M.I.N.E.: Second Kid Potty Training Day Two

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Second Kid Potty Training Day Two

Josiah and Potty Training: Day one was such a huge success potty training Josiah. He's much better at holding it than Maryn and has a bigger bladder, so it was just a lot less messy. He was excited, cooperative and maybe a little overzealous. John was home, which helped motivate him immensely I believe. Today has not been as much of a success. Actually it hasn't involved a single "success" and has been rather exhausting. I'm taking a break by 1.) blogging and 2.) bleaching our kitchen. If our bathroom can't be clean, at least our kitchen will be. The top of our fridge was dis.gust.ing. I know for a fact I cleaned it a month ago but yuck, yuck. How the heck does it get like that in a matter of four weeks?

Maryn has been such a great help and encourager!

Maryn and Charlotte Mason: I am reading a book called "When Children Love to Learn." There is so much truth in this book. I am learning a ton about myself, education, God and my relationship with him. I'm learning a little bit about why I have such a works-righteousness mentality, and I'm learning why FlyLady has been so successful for me (it's about learning good habits, not completing a to-do list or getting a reward). I've learned that I really have to work on 1.) Being sweet to my kids and 2.) Not trying to manipulate them with my looks, my sarcasm or whatever. I'll be officially homeschooling in just about a year and a half (that's when we will have to register with the state), so I gotta get mySELF into these routines and habits if I expect the same from my kids.

We were outside and Maryn said, "Mom look! I wonder why the ground is all cracked?" I looked and it was clear that after the rain we had the other night, the dirt was then drying in the sunshine and cracking. Yay! I was so excited she was making these observations in nature (Shutup! I know I'm a dork:))! But instead of a big lecture I just asked her why she thought it might be cracking, and was it wet or dry? She said it was wet but it was drying in the sun. I stopped myself from going into a big "lecture." I'm so glad I did, because instead of listening to me ramble, she continued to venture around the yard looking for cracks. She ended up seeing a place where a groundhog had made tunnels and she and a friend had a little adventure looking at things on the ground. The Charlotte Mason method is a lot about not spoon-feeding and lecturing our kids, but in exploring the world for themselves and making more of their own connections, doing their own research, asking questions, etc.

Owen and Milestones: Owen has been hitting a lot of milestones lately. It's even more exciting with the third baby when they get new toofers, learn to sit up, wave, clap, etc. It seems not long ago Maryn learned to do these things and this bittersweet reminder of how quickly they grow has been making John and I hold on to her a little tighter.

On Christmas Eve, Owen learned how to clap. He did it for a few days but seems to have forgotten about it. But he has been waving consistently and I swear it's the cutest thing I have ever seen. lol okay, I say that about everything, I know.

He is getting interested in crawling and pulling up on things but HAS NOT done either yet (thank God...just kidding...sort of...). He's not totally back to himself since our illness. He had a terrible ear infection and is on antibiotics now. He's feeling so much better but I think the antibiotics make him feel yucky.

Sleeping: The kids have been sleeping better. We had a great night last night. And by "great" I mean, I woke up with Owen to nurse at 12:30, 3:30 (and changed his poopy diaper!), and 6:30. Josiah was up at 6 and I made him go back to bed. But after I got Owen back down, everyone slept past 7:30! Meaning...wait for it....I TOOK A SHOWER!!!!!!!!!!!!! I also read my Bible!!!!! And I made the bed, got dressed, and had a cup of coffee with my handsome manly man!