Potty Training Champion!

I don't remember if I mentioned that we tried to potty train in May. You were always so excited about the potty - and you were fascinated when anyone else would go - I decided we would try it. You HATED the potty the 1 1/2 days I tried. You fought me all the time! So I quit. And I had to remind myself that you weren't even 2 1/2 at that point and we could wait.

 

So, this past weekend your daddy and I planned a Potty Training camp! We had no plans - so we locked ourselves in the house and focused on potty training. Your daddy set a timer on his phone for every 45 minutes at first (sometimes 20 minutes if it had been a long time since you'd gone) and when it would go off a song would play. And we would all get excited and sing: it's potty time, it's potty time! over and over - and you would boogie down and your daddy would dance too -- I would dance, or more cheer I think! :) But I laughed so hard at you and your daddy's dance parade to the bathroom!! :) Then we would sit on the potty. And we would read the same two books over and over! :) But you like them. ONCE in a while you got to take the iPad in with you - but that was usually if you were already watching it.

 

So, day 1, Saturday. We began the journey. We said no diapers and we put shorts on you - that was it. You were excited to do the potty dance and excited to sit on the potty - but you never went. You would have an accident here and there - but only one on the carpet - otherwise you were in the kitchen or in your car (you had two accidents in your play car). You did start calling "wolf" and saying you needed to go potty every so often - but I think it's because you enjoyed the one-on-one attention in the bathroom. ;)

So, day 1 ended, and we had 4 accidents and zero successes. we were discouraged - but not terribly. We were going to go at it hard on Sunday and if it was just as bad maybe hold off for a while. I told your daddy that if this weekend didn't work I would probably wait until Christmas Break - because with baby brother coming I knew I wouldn't be able to potty train you!

 

So, day two comes. And we start by going to the potty chair. You daddy took you - and you came running out of the bathroom all excited. And I said - did you go? And daddy walked out and said no. So, I pulled you into my lap and I said "Eliana, you know if you go Potty IN the potty chair you get a sucker -right?" And you looked at me, cocked your head, and said - "Oh! Okay!" and you hopped off my lap and ran to the bathroom. Your daddy and I just sat where we were because we didn't think you were going to go potty - just sit there again. After a little bit we heard you messing with the wipes -so your dad went in to get you out of the bathroom before you made a mess. And I heard your daddy gasp and say "did you go potty!!?" So I hopped up - and sure enough!! You went potty ALL BY YOURSELF!! We were SO SO excited - and we had lots of hope for day 2 of potty training! And you were excited about your sucker! The photos below are of your first time going potty!

So, day two was semi-successful. You really started to understand. You would start to go potty in your pants and feel it and you would yell - POTTY TIME! and then we would rush off. We still went through like 4 pairs of shorts because you would get like a dime size amount of pee on you - but you were learning and you figured out when you needed to go! You went in the potty 5 times and had 5 accidents. Notice, you went to the bathroom - or had accidents more on day 2? We were PUMPING you with fluids!! :) Girl, you just don't go to the bathroom often enough - so we had to pump you full! :)

So, day 3 came - and I was hoping your success rate would improve again. Since it was Monday your daddy had to go to work...and I was nervous to be left alone on day 3 of potty training! Luckily, baby brother didn't make me sick on day 3 - and I had a burst of energy! So that was nice! Day 3 started in the morning - we went straight to the potty - and you went! :) Woo hoo! I continued to set the timer every hour to remind ME to ask you to go. And for the morning we sat on the potty whenever I asked you - but you didn't go very often. Then, when you felt you needed to go we went! And you did so good! You even went quite a few times and didn't ask for a sucker! :) You just knew that's what you were supposed to do! So, for day 3 you had 100% success!! Mommy and Daddy were so proud of you! I lost track of how many times we went to the bathroom - but I never had to clean the floor so that was nice! :) Even tonight - we put a pull up on you before bed - and I asked you if you needed to go potty before we went to bed - and you said no. So, you and I were laying in your bed and you popped up and said - potty! potty! (which I did take a second to think you were just trying to get out of bed...) but I quickly got you out of bed and we ran to the toilet and you went! You went a lot! I was SOOOOO proud of you! Because your daddy and I thought you might just go in a pull up if that's what you were wearing - but you recognized the sensation and you told me and you went!! SO PROUD!

Now, I have to say - you have not gone number 2 in the potty chair yet. In fact, on day 1 and 2 you held your poo in until you had a diaper or pull up on for nap time. So, daddy and I were worried you wouldn't poo if you had regular panties on. But, today you did technically (but I'm not counting poo - we'll work on that next) have 2 accidents...because you pooed in your shorts. But, to be honest I was just glad you were going and not holding it in! So, hopefully you can figure out that #2 goes in the potty too....we will see if we can get you to learn that just as quick....I think that's harder because you don't go poo as often. But we'll get there.

But, needless to say mommy and daddy are both really proud of you sweet girl! Tomorrow is our first outing out of the house (well, mommy went to a church meeting yesterday afternoon - and daddy left for work today - but it's your first time to leave the house!) So I'm hoping we can continue our good streak! Luckily, we're just going to a friend's house - so hopefully that will help you stay on track (and I'm hoping you don't have any accidents on her floor.....) :)

Little girl, you're growing up and We can't be more proud!
love you!
Mommy

Michigan Vacation pt 2! St Louis Edition

So, on Thursday, June 27th, we met the Simons in Toledo, OH (They had traveled there to see more family). And we were off. By the time we got there and got the van reloaded - it was probably about 11:00. You kiddos fell asleep pretty quick for nap - to where we never got lunch before naps that day.

But we did travel for a LONG time! I think we finally stopped at about 4:00 for gas and a stretch break. There was a nice field next to the gas station so we had races and played ring around the rosie!

 

None of you kids (me neither - but it's okay) were very happy that we had to get back in the car...but we were only 40 miles from our hotel! We sang songs for 20 minutes - and then we busted out the candy for the last 20!

 

Oh, and I should add - that we decided your cousin Elijah is not a fan of traveling - so before we left Toledo - we decided to put him in the middle with his mom and me in the back with you girl - if I fit - which I did. So that is the way we traveled home from Michigan all the way to KS. It wasn't terribly uncomfortable for me - and you kids traveled SO much better (no fighting!!) so it was a GREAT choice! :)

 

We all love suckers! (fyi - you finished yours and then finished mine too....stinker!)

We checked into the hotel about 5:30 - we weren't actually in St Louis - we stopped just outside of it and stayed in Troy.  First thing we decided to do was go to the pool! This was your first BIG pool this summer - and you LOVED it! You didn't want daddy or I to hold you, you wanted to swim by yourself! Which obviously wasn't happening - so that was fun! :) We did try Bekkah's swim vest to see if you could do it on your own - but you just bobbed and fell over :) 

You kids had SO much fun splashing! :)

You and Daddy had SO SO SO much fun!

 

We swam for probably an hour and a half - and then we went back to the rooms and ordered pizza. We had conjoined rooms with the Simons - so that was nice - we opened up the middle doors and let you kids run back and forth. It was a lot of fun, and quite relaxing. We actually went to bed quite early  - which is good -because in the morning we headed off for the zoo!

 

So, Friday, June 28th, was our zoo day. It was also mine and daddy's 5th wedding anniversary!! Daddy bought me a bottle of water for $3.50 at the zoo! :) hehe

 

You did not start your Friday off very well...first, baby brother made me sick that morning - so we were a little slow getting around in our room. Then, when we got to the zoo we had to park quite a ways away - which was fine - but you didn't want to ride in your stroller - you wanted mommy to carry you. But it was too hot and mommy couldn't carry you - so we had a lot of meltdowns before we even got in to the zoo! But once we got there and got started it went pretty smooth!

We started at the sea lion show! It was really good. we had GREAT, front seats - but you didn't really want to sit too still - and daddy had gone up to the top to be in the shade - so a little ways through the show you and I went up to join him -- it was SO MUCH cooler in the shade up there!

Big girl walking to the Monkeys!

You LOVED the carousel! I had a lot of fun too!

Our family in a tunnel... :) It was so hot - you can tell by our faces

You and daddy looking at the penguins....This exhibit was awesome - and SO SO Cold - which felt SO SO great! :)

You and Elijah! So cute! By this point we were almost done - and Bekkah was having a small meltdown.

 

This was in the kid's zone. Some lady came up to us and asked if we were going to the kid's zone - and we told her no (it was like $8 a person - kids too!) so, we were not going to pay that. The lady said, well, I have extras and they expire today. We told her we would need 6 and she handed them over! It was so nice! I don't have any pictures from it - but the first kid's zone play place was so much fun for you kiddos. 1. It was inside - so it was cooler, 2. you guys felt freedom because the parents didn't have to be right there - we were able to stand back and watch you guys play and have fun!

 

The picture above is from another part of the kid's zone. It's a hippo slide, you go down the hippo's mouth. we posed and took pictures. Bekkah did good - Elijah wasn't too sure - But I think you actually thought the hippo was going to eat you - you screamed SO loud! :) 

We left the zoo at about 1:00 - you guys were such troopers! I love these two photos of you kids! You and Bekkah will be best of friends! :)


After the zoo we stopped at Burger King to eat - it was simpler to just eat in the restaurant so we did. Then, we loaded in the car and all you kids were asleep within 15 minutes of being on the road! You all slept ALMOST the entire way to Ottawa. I think you guys woke up in KC. Which wasn't bad. We sang and then busted out the suckers again! It was SO SO nice to be home! I loved our trip, but it was long, and the car ride was long! :)

I can't wait to take you on more vacations and have more adventures with our family! Your daddy and I like to travel and visit new places - so hopefully we'll be able to travel more and more in the summers! :)

I love you sweet girl!
Mommy

Michigan Vacation pt 1

Eliana, you went on your first REAL family Vacation, however, it was not your first time out of state. We have been to Texas - but that was for Taylor's wedding - which was fun and relaxing, but we didn't plan it - so we don't count it as a vacation. So, this year was your first vacation! It was so much fun! Hopefully your brother will be a good traveler so we can go on vacation next year too! :)

 

So, this summer we headed out to Michigan to see the Ericksons! We have missed them and it was so nice to see them for an ENTIRE WEEK! :) (well, almost). We left on Thursday, June 20th at about 6 pm. We were supposed to leave around 5 - but it took a while to figure out the carseats - and how to pack the van. The Simons traveled with us to Michigan, because Uncle Matt's family lives 30 minutes from the Ericksons. So we were able to combine our vacation and share in the traveling fun and expenses :)

Here are you three kids - ready for the trip...I think Elijah is the only one who understands what's about to happen (a VERY long car ride). We ate in the car and watched movies...Rebekkah traveled the best -she was content watching the movies. For the first few hours you and Elijah fought - if he had a toy you took it - and his arms weren't long enough to take it back... naughty girl! So it went back and fourth for a while. Then we stopped at a rest stop about 8:30 and changed you kids into your pajamas and let you run around for about 30 or 45 minutes! Then back on the road we went. Bekkah fell asleep and stayed asleep - Elijah was very unhappy and cried most the night off and on. You fell asleep about 10...and woke up at 3:30...and you were up for the rest of the trip! Luckily you just sat there and held my hand (I sat in front of you - so it wasn't the most comfortable for me to hold your hand).

We stopped for breakfast at 6:00 a.m. It was an early breakfast - but we were all hungry and needed out of the car! You loved your pancakes! :)

 

We arrived at the Erickson's house at about 8:00 a.m. The Ericksons came out and met us and we were so glad to be there. That first day (Friday, the 21st) we didn't do a lot. All three of us took long naps after lunch and we just hung out at their house. We were all too tired from traveling to do anything.

 

The second day, Saturday, the 22nd. We went to the strawberry patch to pick strawberries! It was so much fun! You got really in to it and we weren't sure how you and Ellarie would like it! We had so much fun - this will definitely be a tradition we start around home too...I have been researching strawberry patches....now, if I could just get you and daddy to eat them :)

On the wagon ride out to the patch!

 Picking strawberries with mommy  

 

You did a great job picking the RED strawberries -- you would fill your blue dish then come dump them in the big box. When you dumped them in the box, daddy would then double check the ones you picked ;)

You did decide you needed to pick some flowers too :)

You loved all the animals too!

Amy and Mommy washed and cut and froze all the strawberries!! (Well, not all - we kept some out to eat and we made jelly with some) :)

You LOVED Amy and Dale's chickens! You loved to feed them and watch them and chase them! :)

Showing me your jelly! We made some of Grandma Great's homemade jelly! SO GOOD!

 

Sunday, the 23rd, we went to church and then after naps we went bowling! This was your first time bowling and you had SO MUCH FUN! You loved it! You lasted the longest out of the three girls - I think you ended in frame 6 or 7. Which is pretty good! You didn't care to wait for your turn - but you did a good job!

You would watch your ball r....oooo...oooo.....llllllll down the lane and then cheer when it hit a pin!

Squishy face with Ellarie!!! :)

This was seriously the BEST ice cream EVER! It was so delicious and cheap...some local ice cream parlor in Stockbridge! SO YUMMY!

Best friends riding in the back for the week!

On Monday, the 24th, we headed to Chelsea, Michigan and you got to make yourself a teddy bear! It was a lot of fun!

You did get bored and I ended up finishing the stuffing part! :)

Showing daddy your pretty bear!! You LOVE her!

After the teddy bear factory we headed to the Tree House - it's an inside play place - you LOVED it..you did make your daddy follow you everywhere. I'm sure I would have had to tag in some if I wasn't pregnant - but baby brother and I sat and watched :)

Monday night we enjoyed some POOL fun!! :)

Tuesday, the 25th, it was rainy and we enjoyed a much needed day around the house. It was nice to hang out and enjoy each other.

 

Wednesday, the 26th, we went to a FARM! You LOVED THE FARM!!

 You fed mama goats...and got to pet the baby goats! :)

You LOVED the baby chicks....they were brand new babies

You got to pick fresh farm eggs!!

Amy took your 2 year pictures while we were there....then the clouds started to roll in...

 

Wednesday night we went to church again and then packed up. You did have a lot of fun in Emma and Ellarie's play room downstairs! You girls put on quite a musical show for us too!! So cute!!

 

Then, Thursday morning, the 27th, we left at about 8 a.m. to go meet Jami, Matt, Bekkah, and Elijah to head back to Kansas. But before we went to Kansas we made a pit stop in St. Louis for some fun!...