The gentle knock

It was quiet, too quiet.  Then came a gentle knock.  That was the first clue something was awry.  Her knocks were always loud and commanding, demanding attention.  Grandma went to open the door.

Mama heard "Oh Abby! Oh Abby! Umm, go downstairs", and cringed trying to imagine what could have happened.

The grandma was taking too long to come downstairs.  Finally the little girl sheepishly was walking down the stairs pantless.  This in itself was not alarming because this child did not often wear socks or pants.  "Hi mama" she softly whispered.

At last grandma appeared with the potty chair.  It had been attacked by Abby's young bottom.  It had suffered it's first pooptastrophe!!  How she got  poop in every nook and cranny of that potty will be a mystery. The lone clean pair of underwear a few feet from the scene of the crime and previous destoryed underpants led the mama to believe the little girl had tried her best and just didn't know how to clean the mess.

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The joys of potty training.

How to take Abby's picture

Step 1: Grab Camera and have finger on the button at all times

Step 2: Put on your running shoes.

Step 3: Hide but have camera at her level.

 Step 4: Run some more.

Day 2

Apparently she has learned the word why.  Each time it took me so surprise I was speechless.

A: I wanna diaper.
Me: you don't wear diapers anymore.
A: Why?

Me: Does pee pee go in the underwear?
A: Yes.
Me: NO, pee pee does not go in underwear.
A: Why?
Me: Pee pee goes in the potty.
A: Why?
You can see where this going.

Like yesterday morning she kept asking for diapers, which was my cue she had to pee.  She peed on the floor twice today with underwear so we went bare butt most off the day with much more success (60% if your statistic fanatic RD like the ladies I work with).  She is definitely not a child that goes for the sitting on the potty every so many minutes.  So much like her mommy she gets visibly angry when micromanaged.

She ended the day with 2 wet underwear, drinking only 1 cup of juice, 1 Elmo Potty viewing, 5 art projects and 2 new Princess toys.  Potty training has greatly increased our art time to help contain any potty messes.

And this little darling told me at the end of the day "I had so much fun today".

Day 1 without diapers

1st pair of Elmo underwear soaked.

2nd pair laying on kitchen floor somewhere because she wants flower ones.  I don't have any flower ones, but look Snow White.  Those are good enough . . . for awhile.  

3rd pair of underwear (Snow White ones) laying in living room while she asks for diaper.  Ha, now I know your tell little Abby.  Now I know she knows she has to go.  NO DIAPER for you.   "You don't wear diapers now Abby.  Only underwear".  She runs into the bathroom where she pees on the floor. Mid stream I put her on the toilet.  I count this as a partial success.

Back to the 2nd pair of underwear.  Now she wants to watch "Elmo Potty".  No problem.  She decides to watch it naked.  Since she has seen this video 10 times she quickly grows bored and runs to play.  Suddenly she runs to the potty strategically placed in the middle of the living room.  She looks in the potty . .. Nothing.  5 minutes later she runs again.  She stands up, looks down, declares "WOOO that's a big one", picks up the insert and starts taking it to the toilet.  She POOPED, right in the middle of Emerson's lunch.  Sorry buddy you'll have to cry for a few minutes.

So 2 cups of juice, 10 m and m's, 3 pairs of underwear and 1 new Little People princess.  We are on our way.

Addendum: make that 5 soaked underwear later. Oh well, one less poop  diaper I had to change today.

3 month basics

Weight:  Emerson continues to grow at a steady rate.  We weighed him on our home scale and he was 14.5 pounds.  He has two fat rolls on his legs and I love it.  

Interests: These days he enjoys sitting up and looking at toys with music and light.  He loves to coo and squeal big conversations with anyone who will look at him.  He's much more social then we remember Abby being.  He has finally taken to the Nuk but doesn't always need it to sleep.  He's as quick to smile as he is to cry.

Fears: Emerson's afraid of most loud noises, especially Abby's Pterondon noises.  He hates tummy time but is getting better at lifting his head.  He's rolled up onto his side several times now.

Best bud:  Despite her sassy and careless ways Emerson lights up when Abby sings to him or tells him a story.

Eating habits:  Now that I'm back to work he's completely off any kind of schedule.  Usually he only eats about 6 times a day now but depending on his mood, or if Mommy was working all day, he may still eat 10 times.  

Sleep (oh sleep how I miss you):  His sleep schedule is off now too.  We started finally putting him in the crib for naps instead of his rock and play sleeper and it's going okay.  Nights he may not wake up until 2 am or he might wake up at 11,1, 4 and 5.  It's been a struggle for us since Abby was a freak baby that slept through the night at 3 months.  This last Friday at daycare he ate really well and took 2 good naps so hopefully he's adjusting and the next month will be better.

I still can't figure out how to rotate pictures since they made changes on blogspot.

Photo bomb

Homemade

I'm feeling sentimental today.  This beautiful outfit was made for Abby by my Great Aunt Bonnie, a woman of many talents.  She died suddenly over a year ago and I'm sad she won't get to meet Emerson and see him in this outfit.  There was not a doubt in her mind my first baby was a boy so she made a blanket and this gorgeous outfit in blue.  She wouldn't even entertain the idea that I was having a girl.  I forgot about it and never put it on Abby.  These pictures are for you Bonnie.  Miss you and your infectious  boisterous laughter.

Showing off new skills, rolling onto his side.

My baby

The most surprising thing to me about being a mother is how much you can really love another human being.  Every time Abby gets sick or hurt my heart hurts for days.  I can barely sleep or eat.  Every little thing is magnified - a cough could be Croup, chest congestion pneumonia, a bump to the head a traumatic brain injury.

I was discussing this with a good friend and wondered if parents that don't work in a level 1 trauma center immediately think the worst.  Am I just introduced to too many weird happenings and horrible tragedies?

Once again my sweet girl came through with no visible scars.  I'm still crying more than her.  So today when a strange man asked me for money for gas I gave him almost all I had.  I kept the pennies because I thought it was rude to hand him pennies and 25 cents for Aldi's.  I wish I had a 20 dollar bill to give him.  God has been good to us and I wanted some insurance.

I love you more every day Abby.  Even when you're sassy, even when you're mean.  You will always be my baby girl.  You bring so much joy to our life.

I love your free spirit.

 I love your curious nature.

 I love that you are always up for an adventure and love love love your daddy.

I love most of all that you are quick to smile, quick to laugh and always up for a good book and a hug.  You are my first born and will always hold a special spot in my heart.