It's not bad yet, but we've had to give him a few doses of Camilia - that stuff is awesome. Has anyone had any success with Amber necklaces like these? I have heard some good things about them.
Oh the sleeping issues. I'm working on getting John Paul used to his crib. He does NOT like it. He has to be fast asleep before I dare try to put him in there, or he'll start thrashing around and wake himself up. So usually I feed him around 8, put him in his swing and he falls asleep. Then I move him to his crib when I go to bed, and he'll sleep there maybe 3 hours before he gets up. When he gets up I go in there to feed him, but he wakes right back up when I put him down again. So he usually ends up in bed with us and I can. not. sleep. with. him. in. the. bed. I always end up with about 3 inches of bed space and he's smashed up against me. Either that or he lays there kicking and kicking his strong little legs. I've let him cry a little in his bed but he doesn't just fuss and go to sleep, he cries and it escalates until he's screaming. I've tried swaddling and that helps a little. I've tried laying him horizontally and that helps a little. I hope he gets used to it soon!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Friday, August 28, 2009
Funny girl
Today Madeleine woke up CRYING and crying, saying she wanted her tea set. Last week she decided she didn't want to go on the potty, so she didn't get her tea set. So I asked her if she wanted to try big girl underwear today, and she said yes. She picked out a pair of Dora underwear and did. not. have ONE. accident today. And we were outside, playing on the swingset and sandbox, had friends over, and even went to the grocery store. She did perfect. So she got a tea cup and we all had a tea party, complete with music, after supper. She says she does not want to wear diapers anymore so we'll see. I'm not going to push it.
So today my friend came over and she was "racing" Madeleine for bites at lunch. Madeleine does not like to eat all that much, so we have to find ways of getting her to eat. This worked great! My friend kept saying Madeleine "beat" her. When she was eating supper tonight, she looked at Ken and said, "Daddy, will you beat me?" HAAAAA!!!
I explained what she meant and he did it - and she cleaned her plate. She kept saying, "Daddy, will you "beat" me AGAIN?" :)
I hope this phrase doesn't come out in public...
So today my friend came over and she was "racing" Madeleine for bites at lunch. Madeleine does not like to eat all that much, so we have to find ways of getting her to eat. This worked great! My friend kept saying Madeleine "beat" her. When she was eating supper tonight, she looked at Ken and said, "Daddy, will you beat me?" HAAAAA!!!
I explained what she meant and he did it - and she cleaned her plate. She kept saying, "Daddy, will you "beat" me AGAIN?" :)
I hope this phrase doesn't come out in public...
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Hanging out with friends
Cousins Eli and Jude. My mom and dad had 4 grandchildren in less than 2 1/2 years!
Ava and Madeleine at the playground - isn't this a cool swing?? (Cathy thanks for the shoes!)
John Paul the huge baby and Baby Megan who we are watching for a few weeks. She is SOOOO sweet and an easy baby! Look how tiny she is! She got baptized this weekend and her little head still smells like chrism. I love that smell.
Kateri and John Paul.... hm, can you tell these kids are Catholic by their names? :)
Will and John Paul hanging out at story hour - they are 4 days apart and if you can believe it, Will weighs almost 2 pounds more! We have some big cute boys!
Will and John Paul go way back :)Monday, August 24, 2009
4 month appointment
I have one big boy!
He was 16 lbs exactly, and 27 inches! This kid has grown 6 inches in 4 months!! No wonder none of his clothes fit! He's too long!
So he's in the 75th percentile for weight and 97TH for height!! What the heck, only 3 percent of babies are longer than him? We do have some height on both sides of our family though. The nurse practitioner who we saw today (Dr. J was sick) said he looked long and lean, and that he was very strong and mature for his age, and looked older than 4 months.
Also, he just started rolling over. The first time he rolled was on Friday when I got their pictures taken. The photographer put him on his tummy and he rolled right over. Then he did it again today. She said he looked great in every way, and that he'd probably want to start solid food before his 6 month appointment and that was fine. She said try to wait til as close to 6 months as possible. He's obviously growing just fine so far!
He was 16 lbs exactly, and 27 inches! This kid has grown 6 inches in 4 months!! No wonder none of his clothes fit! He's too long!
So he's in the 75th percentile for weight and 97TH for height!! What the heck, only 3 percent of babies are longer than him? We do have some height on both sides of our family though. The nurse practitioner who we saw today (Dr. J was sick) said he looked long and lean, and that he was very strong and mature for his age, and looked older than 4 months.
Also, he just started rolling over. The first time he rolled was on Friday when I got their pictures taken. The photographer put him on his tummy and he rolled right over. Then he did it again today. She said he looked great in every way, and that he'd probably want to start solid food before his 6 month appointment and that was fine. She said try to wait til as close to 6 months as possible. He's obviously growing just fine so far!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Thursday, August 20, 2009
4 months old!
My baby is 4 months old today! He is the most smiley baby I've ever seen. Ken said last night that Madeleine was a happy baby, but John Paul takes it to a whole new level! Every time he sees someone looking at him he breaks out into a huge smile - his mouth open wide and his whole body into it. He is just so adorable! He has big blue eyes that everyone comments on. And a few little scraps of hair that can't decide what color it's going to be. He is BIG and strong and very wiggly. He's pretty hard to hold sometimes because he just slides and wiggles all over the place.
Here's the Johnny Jump Up I put up today for the first time. He did pretty well! Still a little wobbly but he lasted about 10 minutes. Madeleine was pretty fascinated with it as well. There had to be a new rule instituted today: No swinging your brother.
I can't believe it, but he's getting his two bottom teeth! I can see and feel two tiny points on the bottom. Also he rolled over in our bed today. He might have been on his side though and ended up on his tummy so I don't think I'll count this as his first roll. He always has his hands in his mouth, but hasn't really found his thumb yet. I keep hoping.
He's hanging out with our favorite seminarian, Dominic, who has been praying for Madeleine and John Paul since they were conceived.
And Father Joshua, who had a "vocation talk" with John Paul tonight :)
Lately he's been loving hanging out in the sling. We went to the state fair and I carried him in the sling almost the whole time. When he's in the sling (or nursing sometimes) he loves to hold my hand!! I think this is just the sweetest thing EVER!
Here's the Johnny Jump Up I put up today for the first time. He did pretty well! Still a little wobbly but he lasted about 10 minutes. Madeleine was pretty fascinated with it as well. There had to be a new rule instituted today: No swinging your brother.
I can't believe it, but he's getting his two bottom teeth! I can see and feel two tiny points on the bottom. Also he rolled over in our bed today. He might have been on his side though and ended up on his tummy so I don't think I'll count this as his first roll. He always has his hands in his mouth, but hasn't really found his thumb yet. I keep hoping.
He's hanging out with our favorite seminarian, Dominic, who has been praying for Madeleine and John Paul since they were conceived.
And Father Joshua, who had a "vocation talk" with John Paul tonight :)
Lately he's been loving hanging out in the sling. We went to the state fair and I carried him in the sling almost the whole time. When he's in the sling (or nursing sometimes) he loves to hold my hand!! I think this is just the sweetest thing EVER!
He absolutely refuses to sleep in his crib. I have totally spoiled him by letting him take his naps in the swing. I've tried about 10 times in the past week to get him to sleep in his crib but he always wakes up, and then is cranky because he doesn't get a good nap. So at night he's still in the cradle and for now he's taking naps in the swing. Hopefully he'll get used to the crib soon though! I've instituted the dream feed - where I pick him up and feed him when I go to bed - and he's been sleeping until about 5:30 or 6:00, which is fantastic.
Even when he's tired though, he is usually in a good mood and generally a really easy baby to get along with. Not to mention adorable.
He absolutely LOVES his big sister! And she loves him! I'm just so happy about this. If he cries she always tries to make him smile. She gives him toys and talks to him while I change his diaper. She always likes to sit by him and talk to him. Lately she comes up and says "Hi Little Thing!" Or she'll shake his hand and say "Nice to meet you John Paul!" I love the blog because I can look back and remember.
He laughs out loud all the time and is really ticklish. He loves to play Pat-a-cake too. He's really good at church every week. (His sister could take a lesson!)
We are so blessed to have such a wonderful little son!
Monday, August 17, 2009
Knock me over with a feather.....
Today I got up early today, came downstairs and set this up on the table. Madeleine sits where the placemat is (obviously) so she got to look at it when she ate her meals. When I went to get her, I told her I had a special surprise for her downstairs. I showed her the tea set and told her that every day she kept her pants dry until Daddy got home, she got to choose a piece to keep and play with at her little table. Her eyes got big and I asked her if she wanted to try it. She was really excited and said YES! Then when she was eating breakfast, I asked her which piece she was going to choose today if she kept her pants dry all day and used the potty every time. She picked out one of the teacups she wanted. I set up her table and even made her a little tablecloth. She couldn't wait to play with that teacup.
So, this morning she went a few times on the potty, without me even telling her. I thought maybe it would work for a little while and then she'd forget. NO. She went the ENTIRE DAY with ZERO accidents!!! I cannot believe it!! She was SO proud of herself too. She was even dry for her nap.
So when Daddy got home, she got to get her teacup. Then she sat at her table and played with it for quite a while. She has her eye on a saucer for tomorrow. Now I KNOW she can do it! I really hope this is it. Isn't this a pretty set for a little girl??
Baby Megan was here for a while today, so that's another reason I'm shocked there were no accidents today. And I was also pleasantly surprised at how helpful she was. I didn't even want her to take a nap! First I fed Megan and John Paul was crying in his swing. Madeleine kept going over and talking to him and making him smile. Then I put Megan down in the bouncy seat and fed John Paul. Every time Megan's pacifier fell out Madeleine would put it back in for me. She is one great kid.
So, this morning she went a few times on the potty, without me even telling her. I thought maybe it would work for a little while and then she'd forget. NO. She went the ENTIRE DAY with ZERO accidents!!! I cannot believe it!! She was SO proud of herself too. She was even dry for her nap. 
So when Daddy got home, she got to get her teacup. Then she sat at her table and played with it for quite a while. She has her eye on a saucer for tomorrow. Now I KNOW she can do it! I really hope this is it. Isn't this a pretty set for a little girl??
Baby Megan was here for a while today, so that's another reason I'm shocked there were no accidents today. And I was also pleasantly surprised at how helpful she was. I didn't even want her to take a nap! First I fed Megan and John Paul was crying in his swing. Madeleine kept going over and talking to him and making him smile. Then I put Megan down in the bouncy seat and fed John Paul. Every time Megan's pacifier fell out Madeleine would put it back in for me. She is one great kid.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Weekend highlights
Of course the best thing about this weekend was getting to meet my adorable new little nephew, Jude Michael! He is so cute! I'll post pictures soon but I'm too lazy to go get my camera and upload them. Trust me, he's beautiful! He has a ton of blond hair!
Yesterday we had my Grandma's 90th birthday party at my cousin's house out in the country. They have a beautiful house and huge yard that is just perfect for kids. They have a great playset, and Madeleine also played cornhole (Is this not an awful name for a game? I don't even know how to play it!) and croquet. We had a cookout and cake and ice cream and she even gave Great Grandma a hug and kiss. Grandma seemed like she was having a great time too. We got a few family pictures too with almost everyone. I really like hanging out with my family! We have great cousins and aunts and uncles. Grandma was talking about Grandpa and how she can't believe he's gone. She didn't seem too sad and was just talking about what a great guy he was. I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned it on here but John Paul was born exactly a year to the day after Grandpa died. A few of my cousins got to meet John Paul for the first time on Saturday, and of course they thought he was adorable. I also love how much Madeleine loves to play with her cousins. I'm really enjoying seeing her starting to play with other kids so well. She is really good at it!
Today we got to go out to breakfast with some friends after mass. My friend was at a half price book sale the other day and picked out some parenting books for me - I can't wait to read them! I need some help! Then we hung out at Barnes and Nobles, went to look at the kitties at PetSmart, played outside for a while, and then during naptime Ken and I took turns going out by ourselves with no kids, just for a break. I really like this routine. I went to this antique mall and walked around.
The next 3 weeks I am watching baby Megan. I'm excited and a little nervous about having a two year old, a 3 month old and a 1 month old! But I think I can handle it. I think we'll spend quite a bit of time at home. I'm not thinking we'll go anywhere unless I have help (right mom?) I might try to make it to story hour but we'll see how tomorrow goes! So while we are home for the next 3 weeks I have a few things I want to do with Madeleine. I picked up some great stuff on Freecycle, including a game that teaches writing letters, flash cards, coloring books, and some other fun learning stuff. Madeleine has really been interested in her letters lately. She knows several by sight, and also knows what sounds a lot of them make. I can also ask her what words start with a certain letters and she'll name several words. So I think she'll enjoy playing with the flash cards and trying to write a few letters. She's really trying to write "M" - her favorite letter. She picks out Ms everywhere we go!
The second thing I want to do is try one more time to potty train this child. I've tried a few different methods and it doesn't seem to be working. The thing is, she can go if she wants to. There's been a few days where she has had no accidents. She knows to go into the bathroom, pull down her pullup and get on the potty. She does all this herself. Other times she doesn't even try and throws a fit when I try to get her to sit on the potty. So this is my last try. If she doesn't get trained then I'm just not even going to talk about it again until she mentions it. Here's my plan:
I bought a beautiful partial set of Noritake china today at the antique mall. It was really cheap because there's about 5 complete place settings and then a bunch of extra random pieces. Madeleine LOVES to play tea party on her little table. She'll sit and feed her dolls all day and play with her little teaset she got for Christmas (it's about on it's last legs.) So, I'm going to set out 4 little place settings of the china on the kitchen table - a cup, a saucer, a little bowl and a little plate. I'm going to tell her that every day she keeps her pants dry all day, she gets to choose a piece to keep and play with on her little table. My theory is that if she wants it bad enough, she can do it, and then by the end of the 16 days she will have formed a new habit and won't look back. A girl can dream, right??
Yesterday we had my Grandma's 90th birthday party at my cousin's house out in the country. They have a beautiful house and huge yard that is just perfect for kids. They have a great playset, and Madeleine also played cornhole (Is this not an awful name for a game? I don't even know how to play it!) and croquet. We had a cookout and cake and ice cream and she even gave Great Grandma a hug and kiss. Grandma seemed like she was having a great time too. We got a few family pictures too with almost everyone. I really like hanging out with my family! We have great cousins and aunts and uncles. Grandma was talking about Grandpa and how she can't believe he's gone. She didn't seem too sad and was just talking about what a great guy he was. I'm not sure if I've ever mentioned it on here but John Paul was born exactly a year to the day after Grandpa died. A few of my cousins got to meet John Paul for the first time on Saturday, and of course they thought he was adorable. I also love how much Madeleine loves to play with her cousins. I'm really enjoying seeing her starting to play with other kids so well. She is really good at it!
Today we got to go out to breakfast with some friends after mass. My friend was at a half price book sale the other day and picked out some parenting books for me - I can't wait to read them! I need some help! Then we hung out at Barnes and Nobles, went to look at the kitties at PetSmart, played outside for a while, and then during naptime Ken and I took turns going out by ourselves with no kids, just for a break. I really like this routine. I went to this antique mall and walked around.
The next 3 weeks I am watching baby Megan. I'm excited and a little nervous about having a two year old, a 3 month old and a 1 month old! But I think I can handle it. I think we'll spend quite a bit of time at home. I'm not thinking we'll go anywhere unless I have help (right mom?) I might try to make it to story hour but we'll see how tomorrow goes! So while we are home for the next 3 weeks I have a few things I want to do with Madeleine. I picked up some great stuff on Freecycle, including a game that teaches writing letters, flash cards, coloring books, and some other fun learning stuff. Madeleine has really been interested in her letters lately. She knows several by sight, and also knows what sounds a lot of them make. I can also ask her what words start with a certain letters and she'll name several words. So I think she'll enjoy playing with the flash cards and trying to write a few letters. She's really trying to write "M" - her favorite letter. She picks out Ms everywhere we go!
The second thing I want to do is try one more time to potty train this child. I've tried a few different methods and it doesn't seem to be working. The thing is, she can go if she wants to. There's been a few days where she has had no accidents. She knows to go into the bathroom, pull down her pullup and get on the potty. She does all this herself. Other times she doesn't even try and throws a fit when I try to get her to sit on the potty. So this is my last try. If she doesn't get trained then I'm just not even going to talk about it again until she mentions it. Here's my plan:
I bought a beautiful partial set of Noritake china today at the antique mall. It was really cheap because there's about 5 complete place settings and then a bunch of extra random pieces. Madeleine LOVES to play tea party on her little table. She'll sit and feed her dolls all day and play with her little teaset she got for Christmas (it's about on it's last legs.) So, I'm going to set out 4 little place settings of the china on the kitchen table - a cup, a saucer, a little bowl and a little plate. I'm going to tell her that every day she keeps her pants dry all day, she gets to choose a piece to keep and play with on her little table. My theory is that if she wants it bad enough, she can do it, and then by the end of the 16 days she will have formed a new habit and won't look back. A girl can dream, right??
Thursday, August 13, 2009
One year ago today
We found out about John Paul. I was about 99% sure that when I took a test it was going to be positive. I just KNEW it. And he's been on my mind and in my heart ever since. What a blessing he is!
Today I got to meet Ouiz! And her husband and beautiful children! They were so nice and I only wish they could have stayed longer. Blog friends are extra special, I think, because we talk about personal, intimate things on our blogs. So when we finally meet, it's like we have known each other for years. And by the way, pictures do Miss Ouiz no justice. She is beautiful!
Madeleine had such a great time playing with the kids, and did fantastic sharing all her toys. I love how she just jumps in and plays with other kids. Don't know 'em? Who cares! They're kids to play with! They had tea parties and played with her train set.
And she gave everyone hugs when they left.
We are so glad you guys stopped by!
Today I got to meet Ouiz! And her husband and beautiful children! They were so nice and I only wish they could have stayed longer. Blog friends are extra special, I think, because we talk about personal, intimate things on our blogs. So when we finally meet, it's like we have known each other for years. And by the way, pictures do Miss Ouiz no justice. She is beautiful!
Madeleine had such a great time playing with the kids, and did fantastic sharing all her toys. I love how she just jumps in and plays with other kids. Don't know 'em? Who cares! They're kids to play with! They had tea parties and played with her train set.
And she gave everyone hugs when they left.
We are so glad you guys stopped by! Tuesday, August 11, 2009
WHEW!
A few weeks ago I had the roughest few days as a parent so far.
I'll make a long story short, but basically Madeleine passed out when we were in a store, and we ended up at the hospital two days in a row for several tests. She had an EKG, and EEG, and a CT scan, as well as our pediatrician doing a complete physical exam and found nothing wrong with her. Waiting for the results of those tests, when they were throwing out words like epilepsy, seizure, brain tumor, bleed, was absolute torture. Seeing my sweet baby girl getting hooked up for the EEG while screaming for 30 minutes and the nurse laying on top of her to hold her down was horrible. Knowing that she didn't understand what was going on but having to make her go through all that just ripped my heart out. And seeing her big blue eyes look at me and fill with tears made mine fill up with tears as well.
After finding nothing wrong with her, the doctor just said to watch her and report any new symptoms. She had another episode this past week, and today we went to see a pediatric endocrinologist. It turns out she has Ketotic hypoglycemia. So basically we have to make sure she eats very regularly. And to make sure she has some kind of protein and sugars in every meal, like a sunflower butter and jelly sandwich or her milk with the kids reliv. She is supposed to have a snack before bed and eat when she wakes up so she doesn't go too long without food. Thank GOD it's this and not one of the other things they were testing for.
Both mornings that she had these episodes she had refused to eat breakfast. She is not into eating at all these days! It's seriously a battle at every meal. I think it's a stubborn thing - she knows we want her to eat so she just won't. We have to trick her into eating every time we sit down. I guess we're just going to keep trying and start leaving some healthy snacks out so she can graze and keep those blood sugars up!
Oh and some GREAT news at our house.... she has been drinking real milk and eating cheese for a week now with no ill effects!! I am SO happy! I got to make my very favorite homemade mac and cheese tonight for her for the first time. It was a hit! She is drinking real milk and loves it. Today actually I gave her some rice milk we had left over and she said, "I don't want THIS milk, Mommy, I want REAL milk." haha!
Thanks for all of you who prayed for her in the past few weeks. It really really helped!
I'll make a long story short, but basically Madeleine passed out when we were in a store, and we ended up at the hospital two days in a row for several tests. She had an EKG, and EEG, and a CT scan, as well as our pediatrician doing a complete physical exam and found nothing wrong with her. Waiting for the results of those tests, when they were throwing out words like epilepsy, seizure, brain tumor, bleed, was absolute torture. Seeing my sweet baby girl getting hooked up for the EEG while screaming for 30 minutes and the nurse laying on top of her to hold her down was horrible. Knowing that she didn't understand what was going on but having to make her go through all that just ripped my heart out. And seeing her big blue eyes look at me and fill with tears made mine fill up with tears as well.
After finding nothing wrong with her, the doctor just said to watch her and report any new symptoms. She had another episode this past week, and today we went to see a pediatric endocrinologist. It turns out she has Ketotic hypoglycemia. So basically we have to make sure she eats very regularly. And to make sure she has some kind of protein and sugars in every meal, like a sunflower butter and jelly sandwich or her milk with the kids reliv. She is supposed to have a snack before bed and eat when she wakes up so she doesn't go too long without food. Thank GOD it's this and not one of the other things they were testing for.
Both mornings that she had these episodes she had refused to eat breakfast. She is not into eating at all these days! It's seriously a battle at every meal. I think it's a stubborn thing - she knows we want her to eat so she just won't. We have to trick her into eating every time we sit down. I guess we're just going to keep trying and start leaving some healthy snacks out so she can graze and keep those blood sugars up!
Oh and some GREAT news at our house.... she has been drinking real milk and eating cheese for a week now with no ill effects!! I am SO happy! I got to make my very favorite homemade mac and cheese tonight for her for the first time. It was a hit! She is drinking real milk and loves it. Today actually I gave her some rice milk we had left over and she said, "I don't want THIS milk, Mommy, I want REAL milk." haha!
Thanks for all of you who prayed for her in the past few weeks. It really really helped!
Monday, August 10, 2009
I'm about to go off on another tangent
Sorry my blog has been so opinionated lately! It's these darn TV shows that get me all riled up. If you ever want to feel better about yourself as a parent, watch Toddlers in Tiaras on TLC. Have you heard of this?? It's about little girls in beauty pageants.
Disclaimer and I'm sorry if anyone thinks otherwise, but I am totally against beauty pageants for little girls. I would never let my daughter be in one. I think they embody the complete opposite of every value I want to teach her. So I probably shouldn't have watched this show in the first place.
So, in the one half of the one show I saw, several little girls were getting ready and competing in a Glitz pageant. They were 5-7 years old. The parents spent up to $2400 on their dresses. They had wigs, false teeth, false eyelashes, fake nails, crazy hooker-type makeup, and skimpy revealing clothes. When they were prancing around on stage, a half a step away from pole dancing, their parents were talking about how they were "showing their personalities." Um NO they weren't. They were doing the exact moves the parents taught them to do, while the parents were doing their exact routine offstage. Not to mention that every single mom who was on the show was hugely overweight. I thought this was interesting, just because it was so obvious that they were trying to live through their kids.
This whole thing is just a GREAT idea. Let's teach little girls that LOOKS are everything. Let's teach them their natural look isn't good enough for anyone, that they have to wear huge amounts of makeup, fake hair and teeth, to be good enough to win. Let's teach them that they have to be not only pretty, but prettier than everyone else to get anywhere in life. Let's teach them they have to show off their bodies to get attention. Yeah this is just FANTASTIC.
I have to admit I DO think my daughter is the most beautiful little girl who ever lived :) However, I think that her inner beauty is SO much more important. My job is to help her bring out her INNER beauty. I need to help form her conscience and teach her how to be loving, helpful, generous, joyful, kind, etc. I want her to realize that she's beautiful just the way God made her, that she doesn't need to try to be fake to be loved or get attention.
Ok I'm off my soapbox and I feel better :)
Disclaimer and I'm sorry if anyone thinks otherwise, but I am totally against beauty pageants for little girls. I would never let my daughter be in one. I think they embody the complete opposite of every value I want to teach her. So I probably shouldn't have watched this show in the first place.
So, in the one half of the one show I saw, several little girls were getting ready and competing in a Glitz pageant. They were 5-7 years old. The parents spent up to $2400 on their dresses. They had wigs, false teeth, false eyelashes, fake nails, crazy hooker-type makeup, and skimpy revealing clothes. When they were prancing around on stage, a half a step away from pole dancing, their parents were talking about how they were "showing their personalities." Um NO they weren't. They were doing the exact moves the parents taught them to do, while the parents were doing their exact routine offstage. Not to mention that every single mom who was on the show was hugely overweight. I thought this was interesting, just because it was so obvious that they were trying to live through their kids.
This whole thing is just a GREAT idea. Let's teach little girls that LOOKS are everything. Let's teach them their natural look isn't good enough for anyone, that they have to wear huge amounts of makeup, fake hair and teeth, to be good enough to win. Let's teach them that they have to be not only pretty, but prettier than everyone else to get anywhere in life. Let's teach them they have to show off their bodies to get attention. Yeah this is just FANTASTIC.
I have to admit I DO think my daughter is the most beautiful little girl who ever lived :) However, I think that her inner beauty is SO much more important. My job is to help her bring out her INNER beauty. I need to help form her conscience and teach her how to be loving, helpful, generous, joyful, kind, etc. I want her to realize that she's beautiful just the way God made her, that she doesn't need to try to be fake to be loved or get attention.
Ok I'm off my soapbox and I feel better :)
Friday, August 07, 2009
Potty talk
Madeleine started using the potty about once or twice a day when she was about 16 months. I encouraged this behavior, especially several months later before John Paul came along. The problem was, if she wasn't naked, she would just go. No matter where she was or what she was wearing, diaper, pull up, big girl underwear - she'd go. For awhile there, she was perfect when I let her run around with just a shirt. Then she started having all kinds of accidents when I was doing that. I got tired of cleaning up, so I put her back in diapers for awhile. THEN I happened to catch this classic Dr. Phil episode that told about a "sure-fire" potty training technique. It involved having the child teach a doll to go to the potty. So found a hollow, rubber doll and rigged it up. I poked a hole in it and filled it with water so it could go "peep" as Madeleine calls it. Then I sewed her a loose pair of big girl underwear out of a t-shirt sleeve. Oh yes, I can be creative when the need arises. We named the baby "Amy" and Madeleine taught her go to the potty. About 1000 times. She LOVED it. But she didn't get the connection that SHE was supposed to go. She has never told me she has to go, but will sit on the potty and go when I ask her to.
Then the other day, she started totally fighting going to the potty. She would not even go to the bathroom, even when it was obvious she had to go. So I didn't mention it at all for a few days. Today, she decided that she wanted to go in the potty! Several times today, she told me she had to go and went! Even with her pullup on. This has never happened. She even called after she woke up from her nap that she had to go potty, and went willingly! I was amazed and I hope this continues! I know she can do it if she wants to. Maybe she just needed to decide for herself. If this is not "it" that's ok too. We'll just wait till she's ready. But boy would I like to just have one kid in diapers!
Then the other day, she started totally fighting going to the potty. She would not even go to the bathroom, even when it was obvious she had to go. So I didn't mention it at all for a few days. Today, she decided that she wanted to go in the potty! Several times today, she told me she had to go and went! Even with her pullup on. This has never happened. She even called after she woke up from her nap that she had to go potty, and went willingly! I was amazed and I hope this continues! I know she can do it if she wants to. Maybe she just needed to decide for herself. If this is not "it" that's ok too. We'll just wait till she's ready. But boy would I like to just have one kid in diapers!
Thursday, August 06, 2009
I guess you CAN tell they're siblings....
Well I always thought they looked totally different! But after Cathy's comment on the last post, I went back and looked at some of Madeleine's old pictures. Yes they're definitely siblings! And do we make adorable babies or WHAT? haha :)
John Paul 3 months
*Unfortunately they both have that look like, "Just TRY and make me do something I don't want to do!"
Madeleine around 2 months
John Paul 3 months
*Unfortunately they both have that look like, "Just TRY and make me do something I don't want to do!"
Speaking of THAT, my daughter is gonna be one HECK of a teenager someday. She is testing me like you would NOT believe and spending all kinds of time in the time out chair. She is SO STUBBORN! I can't make her do anything, including EAT. For some reason she's decided that since we want her to eat, she won't. More on this later. For now just enjoy the pics!
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Playing in the backyard
Daddy and Madeleine flying a kite in the backyard. The kite was one of those "you get what you pay for things." It cost 3 bucks at Wal-mart and it's not going to make it up in the sky again.
Here's what I was doing when they were flying the kite. I just LOVE my clothesline!! Thank you Freecycle!!
Here's what John Paul was doing at the time - hanging out on the deck enjoying himself. Does he just get cuter every DAY or what? :) The other night this kid was UP every HOUR through the night. He was just talking and kicking for hours on end. If I put him in bed with us, he moves so we look like an "H" - he's the middle line with his head touching me and his feet touching Ken. And then he gets so excited he just kicks and kicks and kicks poor Ken in the head :)
This was in the bride's room during mass. He HATES public bathroom changing tables. He starts screaming when he even sees it! Then it takes me 15 minutes to calm him down. And God forbid someone flushes those loud toilets in the church bathroom. So I was changing him in the bride's room and snapped a picture. Lots of great memories in that room. I got dressed for my wedding in there, and Madeleine got dressed for her baptism in there. I also made his shirt. Don't ask me how it turned out so well. I really don't know how to sew that well, I just had this fabric and I thought it would look so cute and I tried this pattern and it worked out! Believe me I was as shocked as anyone. Sew did the buttonholes for me - thanks Sew!
I call this one, "MOM, she's touching me!!"
Here's what I was doing when they were flying the kite. I just LOVE my clothesline!! Thank you Freecycle!! 
Here's what John Paul was doing at the time - hanging out on the deck enjoying himself. Does he just get cuter every DAY or what? :) The other night this kid was UP every HOUR through the night. He was just talking and kicking for hours on end. If I put him in bed with us, he moves so we look like an "H" - he's the middle line with his head touching me and his feet touching Ken. And then he gets so excited he just kicks and kicks and kicks poor Ken in the head :)
This was in the bride's room during mass. He HATES public bathroom changing tables. He starts screaming when he even sees it! Then it takes me 15 minutes to calm him down. And God forbid someone flushes those loud toilets in the church bathroom. So I was changing him in the bride's room and snapped a picture. Lots of great memories in that room. I got dressed for my wedding in there, and Madeleine got dressed for her baptism in there. I also made his shirt. Don't ask me how it turned out so well. I really don't know how to sew that well, I just had this fabric and I thought it would look so cute and I tried this pattern and it worked out! Believe me I was as shocked as anyone. Sew did the buttonholes for me - thanks Sew!
I call this one, "MOM, she's touching me!!"
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Weekend of firsts
This weekend, Madeleine flew her first kite, ate her first s'more, saw her first bonfire and caught her first firefly. I'd say it was a pretty great weekend for her! Last night Ken had a gig and our friends invited us over for dinner. We had a great time just talking and sitting outside around the fire. On the way home Madeleine kept pointing out the fireflies, so when we got home, I got the kids both changed into their jammies and decided to go outside and catch some! She was thrilled beyond words, the kid LOVES bugs. And she's especially fascinated with the lightning bugs she sees out her window every night. Let me tell you, God sure does have a sense of humor. Come on now, who would think of a bug's butt lighting up??
I did take some pictures but I'll get to them tomorrow. Ken cleaned out the entire screened porch today, including windows, scrubbed down the hot tub (which has never been used in the 5 years we've lived in this house), tables and chairs and the biggest job.... he got rid of all the BUGS in there! It looks fabulous and I'm looking forward to eating out there more often. So after all that he needed a break so he went to the gelato place to read his book for an hour. While he was there, Madeleine, John Paul and I went to this great Antique mall in the town just north of us. I was a little nervous about taking both kids there but they did great. John Paul fell asleep in his Moby Wrap and I pushed Madeleine around in the stroller on the ground floor. We were looking for things for her new playroom we're working on, specifically a little tea set, a kid size table and chairs maybe, or some other things that we couldn't live without. I found this great wooden high chair for her dolls, complete with a flip up tray which I just couldn't pass up. It looks really old (which I think adds to it's charm) and she absolutely loved it when we got home. We set up her folding table and chairs and she "fed" the baby all kinds of food for an hour or so. She also got a Minnie Mouse pez dispenser only because the high chair was less than $10 and I couldn't pay with a card unless I was spending over 10. She was pretty fascinated by that pez dispenser. Madeleine did really well at the antique mall. When we went upstairs I told her she wasn't allowed to touch anything (because we had to leave the stroller downstairs), but that if she wanted to show me something she could tell me and point. She did exactly that! She told me what she wanted to look at and didn't touch anything unless I told her she could. She had a blast at the store, I'm sure seeing all those things she's never seen before was fascinating. I LOVE looking around Antique malls, maybe this will be something we can do together.
Also I had bought a great little wooden toy box a few weeks ago at a garage sale. I spray painted it white and we ended up using it for a bookshelf in Madeleine's room. It looks great but the only place for it is next to her crib.... and she likes to get all the books off of it and put them IN her crib. I'm SO glad to get all her books off the floor in her room.
Hope you all had a great weekend too!
I did take some pictures but I'll get to them tomorrow. Ken cleaned out the entire screened porch today, including windows, scrubbed down the hot tub (which has never been used in the 5 years we've lived in this house), tables and chairs and the biggest job.... he got rid of all the BUGS in there! It looks fabulous and I'm looking forward to eating out there more often. So after all that he needed a break so he went to the gelato place to read his book for an hour. While he was there, Madeleine, John Paul and I went to this great Antique mall in the town just north of us. I was a little nervous about taking both kids there but they did great. John Paul fell asleep in his Moby Wrap and I pushed Madeleine around in the stroller on the ground floor. We were looking for things for her new playroom we're working on, specifically a little tea set, a kid size table and chairs maybe, or some other things that we couldn't live without. I found this great wooden high chair for her dolls, complete with a flip up tray which I just couldn't pass up. It looks really old (which I think adds to it's charm) and she absolutely loved it when we got home. We set up her folding table and chairs and she "fed" the baby all kinds of food for an hour or so. She also got a Minnie Mouse pez dispenser only because the high chair was less than $10 and I couldn't pay with a card unless I was spending over 10. She was pretty fascinated by that pez dispenser. Madeleine did really well at the antique mall. When we went upstairs I told her she wasn't allowed to touch anything (because we had to leave the stroller downstairs), but that if she wanted to show me something she could tell me and point. She did exactly that! She told me what she wanted to look at and didn't touch anything unless I told her she could. She had a blast at the store, I'm sure seeing all those things she's never seen before was fascinating. I LOVE looking around Antique malls, maybe this will be something we can do together.
Also I had bought a great little wooden toy box a few weeks ago at a garage sale. I spray painted it white and we ended up using it for a bookshelf in Madeleine's room. It looks great but the only place for it is next to her crib.... and she likes to get all the books off of it and put them IN her crib. I'm SO glad to get all her books off the floor in her room.
Hope you all had a great weekend too!
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