the beach and Maddi got in trouble. I told her to sit on the chair for four minutes since she was now four, but she bawled and argued with me that she wasn’t four and should only get three minutes. We continued to go back and forth until I figured out that she hadn’t actually turned four yet (in spite of gifts, singing, candle blowing and cupcakes) because she hadn’t had her Belle cake. So, after the beach and a bit of magic by my sister and I we had a princess party with four screaming girls and one antagonizing boy (and one very scared dad). We made tiaras, wands and played duck duck goose and my favorite “musical washcloths”. The kids were already running around in circles and screaming anyways, so we just decided to put on the music and let them chase each other and they actually stopped screaming. Anya and Elizabeth are more boy-like (energy wise) than any other little girls I’ve been around, so the games helped to drain them…before filling them with chocolate cake and ice cream and sending them home.
My mom, sister and nephew stayed here until Saturday morning and Paul’s parents left on Monday. The girls cried saying goodbye to both sides of the family. It was wonderful to have them here-even all at the same time. We loved it! Now the trick is getting them all to move here…hmm…
I’ve been thinking some about what Maddi has learned and how she’s changed over the last year, but I’ll have to save it for another blog. I’m sorry about my long absence in blogging. I’m still sick even after antibiotics and lots of coughing and it has me down a bit, but I’m hoping it’s done soon. We’re heading to Nor Cal tomorrow for Turkey day and are getting to join in my family’s tradition of running to feed the hungry. We’re gonna bundle up the kids and put them in a stroller and run a short race in the cold. It should be fun.

Halloween

So, I'll end the mystery and guessing. Here is a small slide show- think "Children's Literature." Hope everyone enjoyed the first holiday of Fall.