FATHER'S DAY WEEKEND
June 22, 2016 • HOLIDAYS, MOTHERHOOD
Happy Father's Day to the most incredible man Everly and I could ever ask for. I have been blessed to grow up with this guy since I was 15. I got to witness him grow into the most amazing man and father. He is funny, compassionate, charming, accomplished, driven, adventurous, affectionate, competitive, generous, and not to mention incredibly good-looking. He lifts us up, holds our hands, fixes us breakfast, has the best beard for tickling, and never misses a chance to tell us how much he loves us.
Chad and I started the weekend with a surprise trip to Bardstown, Ky for a lunch date while taking a train ride on My Old Kentucky Dinner Train. The food was wonderful. They served us salads, lunch entrees of our choice, and finished with dessert. The train ride was about two hours long. It was so refreshing to sit and enjoy each other's company with no distractions.
Meanwhile back home Everly enjoyed the day with Nana and Aunt Coco. It seems she had the best time out of all of us.
Sunday we spent the entire day out by the pool. Everly has turned into quite the little fish. She has no fear in the water. Chad was throwing her up in the air, dipping her under the water. She splashed, kicked, and played for every bit of six hours. I'm on the hunt for some good floaties for her to wear since she has a new found love for swimming.
We took Daddy out for dinner and finished the day lounging on the couch. It was such a nice and relaxing weekend, perfect for celebrating the man we love the most. Happy Father's Day Chad! Everly and I love you more than you know.
WEEKEND RECAPS
June 7, 2016 • MOTHERHOOD
Beyond the details of our potty training boot camp we have had a crazy last couple of weekends. Some sort of stomach bug hit the Hart House over Memorial Day weekend. Chad was the first one down. I don't think he's fully recovered even a week later. After a sick daddy and a potty training baby this momma was so thankful it bypassed me!
But before Everly caught the bug on Monday we stepped outside for some sunshine to celebrate Memorial Day. Several friends around our apartment complex got together to grill out. We blew bubbles, ate watermelon, and let all the dogs hang out at the park. We are so thankful for this little community of friends (who by the way were a HUGE help when Everly was sick).
By Tuesday Everly would soon follow Daddy in picking up the bug. Chad left for Chicago and Everly and I were left to fend for ourselves. It was my first experience cleaning up actual toddler vomit. Poor Everly couldn't keep anything down for about 12 hours. I don't think our couch will ever be the same again.
This last weekend though everyone seemed to be somewhat recovered. However Chad's grandmother fell over the weekend and is now in the hospital. Chad went to be with her while the babes and I hung out at home. He has been in and out of the hospital for the last several days and I know he's exhausted, both emotionally and physically. Prayers for Chad and his family would be greatly appreciated. After suffering a broken hip, several broken ribs and a mini stroke his grandmother is in for a long recovery at 91 years old.
By Sunday we got a little stir crazy and decided to venture to Evansville for the Southern Indiana Parade of Homes. After two stops to potty we finally made it to the first house. I got all kinds of inspiration from the new homes and it made me anxious to get started on our own. I was also introduced to The Barefoot Cottage. And I now want to furnish every inch of my house with Joanna's Magnolia line. Their set up in two of the homes was just beautiful. I highly recommend you visit their store if you're in the area.
After five hundred more stops to potty we only saw a total of three houses until we were all too exhausted to continue on. Everly cried half the way home. And I'm pretty sure Nana never wants to take a mini road trip with us ever again.
POTTY TALES
June 6, 2016 • MOTHERHOOD
Our Memorial Day weekend was filled with all kinds of excitement! We took advantage of our long weekend by ditching the diapers and beginning our potty training journey. Everly has been interested in the potty for a couple of months now. Ever since daycare moved her to the 2 year old room a while back (remember that story?) she had been asking me about it almost nonstop. She loved to sit on the potty. Every time Chad or I went into the bathroom she wanted to come with us. It was clear she was totally into it. She just didn't quite understand how to do it.
When I mentioned to a friend that Everly was showing many signs of being ready for potty training she introduced me to this book. It's a three day method that requires your undivided attention for 72 hours. The book emphasizes catching every single accident in the act. This helps them understand the signs of needing to go rather than just plopping them on the toilet and hoping for the best.
After giving the method some thought and observing Everly for a few days I took a look at my calendar. The only three day weekends we had coming up were Memorial Day, 4th of July, and then nothing until Labor Day in September. We will be on vacation on the 4th of July so that was out of the question. And if I was going to potty train Everly soon it needed to be well before vacation so she could have it mastered by then. So it was either now, or make her wait another three months. I took a look at my 21 month old, and even though she was a little young, I just knew she was ready.
After giving the method some thought and observing Everly for a few days I took a look at my calendar. The only three day weekends we had coming up were Memorial Day, 4th of July, and then nothing until Labor Day in September. We will be on vacation on the 4th of July so that was out of the question. And if I was going to potty train Everly soon it needed to be well before vacation so she could have it mastered by then. So it was either now, or make her wait another three months. I took a look at my 21 month old, and even though she was a little young, I just knew she was ready.
I decided to take a vacation day on Friday to give us a little extra time together in case it wasn't quite as easy as the book made it seem. So Friday morning first thing we tossed the diapers and put on our big girl panties. Our three day potty boot camp began. I lost count after accident number 12 the first morning. It was an exhausting day to say the least. But by the beginning of day two Everly really began to get the hang of it. There were accidents here and there, but we were peeing in the potty more so than not. By day three and four we were down to just two or three accidents.
I just knew sending her off to daycare on day five would totally throw a wrench in our progress with all the distractions and decrease in attention. But to my surprise Everly had ZERO accidents all day. I couldn't believe it. We haven't looked back since. She hasn't had one single accident all week, with the exception of night time. We're still working on that part. She has been dry three out of the seven nights this last week. I'll take it! We're only one week into this gig. Overall she has really surprised me with how quick she caught on. I am so proud of her and the success she has had. And I can tell how proud she is too.
Is Everly fully trained? Probably not. I'm sure we will still have accidents from time to time. And we have yet to fully conquer the night shift. But this method seemed to work great for Everly. My favorite part? Bypassing the pull-ups and getting the training over with in three days. I couldn't drag that nonsense out any longer. I was exhausted after three days!
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