Sunday, August 30, 2009

Potty Update and School Countdown

The babe wore panties all day today....and only one accident. I'll admit we were the ones reminding her and bringing her to the potty, but only one accident ain't bad. Especially considering we were at a friend's place for brunch when it happened.

The babe got a fruit stick as a reward at the end of the day. She really loves those things and I have decided to use them strategically.

We'll see how it goes tomorrow.

Wednesday, the first day of school EVER, is coming pretty darn fast! And as much as I said I was ready for her to go, I am scared to let her out of my sight. I wonder if I would feel differently if she didn't have food allergies? I have coached her to say "no thank you, I have allergies" when offered food or drink. I have also explained (a million times) that all the kids will be using the potty at school. What more can I do? She's not even 3 years old...and things need to be kept in perspective. I just want her to be safe and healthy and supported. Hopefully I chose the right school to meet these objectives. Time will tell.

Sister and Brother

I managed to get both kids down for an afternoon nap at the same time the other day. The little guy didn't last more than an hour and after hearing some stirring on the monitor, I went up to check on him. I glanced into the babe's room and noticed she wasn't in her bed. My heart stopped. Even though I logically knew that the doors to the house were locked and she had to be up there somewhere. I scanned my room and didn't see her. I quickly popped my head into the little guy's dark room and did not see her. I then checked out her room again and the bed was still empty...as was her tent (a favorite hiding place). My heart was pumping quickly at this point while the logical part of my brain was trying to keep things under control.

I went back into the little guy's room and there I found her crouching on the floor next to the little guy's crib playing with him. It was ridiculously cute and I had to break down and give her a huge hug. It scared the you know what out of me, but it also made me melt a little. These 2 are going to have their own relationship independent of me, and that is a cool thing. They really do get along most of the time and can light each other up in such a beautiful way. They are brother and sister and nothing can take that away.

I suppose I'm not always going to be in control of everything in their little worlds and will have to get used to that. And I suppose I'll be confronted with many more similar situations in the future. I'm glad they have each other, just as I am blessed to have my brother and sister. It's good to have a partner in crime, isn't it?

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Our Last Week

I am supposed to be savoring this week. I am supposed to be enjoying it and appreciating this time with the babe. It our last week together full time. It has been 2 years and 9 months of being together most of the time. And frankly, I think we're both done with it. She's tired of me and yes, I will admit that I too am at times tired of her. Sadly, I am just counting down the days until she starts preschool on the 2nd.

I suppose I wouldn't be writing this if we hadn't just spent the past few hours of the morning bickering with each other. I try to be the mature one, as I am the mother, but it is pretty difficult at times. She just knows what buttons to push and how to get me going. It's one thing after another and I am pretty frazzled. I don't know how people home school children. They must have the patience of a saint.

I am really looking forward to 5 half days of preschool a week. It will give the little guy and I time alone and time to get errands done. It will be nice to be back to 1 kid for part of the week. I've decided that 2 at home full time is just not my cup of tea. It doesn't make me particularly happy a lot of the time, so the change is coming just in time.

As you know, I sometimes love being a stay-at-home Mom, but I also sometimes seriously dislike it and question whether I am cut out to do this.

My only concern, as you know, if the crazy unsuccessful potty training. Last night we did a few hours in panties with no accidents. The babe even pulled the portable potty in front of the TV so she could use it while watching Sesame Street (unassisted and unencouraged, I might add). But this morning I encountered some resistance to sitting on the potty despite the fact she wanted to wear her princess panties. Needless to say we didn't last too long without an accident. I think I may just try and do a few hours a day and see how we go until next week. But I am expecting to be called by the school to "discuss" the situation. I am praying she will be able to continue attending as we sort this out. I have experienced such an insane amount of stress over this potty training thing I am close to tears at time. Who would have thought it would come to this.

Sunday, August 23, 2009

Back Home

Last Sunday the 23 day trip to Canada came to a close. Driving home from the airport with my family, I was amazed at how beautiful Washington, DC is. The grass so green, the water so blue, the joggers so healthy, the beach volleyball players so fit and fun looking. I don't think I have ever been so happy to get back home. And that's what it felt like....home.

The past month has seen a lot of exciting developments. The little guy survived the arrival of his 2 bottom front teeth (about 2 weeks ago) and started to scootch backwards (the pre-crawl) a few days ago. The babe has developed a superior sense of logic and can now direct her parents to their nightly duties ("mama gives me a bath and papa can go clean the kitchen"). We went to 2 splendid weddings, visited with many, many loved ones, and witnessed the blossoming of a beautiful friendship between 2 little girls (the babe and her cousin from Montana).

Since we've been home we've been trying to get ourselves back in a routine. Sadly the little guy's night sleep is completely messed up (after sharing a room and torturing me with a kazillion wake ups a night for over a week). There has been an unfortunate amount of crying and lack of sleep at night around here. I suppose time and persistence will get us back on track.

The babe has been having trouble being alone with just her brother and I. After so many days of so many people, it is tough to come back to a quiet house. I am unable to constantly entertain her and she's not so happy with that. It has made the days long and sometimes painful. The ridiculous summer heat and humidity has not helped matters.

On Wednesday I had surgery for the removal of my 2 skin cancer problems. That has made things more challenging as little kids need moms who can move around freely and aren't in pain. It would also help the healing process if I was able to sleep at night. It's funny how things change so much when you become a Mother. Before I was a Mom, I would have just hung out in bed reading, watching movies and sleeping while I recovered from my minor surgery. But there's no rest for the 24-7 Mommy, even after you've had some chunks of cancerous skin removed. At least it's done and we can move on now (other than the 2 follow-up appointments hanging over my head).

So I will continue to try and get things back in order, get rest and keep my sanity. However, there is only a week left before it will all change again. Preschool begins September 2nd and I think I'm ready...I just hope the babe is as ready as I am. Needless to say, I am eagerly anticipating the Fall.

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Montreal

The 23 day trip to Canada has been moving along at a rapid pace. Last Friday the kids and I arrived at my Mother in law's house in Montreal. My husband flew in from DC that night, and my sister in law and her husband and 2 kids had arrived the day before. Needless to say we have a full house. It has been amazing to watch the babe play with her cousin who is a few months younger than her.

The babe's cousin is potty trained. I thought this would help the babe get on the potty train. I thought the train would leave the station. I am now sadly losing count of how many times I have had to clean serious amounts of poop out of her panties and training panties. She just doesn't care. She will go pee on the potty when brought to the bathroom but never indicates that she wants to go. This makes for a lot of work and "remembering potty time" for the adults around here. Luckily it has become a family affair. But after the major poop out this morning, I think I am about to poop out. Maybe she just isn't ready and I'm wasting my time. I have no more patience. I have no more positive reinforcement. I am feeling pretty done. So for now, she's off at the park in her pull ups. We'll see if I have the guts and patience to put those darn panties on again. But September 2nd is getting pretty close at this point.

In other news, the fan saga continues. I arrived at my Mother in law's, had a seat in the living room, and found myself staring at exactly the same white oscillating fan with the haunting "Super" written across its front. The fan was kindly moved to the basement by my husband and replaced with a swing for the little guy. I'm not sure if all these folks who own this nightmare of a fan should be throwing them out, or if I just don't want to see them. I suppose that as long as I tell people about my experience with the "Super" fan, then I have done my part.

As you may have guessed, there hasn't been any time to be sitting at the computer blogging or even doing basic emails. Being in a house with 9 people is a constant whirl, not to mention the many folks dropping by for a visit. Next week should be a pretty big change going back to our slower pace in DC. But it will be nice to be back in my yummy bed. And it will also be nice to start thinking about moving on past this crazy summer into a hopefully more peaceful Autumn.