Baby Nicolette

I caught my kids in a moment this morning, and it prompted me to share a friend's blog with you.  I've been sharing updates through Facebook, but I don't think I've linked through my blog until now.  The Joneses have a beautiful baby girl who was born very premature at 23 weeks and 6 days... almost 4 months early.  Nicolette Ava Jones was born on February 5, 2011, and joined her mom and dad at home on May 15, 2011, 2 weeks shy of her May 29th due date.  Please follow their blog and see how well Nicolette has grown!

Although we have not met Nicolette yet, Poppy and Olive love to look at her birth announcement.  This morning, they invited her to play with puzzles.

Poppy and Nicolette

"Alright, kid.  We're going to teach you how to play like a big girl."

Olive giving Nicolette a front row seat to learn

 Olive kissing Nicolette with and without a pacifier

Art Wall

Quick potty training update: the girls had NO ACCIDENTS yesterday!  Unfortunately, they have had about 50% accidents today.  This is so discouraging, but not every day will be perfect for while.  Ho hum.

Anyway, I finally hung up some artwork that the kids have created!

Potty Training, Day 4

To be honest, this might be the last post dedicated to potty training.  Potty training is an ongoing endeavor, but I'm sure we have mastered the bulk.  After 3 days at home, we finally had our first outing!  Although the kids wore Pull-Ups to Gymboree today, it was still a bit nerve wracking leaving the house.  We went prepared with our Potette Plus, which is awesome by the way.  On separate occasions during class, Poppy and Olive asked to go pee-pee but didn't make it to the bathroom and went in their Pull-ups.  They just don't have the strength to hold it in for a long period of time... yet.  It's been a long 4 days, but it was worth it:  no more cases of diapers and no more changing table in the family room.  I could not have done it alone, so thank you Jill for helping while not at work and Mom-mom for helping and working so hard with me for 4 days!

Poppy

Olive

Poppy cooking and wearing the apron from Aunt Maria and Uncle David

Me and Poppy

Olive

There wasn't much ice cream left in the container...

Potty Training, Day 3

Steady improvement today overall, even though there were 3 poopies on the floor.  That sucked.  Olive and Poppy are starting to say "no" when we ask them to sit on the potty.  I take that as a good sign.  They want to do it themselves and understand that when they have to go, they should sit on the potty.  We will venture out tomorrow to Gymboree, probably wearing Pull-Ups in case of an accident.  We'll see how it goes!

All work and no play makes Poppy a dull girl.

Olive eating a reward cupcake

Potty Training, Day 2

Yesterday was Day 2 of potty training.  Here is a quick update (since it is technically Day 3 right now).  Both Poppy and Olive have pooed in the potty, and each had unprompted potty breaks!  The process is "clicking."  They are still motivated by candy rewards, but at least 1 success went unintentionally unrewarded.  That didn't cause any problem or complaints!  Accidents were still about 35-45%, but they are improving.

Naked Play Time

Poppy with a reward: Mrs. Potato Head

Olive with a magazine

Potty Training, Day 1

Yes, you read that correctly.  It's potty training weekend for Poppy and Olive.  And, Mom-mom is the lucky volunteer to help me since Jill is working on a few big cases and will be working all weekend.  First, let's say it can be difficult to know when to train and what method to use.  I think most agree that you potty train when the child is ready.  We have had 2 potties for about 6 months.  Most days, I'd try to get the kids to sit on the potty once or twice for as long as possible, and a few successes were inevitable.  They understand all the lingo, usually tell us when they are dirty, and recently they have wanted to have their diaper changed.  When you decide to actually train,  you must decide on a method.  I considered Potty Training in a Day (many books on this technique), child centered (the child decides it's time to get rid of diapers on her own), and the Naked and $75 Method (the cost of carpet cleaning).  I chose the latter.  After breakfast, naked time (and wearing big girl panties) commenced.  Each time there was a success, I gave a special treat.  It started as marshmallows, but they soon tired of them.  I switched to M&Ms as per Mom-mom's suggestion.  Much more motivating!  

By nap time, 1 P.M., the kids had blown through 12 pairs of panties!  How did they pee that much?  They each peed in 6 pairs and had at least 6 pee-pees in the potty each: some just dribbles, some a whole potty full.  After nap time, I could tell they were getting frustrated and annoyed with the whole situation, but we powered through and even had our first unassisted potty poo by Olive!  Overall, today's experience was much better than I expected.  We'll see what tomorrow brings!

Poppy and Olive enjoying marshmallows

Let Poppy demonstrate the procedure...

Step 1: Pee and transport

Step 2: Pour into big potty

Step 3: Flush!  Bye-bye, pee-pee!

Olive--Don't spill it!

Salty snacks and big girl panties

Poppy--Is it over yet?  This is exhausting!

Instant Camera Gratification

Just as we like to see our digital pictures immediately on the view screen, so do Olive and Poppy.  They made me take pictures of random things so they could then look at the back of the camera to see them.

First, the pajamas!

Then, the bellies!

Then, the pigs!

Leftover 4th of July Cupcakes

I have not posted 4th of July pictures yet, but I couldn't resist showing you these.

Poppy

This is such an Olive face.

Olive

Monkey See, Monkey Do and Other Videos

Monkey See, Monkey Do at Meal Time

What Do They Call Stars?

Olive Reading

Poppy Reading