Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Fairy wings

"Mom, these fairy wings are broken. I can not fly."





Friday, February 22, 2013

Thursday, February 21, 2013

Potty training an emotional experience

The Epic Potty Training weekend is over and I'm left feeling extremely emotional over the experience. In all the information I read it neglected to mention what an emotional toll it takes on the parent. I had to be glued to Baines' side for 3 day and nurse Bixby as well. Every moment was spent making sure she didn't pee on the floor, constantly persuading her and reminding her she wasn't wearing a diaper. Whenever she had an accident I couldn't help but feel I didn't watch her enough or take her to the bathroom enough. I found myself feeling really frustrated and guilty. Also both girls came down with colds and fever that added to the stress.

We tried several different methods in one because honestly I had no idea how she would respond. She's such a wild card! We did nothing below the waist which ended abruptly when she crapped in the middle of our New bedroom then threw a ball in it and ended up somehow with poop in her hair??? Ya, that happened. I had to leave the room for a breather on that one. (Parenting is hard).

I thought Underpants were a great incentive for her because we got princess and Dora prints but they felt too much like she was still wearing a diaper. So she wet herself constantly. We then opted for the loose fitting pants only method and that worked the best. She still had accidents but it was uncomfortable and made her aware of the mistake.

The hardest part for me was reminding myself that she wouldn't be completely potty trained after the weekend but starting the road to success. I was getting so frustrated with her because she's so smart and I know she understands the concept and knows what to do. We even went for the bribes. She had two gift bags one for pee and one for poop. She got candy for pee and a small activity toy for poop i.e. paints, stamps, book.

She really wanted one of the prizes but she couldn't figure out. She had not yet learned the signals her body was giving her when she needed to go. That's what this weekend was really about teaching her to recognize that.

As I said I was so frustrated and on edge after the first two days. I was so short tempered with her and it wasn't going as well as I hoped. On Monday night I learned that someone I know lost her 8 year old niece to cancer. It broke me hear the news. All the frustrations I was feeling then turned to gratitude for the experience. That I am able to be a mother, a teacher, a comforter, and a best friend to this little person. I can't take for granted any moments spent with my children good or bad.

I started letting go and instead of pretending I was having fun making her use the potty I actually started to. If she pees her pants its fine she'll get the hang of it soon enough. I am proud to say that today she didn't have one accident and even ran to the bathroom to poop all by herself. Ya that's a huge deal. So I definitely think it was a success. We're so proud of her and SO lucky to be her parents. My love for her gets bigger everyday.

PS. she only has 2 more squares to fill up on her chart before she gets the "ballerina" dress, owl socks, and fairy wings.

Friday, February 15, 2013

Epic Potty Training Weekend

It starts tomorrow and hopefully after day 3 we'll be diaper free!

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Rolling over champion - The Video

Here is the video of Bixby's first rollover @ 2 months. McCall saw it coming and was able to grab the iPhone fast enough to get it. Pay no attention to McCall's cheering ;)

Saturday, February 9, 2013

Rolling over champion

Bixby rolled over for the first time on the 7th. I actually got it on video, I was so excited. Since then she does it every tummy time. Barely 2 month old and she's already a champ. I'm a proud mama.

Monday, February 4, 2013

8 weeks

Today Bixby is 8 weeks old. We went to her well check and she's a perfect and so happy. Here are her stats:

• she's a squishy 11 lbs that's in the 50%
• her length is 22 inches so 25% for height
• then her head is 15 1/2 so 81%. I'm guessing that means she'll be smart.

Bixby smiles all the time. She loves it when I say Boo to her. She even started to giggle at the sound. She coos and squeaks all the time. Her favorite activity is chewing/ sucking her hand. She's been a champion sleeping giving us a good 5-6 hour stretches every night. I attribute that to the kiddopotamus swaddle wraps. She loves being wrapped up tight and those thing keep her that way all night. I'm not that good with the blanket swaddle. She always breaks free. Although I love co sleeping with her, she's been sleeping in the crib too but it's in our room next to the bed. So I can always keep her close.

Since the girls look so much alike I love comparing their two pictures. I took this one today at the doctors and they are looking so different now. Bixby is becoming her own little person. I love how chunky she is.

Here are a few of my favorite pictures from the past few weeks.
Sweet baby hands
Seriously the happiest baby ever!
Baines used to make this face too.  Its one of my favorites.  I love the lips.









Sunday, February 3, 2013

Good morning

Good morning baby giggles and sister cuddles.