Pocket Full of ????

Jacob (our 2 1/2 year old) is really into putting things into his pockets. He insists on wearing pants with pockets every day. If he deems the pockets not deep enough he will request to change. You can not begin to imagine what he keeps in his pockets. Though the contents vary it looks something like this: car, plastic coin, real coin, duck from his train set, eraser, matchbox car, ketchup packet, bouncy ball, trash and a Barbie hairbrush. I kid you not. This is what he dug out of his pockets last night before his shower. He set it all on his "counter" (the dresser in his room) as he was undressing. This morning as soon as we was dressed he went over to the counter and shoved it all back in his pockets for today. This kid cracks me up.

Next Step: Bubble Wrap

Paul graciously stayed home with Jacob this morning so I could go to a PTA meeting at school. I attend my meeting and pick up Julia and her bff, Preston, at preschool and bring them to our house. As I walk in the door I immediately hear the sounds of a sobbing toddler. I couldn't even get out the words "what's wrong" when Paul says "I think I need to take him to Urgent Care." And then I notice The Gash in Jacob's head and help get them out the door. I try to get the story about what happened as they are leaving. All I can gather is that Jacob was playing with a clipboard and somehow he fell (and close your eyes if you're squimish) and the metal part of the clipboard cut his head. Deeply. They head up to the Duke Urgent Care that's conveniently located about 3 minutes from our house. At the rate we're headed we'll continue to be grateful for this. The doc there checks out the wound and suggests Paul take Jacob to the ER so that doctors with more experience with stitches can attend to it. Apparently when doing stitches for deep wound in a toddler it's best to sedate them and they couldn't do it at that office. I suggest they go to UNC Children's Hospital. Our wonderful next door neighbor works there so Paul called him and he met them at the ER and kept them company for a while. Turns out he did need stitches - got 2 of them in fact. I guess it could have been much, much worse and thankfully that's all that he needed. Phew. But Paul spent 4 hours at the ER and missed a dinner meeting. Oops.

Of course this is our 2nd trip to the ER in a year and a half. Boy is only 2 1/2! Third trip to the doctor regarding a face laceration. I've lost count of the number that didn't require an emergency trip to the dr. The doctor said to keep the steri strips on the wound which Paul said he had peeled off before leaving the parking lot. He also said not to get the area wet which Jacob poured water on his head tonight. And he said to try to keep him from getting any head injuries for a few weeks as the area will be tender. Clearly we need a helmet. Or bubble wrap. And better insurance.

Potty Training Tips

A friend of mine recently asked via Facebook status for books on Potty Training. I said I'd message her some of my tips but thought...why not just blog it. I've successfully potty trained 3 girls (and by successfully I mean that none of them have/or will start Kindergarten in diapers), I've got a few tips. I have potty training on my to-do list with Jacob and I'm hoping by sorting out some of my thoughts on the matter it might motivate me to move that further up on the list. I've been buying diapers for more than 8 years - I'm done!

I have to admit I got tickled at my friends request for book suggestions. I remember, being that first time mom and wanting to get a parenting book on every subject. I read books, searched websites and joined discussion boards. The more kids I had and the older I got the less I relied on those methods but more on other parents and my own experiences.

So in regards to potty training here are some things I learned:

1. It takes two - the child has to be ready and the parent has to be ready. As a parent you have to be prepared for staying home, dirty laundry and frustration.

2. Getting dressed - your child should at least be able to pull their own pants up and down. It will just make it a lot easier for both of you.

3. It's helpful if your child can utter a few words. Full sentences? Not necessarily but they need to be able to tell you when they need to go.

4. Each child is different - some are easy to train. Some are darn near impossible. Some children are stubborn and not going in the potty is one way they are exercising their control. Some will pick it up right away and some not so much. Only you know your child. I have found that the children I pushed it with did not respond so well.

5. Try to make it their idea - toddlers and preschoolers love for "it" to be their idea - "it" being anything. If you can get them to buy into potty training and that it's their idea I think there is more success.

6. Sticker charts - never worked for me. Good for you if they did but it didn't work for me. Candy - that worked especially for my candy-aholics (of which Jacob is definitely one - that kid will do nearly anything for candy - hope this works for me in regards to potty training).

7. Pull ups are a scam - I mean really they are just pull on diapers. Don't get me wrong - I used them for night time but as far as helping your child train - I didn't buy it. Go cold turkey in underwear. You want your child to feel uncomfortable if they wet themselves. Keep in mind - some kids don't seem to care but for some it's a big deal.

8. I say portable potties are for the car - at home use the big potty. Be sure to have a step-stool at the toilet and toilet seat for kids to go on the big potty. I think those little potties are gross - who wants to clean it - yuck! When we were in the midst of training I kept one in my car and bags to line it with but I never used it for actual training - only emergencies.

9. If at first you don't succeed then let it go for awhile and come back when your child is ready. With 2 of mine I tried and tried with no luck. I quit and few months later they decided on their own they were ready. Those are my 2 with the fastest success and fewest accidents.

10. And finally - be prepared to know every potty of every restaurant, store and park you frequent. My kids still feel the need to scope out every bathroom every where we go.

Got any tips that worked great for you? How about you boy moms..any helpful hints?

It's List Thursday!

Feeling the need to blog but no real interesting story so some random thoughts for this St. Patrick's Day.

1. I had a thought to have a green food day today, on St. Patrick's Day but I never made it to the store. So we started the day with green milk and some green muffins that were a total fail and no one liked. We ended with homemade Shamrock Shakes which were totally a hit.

2. Did you know you that Kidz Bop and the Glee Soundtracks have almost identical songs?

3. My 4 year old now knows all the words to "Firework". See #2.

4. It's A LOT easier to understand the lyrics on Kidz Bop. As in, did you know they say "Gotta let go" and not "Galileo" on the song Dynamite? Yeah...I knew that too.

5. Those darn Kidz Bop songs are pretty catchy and will stick in your head ALL. DAY. LONG. Especially when your 4 year old requests Firework every 5 minutes.

6. I love, love, love when the kids can play outside. It makes everyone happier.

7. Paul's due back tonight after a long week of travel. It's been 3 weeks of almost constant travel. I am tired. And thankful for the weekend coming up.

8. My 8 year old must never talk at school because she DOES NOT stop talking from the time I pick her up until she goes to sleep. How does anyone have that much to say?

9. The kids running club starts up at school tomorrow. I'm so thankful they are interested in doing any activity that involves running - though I realize their purpose is mostly social - it's really hard to get up and get to school 30 minutes earlier. And yes I realize that our 9:15 start time is late. And yes, we are spoiled.

10. Have I mentioned how my 2 year old is a pocket hoarder? No? That's a story for another time but let's just say he's obsessed with a: having pockets and b: stuffing them full of random, random stuff. Like cars, trash, erasers, bouncy balls, candy...anything that will fit. Every night has to put all his treasures on his dresser. One day I need to take a picture..it will crack you up.

Celebrate Turning 8!

Yesterday was my little girl's 8th birthday (sniff, sniff). I can't believe she's 8..seriously 8 seems so old...HOW did that happen?? She has been asking for months to have a sleepover party for her birthday. Paul & I were back and forth on it - I wanted her to do what she wanted for her birthday but at the same time - we already have 4 kids...did I really want 6 more in our house? After talking to another mom at Brownies I got the idea to do the party at a local Embassy Suites. It seemed like a great idea - the girls could play in the pool and tire out (ha!), the little kids could sleep uninterrupted and we didn't have to clean up! Winning! And, did you know Embassy Suites have really good weekend rates? Emma was crazy excited about the idea and could not wait until the big day arrived! And thankfully my bff, Erin, agreed to chaperone the party with me!

Finally it was the 12th! She's 8! She started the day with a Brownie Fun Day with her Brownie troop. She happens to share a birthday with the Girl Scouts so it was a fun morning celebrating. We had a yummy lunch and then she got her first gift, (finally) Dad agreed to ear piercing! We took the girls to the mall and Paul let Em and Lily both get their ears pierced (I'll do a separate post on this)! Very exciting!! After we got back home the kids could not stand another minute at home - they were ready to head to the hotel to swim so Paul took them over while Erin and I did last minute party prep.

Our kids got some fun time in the pool and then it was time for the friends to arrive. We'd invited 7 girls but 2 couldn't make it. We had planned to have pizza, presents and cupcakes then Paul would take the 3 younger children home. The girls seemed to enjoy dinner and Emma got some nice gifts (books! flip flops! Justice gift card!). Once Paul and the little ones left we got into our swimsuits and headed down to the pool. The pool was great - it had a fun water play area for the little kids, it was only 3 1/2 feet deep at the deepest point and there was a hot tub. Unfortunately the pool was sort of busy but the girls didn't seem to mind. Apparently we weren't the only ones who thought this party was a great idea! We swam for a while and then headed back the room. The girls got in their jammies, had some snacks, watched some TV and we painted nails! So girly and fun! Around 11:30 I made the girls go into the bedroom to get in bed. I allowed them to watch TV for a while in bed. At midnight I asked them to turn the TV off. That's when things got a little more challenging - you know there were some girls who wanted to go to sleep, some who wanted to talk, one wanted the light on, one didn't...blah..blah..blah.. We worked it out but those girls giggled and chatted for what seemed like forever! Finally at 1am (or 2am since I so brilliantly planned a sleepover party on time change night) I told them they had to quiet down and go to sleep. It just took a few more minutes and finally everyone was out! Unfortunately the sleep was short lived - Emma was the only one who got up but she ended up sleeping with me for most of the night. They were up and giggling by 8am. They were so cute all in the bed together! I had said an end time of 9am so we didn't have too much time to hang out this morning. The Embassy Suites includes a full breakfast so we headed down to eat. It took a while to get all 6 of them food but finally they were eating and parents began to arrive!

All in all it was a fun party. The girls were super sweet and I can't say enough about how well behaved they were and how well they listened. Their excitement was contagious! They were all kind to one another and generally fun to be around! I think we're all tired today but to be expected. Most importantly I think Emma has a great birthday!!

My Favorite

Overheard:

Julia (4): Jakey, do you like my shirt (Chipettes t-shirt)?

Jacob (2): Yeah

Julia: Who's your favorite?

Jacob: Jesus

Love it!

Time Marches On

Dear 2011,

What is your rush? I mean mere days ago it seemed like we just ushered you in. And now you are charging forward without giving any regard to those of us who are struggling to keep up. I mean how did you get to March 1 so quickly? I feel like I blinked and Jan and Feb both passed. Don't get me wrong plowing through the winter months is OK and it makes me happy to get toward Spring but let's not rush too quickly, please. Let's try to enjoy the budding flowers and warm, sunny days. Please do not let that bully Summer ruin things by trying to come too early and staying too long. Don't rush any more we all know 2012 will be here before we know it. Thankyouverymuch.

Love,

Someone who would like time slow down just a little...pretty please....