Potty Time!

My little guy is growing up!!

We've been encouraging potty time for the past few months, before bath time and on the weekends, but I kept telling myself we're cracking down after the first of the year. He'll be 3 in mid February.

The first couple of days - uh, not so well. Pantless and diaperless, he does super, but put undies on and expect them to be wet. It was very discouraging, but we pushed on.

When I took him to daycare after the holidays, I told Stacy that we'd be working on it, so she'd be prepared if she caught him with his pants down and take it seriously if he mentioned the potty. I thought we could use more practice at home before she got real serious about it at daycare.

Much to my surprise, he's been sitting on the toilet each time he has to go since his first day back to daycare. He's not only doing well at daycare, but at home too!

I was expecting it to be much more of a challenge! It does help tremendously that we've spent most of our days indoors. We didn't have that advantage when potty training Tayten during the end of summer, before his 3rd birthday.

Fingers crossed that he continues to do well!!

Going Private

This blog is going private. We have nothing to hide, but the lack of posting is embarrassing :o)

Talking

Terren's vocabulary is growing daily, but he doesn't string many words together yet. Most common phrases three words or more are "Bless you, Mom.", "Thank you, Tayten." "Lemme see dat." and "I wan it" (meaning "I don't want it").

Yesterday we heard the longest phrase yet. After I put Tayten's leprechaun tattoo on, Terren grabbed his arm and said, "Tayten, lemme see dat. Oh Gosh!" It was so cute. I am not sure where he picked up the "Oh gosh" phrase because it's not something we say at home, but he says it often and it is totally cute. I love listening to his little voice!

Happy 2nd Birthday Terren!

Happy birthday, sweet boy! I can’t believe you’re already two!!

Daddy says you’ve completed our family; do you think we’ll ever change his mind? If not, then I guess this is the last time I will have a sweet, little, one-year old baby to snuggle because now that you’re a busy little toddler, we’ll be begging for that cuddle time!

Little boy, you are so smart and so sweet and as much as we’ll hate losing our baby, we love watching you grow. You can now run and jump and climb. You love riding your new big wheel and your itty bitty four wheeler. It's hilarious to watch you run from your big brother while laughing hysterically.

The words from your mouth are so delightful, along with all your giggles and screeches. You pick up a phone and say, “he-wo? Oh!” like you’re having a grown up conversation. I love the way you ask, “What dat?” and “Wher-di-doe?” and after your questions are answered, you always reply with an “Oh…” like it’s just what you wanted to hear.

It is such a joy to watch you communicate with your brother and it makes my heart so happy when you two play together without screaming. I love the way you lay your head on his shoulder and give him a big squeeze and “sar-wee” before you’re even scolded for pinching, biting, hitting and all those other naughty things you’re constantly doing.

The way you try so hard to sign “I love you” while saying, “Wuv you” is absolutely heart-warming, even though it looks more like you’re signing “Live long and prosper.”

You have such a wonderful personality and already, at two, you’re a tiny, little joker. Your birthday theme was perfect! I know now that it’s you that is going to grow up to be a silly clown just like your wonderful daddy.

We love you so much Terren. Happy birthday, little man!

Dance Dance

Language Update

Before time gets away from me, I just want to say that the recent list below doesn't even begin to cover the kid's vocabulary.

I am not sure how, but I failed to list the more important things in life.

Every night, you can hear Terren yelling these three things: as soon as we walk into the bathroom for a bath: teeth, before I even pull his jammies on: book , and after he turns out the light and mom puts him in the crib: downstairs.

Every day when we walk into the house after work/daycare, he climbs onto the chair, reaches towards the fridge/counter/stove repeating, "Bees, Bees, Bees!" Please feed me mom. His is very impatient when it comes to food.

He says:
Stacy
Stuck
Shut
No "Mo, mo, mo" - Just like Tayten, sign and all.
Off
On - As soon as we get into the truck, he wants the music on so he can clap along with it - it is too cute.

And again, I am sure a lot more not thought of at the moment.

Turned Around

After 1 year, 8 months and 25 days, I finally decided to turn Terren around so he's able to see me (and the rest of the world!) while we're driving. You may think I am lame, but data shows that it really is best to keep him rear-facing as long as his seat allows, even if he looks super uncomfortable. We are currently using the Britax Roundabout and is good for rear-facing use up to 40 pounds. If I were to follow these guidelines, my petite little monkeys would be between 4 and 5 before turning around. Don't worry, my husband thinks that's crazy too!

Many parents still follow the universally accepted response: keep your child rear facing to AT LEAST one year of age AND 20 pounds in weight, which is also required by law for many states. To see all child restraint laws, click here.

He's been facing forward for less than a week and the possiblity of me changing my mind and turning him back around shouldn't be surprising to anyone, especially if the wintery weather hits and roads turn to crap. He is still more than 15 pounds from the rear-facing maximum weight.

Note: Yesterday, I returned to work after being ill for two days, completely forgetting we had a safety meeting out of town, so Grandma had to transport Tayten from preschool to daycare (~2 miles through town) without a seat. *Gasp* I don't know who was more worried, Me or Taye. Yeah, we're a bit freakish like that!