One Small Step (very very small)

Something I don't talk about much is potty training. That is because I have never done it. Morgan is allergic to dairy and we have had a lot of issues with her pooing. We have had trips to the ER, nights with no sleep and we have gone through more A&D ointment than a tattoo shop uses in a year. I really think the "issues" are the main reason potty training hasn't happened yet. There is also a small control thing going on too, but I don't really like to bring up the fact that I am being played by a three year old.

I have brought up her using the potty daily for the last year and a half. I have tried two different types of training seats, the traditional one that is a mini toilet with the "tray" you empty and a mini toilet seat that you place over the big one (this is the one I let her pick out herself trying to make it her deal), She told me it scared her.

I bought her panties (again, that she picked out), which she insisted I put over her diaper. I wouldn't, but she figured out how to do it herself.

I have tried every bribe I could. She wants to take ballet classes, go to preschool, stay the night at her Grandma and TaTa's house. I told her she could do all three of those things when she was potty trained. When we are at the store and she sees a toy she wants I tell her I will buy it for her when she is potty trained. To all of these she replied "Maybe Later" or "I'm scared to go on the potty".

Last night we were going up the stairs for bath time and I had a diaper in my hand. She told me she didn't want a diaper. I knew she meant that she wanted to take a bath and doesn't want one on in the tub, but I took this as a great opportunity to try the potty. I put her panties on her after the bath and we went downstairs with the promise of rainbow sherbet. This was not as pleasant as one might think it would be. The whole time (including in the bath) she was screaming so loud about wanting a diaper that I though the ringing in my head would never stop.

After a couple of bites of sherbet she started crying and screaming that she wanted a diaper. I told her she had to sit on the potty and pee and then she could have her diaper for bedtime. We went in to the bathroom and sat for 5-10 minutes (she screamed for about 3 of those minutes until I got out the hair clips and let her pick out which ones I should put in my hair) and then she finally went pee. I was so excited and gave her big praise, she started yelling at me for her diaper.

It was the first step in what I think will be a long long battle.

Well Hello Again

Do you ever feel like you have been really busy but when you actually try to figure out what you have been doing you can't think of anything that would make you busy? That is how I feel right now. Since we got back from our trip it has seemed like I am constantly going, going, going. But when I decided to post here I don't really know what to write about. So here is a post about nothing.

I got my Wii Fit. I have had it for 38 days. I haven't used it every day, I couldn't exactly take it to Illinois with me, but I have lost ten pounds since I started using it and dieting. Yes I am on an official diet. For the first time in my life. Well, one that I have stuck with longer than it takes to get to the closest Taco Bell. I will post an update every few weeks with my progress Yay Me!!

Remember all of those posts I wrote about how warm it has been here? Well, I knew it would end at some point, and it did. Last week. The week after it was close to 80 degrees all week, we had a blizzard. We only got about a foot of snow at my house but we are kind of blocked from the snow where we live. It snowed all day Thursday and in the morning on Friday.

My Deck

Morgan couldn't wait to play in the snow

She made a little snow man (which I thought I had a picture of but I guess not)

And then on Sunday it was pretty warm out. Yes, warm enough for a baby to play with snow (for the first time) in a diaper and t shirt.

He thought it was great.

And now this week it had been cold and warm. It snowed a little last night and we are supposed to get a big storm Saturday. I am just ready for summer.

Well I guess that's about all I have for today. I am going shopping with my Mom for stuff to make invitation for my cousin's fiance's wedding shower. That will be fun.

Really, I Don't Get What The Big Deal Is.

Everyday when Morgan helps me clean up her stuff that has been scattered about the house I give her a quarter. She gets another quarter for brushing her teeth. She puts her money in a jar and then wants to count it every night. Her jar was full and I told her we could go cash it in and she could pick out a new toy. She very excitedly told me she knew what she wanted and said it was the new "Totally Styling Tattoo Barbie". Now if you are a regular reader of my blog (or even if this is your first time here) you know I have a few tattoos. And you might know that I have a drawer in my kitchen that has temporary tattoos in it for Morgan. If you have visited my Flickr page you have seen this picture, which has been viewed 112 times, where you can see a couple of her tattoos.

So on Saturday we went to the store and cashed in her change. She had about 21.00. Just enough to buy her Barbie (before tax). We came home and started playing with it. It comes with a sheet of stickers for Barbie's tattoos, four shirts, a skirt and a pair of jeans you can tattoo, two sheets of temporary tattoos and a tattoo gun, which is basically a water gun with a sponge on the end. You place the tattoo on the end of the sponge and put it on whatever you are tattooing and push down. It makes a noise like a tattoo gun. We were laughing so hard at this. Morgan tattooed everything she could.

Here is my issue. This is the second Barbie to come out with tattoos. The first one was removed from stores because so many parents were outraged about the doll. And now this one is drawing a lot of attention from parents who don't want their daughters (or sons) playing with this doll that has tattoos. Why? I have read a lot on this issue and the big argument is that Barbie represents an age that a lot of people get tattoos they later regret. It is a doll. If you don't like it, don't buy it. I do not feel like I am a bad parent because I let Morgan buy a doll that comes with tattoos. I feel like it is my job as a parent to teach my kids how to make the best decisions about life including tattoos. If they get a tattoo they later regret I will not blame Mattel or the Barbie doll Morgan had when she was three. And no, I also will not blame myself. Our kids are going to do stuff that they regret and we don't agree with. It is life. For now, I am going to have to buy more Barbie tattoos, since the ones that came with the doll were gone by Sunday afternoon.

Here is a picture of the Barbie I bought my niece for her birthday. Call me crazy but to me the cup she is holding looks an awful lot like a glass that I use to drink alcohol out of. And she looks like she is going out to the club.

Aunt Marly

I don't really know the timing of all of this but when I was born my aunt Marly was in the Army. I am not sure when she got out but I know when she did, she went to school in Fort Collins, so I am not sure if I am remembering her visiting while she was on leave or just coming down from school. But I remember a lot about her visits. She would take Matthew & I to the Children's Museum and play with us there for hours (which seemed like a couple of minutes to us. I remember we (Matthew & I) went up to FC to see her one weekend and we saw a big hairy spider, we were calling it a tarantula but I don't think that was right. Marly caught it in a jar and Matthew probably still has it in a box somewhere, we were so proud of that thing and showed it to everyone that came over to the house and every time Marly came over for a visit we would get the jar out and tell the story again. When I got older I would stop by Marly's house and talk to her for hours. She is a great friend to me who I can talk to about anything. She is great at listening and knows when to give advice. She is a great gardener and jumped at the mention of planting a community garden in her yard since my Mom's house is on a mountain and not great for gardening.

She raised my cousin Ben to be one of the most responsible, hard working, funniest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. I often say that I hope my kids turn out as well as he did. And now she is doing stuff with Morgan, and that is so special to me. Morgan loves it too but it means so much more than she realizes yet.

On Sunday Marly took Morgan to a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's. One of Marly's friends little boy turned four. It was a big deal for Morgan. Marly picked her up and they went shopping to pick out the perfect present (this is what a google search turned up, Morgan says it is the correct one), and then they went to the party. After the party they went to see Great Grandma Ruth. Marly told Morgan "maybe we will go see Grandma another day" to which Morgan said "I want to go see her". So they did. Morgan had such a good time she is still talking about it. On Monday I took her to the store and on the way there she told me she got to hear Marly's music (Rise Against), I guess Marly had turned the speaker's off in the back so it wouldn't be so loud and at one point Morgan asked her to turn it up (I told Marly "I am not sure she has ever heard Mary Had A Little Lamb (which she has on Max & Ruby), but she sure knows a Social D song when it comes on, and she knows she was in my belly at one of their concerts"). Then we were walking in to the store and she told me she wanted to go to Chuck E Cheese again and she would miss me. I told her I would take her again if she wanted and she said "No Momma, Marly has to take me, but I will miss you." I couldn't help but start laughing.

So, What Happened To Your Brother's Head?

Yesterday when I was done sweeping the floor Morgan wanted to "finish". I let her sweep and forgot she had the broom. Until Carter woke up and they were playing in the dining room. I heard a scream and the unmistakable sound of the broom handle hitting the floor. I went in to investigate and saw a bluish lump on Carter's head. When I asked what happened all I got for an answer was "I'm sorry Momma, I'm really sorry". Carter quit crying and everything was fine.

The lump went away and so did the bruise.

Tonight I was on the phone with my Mom and Morgan was talking about Carter being asleep. She said something about him hitting his head on the bricks (that surround our fireplace). I said "No, he didn't hit his head on the bricks, but something happened with a broom yesterday. Didn't it?" here is her version of what happened. In her words.

"I was throwing the broom up to the ceiling and then the sun came down and I touched it and threw it back up to the ceiling and then the sun went upstairs and went outside to the sky"

Me "So, what happened to Carter's head?"

"Huh? I don't know. I touched the sun and then it had to go in the sky"

Me "So, what happened to Carter's head?"

"Huh? I don't know. The sun got tired and had to go to sleep so the moon came out."

Me "So, what happened to Carter's head?"

"Huh? I don't know."

I guess I'll never know.

Another thing I learned this week is that if you tell a 3 year old you are going to Sam's Club she expects to see Sam and what his club looks like. Not to go grocery shopping.

And one more funny Morgan story.

After Morgan's party my parents took Matthew, Krystal & David home. On the way there Krystal made a comment about hoping Chris (their roommate) didn't eat Lola (since he can't cook for himself, she does it). My Mom told me this story at Sam's Club (where we never saw Sam or his club) and for two days I heard "Did that guy eat Ola?".

Flashback Friday. This Makes Me Giggle.

It's time again for Flashback Friday hosted by Anne Glamore of My Tiny Kingdom. This weeks theme is This Makes Me Giggle.

When a two year old dresses herself in July it is a must to have mismatched mittens with American flag flip flops on the wrong feet and a Curious George snow hat.

This picture makes me laugh because of how hard she is laughing. This also was her first tattoo (temporary).

Morgan always put her bink in her mouth this way.

She also thought she was a puppy.

That is her "Uh-Oh, Please don't see what I am doing" face. She still makes it.

When we went shopping for Krystal's baby shower Morgan insisted I get her a party hat. She didn't like the elastic band around her chin so she put it on Carter instead.

Helmets. I think Morgan got the idea from Wow Wow Wubbzy.

Little did I know this would become Carter's favorite place to hang out. No big deal, until he tried to get out and kept banging his head on the table. That of course was when he actually cared about hitting his head. It doesn't bother him anymore.

I love this picture. I have one of Matthew holding Morgan wearing his hat too. Rumor is there is one of David too.

Carter. The Ferocious King Of Beasts.

For more pictures of Morgan that make me giggle check this post out. I have a lot of Carter too but you will have to wait until his birthday post (March 10th) for those.

A Little Bit Crafty

I love doing crafty stuff with Morgan. We always have so much fun, and she makes me laugh while we create stuff. The problem is I am not very good at coming up with stuff for us to do. So when I came across this post I thought it would be fun for us to do today, and who wouldn't have fun making puffy paint. I did feel a little guilty because the weather is incredibly nice (tomorrow is supposed to be 68 and Wednesday is supposed to be 70) but it was pretty windy and I told her if she helped me clean up the toys we could go to the park tomorrow (between the park and Chuck E Cheese she will be exhausted tomorrow night ; )) and Wednesday, which she did. So here are some pictures of her art.

On a completely unrelated topic, I have a huge dilemma. I talked with Roy the other night about how we need to all eat dinner at the table every night together for about the millionth time. He said he agreed.Again. And then tonight I made dinner and he said he wasn't hungry and stayed on the couch watching tv while I ate with the kids. Right about when I was finished eating he got himself a plate and went and sat back down on the couch to eat. This is not the first time (in the past week even) that this has happened. He usually eats in front of the tv while I eat with the kids. I can't figure out what to do about this. This is pretty important to me but he doesn't seem to get it. How am I supposed to show Morgan it is important when her Dad won't even eat with us? I feel like putting up a sign that says "If you don't eat at the table when dinner is ready, you don't eat!!" but I don't think that would even get it across to him. Any suggestions???

Birthday Madness

I love birthdays. To me they are the best day of the year. Morgan is so much like me that it is no surprise she is becoming the same way.

I have been planning her party since the day after Christmas. I asked her what kind of party she wanted (Max & Ruby or Lightning McQueen) and she chose Max & Ruby. I soon found out there is no M&R party stuff in the stores because it has never been licensed. But as usual, ebay sellers came through for me.

I got the invitations, the personalized edible cake topper and a personalized banner from three different sellers. I have great party favor ideas which are a bucket and shovel, gummy worms, marshmallows and marigold seeds. All of these are based on M&R.

And the best thing is I am making a worm cake. Yes, I , who hates baking, am going to make a cake that requires more than mixing the packaged mix and pouring it in a pan. And, I am so excited about it.

And then there is the party that wasn't supposed to be a party. Since Morgan's birthday is tomorrow and her party isn't until Saturday we are taking her to Chuck E Cheese. I invited Marly to come along and she said she couldn't wait. And then I was talking to one of our friends, Andrea, and she told me they are going out of town this weekend so they can't come to the party so I invited her along tomorrow and they are coming. Morgan can't wait. And, I can't wait to kick Roy's butt at skee ball.

The Puppy Syndrome

I read this post by SAJ and couldn't help but laugh. First it's funny and second it describes Morgan so well. But I also thought of Carter. You see, Morgan took a bink (pacifier) until she was just over a year old so I never had a problem with her putting things in her mouth. Ever. Carter on the other hand puts everything he comes across in his mouth. I pull stuff out of his mouth at least six times a day. You know, just the normal stuff like band aids (from when Morgan gets "hurt" and needs one for about five seconds), dryer sheets that I haven't put in the trash yet, rubber stamps that Morgan has stolen from me, any kind of paper like item he finds. Usually I am pretty good at finding the things he will choke on before him but I do miss stuff, obviously.

I was on the phone with my Mom yesterday and I had to pull a piece of paper out of his mouth and my Mom told me she had heard that if a baby is chewing on paper it means they need something (some sort of vitamin or mineral). I asked her what it means if the baby chews on the wood cabinet door or the leather couch or his Mommy's toes. She replied (a little too quickly) "He thinks he's a puppy".

With treats hanging out of his mouth (graham cracker)

eating his own kind

sleeping wherever he finds a comfy spot (yes I moved him to his bed)

and of course, Morgan has to try to be the alpha dog around here.

Starting 2009 Right

New years eve was fun. I was worried for a little bit because Roy wasn't feeling good (kidney stone) and I thought it was going to be just me & the kids. But he livened up for me and we played the "You Might Be A Redneck" game while we ate, I talked to Kaisha a few times and read some of the questions from the game to her and Mark and their friend Irene. Irene is more of a redneck than K&M.

Yesterday Roy and I sat and played Mario Kart all day. Morgan watched Horton Hears A Who a million times and Carter played and napped. When he woke up from one of his naps Roy brought him downstairs and stood him up in the middle of the room. Roy sat in front of him and (drumroll please) Carter walked two steps to get Roy. He took his first steps. YAYYY. Of course we made him do it 500 more times. I tried to get video but (of course) every time I pointed the camera at him ha sat down and crawled to me. I will get one soon. I promise.

Now that everything is over I (Morgan is helping) am planning a Max and Ruby party for Morgan's 3rd birthday this month (stop laughing Mom). Her first birthday party was huge, because I invited all of our family. Last year I didn't invite all of the family but it still seemed large. Both of these parties were at my parents house. Where there is room for a lot of people. This year I want to invite kids and a good amount of family too. I am debating on what to do. My house isn't that big. Actually that isn't even the real problem. I don't have seating. My kitchen table only has three chairs because one broke a couple of years ago. I plan on getting a new dining set when Carter is out of a highchair. I have one couch and a window seat. I know that these things work themselves out. They always do. I can have Roy bring in some patio chairs and the folding chairs we do have.

All I Want For Christmas Is A Clipo, Clipo, Clipo!!

So. Apparently the Clipo is the big ticket toddler item this Christmas. I can't find one. The Target Kaisha called for me said they would get some more in before Christmas. My Mom told me that she heard the VP of ToysRUs say they would have all of the big items in stock until Christmas. Guaranteed. Roy told me he would go to every store he can tomorrow and see if he can find one. That is very out of character for him, so I am pretty impressed with him right now. Wish me luck. Morgan is counting on Santa to bring the Clipo to her next week.

Oh Boy....

So. Today we went to Joann's (yes again) and had a great time. That of course is sarcastic. Maybe it is because I wrote about how well behaved Morgan is in public, or because she is almost three, and I knew the terrible two's were too easy. Either way, it was the trip from hell.

It started out okay. I only needed a few things. Morgan immediately saw the Christmas decorations and went and grabbed a snowman she saw last week. I told her we weren't getting it but I let her carry it for a little while. I put it back and she went and grabbed it again. I asked her to put it back, on her way to put it back she dropped it and the hat broke. So I bought that.

I know. I could have put it back and not said anything but there are two reasons I didn't, 1. I am usually the poor shopper that ends up with the broken junk & 2. This happened right in front of the register and Morgan isn't the kind of kid that breaks something and quietly puts it back, she is the kind of kid who apologizes for breaking stuff or cries about it. Plus I can put a little glue on it and have a cute new Christmas decoration.

After that I decided it was time to go. While we were waiting in line and Morgan wanted a sucker. I said no (not because I am mean, but because we have a bunch of candy at home). Then I heard the very recognizable sound of a candy wrapper opening. I looked over and she had the sucker in her mouth. I snatched it from her and paid for that too. Of course this made for a very loud checkout.

I still stand by what I wrote about how good she is. Today was just one incident. But I can't help but wonder. How many are to come. And how will I handle them?

Coming Tomorrow - Playground adventures. Hopefully with pictures.

A Good Weekend

We had such a nice weekend. On Saturday Matt & Krystal brought David (Daycare, as Morgan calls him) over to see us. My parents came over too, it was like a 3 in 1 visit, they got to see all of their (Colorado) grand kids. We had fun just hanging out. David has gained 1 pound in his 3 1/2 weeks.

On Sunday Morgan & I went to the Christmas Crafts & Food show at the convention center. We met Kelly and Hillori (Kelly's sister) down there. What a mad house. 9 aisles crammed full with people. We thought that maybe it wouldn't be so busy with the Broncos game on, we were wrong. But we had a lot of fun. There was some pretty neat stuff to see. A lot of good food too. Morgan tried some new things. She was so well behaved. She walked the whole time, and didn't complain about it once. In fact the only times she cried were when she had to quit looking at the trains, and when she lost her jellyfish toy, we found him and all was better. Then we saw Santa. And I mean just that, we saw him from a distance, not because there was a long line, but because Morgan didn't want to get near him. She liked looking at him, but that was it. Maybe next year I will get a Santa picture.
When it was time to leave, Morgan got upset but then said, "Can I go home and watch shows and Cars?" so she was okay.

I came home planning on making pj pants for the kids, but that didn't happen. I instead played on the computer and watched the race. So today I am going to make checkbook covers for the craft show my Mom is doing this weekend, and then I will work on the pants. I am excited about the pants. I found the cutest fabrics for them. Come back later for pictures.

The Big Sister

When I found out I was pregnant with Carter I did what every woman (that I have talked to about this sort of thing) who finds out she is pregnant while she is raising a one year old does. I sat on the toilet and cried. It was a mixture of happy and OMG tears. I thought about the fact we didn't have health insurance, that I hadn't gotten my pre Morgan body back, the exhaustion that comes with a newborn, the gestational diabetes, the morning sickness and the daughter I love so much and how could I possibly love another child like that. And would she be a jealous sister, this one I thought would be a definite yes. After thinking about all of this for about 10 minutes (while crying) I stood up and brushed my hair, washed my face and put on a smile. I had to call Roy. He was so excited. This baby was his idea.
I will admit that it took me a while longer than I think it should have to get excited. I didn't really get excited until I found out I was having a boy. Yes. Around my 20th week. The reason I didn't get excited was because I was too busy feeling guilty. About Morgan's feelings.
And then Carter was born. Roy brought Morgan to the hospital and everything was good. There wasn't any jealousy to speak of. Until Carter started becoming mobile. In the time that we have lived here I have walked in on some happenings that would make any parent wonder how their baby is still laying on the floor laughing and not screaming his head off. She has (to name a few) tipped his walker over (yes, he was in it), lifted (more like threw) him on to the stairs and watched him fall (luckily she could only get him to the second step), and rolled him on to his back so she could jump off of him. During each one of these Carter has laughed the whole time. Not just a giggle either. A deep belly laugh.
So the other day I knew something pretty bad happened when I heard him crying. Carter pulls himself up on the TV stand all the time. We move him away and he goes back and we move him away. This goes on for a while. I heard Morgan yell "No Carter", a thump, and a scream. A loud crying scream. I went out to the living room and asked what happened. Morgan told me "I told him no, because he was getting the TV, and I will get mad, and then I hit his head" I said "You hit his head?" She said "Yes. Because I was gonna be mad". I looked at his face and he had a big red mark from his face hitting the TV stand. She was put in time out.
Earlier in the day Carter learned to spit, and his face was covered in spit. Morgan freaked out yelling at me to wash his face so he didn't get a rash.
I love that she is so concerned with him getting a rash, but he had better not get near the TV or she will get mad.