Potty Training Update

I must say Nolan is doing a very well.  Don't get me wrong, we have our fair share of accidents.  A lot of times it happens when we are away from home or when he is having too much fun to take a break.  He is doing awesome with peeing in the big boy potty chair.  And he is doing better about sitting to go poo.  So that's a relief.  At least he's not flat out refusing.  Night time remains a bit of a challenge.  It's been a little better since we started cutting liquids off a little earlier in the evening.

boys brushing teeth

He had three dry nights in a row this week but then back to the drawing board.  It's weird not having to take diaper inventory before we leave to go somewhere, although now we have to make sure we have a change of clothes.  Not a big deal.  We carry the smallest "diaper" bag right now than we ever have.  The boys require very little baggage.  I told Jason we should enjoy it while it lasts because in August, we may need to hire a sherpa...or beg Grama Jo to come for a visit!  I think I was right about Nolan being more stubborn about potty training than his big bro.  But in the big picture, he really is doing a great job.  Keep it up Bubba!

Shower for Baby Mineck

On January 15th my mom, my sister and I threw a shower for Daniele and Baby Mineck at my house.  At that time, they only had 4 weeks until their little one was due to arrive.  We had such a fun time with friends and family.  We are super excited to meet our new niece or nephew!  Daniele seems to be feeling great.  I saw the baby's nursery yesterday and it is super cute, of course.

Nini, Nana, Daniele, Nolan, Great Grandma Phyl, Nash and Me

Nana Peg, Daniele, Nana Kim

Potty Training + Flu Bug = Glad That Weekend is Over!

Not pretty, as you can imagine.  I'm not sharing this post because I want you to feel sorry for me.  I'm sharing this so you realize how good your weekend was.  :0)  I'm going to warn you, it may get graphic, but I promise I didn't include any pictures of the crime scenes.  Friday morning Nolan put on his "Nemo"undies and the potty training started.  (Check out the new carpet which miraculously survived potty training/flu weekend).

Nolan and his cute little Nemo biscuits

We did the same 3 day potty training program we did with Nash.  The first day we had about 8 accidents, which is about how Nash did as well.  He woke up dry from his nap which was a huge success.  Day two is a blur.  He did well with #1 but unfortunately due to diarrhea we had lots of #2 accidents that he couldn't really help.  I even went through a couple of outfits.  (TMI?  Tough.  I warned you.  I'm not bitter at all about my awesome weekend).  Again, he woke up dry from his nap.  Great job Buddy!
Jason took Nash to the Iowa Hawkeye wrestling meet Saturday evening so Nolan and I had some one on one time.  Nash had a great time.

During the second night, Nolan came into my room at 2:30 in the morning to tell me he had to go.  He woke up dry that morning.  It's pretty hilarious that after he pees he rips off a little toilet paper to throw in the toilet and sometimes he even wipes the toilet rim.  Day 3 I think we had one accident.  I should be working today which is Day 4, however the flu bug hit us hard.  Sunday afternoon Jason left for Des Moines for work.  Shortly after that Nash starting vomiting and couldn't keep anything down.  He wanted beef jerky which I didn't think was a great idea.  I told him if he could keep a cracker down for 5 minutes, he could try some beef jerky.  He threw up the cracker then immediately said, "OK, let's see if the beef jerky stays down."  I don't think so.  I got a call from Jason last night that he was sick too.  He left Des Moines about 6am to come home and has pretty much been sleeping ever since.  Nicole, our Monday sitter is pregnant too and I did not want to risk getting her sick.  I stayed home today and she is going to watch them tomorrow.  Both boys are doing better today.  Nolan has done awesome going pee in the big boy potty every time today.  Poo is a whole different ball game.  He doesn't want to sit down to go so, well, that doesn't work out so good.

Sounds like I managed to dodge all the germs, right?  I wish.  I was still having the nausea and fatigue then really started feeling sick Friday night.  I ended up losing my dinner but didn't feel functional again until Sunday morning.  Unfortunately, I couldn't abort the potty training mission and lay around.  I guess I could have but I wasn't about to.  I was determined to "mommy" right through it all and thought I was going to die in the process.  But here we are, nearing the end of Day 4.  My patience has nearly dwindled to empty.  I have to work the next 3 days so hopefully everyone sleeps well tonight.  Man, I could really use a massage!  Deep breath.  Overall, I have to say Nolan did really well despite all of the distractions we encountered over the last few days.  The 3 Day Potty Training program really has worked well for us.  It's just that this time, we had some extra challenges.

I read a blog recently about how moms feel when told to "enjoy every minute because it goes by too fast."  I agree, it does go by fast.  But do they really mean EVERY minute?  The author pointed out that although someone may mean well, it really just leaves us feeling guilty and defeated when we are having frustrating moments.  Amen!  I have to say that I really DO enjoy most of the moments.  This weekend, on the other hand, was a rough one!
P.S.  It seems appropriate that as I wrote this post, I was in the bathroom with Nolan 3 different times for poo related incidents.  One included cleaning up a pile of poo off of the step stool because he refuses to believe that you can't hit the toilet from the "pee" position.  This too shall pass.  :0)

Hiccup

We are finally spreading the news.  Nash and Nolan are going to be big brothers to Baby W #3.  I am 9 weeks along - due around August 4th.  We have been talking a lot with the boys about the baby.  Nash has lovingly named the baby "Hiccup" from the movie "How to Train Your Dragon."  Nolan took his first nap today without his "boppy" because he is going to be a big brother and Hiccup will need a boppy too.  He searched for that thing for a few minutes but finally settled in with his blanket.  Three day potting training begins this Friday.  Nash told me today that he is probably not going to be able to help me feed Hiccup because he will be busy feeding himself.  On Wednesday Jason and I went to Hiccups first appointment.  Dr. Mihm said it was a little early but we were able to hear the heartbeat at 8 1/2 weeks.  That sweet sound never gets old.   The boys are still sticking to their original wishes.  Nash wants a brother and Nolan wants a "shisher."  I have been feeling pretty nauseous and extremely tired lately.  Exhausted is a good word.  Hopefully that will all pass in the next few weeks.  I'm not going to lie, there are moments of panic when I feel overwhelmed at the thought of 3 kids, but mostly we are feeling pure excitement to add another member to our family.

Happy New Year!

We rang in 2012 with our awesome friends/neighbors again this year.  The theme:  Famous Couples.  Jason and I went as Dog the Bounty Hunter and his wife Beth.

Kris and Bruce Jenner, Pamela Anderson and Tommy Lee, Pauly D and Snooki, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw

June and Ward Cleaver, Russell Brand and Katy Perry, Miranda Lamber and Blake Shelton

 We had a blast playing guys vs girls games and Just Dance on the Wii.  It was a fun way to welcome 2012.  Here's to health and happiness in the new year!  CHEERS!

Say Cheese!

My attempt to get a picture of the boys and the dogs together.