I had my first nosebleed to deal with today. Like the first black eye and the first chipped tooth, the honor goes to Harper J.
She was trying to push her sister on the swing. Centrifugal force won. She took it well, did not want to leave the park, but wanted to go to the baby swings. I got some weird looks from the other moms. We were a bit blood splattered.
sidenote: I have never had a nosebleed.
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Potty learning
*don't read if you don't have potty training toddlers*
I decided to document the process/method we followed to potty train, since I have been asked by a couple of people. That being said, we are not perfect pottiers. Still have accidents periodically, but I can leave the house without fear, though we'll definitely get the chance to take a few unnecessary visits to the public bathroom.
I took the method from an online program that normally one would pay for - o.k. it was pirated, don't tell.
Here's how we did it:
* Three day dedication. I picked three days where we wouldn't really have to go anywhere. If you have twins, its better to have two people on this, but we didn't really have that luxury.
* Big girl panties. Before your three days talk about how big girls go in the potty and wear panties and not diapers. Tell them that one day we will give all their diapers to babies that need them (or throw them away) and they will wear panties. This method is anti pull ups or training pants as a crutch. I had been using training pants occasionally before our boot camp.
* The girls were ready when we did this. They already went in the potty periodically and could tell when they were going to go, and told me right after they went. The readiness will make your life less painful.
During the three days:
*We threw out the diapers and let them do their panty draft. Basically they picked their panties. I got the cheesiest ones available - princess, yo gabba gabba, wonder pets, dora. Then they ran around the house in their panties and a t-shirt. I gave them lots of juice and popsicles to get them to go frequently.
*Don't tell them when to go but remind them constantly that they need to tell you when they have to go.
*Do a "dry panty check" frequently and cheer if they have dry panties.
*Keep an eagle eye on your child/s. Guaranteed the time you decide to unload the dishes is when they will have an accident.
*Look for signs of when they are about to go and say hey, it looks like you need to go and usher them into the potty. For us, asking for a diaper was a sure sign they needed to poop.
*We also bought special big girl wipes (flushable wipes) that I let them use. Now, sinc they are pricey, we only use them for #2.
Rewards:
I didn't use rewards for pee, except for praise of course. Poopy was a little harder to come by so I started giving them m&ms when they put it in the potty.
Accidents:
Really hard for me not to get frustrated and exasperated. It would seem I would remind them to tell me and not 2 minutes later there would be a puddle on the floor. They need to have the accidents to realize how important it is to go to the bathroom. So I keep telling myself. We still have them. Mostly at home when they get really involved in what they are playing.
Leaving the house:
We take a couple changes of clothes and hope for the best. Honestly, we haven't had too many out of the house accidents because a new potty is exciting. My kids don't have fear of going in a public toilet, but I have be drilling the "don't touch anything but yourself or mommy" into their heads.
Nighttime:
Harper was waking up dry with diapers and has been able to make it in panties. Lucy would at first wet in the night. Per the recommendation of this method I would go get her before I went to bed and have her go. She barely woke up, but it worked most of the time. Also try to limit what they drink after dinner.
I have heard that holding pee in the night is a developmental thing that can't really be controlled, so this might be more challenging for some.
Its was frustrating at first, and I'm still looking forward to them being able to go "all" by themselves, but at least we are done with the diapers.
I decided to document the process/method we followed to potty train, since I have been asked by a couple of people. That being said, we are not perfect pottiers. Still have accidents periodically, but I can leave the house without fear, though we'll definitely get the chance to take a few unnecessary visits to the public bathroom.
I took the method from an online program that normally one would pay for - o.k. it was pirated, don't tell.
Here's how we did it:
* Three day dedication. I picked three days where we wouldn't really have to go anywhere. If you have twins, its better to have two people on this, but we didn't really have that luxury.
* Big girl panties. Before your three days talk about how big girls go in the potty and wear panties and not diapers. Tell them that one day we will give all their diapers to babies that need them (or throw them away) and they will wear panties. This method is anti pull ups or training pants as a crutch. I had been using training pants occasionally before our boot camp.
* The girls were ready when we did this. They already went in the potty periodically and could tell when they were going to go, and told me right after they went. The readiness will make your life less painful.
During the three days:
*We threw out the diapers and let them do their panty draft. Basically they picked their panties. I got the cheesiest ones available - princess, yo gabba gabba, wonder pets, dora. Then they ran around the house in their panties and a t-shirt. I gave them lots of juice and popsicles to get them to go frequently.
*Don't tell them when to go but remind them constantly that they need to tell you when they have to go.
*Do a "dry panty check" frequently and cheer if they have dry panties.
*Keep an eagle eye on your child/s. Guaranteed the time you decide to unload the dishes is when they will have an accident.
*Look for signs of when they are about to go and say hey, it looks like you need to go and usher them into the potty. For us, asking for a diaper was a sure sign they needed to poop.
*We also bought special big girl wipes (flushable wipes) that I let them use. Now, sinc they are pricey, we only use them for #2.
Rewards:
I didn't use rewards for pee, except for praise of course. Poopy was a little harder to come by so I started giving them m&ms when they put it in the potty.
Accidents:
Really hard for me not to get frustrated and exasperated. It would seem I would remind them to tell me and not 2 minutes later there would be a puddle on the floor. They need to have the accidents to realize how important it is to go to the bathroom. So I keep telling myself. We still have them. Mostly at home when they get really involved in what they are playing.
Leaving the house:
We take a couple changes of clothes and hope for the best. Honestly, we haven't had too many out of the house accidents because a new potty is exciting. My kids don't have fear of going in a public toilet, but I have be drilling the "don't touch anything but yourself or mommy" into their heads.
Nighttime:
Harper was waking up dry with diapers and has been able to make it in panties. Lucy would at first wet in the night. Per the recommendation of this method I would go get her before I went to bed and have her go. She barely woke up, but it worked most of the time. Also try to limit what they drink after dinner.
I have heard that holding pee in the night is a developmental thing that can't really be controlled, so this might be more challenging for some.
Its was frustrating at first, and I'm still looking forward to them being able to go "all" by themselves, but at least we are done with the diapers.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Camp
The girls just finished their first week of camp on Friday. It is at their preschool and taught by their teacher, Ms. Nooshi.
It ran Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 - 12:30 which gave me the chance to do some work, grocery shop, and work out.
And it tired. them. out. In fact, naps have again made an appearance in our lives. They come home snack, watch a little tv and will conk out for 1-2 hours. Then we get up and do an afternoon activity. We have gotten to do some early evening fun stuff like go out to dinner, swim and get frozen yogurt at my new favorite haunt - yogurt planet. You get to serve your own yogurt and load your toppings - and pay by the ounce. The girls love the mini m&ms and tiny gummi bears.
This was what I wanted our summer schedule to be. Get up early and do stuff. Nap from 2-4 and then do some more stuff and stay up later. Its kind of working now, and hoping I can keep them on it because everything is better when they take a nap.
The first week theme was "Under the Sea" and they came home on Friday with their projects.
They said they had "running hats" like mommy, and could go running with me now.
But my favorite project was this framed picture with their gigantic sunglasses on. hilarious.
It ran Tuesday through Friday from 8:30 - 12:30 which gave me the chance to do some work, grocery shop, and work out.
And it tired. them. out. In fact, naps have again made an appearance in our lives. They come home snack, watch a little tv and will conk out for 1-2 hours. Then we get up and do an afternoon activity. We have gotten to do some early evening fun stuff like go out to dinner, swim and get frozen yogurt at my new favorite haunt - yogurt planet. You get to serve your own yogurt and load your toppings - and pay by the ounce. The girls love the mini m&ms and tiny gummi bears.
This was what I wanted our summer schedule to be. Get up early and do stuff. Nap from 2-4 and then do some more stuff and stay up later. Its kind of working now, and hoping I can keep them on it because everything is better when they take a nap.
The first week theme was "Under the Sea" and they came home on Friday with their projects.
They said they had "running hats" like mommy, and could go running with me now.
But my favorite project was this framed picture with their gigantic sunglasses on. hilarious.
Gag me
From some of our first diaper changes, Greg has displayed a strong gag reflex. Something that irked me. I was afraid it would give the girls a complex. Its just poop.
Apparently this is an inherited trait (or is it learned?). Lucy has started gagging at Harper's and her own poop. She says she doesn't like the smell. Now the gagging sound is how I know that someone needs clean up.
Apparently this is an inherited trait (or is it learned?). Lucy has started gagging at Harper's and her own poop. She says she doesn't like the smell. Now the gagging sound is how I know that someone needs clean up.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Happy Birthday, America!
233rd birthday
232nd birthday
231st birthday
We spent the morning in the Rosedale neighborhood parade, followed by watermelon and carnival games. The girls won some toys that they probably don't need.
I spent part of today trying to purge stuff that is cluttering up the garage and house, because, that is what you do when you have "real work" to do. I held onto these things for the AMOM (austin mothers of multiples) sale, but it is falling in the weekend of the girls birthday + after Greg will be out of town for a week + first week of school. Adding labeling, hauling gear and working a sale to that doesn't seem like its going to work.
Yesterday was a little more exciting with two parties - one at a ranch house in Stonewall, TX (in the hill country) and the other a friend's housewarming soiree. The girls had a blast, but were up late and holy terrors today.
Post-parade/carnival we headed to an early lunch. Lucy spent half the time crying and whining for ranch dressing. Which they didn't have. And then for lemonade. Which they did have, but which we would not give her unless she asked in a normal tone of voice. Which she was incapable of. Crying the whole way home. Finally she wore herself out and took an early (12 pm) and longer nap.
Looking forward to hearing if not seeing some fireworks when the sun goes down.
232nd birthday
231st birthday
We spent the morning in the Rosedale neighborhood parade, followed by watermelon and carnival games. The girls won some toys that they probably don't need.
I spent part of today trying to purge stuff that is cluttering up the garage and house, because, that is what you do when you have "real work" to do. I held onto these things for the AMOM (austin mothers of multiples) sale, but it is falling in the weekend of the girls birthday + after Greg will be out of town for a week + first week of school. Adding labeling, hauling gear and working a sale to that doesn't seem like its going to work.
Yesterday was a little more exciting with two parties - one at a ranch house in Stonewall, TX (in the hill country) and the other a friend's housewarming soiree. The girls had a blast, but were up late and holy terrors today.
Post-parade/carnival we headed to an early lunch. Lucy spent half the time crying and whining for ranch dressing. Which they didn't have. And then for lemonade. Which they did have, but which we would not give her unless she asked in a normal tone of voice. Which she was incapable of. Crying the whole way home. Finally she wore herself out and took an early (12 pm) and longer nap.
Looking forward to hearing if not seeing some fireworks when the sun goes down.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Adios
The girls first spanish words - unprompted. They have repeated stuff when I've said it. But now they said it on their own and in context.
I'm just glad it wasn't "mas cerveza, por favor".
I'm just glad it wasn't "mas cerveza, por favor".
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