VIDEO - Madison Tuckpointing!

Madison has watched Josh tuckpoint a few times. A while ago Josh told me she tries to do it on her own. So I wanted to catch her on video and wanted to share.

I hope you enjoy them! (And, please ignore my voice.)

She was just pretending to have mud (mortor) on her hawk and she tried using dried up mortor crumbs, but Josh told me that he wants to mix her some real mud and let her really try and do it!

M's Got a Fever...

SPRING FEVER!

This morning when we woke up...the temperature was already in the 50s believe it or not!

As soon as she finished breakfast we were headed outside. Why not?!

BUBBLES!

And more bubbles. She's been asking to do bubbles for weeks!

Running.

Puddles!

Riding her bike.

Jengo the supervisor.


She was laughing because she just finished pulling the cat's tail. Poor kitty.

And here she's screaming, "Me-WOW," in his face.

Good thing we went out when we did. After a TOO long appointment at the veterinarian's office, we headed home in cold rain, and the temp. dropped, too.

We can't wait for Spring! Too bad snow it's supposed to start snowing late tonight and into tomorrow! Oh well...she loves snow, too!

Official OFFICIAL Potty Training - Part 2

(Obviously from the title this post is about M and pee and poop. Feel free to skip this one. I know it's a little TMI.)

Ok. So where are we now after six weeks?

We are still continuing with undies all day except for at nap and through the night. Currently she's had a majority of successful days with no accidents and some days with just one accident. The accidents usually occur when I haven't initiated taking her to the potty. All her accidents (except a couple) have been at home. I guess I'm more on alert when we're out and about.

 I'd say she can hold it pretty successfully for about a 90 minutes to two hours maximum. I still have her try every hour and a half or so if we're home...or if we're about to leave to go somewhere.

She's super comfortable using toilets in public, and for that I'm SO SO thankful. I bought a little portable potty that sits on top of toilets...but lately I keep forgetting it and just end up holding her without the portable one. It's a little gross I guess...but...you do what you gotta do. Carrying around the potty seat seemed to be more of a hassle. Sometimes I just use the covers provided, or lay out some toilet paper on the seat if it seems really gross.

(Random sidenote: All public restrooms should have a sink accessible to toddlers (or some kind of step stool). Seriously. I'm SO over trying to hold her up and balance her on my knee without squishing her belly while getting water everywhere!)

She hadn't gone #2 in the toilet for probably the first month...mostly because she'd been doing it in her diaper either right away in the morning or right when she wakes from her nap. Around the end of week 4 she had a few #2 accidents. It was not fun. I was about to lose it with the potty training around that time, too. I felt like she had learned to hold it...but had NO clue how to tell me or anticipate needing to go. It was frustrating. I felt like I was doing something wrong. I felt like I had failed teaching her how to use the potty. It was a rough few days for me.

But then...after a few too many accidents (in my opinion) around week 4/5, I decided to go back to her being naked (on the bottom) while at home. And we watched her shows about going potty on the toilet every day. And she FINALLY started getting herself to her little potty on time. She's even gone #2 several times. And, just last week we were in public and she actually stopped playing and told me she had to go potty. It was wonderful. I was SO SO happy. She also was downstairs with my Dad last week (I was upstairs) and she stopped playing and told him she had to go upstairs to go pee and poo (she did both). And, she was in her bath and told me she had to go. Whew. Just when I was about to lose it. Something clicked for her. THANK GOODNESS!

She's now at the point that she knows she can hold it. And, she almost always puts up a fight if you want to take her to the potty. She'll almost always say that she doesn't have to go if you ask or tell her to go. I've learned just to take her to the toilet...once she's on it, she'll either give in and end up going pretty easily...OR she'll arch her back refusing to sit and refuse to go (which I just let her skip it then), and I've learned to just trust her. She can even take off her underwear (when we're at home) and sit on her little potty all by herself.

We're gonna just stick to what we're doing these next few weeks. I think I'm going to put her little potty just outside our bathroom though (it's usually in the living room) to gradually get her used to going to the actual bathroom to go potty.

Part 3 will happen when I think she's ready to start staying in her undies during nap. But for now. I'm super happy with where we're at and how well she's doing.

I'm so proud of her.

And...I'm proud of me. I seriously about lost it a week and a half ago...like seriously...like I was crying all by myself about it. Geesh! Oh, and thank you to my family and friends who've listened to me and gave advice these past few weeks. It's been SO much appreciated!!!

Foto Friday - Gymnastics Class (For Real)

Ok...so, she does also do some 'gymnastics' at class.
I don't just let her stare at the pool for a half hour. Haha!

Crab walk (Hi Sarah Grace!)

Learning a back roll.

I'll try and take more pics and do a full post later on next month. We still have 3 more classes for this session, and are likely signing up for next session, too!

Foto Friday - Gymnastics Class

We've begun M's first Gymnastics class this winter. We're taking class once a week at the Y with our friends, Ellie and Sarah Grace.

And this is her and Sarah Grace's FAVORITE part! 

They are mesmerized by the pool and the swimmers!!!

Josh said I should sign us up for swimming...hmmmm....

2 Years 5 Months

I intended on doing an update last month on M. But, it was too busy since the holidays were right around the corner and since I decided to potty train M around that time, too. So here we are at 2 years and 5 months...almost half way to THREE, YIKES!

This will be a lengthy...and probably a bit all over. But I really want to remember all these things and what she was like at this point in her life. These pictures are from yesterday.

She's about 33 pounds and 38 inches tall (estimated). She wears 3T clothes and size 7 shoes.

Some of her favorite phrases:
"What's happening?"

"What we doing?"

"Where we going?"
"What's their name?"
"Me go home now."
"Mama, phone ringing!"
"Mama, who's calling you? Who you calling?"
"I do it by myself!"
"I love you SO MUCH!"

"Keep trying. Don't give up." (learned from Yo Gabba Gabba)

She is still a SUPER picky eater. She still won't eat any meat. Her main diet consists of blueberries, french fries with ketchup, crescent rolls, mandarin oranges, milk, some cereals, smoothies, yogurt, and of course yummy junk food like some crackers, cookies, chips, and ice cream. And, lately she's back to eating mashed sweet potato! Yay! She still eats the veggie pouches, too.

She 'knows' most of the main colors. Including black, white, and brown.

We are working on letter recognition...so far she definitely knows what "O" looks like. Only 25 more to go! Haha!

We are also working on shapes. She only knows the heart and the star as of now.

She loves playing the toddler apps and games on my Kindle Fire. Her favorite are the puzzles.

Her favorite cartoons are still Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Yo Gabba Gabba. Some new favorites are Dora the Explorer and Olivia. She also has seen many Disney movies and sings along the most to Pocahontas and Aladdin.

She's in big girl undies during all waking hours of her day. We're still learning that's for sure...but overall, we're doing ok I think. She still has a few accidents if I don't get her to the potty enough, so we still have a lot of work to do in the area of her learning to alert me. But, I'm happy with where we are for now.

She loves sprinkles, frosting, and suckers. I guess I should say she loves sugar.

She enjoys singing. Some of her favorite songs are Old MacDonald and Twinkle, Twinkle.

She bites her finger nails AND toe nails! Ugh. I'm not sure how I'm going to tackle this habit. Neither Josh or I do this so...not sure where she picked this up from. I mention this habit mostly because Tracy told me that Josh used to bite his toe nails when he was a toddler, too!!!

She's begun to learn the art of negotiating with me. A few weeks ago we were at the mall. After lunch, she smiled, looked directly in my eyes, smiled, and in a sweet voice asked me, "Mama, I have cookie or ice-cream?" I caved of course. Cookie is was.

She also asks me repeatedly during the day if she can watch a show for just 2 more minutes. Or if she can play with a toy for just 1 minute. She does this when we're about to leave or if it's right before nap time or bed time. Smart girl.



Her memory surprises me every day. Just this week we read a book that we haven't read since December. After she picked it out, she declared (without any prompting from me), "This book from Grandma Bevy." She was right of course. Bev had gifted her that book at Christmas. A couple weeks ago I was fiddling with the shower sprayer and Madison said, "Oh, my Grandpa Dave fix this." She must have remembered that a couple MONTHS ago my Dad had helped us install it in our shower (M watched of course). I'm pretty impressed with her anyways.



Madison is growing and learning more everyday. 
Every day is truly an adventure with her. 
We love you, M!

Ski Trip 2013

Josh mentioned to me last December that he wanted to take M skiing this winter. I thought he was being ridiculous...but agreed to try it out after calling the ski resort and discovering they did have ski boots in her size (the smallest size they offered). We both didn't have too high of expectations, but our little M really surprised us with her balance and bravery!

So, on Tuesday morning we headed to Chestnut Mountain Resort (about 90 minutes North of the QC) in Galena, IL. We were happy to have Grandma Tracy AND Great Grandma Bev join us. After what seemed like FOREVER to get all ready we were all finally ready to hit the slopes! It was a beautiful day out (I think around 40 degrees). We were so lucky!

Her TINY skis were SO adorable! Josh was SO excited!

Tracy and Bev were super excited, too.

Her first time down was slow (obviously)...and she fell. :( She wasn't too sure, and while she didn't cry, she kinda whined just a bit. We were on the bunny hill. I left and tried skiing down once myself to get my bearings.

But she made it and even went up the flat escalator thingy back to the top.


She fell again the second time down. :( And she was crying so Josh decided to just sit with her and let her watch her Mama and Grandmas ski down a couple tmes.

And then...she was at it again! :)

 After that, M went inside to get lunch and to hang out with the Grandmas for a while. Josh and I went down Old Main a couple times by ourselves (I was too scared to go down it again), and we went down Rookie's Ridge, and then headed in as well for a lunch break.

After lunch, I was on Madison duty for a while so that the Grandmas and Josh could ski down Old Main a few times. Josh and I had discovered that Rookie's Ridge was actually less crowded than the bunny hill, and it had an area that was not super sloped. So I let M try and 'ski' and follow me (chase) and SHE loved that!

Then, we were all able to help her ski down the small slope at the top of the hill a few times. Here are a couple videos. We were all so proud of M, and at this point, she was truly having fun and laughing as she skied.

This one wasn't on FB. Plus, you get to see Josh ski backwards!




She even went down Rookie's Ridge several times, too, with Josh. He's fancy and went down BACKWARDS so he could help her the whole way down! She was obsessed with the chair lift and requested several times, "Me go round and round and round on big chair!?" I was of course SUPER NERVOUS...but I knew that Josh would protect her. Although, I did scream, "JOSH. You hold on to her!" the first time she rode it up. (Later Josh told me that I was really loud, too. Oh well.)

Here they are skiing off the chair and coming to me!

Seriously. How sweet is this picture!?

After a while we were all tired, and headed to our hotel (we didn't stay at the resort) to check in and change, and then we went to a nice dinner in Galena.

Back at the hotel we hung out for a bit before all trying to go to sleep. M was awake for about 2 hours talking and playing in the bed with us. It was miserable. :) But funny. She said things like:
"Oohhh...what's that noise???" (once Tracy and Bev began their snoring.) "Too loud!"
"Daddy. Be quiet. Time for night-night." (obviously)
"Mama. I want blueberries and yogurt for breakfast."
"MAMA! Bunny fell! Bunny fell! Bunny fell!" (For the record...her bunny was just on the other side of Josh.)

Also, she sang made-up songs. Faked snored. Kicked me and elbowed me multiple times...all night. And, tried repeatedly to take the rubber band out of my ponytail. But...I was thankful that once she was asleep she stayed asleep (despite the snoring of our roommates). I did not. :)

**It was a FANTASTIC MEMORABLE experience for all of us.**

We plan on going skiing again next Winter for sure. Who's coming with us?!

Brown Bear, Brown Bear,...

M 'reading' to Piggy and Bunny. This was last week. She's actually gotten even more accurate since then as this is her favorite book right now, and she loves to read it all by herself.

It's a bit long...but I love her exclamation of, "Too many!" when she gets to the end.

Go Mallards!

We went to Madison's first Mallards Game on January 2nd. I just wanted to post some pictures from that evening.

Her first escalator ride.


Of course she got a cow bell and a pom-pom. Thanks, Grandma!

 And then a player (from the opposing team) threw over a puck for her!

Cheering on our Mallards!

Mmmmmm!

Oooohhhh...a picture with Mo Mallard.

Her favorite part. The cow bell and the blue slurpee drink. And Mo.

We had fun and hope to attend some more games this year if it works out!

Puddles in January & Letting Go

I am the kind of Mom that easily gets caught up in the 'daily grind and schedule' of caring for our little girl.

I have to admit that in general, I feel that less mess equals less stress for me as a self-admitted type-A-always cleaning-germaphobe-sometimes over anxious about all the what-ifs in life-Mama.

But...the one lesson that I believe ONLY my daughter could have taught me how to allow myself to let go.
How to let go of thinking about how big of a mess something is going to make.

How to let go of watching the clock to make sure we 'stay on schedule.'

How to let go of worrying about how much of my to-do list I complete during her nap.

How to let go of always wondering, "Am I a good wife?  A good mother? Am I doing enough for my family?"

How to let go and just be.

Yesterday was an unseasonably 'warm' day. All the snow was melting, and our driveway was full of puddles. As we arrived home from our morning of exercise class, lunch date with our friends, and a quick lunch with Josh, I knew M's nap was right around the corner. I had a list of about a hundred or so things that needed to be done during her nap. Oh, and M was in one of her 'cute outfits' that included white leggings.  And....and...and then I looked in my rear view mirror and saw my daughter's smiling face and heard her so politely request, "May I have pink boots on? Please?"

And (surprisingly) I decided I was going to just let go. 

"Madison. Are you ready to jump in all those puddles?" I asked her.

"Oh yes, Mama! Puddles!" Madison squealed with delight.

And I'm so happy I did because M had SO. MUCH. FUN. It was maybe for only 25 minutes, but during that 25 minutes she smiled the whole time. She laughed. She jumped. She ran. And the JOY radiated off her.

It really was the perfect way to end our afternoon before her nap. 

And so what if I had to strip soaked socks and leggings off of her. So what if she stayed up past her usual nap time. So what if some parent driving by thought I was crazy since it wasn't exactly warm out and here I was letting my child get wet and play outside. So what if the possibility of a shorter nap meant I wouldn't get EVERYTHING done I wanted to. So what.

Letting go. So hard to do sometimes. Yet SO good to do it. 

(Every once in a while anyways. Come on...you know I can't be a totally care-free, super-go-with-the flow Mom. It's just not in me!)

Thank you, Madison, for reminding me everyday about the simple joys in life and encouraging me to just let go and enjoy the moment.

Foto Friday - Concentration

"Mama, may you draw me 'nother flower, please? Me color petals and stem by MYself."

So sweet!

Foto Friday - Charge It Up

She wanted to play her game on my Kindle Fire.

I told her she couldn't because the battery was dead and it needed to be charged.

(It really was. I wasn't lying to her like I did here. Haha!)

Not 2 minutes later I turn around and she managed to plug it in correctly and was happily playing her game.