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Category: Living the Life

Potty Training Weekend

Published by dee on November 4, 2007

Here we are on day 4 of NaBloPoMo and I’m already finding myself not feeling like writing. I think it is a lot harder on the weekends because I would much rather just be sitting on the couch staring at the TV. But, I signed up so I can’t give up already.

I’ve spent the majority of my weekend taking a toddler to the potty every 30 minutes. I’m determined to get back on track with this potty-training thing and so far it is going pretty well. I bought a new digital kitchen timer and every time it beeps Zach yells out, “pee pee” and takes off for the bathroom. We’ve got a sticker chart and he gets a big prize when he fills up all the squares.

So far, it seems to be working pretty well. We’ve only had two accidents in two days so far and one of those actually happened in the bathroom. He has yet to tell me when he needs to go, but since I’m taking him every 30 minutes anyway I doubt he has felt much urgency.

My only problem is, he’s earned two prizes already because he’s doing so well. It’s time to make a new chart now, but I think I’m going to have make the next chart with a few more boxes on it. Plus, the prizes are not going to be quite as exciting because I can’t afford to keep up at the rate he’s going now.

He’s definitely gotten a good start (again), but I wonder how he’ll do during the day at school this week. Will he revert back to just going in his pull-ups or will he actually remember and try to wait until he gets to go the the bathroom? I’m guessing most of the work we did this weekend will be forgotten. It is so hard when I only really have the weekend to work with him. I know his teacher at school will work with him, but she can’t really be expected to stop the other 7 kids in his class every 30 minutes to take Zach to the bathroom.

I guess we’ll see how it goes this week and do another crash course next weekend.

30 Days of ThanksToday I’m thankful because Zach actually slept last night (after an hour long tantrum) and I got an entire 7 hours of uninterrupted sleep for the first time in two weeks. Not only did he sleep during the night, but he also took a nap (which I joined him for) and both of us have been in excellent moods today. It may not seem like much to be grateful for, but I can’t even tell you how much it means for my sanity.

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The Bag Lady

Published by dee on November 3, 2007

Multimedia messageI meant to write about this earlier this week, but somehow let it escape my mind. A very, very long time ago I followed a link somewhere that led to another link somewhere that led to another link and eventually I found a pattern for this super cute little tote bag. I would link to it but I have no idea where it originally came from now. At the time, I had just gotten a new sewing machine and was really wanting to learn to sew so I copied the pattern and had grand plans of giving the tote bag a shot.

As usually happens with my big plans, I never got around to starting it. You see, it required me going to a fabric store and actually purchasing the fabric and supplies needed to make the bag and I never managed to find my way there until last week. I decided Thursday during my lunch break to check out one of the local fabric stores. I was on a search for some cute Halloween fabric so that I could make Zach a Trick or Treat bag that he wouldn’t drag on the ground. I was apparently a little too late to find Halloween fabric, but along the way I fell in love with some coordinating flannels and decided they would make the perfect little tote bag.

I couldn’t wait to get started on my project and started cutting the fabric that night. By the time I got all the pieces cut and the interfacing ironed on I had to quit and go to bed. I couldn’t wait to get home and start sewing on Friday. I didn’t actually get started until about 9:30 that night, but after many toddler interruptions and a couple of sewing machine difficulties, I finally finished it. My seams are far from perfect and I could have possibly measured a little more carefully, but I absolutely love my little bag. Plus, I’m very impressed that I made the whole thing from start to finish. It is my first “real” sewing project and it actually turned out okay!

I also bought enough material that I can make a second one (because I figured I would manage to screw up the first somehow) so I’m thinking of trying again and possibly doing some experimenting with the size. We’ll see how it goes!

30 Days of ThanksToday I am thankful for lazy Saturday mornings.  There is nothing I love more than getting out of bed and snuggling up with my boy on the couch watching cartoons.  It is really the only time all week that we get to just relax and be together.  We spend so much time doing this and doing that, rushing through dinner and bathtime and bedtime routines during the week.  It is really nice to just relax and enjoy being together for a couple of short hours on Saturday mornings.  It is the perfect way to start the weekend.

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19 Weeks

Published by dee on November 2, 2007

19 Weeks

So here I am in all my 19 weeks glory. I thought it would be interesting to take the shot in the same outfit I wore during my 16 weeks belly shot since I was wearing it last night anyway. I’ve definitely rounded out a bit over the last three weeks (not only in my belly, but also in my face apparently). The funny thing is, I hadn’t even realized how much. I guess that means the baby is growing in there just as it should be.

A few days ago I realized that I hadn’t been feeling the baby move around much and started to worry just a little bit. Apparently, my worrying was totally unnecessary, because ever since then it has been jumping all around in there. I can’t say I mind much though. At this point it is still nice to feel those tiny movements. I’m sure before long I won’t enjoy them as much.

30 Days of ThanksToday I am thankful for this baby growing in my belly. There was a brief period of time when Hubby and I weren’t sure if we would ever have any children of our own. We went through a series of fertility tests and were told that having children was not impossible for us, only that it would be a little difficult. Fortunately, all it took was a bottle of medicine to combat my PCOS and eventually everything lined up just right. Now here we are four years later with not only one beautiful child but another one on the way. We are blessed indeed.

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30 Days of Thanks – Day 1

Published by dee on November 1, 2007

30 Days of Thanks When I decided to sign up for all this NaBloPoMo business, I also joined a few groups that were forming over there. One of the groups I joined is the “30 Days of Thanks” group. Not only did I assume it would help me come up with a decent amount of blog material to get through the month, but it also kind of forces me into spending some time reflecting and appreciating what I have instead of complaining (which I generally prefer to do).  I’m thinking that could be a nice change of pace for a while.

On this first day of thankfulness,  I have family in my mind.  I am very thankful that I live so close to my mom, dad, sister, and brother.  As most people do, I’ve come to appreciate my family much more as an adult than I ever did as a child and I don’t know what I would do without them.  I know they are always there for me and I, in turn, am always here should they need something.  Having family nearby also means that Zach will get to grow up with most of his cousins and will get to experience a closeness to his cousins, aunts, uncles, and grandparents that I never had.  It is one of the things that I always wished for and I’m so glad that I will get to experience it through him.

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Night of the Tantruming Toddler

Published by dee on November 1, 2007

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Halloween was fun, but I have to say I’m glad it is over. For one thing, I now have a huge bucket of candy to dig through that is sure to satisfy any sugar cravings I may have for the next month or two. For another thing, I’m absolutely exhausted.

For Zach, it was a very busy day. At school, he had a field trip to a nearby retirement community where he got to Trick or Treat and have a little party with the residents. Then, that afternoon they had a costume parade and got to Trick or Treat through the church offices. I managed to get off work a little early so I could be there for this. It was really fun to see all the kids dressed up in their costumes. After the parade, they went back to their classroom and had a little party where Zach scarfed down an entire cupcake while his classmates licked at the icing on theirs. His teacher commented that everyone really loved his Buzz Lightyear costume.

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After the school party was done, we picked up Hubby at home and headed up to my sister’s house. We had a quick dinner and then got the kids dressed up to Trick or Treat around the neighborhood. Dylan and Ryan were very into the Trick or Treating, while Zach was lagging behind a bit. He was actually more interested in checking out the stars in the sky than rushing up to the next door.

We were hoping to go by my dad’s house as well, but it seemed like things kept happening to slow us down. By the time we did a quick walk around the neighborhood the kids were pretty worn out.

When we got back to the house, Hubby put Toy Story 2 on and Zach and Ryan were glued to the TV. Zach hadn’t seen the 2nd one before and was completely mesmerized. There was no way he was going to leave until it was over, so we stayed while he finished the movie and then headed home.

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Unfortunately, the ride home was not very pleasant because Zach spent the entire drive throwing a massive tantrum. He had been playing with Ryan’s Woody and Buzz toys and really wanted to take them home. I finally convinced him that he needed to leave them with Ryan, but when we got to the car he started screaming. He wanted a BIG Woody and Buzz like Ryan’s (he has some small ones but they apparently aren’t good enough). It was at least slightly humorous to listen to him scream, “I want a BIG Woody!”

The night pretty much went downhill from there. Zach did not want to go to bed and ended up in bed with Hubby and I. He spent most of the night tossing and turning and having the night terrors. It is so hard to have to sit there and watch him go through that. I feel so helpless and it is hard to remember that he’s not actually awake when he is screaming and thrashing around the way he does. I have learned over the last couple of nights that when it does happen, I need to just sit back and wait it out. If I even try to touch him, he gets more hysterical. If I just wait it out, eventually he’ll settle back down and be fast asleep. The worst part of all of it is that no one in our house is getting much sleep and it is starting to show. We’re all a little crankier than we should be and that isn’t really helping things much.

So, to make a long story short (or at least a little bit shorter), Halloween 2007 started out very fun and ended with massive tantrums and night terrors. I’m just hoping that when I look back on it later I remember the good parts and not the bad.

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Sox WIN!

Published by dee on October 28, 2007

RedSoxLogo.jpgI knew they had it in them, but it is still hard to expect it when you are a Sox fan. Tonight, it is good to be a Red Sox fan. Oh, and I think I might be a little bit in love with this guy.

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