potty training

Last week we began potty training. We have waited and waited, and it was time. I was expecting the worst. Really. I had heard all the horror stories.

stay home for at least a week, don't go anywhere
nights are hard, wetting the bed all the time
they fear going #2 in the toilet, that takes awhile
messes all over the house
public toilets scare them
...and more

I think Taylor had it down and it literally took a day and a half. She has not had an accident since Tuesday morning. She takes naps and wakes up dry every morning. She tells me every time she needs to go. Will go be herself even. Has gone #2 multiple times.We went out of the house on the 3rd day and every day since. We even went and played at the park!

{this cup was the highlight of the training...she drank and drank and drank,
causing her to have to go the bathroom lots!}

Now I may just have jinxed the whole thing, but I have been very impressed and very proud of Taylor. She is rockin' it. If I knew it was going to be this easy, maybe I would have started earlier. But...I think waiting like we did was half the reason she was able to do so well.

The best part, no diapers.
So proud of Taylor!

thinking

look at the chub. can't believe he is one.

we have finally reached some milestones.
he popped his 2 front teeth.
and is working on a couple more.
he crawls full force now and wants to be everywhere
has learned to slide down the stairs and crawl up a few
wants to feed himself with a fork
says hi and waves non-stop.

Taylor and Ryan are so different.
Ryan is a lot more mobile and daring.
He thinks about what he is doing
and loves to concentrate on his toys.
something taylor never did, she was too impatient.

i love my little guy and he shows me
how much he loves me,
by crying and whining.
he is such a mama's boy and does
so much better when I am not in the room.

He is such a little man.
I love his blonde curls, chubby thighs and
I look forward to his hugs and kisses,
which he loves to give!

farm country unedited

lagoon unedited

hot days and water fun

I am LoVEing the heat!
Almost thinking I could handle the scorching
days in Vegas with my sister.
And that is saying a lot when not too long ago
I was sick of sweating.
But since we moved away from P.C
I am absorbing this weather.
I felt like I have been cold for so long
and living in snow,
that I never want this summer to end.
I am already depressed knowing
fall is around the corner.

The heat makes it hard to go to the parks, etc.
But we find other ways to enjoy the outdoors.
Parks in the evenings,
walks to the store,
and water on the porch.
Just a bucket of water and
random toys makes some
good fun for the kids.

We strip 'em down and let soak.

one year

We finally celebrated Ryan's #1 birthday. It didn't happen on the day, we were 22 days late. But nonetheless we celebrated! We had a litte dinner party with family and cake and plenty of gifts.
Ryan loved the cake. I wish I had more frosting, but I don't bake and I bought a cake. Nothing Bundt cakes, though...so good. It took him all of 3 seconds before he was going for it. Head first and then with the hands. Eventually we had to take it away from him because he wouldn't stop eating.

Ryan loved all the gifts and taylor was there to help him get them all open. Don't let that picture above fool you. Taylor was the diva of all diva's that night. She had very little sleep,had been seriously sick and was on her last thread. She threw fit after fit until we finally put her to bed at 7:00. Poor girl needed to sleep.

This little guy went from that tiny baby I just brought home from the hospital to a big boy. He is such a cute kid and loves to roam. Hates to be held and confined. He would rather be on the ground moving around. He laughs the hardest when Taylor plays with him. He has this one dimple when he smiles and he melts my heart when I check on him every night before I go to bed. I can't get enough of his kisses, kicks and the happy sounds he makes. I love this little guy.