Potty Time

Christian is now 3 years old. His birthday is in October and we are trying to get this boy potty trained before his 4th Birthday. I have been working hard core for a while now and he doesn't seem to be getting it. He seems to think that you go sit on the potty after you poop in your pants.  This is quite frustrating.  He wants so badly to wear his boxer briefs I bought for him, but then he messes them and then we have him and the puddles to clean up.  I have used different tactics but I have decided a lot of it comes down to him just needing to decide he wants to take the time to go to the bathroom when he has to pee.
If I set a timer for every 30 minutes, he goes every time the timer goes off, but after a few days of doing this, if I let him go to see what happens, he goes in his stinking diaper every time.  So frustrating.  He says he is still a baby and he gets so excited when we buy him more pull ups. He also takes it upon himself to change his own pull up. He will stand there, pee directly into his pull up, take it off and throw it in his trash can.  Then he promptly opens his drawer, gets another pull up and puts it on. I had to hide his pull ups and wipes to prevent this from happening. :)  What am I going to do with him. 

I do however find it extremely funny when he does pee in the potty and he is standing.  When he is done, he shakes his little bum back and forth trying to get the last drop.  My husband say, "Christian, you can wiggle you can dance, but the last drop always end up in your pants." :)

So the absolute best part of this though, is how he seems to have an interest in this potty training thing at the most inconvenient times.  For example, yesterday, while at the zoo, every time we walked by a Porty potty, he would say he had to pee.  I told him that he pees in his diaper all day long, so I refuse on a hot sticky, stinky day, to take him to the potty in one of those things.  Haha. Maybe I am just not a good mommy. :)  I hate those things.

Anyone have any suggestions on what to do to potty train a little boy??

What Happens when you drink a lot of Milk?

Ava was playing house the other day.  She was "Michelle" (me) and she had a little girl named "ava" and a baby in her belly who was later named "Christian."  She came to my house, and I was Nana, by the way.  She came into my room and said, "Well, I think I need to lay down, I am soooo tired.  I have to rest."  then she said, "would you like to talk to my baby in my belly?"  I sang to the bump under her dress and talked and then she sat up in bed and said, "I have a Dr. appointment.  I will be back."

About a minute later, she came back and in her arms she held her baby.  She was so sweet and so funny. I was surprised and I said, "oh, did it hurt?"  she assured me, "nope it didn't hurt even a bit."  hahaha, Wouldn't we all love that to be the case??
Okay, so then, she was "feeding" her baby and we were talking.  I was trying to rush the process a little and I asked if the baby was done yet.  She smiled and said, "No mommy." as though I were silly to think so.  Then she said, "See, I drank A LOT of milk this morning, so my boobies have a lot of milk for the baby to drink.  It might take a LONG time."  :)

Old Friends, New Memories

My junior year of high school, a very special person entered into my life.  Her name was Hilde Taule and she came all the way from Norway.  We met pretty near the beginning of the school year and spent a lot of time together making memories and having heart to hearts.  Through her I also made some new friends and met some people I wouldn't have ever met had I not been in her life.  She was a foreign exchange student for a year and she stayed with the Draper family.  A few people we spent a lot of time with were the Pucketts, including James boy, and the Draper family.  Life was easier then, just time to sit around and enjoy life.  The day I said good bye to Hilde was a very sad day in my life.  We of course got busy with our lives, and lost contact, which we all know often happens when living so far from each other.  A few weeks ago I got wind that Hilde was back in the states and visiting the Draper House over the weekend.  She was bringing her husband, Anders and her two precious children Lars and Ylva.  I couldn't wait.  It had been 12 years and I wanted to catch up with this old dear friend.

Friday night we headed up to the Draper stomping ground.  I was nervous at first, wandering if I had changed, if they had changed and if all the others had changed. I have to say, Hilde and I both commented on how the 'Draper homestead' felt as though it was in a time capsule and was exactly the same as 12 years ago.  Pretty cool.  Still open to all and representing many memories had and more to come. 

So, when we arrived, they had food and a trampoline and a pool.  We had left our kids with my mom so we could visit easier and then told them we would bring the kids the next day.  Hilde and I got to catch up and visit without running after four toddlers.  People were in and out all night long and hugs and laughter and much reminiscing went on.

The next day we went to get the kids and headed over to the Draper's house once more.  Ava was so excited about meeting one of her mommy's friends' little girls.  She told Christian on the way over that Ylva was her friend, and not his. 

My favorite part was how the girls played together.  They couldn't understand each other's language at all, but we were amazed that they had so much fun playing together.  They jumped on the trampoline and Ylva was naked cause we had just gotten done swimming.  Ava had her suite on, and without them even communicating, Ylva and Ava started laughing as Ylva was helping Ava to yank off her suite.  Then they were jumping, naked, together on the trampoline.  It was hilarious.  They couldn't understand each other, but they grunted, laughed, and giggled and had a blast.  SO cute.

Here are a few pictures of some of our fun new memories. 

Anders, James, Micah, and Brother John

Hilde and Ylva sharing a popsicle, thanks to thoughtful James.

Christian, beside the big Great Dane dog . . . . Bruce.  He could have rode on his back.

One of the many moments on the Trampoline.  That was one word they understood each other say!!

Playing my little ponies on the Trampoline.  They seemed to do this with ease also.  Pretty cool actually.

Lars and Christian playing together.

Micah and Anders visiting. 

Hilde and I posing for a picture, while at the park with the kids.  They really did get along so well.  Christian and Ylva wanted in on the picture action.  :)

Great times!!! Saying goodbye wasn't easy but we decided we couldn't let it go 12 years again. 

Christian's First Dental Appointment

I was so nervous.  A few months earlier we took My daughter to the dentist and Christian went along.  He observed his sister and the whole process and when she was done, he tried to climb up into the chair for his turn.  I went right home and scheduled him his appointment.  However, I think every mom is a little nervous the dentist is going to tell us the kids mouths are full of cavities and we are not doing a good job.  The other fear factor is if the kids are going to cooperate with the dentist. 

When we first got there, the he was "so esscited" as he says when he thinks something is exciting.  He actually did really good with the keeping his mouth open for the dental hygienist.  He was so tiny that his whole body was on the upper part of the chair, so when it bent in half, and laid back, he was all on the upper end.  Too funny. The dental hygienist thought this was really funny.

Getting ready to shine up his pearly whites!!

They scooted his little head up to the pillow and see how his legs are just barely on the rest of the chair.

She explained everything she was doing and using.  She had Mr. Thirsty that he got to hold and this was his favorite part.  She put a little bib on him and then put sunglasses on him so the bright light wouldn't get in his eyes.  He was very well behaved and quiet.

Here he is with Mr. Thirsty.  After the fluoride treatment, she allowed him to sit and use Mr. Thirsty for awhile.  he figured out you could make all sorts of noises with his mouth, and for literally 10 minutes, he did this.  So funny.

Another picture of the process.  He was so calm.  He does actually have two cavities, but they feel it was from how the teeth developed in the womb, and their was a weakness.  We have to take him somewhere to get them filled.  :(  Poor guy.

Sissy's turn to watch.  She was all worried about him.  Trying to tell him what to expect.  Overall, great appointment. 

Gymnastics Camp 2010 at Wilson College Gymanstics

Over all Ava loved the camp.  She was quite excited to show off all of her stunts.  She was the youngest in her class and that made her strive harder to do the stunts the older girls could do with no problem.  Here are the few pics I got.  Now I hear her playing with Christian and pretending she is a gymnatics teacher and he is the pupil.  :)

Her first day and ready to go to gymnastics camp.  She got to pack her own snack, swimsuit and towel.  She was so excited she even let me do her hair.  :)

Her last day as she is exiting the gymnasium.  She has to get her hand stamped.  :)

Ava with her teachers Miss Lyndsey and Miss Ashliegh.  She loved them and though she informed me that they were not as nice as mommy and they weren't even like a mommy, they were okay.  She said, "see mommy, they live there at gymnatics and I live at home with you.  You are a mommy and you are better than they are."  :)  I have to say, melted my heart.  I love her.  I was so proud of her for making through the entire week!!!  She is growing up right under my nose.  My baby girl.

P.S. I thought this was funny. The one teacher, Miss Lyndsey, told me that she thought Ava would be a great Cheer leader cause she has the energy for it.  Hahha. I guess it was a very nice way to say she was high energy.  :)

A Fun Day at Lakemonte Park, Altoona, PA

Michele, or should I say, aunt One-L, came to visit us for a day in July.  We decided, last minute, to take a quick road trip to the amusement park in Altoona.  It was fun.  We left our house, headed up to pick up her nephew Tyler and then we were on our way to a fun day.

It only cost $5.00 per person to get in that day and if you are military, you get in for free. :)  We started around and got to ride the oldest roller coaster.  It's called 'Leap the Dips', and it can be found at http://www.lakemontparkfun.com/  This is actually the world's Oldest Operating Wooden Roller Coaster & National Historic Landmark.  It was built in 1902 by Edward Joy Morris.  41' high and the steepest drop is 9'.   Fastest speed is 10 MPH.  This was actually a scary ride for bean.  IT was interesting.  Only one little cart for the coaster.  Gotta check it out.  While we were on the ride, Michele, Tyler, Ava, and myself; Micah took Christian on a rickety train ride which they rode like four times in a row. Pretty cool.  Christian was pleased with this.

Then, after the Leap the Dips ride, we stopped and bought some food to munch on and headed over to the main rides.  This park is like, as Micah calls it, a carnival on steroids.  Somewhat rickety rides and yet the kids loved it. Then they had a water park called the Island Waterpark and that is where we ended up for the day.  It was pretty hot so the kids splashed around while we got to sit and visit.  It was a great day and we made some good memories.  It did seem forever till we made it home though. :) Long ride.

At the front of the park they had a wooden train for the kids to climb on.  Aunt One-L got in the train with them.

Here we are on the rickety train. . .fun times.  Christian was in awe.

always have to get some pictures.

Christian and One-L at the Island Waterpark

Christian shooting Tyler with the pirates' cannon. Christian thought it was great that Tyler kept coming back for more.  Tyler was great with the kids.

The kids carrying back handfulls of water to cool off Aunt One-L, as per her request.  hahha.

Ava's Hero. . . or Not!!

Today a very scary thing happened.  We were swimming with some family at my aunt and uncle's above ground pool.  The water is too deep for my toddlers, obviously, to touch the bottom.  There were four moms supervising 8 children in the water.  Two of the children were 9 years old and very capable, while the other six are needing supervision at all times. 

Ava and Christian both had swimming lessons a few months ago and so they had these new flotation devices called backpacks.  Ava has two boards on hers and Christian has three boards.  They both do pretty well  as long as they have their swimmer back packs on.  I don't worry too much about Christian cause when he is in the pool, he usually has at least three different swim devices on and refuses to allow us to take any off.  However, Ava, on the other hand, loves to see how many she can take off and still stay a float.  The other day while in the pool, she asked me if she could take her muscles off.  I told her no and she said, "then, how am I supposed to be a mommy if I wear these?  I want to be a mommy."  :)  Needless to say, I informed her that she was wearing them until her feet could touch the bottom. 

So, back to today.  I was sitting on the deck cause I was thinking it easier to keep an eye on both children when I was able to see the entire pool in a quick scan.  They don't always stay close to each other and I feel when I am in the water, it is hard to manage both sometimes.  Ava and her cousin Reece had been running and jumping off the deck into the pool and then swimming over to the ladder and doing it all over again.  At one point, Ava got out to get pizza. I was sitting on the deck beside her and the next thing I knew, I heard a gargled, distressed scream and there she was in the pool with NO swim flotation device and struggling and going under.  My heart leapt up into my throat.  I couldn't reach her so I grabbed her hair that was floating on the top and pulled her up until I could get her arm.  I whipped her out and as I was doing so I caught myself yelling at her for not wearing her swimmer.  As I cradled her, I realized how scared she must be and I started to cuddle her little shaking body.  Her heart was racing and she was crying and trying to get her breath.  She told me she thought her back pack was on and then someone kept pulling her under water. She was crying cause no adults could see her.  We assured her that MOMMY saw her and that she did a good job at yelling to get some one's attention.  I had to swallow my fear and just calm her down.  Seems to be a mommy roll a lot of times.  :)

She kept saying, "no one could see me"  and "I couldn't breathe" and "why was no one saving me?"  She sat on my lap for about half an hour and then she told me she was ready to try it again but she needed mommy to get in with her.  It took her awhile to get comfortable again in the water, but in the meantime she was singing a son to me.  She often does these random made up songs with whatever is on her mind.  In her song she said , "and mommy saves me when I am under the water. . . .and she always saves me.  I love her cause she saves me and I save her when she is underwater too."  I teared up.  My little girl saw and understood that I was there for her.  I thanked God that I was the one sitting on the deck and that I was the one that pulled her out in her moment of distress. I felt God planned it that way to reassure her "mommy is here for me."  She has had a lot of hard times in the past few years where I have not always been there and she didn't understand why. I am so grateful that this was a positive experience and she trusted me enough to get back in the water with me by her side.  I also found out later that my sister-in-law, Brianna, had felt the urge to pray for all of the children's safety today in the pool on her way to the pool.  I KNOW that was God's prompting and I am so grateful Brianna followed through.  :)

Okay, so what did I get from this very scary moment in my life?? I got this.  How often do we feel as though we are sinking in our circumstances.  We can't get a breath and need air and we need help.  We feel as though we are thrashing around in an uncontrollable situation and no one can see us and no one can save us and we can't get to the surface.  We thought that jumping into the situation we had our flotation device, Jesus, but we find we didn't really ask him about it before we made the decision or maybe we haven't talked to him in awhile.  Ava told me later tonight that she thought she could touch the ground, but then her head was under water.  How often do we think we can handle a situation on our own, thinking we can do it without God and then we realize in the middle of the situation, that we are helpless and we need God more than ever.  So we start yelling out for help.  Sometimes it seems like he doesn't hear us or doesn't see what we are going through.  Ava didn't think I saw, but I did, and that was of course because God prompted me.  In the same way, I have had times in my life when I feel that God doesn't see me, but He does.  He knows what I can handle and he knows just when it is time to step in and save me.  I am sure sometimes he wants to yell at me for making the wrong choice or for giving into a temptation I have been warned about, but before long he is comforting my soul and loving me and cuddling me in his big loving arms.  He is saying, "Michelle, I saw you, I heard you and I am here."  That is enough to comfort me, but I then often have to have him 'swim' next to me for awhile until I have the confidence again to go on in life.  He is faithful though and always there.  I am so grateful for the Awesome Hero that we have in our LORD.  Glory be to God.  Lord, please help me to remember to always keep you near and to always check and make sure I have my flotation device, Jesus, in tow before jumping into the deep water.  :)