Potty Training Diary: Week 1

Max decided he wanted to use the big boy potty this week. He started refusing to be diapered last week, and we figured we'd have to do something. However, I was really hesitant because he's still so young, but I figured we'd give it a try. Poor little guy is giving it such a good effort, but he's so stressed out! He's been really cranky and had a difficult time sleeping, but he just won't give up. It's put us in a difficult situation; do we let him keep learning, or do we go back to diapers and wait until he's less stressed about it?

I suppose that sums up one of the most difficult questions in parenting. It's hard to know when to push and when to let something go. Parents are always so quick to mention all the wonderful, advanced things their kids do, but sometimes it's harder to admit they just aren't ready. I'm willing to admit that Max has a hard time adjusting to new situations. He wants so much to please us, but he can be a little high-strung at times. With parents like us, though, I guess he's pre-disposed to it :) I just hope that we can help him be less stressed than we are- even if that means letting some things go a few months.

So, after one week of potty training, I think we're going to put it off for a few months. Yeah, I want Max to learn to follow through on things and work through his stress, but I'm much more concerned with relieving some of the pressure he put on himself. In our family, I think that's going to be a much more valuable life lesson.

Date Day/Temple Trip

Darreck and I finally got a chance to go to the temple in Billings alone, for the first time since having Max. We agreed with a couple in our ward to trade off kids so that we could each go every other month. We left at 7:30 this morning and didn't get back until 7:00 tonight; it was the longest we've ever been away from Max, and I was a little worried about him. Max can be a little, um, high-strung at times, but he did great without us. Yeah Max! It was nice to get out of town with my husband for the first time in forever. We got seven hours in the car to just talk (despite the fact that I still can't talk) and an awesome late lunch at Olive Garden.

Mostly I was just glad for the chance to serve in the temple with my sweet eternal companion. It's such a calming, peaceful feeling to be in the temple. Everyone needs time to escape from the world and forget all the responsibilities and problems back home. I need to go to the temple every few months just to recharge. Nothing makes me feel better and more focused on what's really important in my life- my family. I love my boys!

My Own Version of Sick

It seems like, from December up until now, at least one of us has been sick at all times. I told Darreck that if I get sick one more time this year I'm making him quit his job around the slimy, germy kids. Because, you see, my colds always come with a little something extra. It goes all the way back to when I was fourteen...

The stake decided that, for youth conference, we were going to put on a musical. I was super jazzed (because I'm kinda lame like that) and had fastidiously attended every single rehearsal, even the optional ones. When the day came, however, I had a nasty bout of laryngitis that I determined would not stop me. Despite the gentle warnings of my doctor/stake presidency member, I sang anyways.

Moving right along, now, every time I get sick, I inevitably lose my voice. Before you start suggesting supplements and gargling and other remedies, I guarantee I've tried them all. This week I am, once again, sick and have, once again, completely lost my voice. Darreck thinks it's cool because in a few days I'll have my "super sexy sick voice", but right now I just sound like a frog. Not to mention that I can't even yell at Max. No fun.

Cooking with Dad

My boys stayed home from church today sick, poor guys. But they made good use of their time by making dessert for dinner tonight. Max loves cooking, especially in his super cool Max apron. Notice in the pictures that he stirs with his left hand. In fact, he does pretty much everything with his left hand. Not sure exactly how we ended up with a lefty in our family (the next relative who was one was my Grandpa Slavik), but Max is just a little different in most ways :) I think what I love most about these pictures is that Darreck is the one taking them, without me even being around. I was at church, and Darreck not only thought of a fun cooking activity so Max wouldn't get bored, but he also had the good sense to document it. I'm married to such an amazing man!

I also got a Kindle from my mom, and I'm super excited! The Kindle is an e-reading device, where you can download and read books all from a super-thin, super-light tablet (for those who haven't seen one yet). I'm a total bookworm, and I've been wanting one of these for months. Mom got one for both me and Kayla, and all I have to say is- THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

To Whatever Dork Put Carpet in My Dining Room

You are obviously a moron with no children (whoever put in carpet, not my beloved family and friends). Normally the carpet is only a minor annoyance, but then we have days like today where lunch resulted in a big stain of taco sauce and then, during dinner, tomato soup being sloshed on the floor. Now now, I know what you're thinking. But, I will not deny my child red foods because you lacked foresight. Actually, I've determined that sheer idiocy has earned you the right to pay for new flooring.

Now, I've done all the math for you, to make it easy. The dining room, living, room, and hallway (because, really, you have to do all three to make it look right) are 396 square feet. So, to put in fake wood floors, you owe me right around $2000 dollars. I think that's incredibly reasonable; I'm not even insisting on real hardwood.

Because I don't know your name or where you live, you can just drop a check by whenever you read this. If we're not home, you can drop it in the mailbox. Mostly, I hope you've learned your lesson.

With love,
Heather

All the Things Thomas is Good For

Max is still obsessed with Thomas the Train. The TV show is the worst children's show ever made (and that is really saying something), but Thomas does come in handy for some things. Today at Walmart Max saw a Thomas the Train potty seat and flipped out. He had to have it, and we weren't protesting. I was mostly relieved that Thomas came as a potty seat and not a potty chair. The potty chairs creep me out- I can't imagine having to clean one. Way too gross! He's been very aware of his dirty diapers lately, and he's pretty good at telling us when he needs to go. We weren't planning on even attempting potty training until this summer, at the earliest, but he's showing quite a few signs of readiness. I figure if he's going to act interested, we're going to let him :) For now, we're going to take it slow, let him ease into it. I'll keep you updated on how it's going!

Mystery Illness

Earlier this week I felt like I had a cold coming on, but then all the nasal symptoms went away and I was left with a sore throat. Unfortunately, that soar throat progressed to pain in my tongue, throat, and ear. The weird part is that the pain is only on the right side of my body. I went to see the doctor yesterday, thinking it was strep throat or an ear infection, and the only thing he could say is "that's really bizarre" and "I have no idea". Geeze, that was helpful. Now we're all just helping it goes away on its own because, if it doesn't, I'm going to have to have some very expensive tests. Here's to hoping!

We also bought a new freezer this week. We've been looking for an upright freezer to add to our kitchen, but we wanted to buy one used on craigslist. We found a few and decided to look at the least expensive one first because it was the newest. Turns out there was a reason it was the cheapest! It is only four years old, but the family who owned it had not cleaned it the entire time they owned it. Ewwww! But, it was a great price and, after half a bottle of bleach and a magic eraser, it looks like new again. I think Darreck was shocked I wanted to buy it after seeing it, but I saw the potential and new it would only take a few hours of work to save it. It really was rescue job.