Potty Training

Wednesday while Ryan and I were at Target, we picked out some Thomas the Train underwear.  He was very excited about possibly wearing them.  So much so, that he wanted to wear them that night and started going pee in the potty.  So we pulled the trigger Friday morning and stopped using diapers all together!  The first day and a half went perfectly.  2 minor accidents and all successes!  Then it came time to poop.  He refused.  He got constipated.  Sunday morning we started giving him lots of fiber and Miralax. That after noon nature took its course, but it really freaked him out and he said it "gave him a boo boo on his bottom."  So we hit a big bump in the road and he started resisting all potty training. It became a power struggle between him and I.  I was mentally spent at this point and so defeated. But, today I started the day with a new approach and let him have most of the power to tell me when he needed to go.  He had a major accident right away and was holding it most of the morning.  Then our "pediatrician" called.  (Rob in a fake voice).  I know, I do not parent with lies.  In fact, I am utterly opposed to it, except in this scenario.  Dr. Y laid down a few ground rules over the phone and it seemed to take the power away from Ryan and myself and put it on Dr. Y.  It worked like a charm!  We went out to dinner tonight and he did great and even used the public bathroom.  I bought a petite potette, and I would recommend it to anyone potty training.  It can be used a potty or as an insert in a big toilet.
I am so proud of him and I think he has done great over all!  A special thanks to my cheerleader and sounding board, Allyson, for keeping my head straight during the process!!!

(sorry for all of the details, but I want this for my memories and to reference in 2 years with Lillian)

9 Months Old Already

Lillian will be 9 months tomorrow!  That was so fast!  She had her 9 month check up today and she is doing great!  She has dropped to the 5th percentile for weight, but the doctor isn't concerned since she is eating fine and she is crawling everywhere now (burning extra calories).  Her height has dropped to the 25th percentile, but since her weight dropped too, he isn't worried.  He said she is just a petite girl and probably will continue to be.  Interesting side note, when I was 9 months old, my mom told me that my weight and height dropped really low, and back then they ran a million tests to see if something was wrong with me.  So I guess she is following in my footsteps.  Her head is 75%!!!  Again, something she got from me (thanks Grandpa!).  The doctor is very impressed with her fine motor skills and said she is developing perfectly. 

This morning she said "mommy" for the first time!  Melted my heart.  She also waives at everyone and says what sounds like "hi" while she waves.  She also dances on command and will mimic all facial expressions and noises.  Her babbling is getting more complicated and when you sing the wheels on the bus to her she will start rolling her hands.  Her and Ryan are starting to play together more and more, which is about the cutest thing ever!  I will try to get that on video soon. She is such a little joy to have around! 

We had to stick around for a routine urinalysis so this is how we passed the time.  She was giggling and talking uncontrollably. The nurses and office staff kept peeking in to see what they were hearing throughout the office.  

Build-A-Bear

A couple of months ago, I bought a Build-A-Bear Groupon for Ryan.  I planned to take him for one of his advent calendar activities, but the holidays got busier and busier and we never made it out to the mall.  Rob and I decided to take him on Sunday for his last day of winter break.  He has been one other time with Grammy, so he knew what it was when we told him where we were going that day.  Hew as very excited!  He picked out a black teddy bear and named him "Daddy Bear" (I think Rob might have something to do with this name, but I can't be certain).  He loved every step of the process, especially the bath. 

Ice Cream

We went to dinner with my grandparents, Ryan and Lillian's Gi-Gi and Pa-Pa, and they had free soft serve ice cream.  Gi-Gi gave Lillian her first taste and sh went crazy for it!!! Thankfully it didn't upset her stomach, considering it was the first dairy she has eaten.  Something tells me ice cream will be it's own food group for her when she is older. 

Christmas 2010

Please excuse the long post and many many pictures.  I wanted to post all of them for family out of state and of course for us in the future.

Christmas was so much fun!  Ryan was really into it and understood that Santa came to the house while he was asleep.  Although, he didn't get the sleigh/reindeer part and kept asking what kind of car Santa drove.  When I explained the reindeer, he thought they were the same deer we see frequently around our house/neighborhood.  Ah well, I don't think it took away from the magic at all.  Grammy spent the night Christmas Eve, which Ryan thought was pretty fun.  Christmas morning, we woke up and got to open and play with all of the gifts from Santa.  Ryan was so excited and was screaming "oh my gosh!" for everything.  We then ate breakfast and had a webcam Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Reckers, Teeti, and Uncle Jonathan.  Then we tackled all of the other gifts.  After lots of playing, lunch, and a nap, Uncle Benny, Aunt Amy, and cousin's Jack and James came over for more presents, dinner, and, of course, more hours of playing.  It was a wonderful day and I think everyone was completely exhausted by the end. 

Lillian was really into everything and watching all of the excitement.  She loves all of her toys, but especially liked the wrapping paper.

I need to re-read this post next year to remind myself that Ryan and Lillian will get a ton of toys from people other than us and Santa.  I think the amount of toys they own doubled Christmas morning.  I have already cleared out so many "old" toys from our play room, and plan to do some more in the coming weeks. 

We have had to do some explaining to Ryan about Christmas being over, and Jingle (our Elf on the shelf) having to go away until next year.  When the decorations came down, he was a little confused/sad.  He also didn't understand why we no longer had the advent calendar up.  But he now understands it enough to not really ask for it anymore.  We have yet to take down the inflatables, and I suspect that will bring some tears.  I hope everyone had a great Christmas as well!!  Happy New Year!!