Potty Training

This is how we roll these days.

His favorite pair of blue underwear (highly motivating, apparently) to keep clean and dry.

And Henry has been experimenting with our footwear.

More Birthdays

Growing Pains

Henry spent his first night in a "big boy bed" last night. At his own request. Or, rather, insistence. This took us a little by surprise, though he has taken naps on the bed before (back when he still took naps). I like to consider myself a parent who is open to letting children stretch and grow on their own, taking cues from their behavior to know when to make an adjustment, or change a habit. Can some changes be this easy? Though I also realize that a two-year-old continues to push limits and, as a parent, it's my job to let him know where that boundary lies. In truth, I'm exhausted from "picking my battles" or for a more peaceful version, "constantly renegotiating some sort of unwritten treaty."  (As a side note, I overheard a conversation a while ago between two moms with older kids. Both commented that a two-year-old really forces you to know Who You Are. And if you don't, they'll call you out on it in a heartbeat).

All of this has my mind reeling a little. I mean, I know that one day, we'll have a person on our hands who will be quite independent. He will get up in the morning, get dressed, and fix some breakfast with very little oversight on my part.  My confusion lies in the path that leads Point A (where we are now) to Point B (that independent person in the future). There seem to be so many little steps in the journey of raising kids.  How will I know when he's ready or what comes next? Is there a sequence? Although there are a few things I am happy to see change, especially before the new baby arrives, there are other habits I really hadn't planned on changing much in the coming months. Apparently Henry has different plans.

Let me try to sum up:
Our preferred changes (yes, I'm going to speak for George on these points as well)

• Bye-bye binky. We phased this out rather smoothly, I think. For a long time, we emphasized that the bink was only for nap time and sleeping. On occasion, I used this on a long car ride here and there to allow mommy a little peace and quiet from the constant chatter about big rigs, cars, trucks, buses, and any other vehicle traveling the interstate! With the absence of a nap, there came the absence of a binky opportunity, and recently, we just haven't given it to him at night, either.  Most are now out of sight, out of mind.

• Hello underwear. Potty training has been going quite well, extremely time consuming in the beginning, but we're getting results. Once Henry finally got the point that the potty was for pee (and poop -- we're still working on this concept) and not just naked time, he's been more consistent in doing the task at hand and returning to his play. He has actually spent two days in dry underwear all day. Of course, he still requires a lot of reminders, but on occasion he'll tell me that he has to go.  I think we still have a ways before we're "there" but we've made good headway!

 Henry's changes:

• No more nap time. This has been a harder adjustment for me than Henry, it seems. Not only do I not have any "alone time" for Mommy, but between 4 and 5 o'clock, Henry gets very crabby as well. Which is the time of day I need to be focusing on dinner plans to bring the day to a happy close. So, if Henry continues to cut out naps, I'm initiating the "quiet hour." The time of day when Henry plays quietly in his room. So far, it hasn't been too peaceful. Henry spent the first half just yelling "MAMA!" at the top of his lungs. And the funny thing is that he gets to read books, or play quietly with cars on his "big boy bed" (the full size bed in his room) and I could hear him shouting at me that he wanted to get down. Be sure, he can do that on his own. I thought it was rather funny he spent the whole time on his bed and never did climb down, even though I wasn't there to give him permission. Today was a little different. He actually did get down and play quietly in his room. I took a much needed cat nap on the futon.

• The big boy bed. We like the crib. He doesn't climb out. We know he's safe. We know he won't be mobile. So this weekend, I guess we'll do a little rearranging to make sure his full bed isn't near the window. So that his new sleeping arrangement is as safe as possible, too.

• The Open Door Policy. Henry has learned how to open doors. We haven't been completely forthcoming in helping him learn this new skill. It's nice to know he won't just open up the door and be out in the garage, or out of the house, or in the bathroom when it's occupied. We like knowing he's slightly confined to the "safe zones" in the house. 

So we're working out the details for the two-year-old treaty.  There's been some crying and carrying on. From both parties. (Hey, I'm a grumpy pregnant momma, what did you expect?)

Fish Fry Friday

Henry is a little more "Wisconsin" every day, it seems. He loves cheese. He loves bratwurst. He loves the polka, a discovery made at his music class and a show at the local library. I think he admitted he liked the color red to Aunt Jessica (after some coaxing). And this picture indicates he'll be a life-long participant in the traditional Friday fish fry specials, which are very popular in these parts, especially during Lent.

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. He's double fisting the fish. Don't let the expression on his face fool you. He could happily eat his weight in fish. It's just that he's still working on his "camera smile."

a taste of spring

In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt. ~Margaret Atwood

This week was a whole new world. Not only did the time change feel different (we're still not adjusted to a new sleeping schedule and sunlight in the evening) but the warm weather (60's!) melted the snow within a day or two and the great outdoors was inviting once again. So we took FULL advantage.

Here's what our week held:

* Absolutely NO naps for Henry. He played outside for hours on end, throwing sand, leaves, and dirt. Pushing the dump truck around the yard like long lost friends.

* We raked the yard, and discovered a few tulips, hyacinths, and crocuses peeking their heads through the ground!

* Aunt Jessica took Henry on a bike ride

* For playgroup, we visited a farm to tromp through the (ahem) mud and visit cows and sheep. We were lucky enough to actually witness the birth of a lamb.

* Following the lambing, we had a lovely picnic in the grass

* Jessica and I painted the sunroom, ceiling and all. Goodbye odd pumpkin, terracotta orange color. Hello more natural colors ("Sesame" walls, with a light blue accent wall) What a job!

* Cupcakes with green frosting for St. Patrick's Day

* Our first cook out. Theme: the letter "B" (Menu: bratwurst, buns, baked beans, etc.)

* A springtime, Momma - type of haircut. In a word: short!

It feels like spring has sprung, but we're supposed to get a layer of snow overnight. But we're so close, we can smell it. The dirt. And the manure.

You can check out more photos of Jessica's spring break week by clicking on the link.

Parking Spot

We've been reading this book quite a bit lately. At the end, the taxi finds a parking spot before turning in for the night.

I guess I shouldn't be surprised that Henry insisted on finding a "parking spot" on the pillow for his baby doll before he went to bed tonight. Funny the connections he draws...

I'rish we lived closer

A few "silly faced" cousins.
Hanging out in a hotel in Chicago to get in some swim time.
The hotel had a "no party" policy.
Technically, this was not violated.
Technically.
No guarantees 18 years from now.
Costume design by Aunt Jessica.

Sweet Bread

Cooking with Henry is always an adventure. He wants to be up where the action is. Gets things out of the fridge. Opens the cupboards. Tastes all the ingredients. Cracks the eggs. Stirs the flour in, and out of, the bowl.

He was eager to taste the wares, but was reminded they needed to be baked before consumed.

When he woke from his [much appreciated] nap, the first thing he said was, "did you bake the bread, Mama?"

Mmmm. Fresh, warm bread after a nap. Henry was living the good life today.

Here is the finished product - the recipe is Grandma Heying's Sweet Rolls Bread - that is, of course, after Henry had the first piece. He ate almost half the pan this afternoon...

"More bread please!" as he peeks his mug around the corner...

Everyday Life

Since I last wrote, February cruised on outta here, and March certainly came marching in. It has been a new month and a new world for us.

Let me count the ways:

• With temps above freezing, we've been outside more often. The snow is giving way to expose the treasures (or trash!) hidden underneath. We spotted some grass next to our driveway the other day (Henry stood on it proudly), the glacier that plagues the end of our driveway transformed into a small pond (Henry stomped in it ferociously), and I believe the saying goes, "April showers..." but March is providing some much needed rain for melting, cleansing, and reviving (Henry's rain boots fit appropriately this year and we're getting good use out of them).

• Nap time woes. Henry has not been a reliable napper lately. I'm in mourning. I really thought that life would coast with afternoon quiet time for several more months. This loss of "free time" and the idea that life with a new baby may not contain any solitary moments with the new little one while Henry sleeps has me reaching for a new mindset about planning our days. As well as the challenge of implementing a different kind of quiet time for Henry.

• Potty training. People say boys take longer. People say "wait until they're ready," as if they'll ever be. I'm determined to give it a go, anyway. "People" have no idea that I do things my way. Seriously, though, I found a fabulous book that inspired me. The author emphasizes that research shows starting early will end diapers early, that potty training will not psychologically damage a resistant toddler (whew!), and that cloth training pants are the way to go (well, I knew that last one already, anyway). So I'm giving it an honest try before the weather is so nice that we're out the door and no where near a potty all day long. If anything, we're at least building some new habits to encourage the process (like getting to the potty immediately after getting up in the morning, or nap-time). Day 1 proved I had my work cut out for me. Henry is highly conditioned to pee when he has a nice dry cloth diaper or training pants on. Day 2 we had success, twice. A celebration followed, it seemed the light-bulb went on for Henry. Day 3 another catch. Day 4 (today), a little more of a challenge, but Momma is learning some lessons along the way, too. Like the fact that Henry will always claim he is dry, even when wet. Or, if he even mentions the potty word (or pee or poo), it's on his mind, I should NOT ask for confirmation, we should just go directly to the potty, pass "GO" and collect our $200.

• As mentioned, George has been on call this month, but we managed to get a "date swap" weekend in with friends of ours and catch the cliche "dinner and a movie." Oh bliss. Since George rarely wants to go to any flicks, I jumped on the chance to find a showing of his request, Crazy Heart. Perfect timing, too, with the Oscar Awards being distributed that evening, and Jeff Bridges taking one home for his performance. We enjoyed the movie, and a meal at the Great Dane - a Madison hot spot. Some of you may remember that we started a mainly vegetarian diet several years ago. Well, my hamburger was mighty tasty. It's been a while. My pregnancy induced anemia thanks you, Mr. Cow!

Everyday life is just that, right now. I'm dreaming of getting out in the yard, waiting for all those bulbs I planted last fall to show their true colors. My nights are becoming shorter and more restless as the belly continues to grow, and the hip / back pain wakes me up (along with the ritual 3am bathroom run). And time is flying by as we hurtle toward the May due date. I'm 32 weeks! More pictures and stories to come. For now, the precious minutes of a rare nap need to be used doing a few things around the house. TTFN!