Potty Training

I tried several different times to potty train Cole and it never seemed to work - It always seemed like I was just training myself to take him in the bathroom every 20 minutes. He picked out his own seat... Picked out his big boy underwear... But every time I mentioned it, "No, I wear iapers. I can't like big boy underwear."

The day after California Adventures (Dec 5th), he started telling me he had to go. "Hurry, Mama! I go potty! Quickly, quickly!" and he'd race to the bathroom. He did awesome for a week and then it fizzled. I'm sure a lot of it was my fault - I kept him in diapers because I assumed he'd treat them like pull-ups, but also dreaded the laundry and didn't feel like cleaning the carpet/couch all day long. Spit-up patrol is already a full-time job.

Fast forward to January 4th. I waited until Christmas and his birthday were over, so we had no excuses. Put his Thomas underwear on in the morning and by 5pm we had eight accidents. I swear, I'd put a new pair on and not even 5 minutes later he'd need a new one. I put him in a diaper at 5:30pm, handed him over to Tom and went to a wine bar with Aunt Traci.

The following morning I took him to Target. Let him pick out another set (McQueen and Buzz, of course!) and got a 3-pack of plain white ones. When we got home I told him if he had an accident, he'd have to wear the 'baby' ones. Within 5 minutes, they had to go on. He flipped. Not even 10 minutes later he told me had to go. First time in a really long time! We ran and he did great. Because he didn't have an accident, he was rewarded with Thomas ones.

I told him if he pooped in them, they were going in the trash. I told him if he pooped in the potty, Daddy would take him for a milkshake. That evening he went and Tom immediately walked him (in the rain!) to get one.

Two weeks later, not ONE accident. We can run errands, go to the playground... And he always gives me enough time to find a bathroom.

The process was way easier than I thought it would be - I'm sure it's because I waited so long he's practically a teenager, but his love of Thomas, McQueen and Buzz helped. Seriously, who knew 10 minutes of wearing plain white underwear would be the answer!?

Joy Journal

We met Aunt Sarah and Emerson for a playdate last week and she was telling me about an article she read where parents periodically ask their children the question "What makes you happy?" and jot down their answers in a Joy Journal. I called Cole over from the slide and asked him. His response - "Hayden."

All the things I imagined he'd say... He certainly knows how to melt his mother's heart.

Hayden - Six Months

We started the month off with some new foods - Rice cereal, sweet potatoes, peas, bananas and applesauce. We were thrilled with how excited she was for each one and how much she was eating. Not so thrilled with the fact her spit-up was now different colors, but whatever. Our carpet would survive and chubby thighs were on the horizon. Hayden's 6 month check-up today pretty much popped that balloon.

Weight: 13lbs 14oz (9%)
Length: 26in (45%)
Head: 46cm (99%)

The nurse measured her head twice. Twice! The doctor came in and didn't believe the results and measured it a third time. It's huge, people! Just accept it! Our little bobblehead was put on a special diet due to the 9% - Extra 1/2 scoop of formula in her bottles and foods with protein (Stage 2 - chicken & noodles, turkey & rice, etc). I thought she was too young for this, but will do whatever the doctor says to get her where she needs to be.

Developmentally, she's a rockstar.

1st tooth - Christmas Eve
1st time army crawling - Christmas Eve
2nd tooth - New Years Eve
Sitting (for long periods of time) - January 3rd







Weight check on February 18th, so fingers crossed for better results!

My Favorite Sound

Happy New Year!

We started the evening off at dinner with the Wright family and rang in the New Year (with Chicago!) at our place - Party hats, leis, noisemakers and my three loves. Here's to a great 2013!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Cole

My baby boy... Growing bigger and more independent each and every day! 

You had quite the year - You learned how to talk and moved into a big boy bed.

You became a big brother and are undoubtedly the best one a baby girl could ask for. Sweet, caring and protective - You make us so proud.  My heart melts every time I look in my rearview mirror and see you holding her hand or hear you say, "It's okay, Hayden.  I right here."

You love cars (especially 'broken' ones), tow trucks, fire trucks, ambulances, police cars, garbage trucks, bulldozers/backhoes/mini loaders, and trains - You can play with any and all for hours.  If you see one outside, your day is complete.  (You also know more makes and models of cars than your Daddy!). You LOVE to run, screaming "Chase me!" as you go.  You love to play hide-n-seek, telling others where to go and where to find you. You're getting more creative with your imagination, and are picking up coloring, painting, and other crafts.

You used to be scared and shy around other kids, especially at playgrounds. Now, you hope for 'buddies' to arrive and are the first one to share your sand toys or initiate a game of tag.

You are stubborn, opinionated and too smart for your own good.  These traits tend to get you in a lot of battles with Daddy and you'll soon learn he's the boss. 

You never stop talking, ask endless questions and have a memory that floors us daily. 

We love the sound of your giggle.  You have quite the sense of humor and your observations/comments are fabulous.  I try and remember them, and want to kick myself for all that I've forgotten.

A few:

When you saw Ben Rothlisberger on ESPN and called him Mr. Potato Head.

We were at the hotel near Disneyland and you were watching a show where kids are gardening and saying their favorite food - You heard "I like carrots." "I like green beans." Your response? "I like chips."

Any vehicle with a light on it, whether it's a construction dump truck or City of San Diego pick-up truck, you consider it a 'police truck.'  The San Diego Police Department's mobile command center is a 'police food truck" or 'police ice cream truck' depending on the day.

Pizza delivery cars are 'pizza taxis'

Counting stop signs we drew on our front porch with chalk - "One, two, three, four, five, six, seven! There are five stop signs."

I told you Grandpa was coming for Christmas and asked what you wanted to get him - "A Christmas tree and 3 lights."

Homer Simpson - "D'oh!"  Cole - "Domp!"

You'll yell "Weak sauce!!" if we have a bad High-5 or throw

"Take a High-5" when you want recognition for a job well done.

Mazdas - 'Super cars'  Mini Coopers - 'Mini Poopers'

When asked how old you are - "Ten!"
When asked how old you are again - "Cole!"
When asked how old you are again - "Anetti!"
We'll get there.

Favorites:
TV Shows - Max & Ruby, Team Umizoomi, Dora
Foods - plain noodles, chicken nuggets, orange or white yogurt, raisins, bananas, waffles, toast, peanut butter bread, mac-n-cheese and pizza (pretty much ALL you'll eat)
Restaurant - Souplantion or 'Noodle Store'
Songs - Wheels on the Bus, ABCs, song you made up "Fire truck, do Do DO!"

I want to remember every bit of you at this stage.  Two was good to us.  We had a rough two weeks when we brought your sister home, but otherwise we wouldn't change a thing.  Okay, so maybe we'd install a mute button at times... But in all seriousness, you are the absolute best.  We adore you.  You're our everything.  Happy Birthday, Cole.

Love,
Mama

p.s. We've been told 3 is tough, so we're going to hold on tight!