Let the hearting begin

So I really love Valentine's day.

As in, I love it. It just might be my favorite holiday. So much less stressful than Christmas. So fun and RED and lovey. Low key, but choc full of fun and great traditions. And I sure love me some conversation hears. And chocolate. And anything else sweet that can be shaped into a heart...

Last year we made heart garlands and heart cut-outs, valentines of course, and heart sugar cookies (on the day of) which we walked around to all our friends and neighbors. I love sharing the love.

This year I have a whole slew of plans. Some of which include:

1. A new garland for sure. You can never have enough heart garlands. I'm still debating between some of these:

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2. We also definitely need some hearts hanging in our windows. I like these options:

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3. Then of course while we are hanging hearts, I think I'll just hang some from my ceiling (since it's so low... you know, basement dwelling) above my table. I love this chandelier:

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4. And for the giving of valentines this year (we have the tradition of making and giving to each other--both in our own little family, and with my brothers and sisters), at home I want some of these darling things:

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5. And well, for the food... I think all of February should be littered with heart goodies like some of these...

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And really, that's just for starters. I'm a little excited about this holiday this year. Tomorrow is my husband's birthday (during which the house will not be decorated with pink and red hearts...) but you better believe the festivities begin shortly thereafter! 

Sigh. I just can't wait!

The Potty Party Continues

Because who doesn't want to read about potty time? Oh, right. Sorry.

But today we had more successes than I imagined possible even yesterday. Today was a big day.

He went without me dragging him. FOUR TIMES. And he did #2. I tell you what, some ice cream was in order. I think maybe this  might be happening for real. As in, I might someday not have to ever change another diaper for this boy (I still do a diaper at night). This feels like a life altering moment.

Forgive the melodrama. I'm just one excited mama!

(Sorry little buddy. Don't hate me for this picture! You love your unders so much though!)

Not that I'm even remotely any kind of expert... but for the record, here's what's been working for us:

• This blogpost was my starting board. So I didn't expect anything but accidents in the beginning... and that was what I got. He was a little slower than she said he would be (50/50 by day three? No sir), but once I started doing a few other things, it's started coming together.
• One of those other main things is I put in potty in the front room. At first I didn't want to do this because I wanted him to get used to having to go to the bathroom. But it quickly became a BIG fight to get him in there. Once I left it out by his toys (and the computer... I did do a lot of movies this week, sadly. But I was sick, so give me some slack), he was more willign to go and sit for as long as I made him/it was necessary.
• We did some time without anything from the waist down. For a while in the beginning he felt like his underwear were diapers (and he kept calling them that... which was frustrating). When there wasn't anythign there he was more more prone to let me put him on the potty without a fight
• I let him play with toys, read books, sing songs, count while on teh potty. I did anythign to keep him there. Even watch a movie while he sat. Eventually (days later) he figured out how to let it out on the potty.
• The incentive to go was BIG for him.  Itotally should have done something smaller, but after days of little success, I pulled out the big guns. If he went he got ice cream (a really small bowl) or a pop cycle. I should have done a few skittles! But he would sit and sit and sit for that ice cream.
• The Elmo Potty movie saved our skins. Firstly because he loves Elmo.. and after watching it a few times in a row... he started commenting back with me about what they were saying and he was getting it. I would pause it and ask him, "what did Grover just say?" or "What do you do after you go potty?" I feel like this made it click. Then when he went, I would say, "you went potty like Elmo! That's awesome!"

And basically it is awesome (as anyone who has ever potty trained can attest). Now cross your fingers I didn't just jinx this for tomorrow by posting about it today! 

Oh and...

Miss Virginia turned one! (How did I forget that?!)

Ok, ok, it happened a month and a half ago. But it was still pretty exciting . She got two parties--one the Sunday before with Dad, and one a few days after in California with all her Aunts and Uncles and cousins. (Being the lame mom I am, I almost forgot to celebrate with her on her actual birthday (they day we drove to CA) since it wasn't one of the party days. Good thing she's too young to remember!)

It feels like a lot has happened in this sweet little lady's life since her birthday in November:

• She now walks exclusively
• She is a serious talker. She attempts and succeeds at new words every. single. day. My favorites are Thanks ("tnx"), please (pees), belly (be ye) and amen. (ame). She has started saying "no"... which isn't my favorite, but usually she says without relation to anything and it's adorable. I'm not ready for her to use it in context.  She is trying with her whole soul to get her mouth around "eat" and "more" without much vocal success... but I know what my little eater usually wants, so it's ok :)
• She has independently become a book worm. She  brings me book after book and climbs in my lap to read them. She definitively didn't used to do this.
• She gives hugs and kisses on demand. It's absolutely adorable.

Happy Birthday baby girl! We love you!

(Pictures from the party in CA. Taken by Aunt Tasha)

It's a party

Well hello there, friends.

It's been a while, hasn't it? Thanks for understanding.

Here's a quick recap of everything that's happened since, um, Halloween--when I last posted.

• The kids and I went to CA for Thanksgiving. It was everything I hoped for and more.
• The first semester of law school came and went. Grades are still(!!) pending (until Friday). I will just say that it was/is stressful for everyone involved.
• We spent a calm Christmas at home--and it was magical. 
• We went to Blanding over break and enjoyed some clean air, time with Grandma and Grandpa, and sleeping in.
• We have collectively or individually been sick for a month and half. I'm so sick of it (ha ha, pun not originally intended)
• We're potty training! And it's rough. Today is day five. Raymond has had exactly three non-accidents so far. But I am still hopeful. Wish us luck.

And I think that's a wrap. Now if my fuzzy, stuffy head will clear, and Raymond will stay dry, and lunch will make itself... I might be back soon.

Lots of love,

cj