Mommy: So, Buddy, did you have any dreams last night?
Charlie: Yeah!
Mommy: What did you dream about?
Charlie: BaBa and PaPa
Mommy: BaBa and PaPa? What were they doing?
Charlie: Thinking about Jesus!
Mommy: Thinking about Jesus? Well, that's great.
Charlie: Yeah. BaBa and PaPa thinking about Jesus and Cheez-its.
Swamp
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Milestone!
Charlie earned his "blue present" last night. We've been struggling a bit with anything more than peeing on the potty, but last night in the midst of a Facetime chat with BaBa and PaPa he announced that he had to potty, raced into the bathroom and did his business.
Thankfully, the blue present more than lived up to his expectations...who would have thought that an umbrella would be the best gift EVER?!?
I may be biting my tongue in a few days, but I think we've reached the stage where we can call potty training an unqualified success! Yay!
Thankfully, the blue present more than lived up to his expectations...who would have thought that an umbrella would be the best gift EVER?!?
I may be biting my tongue in a few days, but I think we've reached the stage where we can call potty training an unqualified success! Yay!
Watch Out!
Keeping Daddy Dry
Monday, September 19, 2011
Hakuna Matata
So, what do you do if your 2 1/2 year old who only has the attention span for a 30 second Orange Juice ad (Good Mornin', Good Mornin'...) sees a Lion King commercial and begs for "more aminals"?
Why take him to a 90 minute, 3-D movie, of course!
From the first time he saw the preview a couple weeks ago, Charlie has been entranced by the stampeding cartoon characters. Thrilled at the prospect of another "first" (they're kind of few and far between these days), I decided that we should absolutely, positively take him to The Lion King. Jason, on the other hand, took some convincing, feeling the need to point out that sitting still, being quiet and paying attention to anything movie/tv related were not exactly our son's strengths.
Knowing that the facts were on his side, I chose to just look at him with shock and dismay, as if wondering how he could even consider depriving our son of this once in a lifetime opportunity (it is only in theaters for 2 weeks, after all...). Then when Jason totally busted me and I broke down into laughter, I just begged, and assured him that we would have candy and popcorn to keep Charlie in his seat, everyone is loud at kid movies, and I had absolutely zero expectation of making it through the whole movie.
A bit bemused by the whole idea, Jason agreed and even suggested we go a few days earlier than I'd planned, so we all piled into the truck last night and spent the 25 minute drive to the half-price movie theater on Ladson reminding Charlie how much he wanted to see the movie and explaining to him exactly what a theater is...to be honest, he was more excited about the fact that he got to wear his hooded sweatshirt, but he just didn't know what was coming...
Intent on giving Charlie the complete movie theater experience for this too-early-to-remember-in-the future outing, he and I played Space Invaders and Grand Prix while Daddy spent as much money on the popcorn, sodas and sour patch kids as we'd spent on the tickets!
As soon as we settled into our pre-stadium seating era seats, Jason immediately kicked over our large popcorn and I wandered off to track down a booster. As we waited through the previews, I managed to pour half of our free-refill popcorn into my purse, while Charlie stuffed ice cubes, smarties and popcorn into his container of grapes.
But finally, the movie started and Charlie was enthralled...for about 5 minutes. Of course, the double-vision he was experiencing due to his refusal to wear his 3-D glasses could have been part of the problem...Jason is half-convinced he had a headache.
Just as the hyenas began to taunt Simba and Nala, Charlie loudly demanded to go play with his toys, so we shuffled through the popcorn and out of the theater. As we "recycled" our 3-D glasses in the big box in the lobby, Jason and I discussed the fact that 30 minutes of movie (plus about 15 of previews and commercials) was really pretty good. All in all, we were impressed by the evening.
Well, a manager overheard us and suggested that we return to the box office and get a refund, telling us that they do it all the time with "little ones" who don't make it through their first movie. Feeling a bit guilty since we never expected to make it longer than 30 minutes, Jason and I did just that, and recouped our $21. So not only do we (Jason and I, that is) have a fabulous memory of Charlie's first movie, it only cost us the $20 for "dinner" and the ensuing stomach aches. Hakuna Matata!
Why take him to a 90 minute, 3-D movie, of course!
From the first time he saw the preview a couple weeks ago, Charlie has been entranced by the stampeding cartoon characters. Thrilled at the prospect of another "first" (they're kind of few and far between these days), I decided that we should absolutely, positively take him to The Lion King. Jason, on the other hand, took some convincing, feeling the need to point out that sitting still, being quiet and paying attention to anything movie/tv related were not exactly our son's strengths.
Knowing that the facts were on his side, I chose to just look at him with shock and dismay, as if wondering how he could even consider depriving our son of this once in a lifetime opportunity (it is only in theaters for 2 weeks, after all...). Then when Jason totally busted me and I broke down into laughter, I just begged, and assured him that we would have candy and popcorn to keep Charlie in his seat, everyone is loud at kid movies, and I had absolutely zero expectation of making it through the whole movie.
A bit bemused by the whole idea, Jason agreed and even suggested we go a few days earlier than I'd planned, so we all piled into the truck last night and spent the 25 minute drive to the half-price movie theater on Ladson reminding Charlie how much he wanted to see the movie and explaining to him exactly what a theater is...to be honest, he was more excited about the fact that he got to wear his hooded sweatshirt, but he just didn't know what was coming...
Intent on giving Charlie the complete movie theater experience for this too-early-to-remember-in-the future outing, he and I played Space Invaders and Grand Prix while Daddy spent as much money on the popcorn, sodas and sour patch kids as we'd spent on the tickets!
As soon as we settled into our pre-stadium seating era seats, Jason immediately kicked over our large popcorn and I wandered off to track down a booster. As we waited through the previews, I managed to pour half of our free-refill popcorn into my purse, while Charlie stuffed ice cubes, smarties and popcorn into his container of grapes.
But finally, the movie started and Charlie was enthralled...for about 5 minutes. Of course, the double-vision he was experiencing due to his refusal to wear his 3-D glasses could have been part of the problem...Jason is half-convinced he had a headache.
Just as the hyenas began to taunt Simba and Nala, Charlie loudly demanded to go play with his toys, so we shuffled through the popcorn and out of the theater. As we "recycled" our 3-D glasses in the big box in the lobby, Jason and I discussed the fact that 30 minutes of movie (plus about 15 of previews and commercials) was really pretty good. All in all, we were impressed by the evening.
Well, a manager overheard us and suggested that we return to the box office and get a refund, telling us that they do it all the time with "little ones" who don't make it through their first movie. Feeling a bit guilty since we never expected to make it longer than 30 minutes, Jason and I did just that, and recouped our $21. So not only do we (Jason and I, that is) have a fabulous memory of Charlie's first movie, it only cost us the $20 for "dinner" and the ensuing stomach aches. Hakuna Matata!
Ready for the Show
Zoom-zoom...
Just too cute!
My boys!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
We Made It!
Ok, I can't claim that we are fully "potty-trained" (though Charlie loves to do so to just about anyone who will listen), but we have made it over a pretty significant hump...Charlie wore underwear to school yesterday morning and was still wearing all of the same items of clothing when I picked him up yesterday afternoon.
Sounds like unequivocable success, right? Well...with Charlie there always seems to be a bit of a catch, and this time, like so many others, it's his iron will. In fact, I'm starting to wonder if the will and the bladder don't develop at the same time and if perhaps I didn't miss a single day of pre-natal vitamins that week, because Charlie's bladder appears to be just as strong as his will...he didn't use the bathroom ALL DAY yesterday, other than when they put his pull-up on for nap.
Yes, my 2 1/2 year old son went from 8:30 to 4:00 and only used the bathroom one time!
Obviously, I was more than a bit concerned about buckling that stretched-to-the-max bladder into the carseat, but Charlie assured me he didn't have to potty. Nevertheless, while he was stick-hunting en route to the car, he began to grab certain body parts, so despite violent kicking and screaming, I hauled him back into school and perched him on the potty.
As soon as he stopped fighting, he started going...and going...and going. Wow -- the child definitely has a healthy sized bladder. Thanks to our efforts, we completed our first "accident free" day and Charlie got to open his present of boxer briefs that look just like Daddy's (he's currently wearing training pants, which are really nothing more than thick, baggy underwear).
Charlie is still hesitant to do anything more than "pee-pee" in the potty, but we had a successful effort last night, leading Jason and I to believe that we were near the goal. Unfortunately, this morning we've had a minor setback in the form of a stomach bug. In fact, I briefly entertained the notion of scrapping the whole effort -- with Charlie throwing up I just couldn't fathom dealing with other messes as well or with forcing a miserable little man to sit on the potty, but with Jason's encouragement I decided to press on.
As of almost 1:00 we've only had one accident, kept our lunch down and are peacefully napping...we just might survive this after all!
Clearly we didn't get to this point without our fair share of tears, bribery, M&Ms, laundry and laughter, but to be honest the whole weekend is kind of a blur of beeps of the potty watch, reading stories on the powder room floor, and extreme relief when Jason arrived home to take over. Surprisingly, the hours of one-on-one time with Charlie more than made up for the stress of the weekend...who knows, in a few more days it might even be a fond memory (assuming, of course, that we work through a couple more issues...).
Sounds like unequivocable success, right? Well...with Charlie there always seems to be a bit of a catch, and this time, like so many others, it's his iron will. In fact, I'm starting to wonder if the will and the bladder don't develop at the same time and if perhaps I didn't miss a single day of pre-natal vitamins that week, because Charlie's bladder appears to be just as strong as his will...he didn't use the bathroom ALL DAY yesterday, other than when they put his pull-up on for nap.
Yes, my 2 1/2 year old son went from 8:30 to 4:00 and only used the bathroom one time!
Obviously, I was more than a bit concerned about buckling that stretched-to-the-max bladder into the carseat, but Charlie assured me he didn't have to potty. Nevertheless, while he was stick-hunting en route to the car, he began to grab certain body parts, so despite violent kicking and screaming, I hauled him back into school and perched him on the potty.
As soon as he stopped fighting, he started going...and going...and going. Wow -- the child definitely has a healthy sized bladder. Thanks to our efforts, we completed our first "accident free" day and Charlie got to open his present of boxer briefs that look just like Daddy's (he's currently wearing training pants, which are really nothing more than thick, baggy underwear).
Charlie is still hesitant to do anything more than "pee-pee" in the potty, but we had a successful effort last night, leading Jason and I to believe that we were near the goal. Unfortunately, this morning we've had a minor setback in the form of a stomach bug. In fact, I briefly entertained the notion of scrapping the whole effort -- with Charlie throwing up I just couldn't fathom dealing with other messes as well or with forcing a miserable little man to sit on the potty, but with Jason's encouragement I decided to press on.
As of almost 1:00 we've only had one accident, kept our lunch down and are peacefully napping...we just might survive this after all!
Clearly we didn't get to this point without our fair share of tears, bribery, M&Ms, laundry and laughter, but to be honest the whole weekend is kind of a blur of beeps of the potty watch, reading stories on the powder room floor, and extreme relief when Jason arrived home to take over. Surprisingly, the hours of one-on-one time with Charlie more than made up for the stress of the weekend...who knows, in a few more days it might even be a fond memory (assuming, of course, that we work through a couple more issues...).
So excited about the big day!
Underwear? As a present?
You want me to wear them?!
Scout wears them!
Teaching Scout to use the potty
Washing our hands
Down to Business
Multi-tasking
Thursday, September 8, 2011
The Calm Before the Storm
I've read the books. I've gathered the supplies. I've readied the troops. I've taken the day off.
I am in no way, shape or form ready for this, but what it comes down to is that I think Charlie is...I think.
So why is it that I'm more intimidated by potty training than I was by giving birth? Granted, I read a lot more, prepared a lot longer and heard a lot more stories, but seriously, it was giving birth. I have been giving it a lot of thought this evening, and I think that several key factors make potty training loom more horribly than childbirth:
1 - There is no epidural...no matter how much screaming there is, I can't deaden the pain.
2 - The after might actually be worse than the before...have you entered a gas station restroom recently?
3 - It's a head to head match. While Jason will be here to relieve me come evening, we've decided that the process will be best done 1:1 in our household...no coach, no doulah, no nurse, no doctor, nothing, but me, the potty book and God. (hmmm...odds really are still in my favor, though, aren't they?)
3 - There is no guarantee...when I went into labor, I was assured that at the end of the process I would get a baby, but as I dread tomorrow, I have absolutely no guarantees that Charlie will be out of diapers anytime soon...all of the pain and suffering might be for naught...
Nevertheless, we're committed. We've been practicing with Scout this evening. We've told our friends. We've sampled the Raspberry Crystal Light that I will be forcing into him in record quantities. We've dangled the big boy pants, enimens (better known as M&Ms) and super-special-surprise present in front of the 2 year old. Pray for us!!!
I am in no way, shape or form ready for this, but what it comes down to is that I think Charlie is...I think.
So why is it that I'm more intimidated by potty training than I was by giving birth? Granted, I read a lot more, prepared a lot longer and heard a lot more stories, but seriously, it was giving birth. I have been giving it a lot of thought this evening, and I think that several key factors make potty training loom more horribly than childbirth:
1 - There is no epidural...no matter how much screaming there is, I can't deaden the pain.
2 - The after might actually be worse than the before...have you entered a gas station restroom recently?
3 - It's a head to head match. While Jason will be here to relieve me come evening, we've decided that the process will be best done 1:1 in our household...no coach, no doulah, no nurse, no doctor, nothing, but me, the potty book and God. (hmmm...odds really are still in my favor, though, aren't they?)
3 - There is no guarantee...when I went into labor, I was assured that at the end of the process I would get a baby, but as I dread tomorrow, I have absolutely no guarantees that Charlie will be out of diapers anytime soon...all of the pain and suffering might be for naught...
Nevertheless, we're committed. We've been practicing with Scout this evening. We've told our friends. We've sampled the Raspberry Crystal Light that I will be forcing into him in record quantities. We've dangled the big boy pants, enimens (better known as M&Ms) and super-special-surprise present in front of the 2 year old. Pray for us!!!
The Armory
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Small Talk
Breakfast table. Charlie is eating his peanutbutter toast and Mommy is drinking her coffee. Charlie takes a big bite out of the middle of his sandwich.
Charlie: It's a submarine!
Charlie takes another bite and a corner of his toast tears.
Charlie: Now it's a flats boat. It has a flat tire!
Charlie and Mommy dissolve into laughter, then Charlie opens his sandwhich and starts licking off the peanutbutter.
Charlie: No more flat tire!
Mommy: Buddy, you are fabulous!
Charlie: I'm not fablus. (pause) I'm a pickle!
This kid could have his own show!
Charlie: It's a submarine!
Charlie takes another bite and a corner of his toast tears.
Charlie: Now it's a flats boat. It has a flat tire!
Charlie and Mommy dissolve into laughter, then Charlie opens his sandwhich and starts licking off the peanutbutter.
Charlie: No more flat tire!
Mommy: Buddy, you are fabulous!
Charlie: I'm not fablus. (pause) I'm a pickle!
This kid could have his own show!
Friday, September 2, 2011
Everybody's doing it...except Charlie
It's no secret that potty training is on the horizon here for Charlie. I've put it off for months using one extremely convincing reason or another, but next week we're going at it with a vengeance.
I'm even taking Friday off work so we have three straight days to focus, reward, sit, pray, cry, etc -- whatever it takes! That said, I'm not completely convinced that we are going to embark upon September 12 fully trained, but I am hopeful.
I had already committed myself to next weekend a few weeks ago, but the fact that Charlie's little friend, Trey, who just moved up to the two year old room this week is already using the potty, convinced me. It's definitely time.
I realize that all kids are different and do things at different times, and it's possible that the part of Charlie's brain that is intended for potty training is busy hanging out with the verbal part of his brain because the kids can definitely talk, but I'm beginning to realize that there just might be more to this.
See, way back when Charlie started school at 15 months, I was thrilled to hear that once he moved into the 2 year old room, they would start potting training him for me. I thought that with the repetition and the influence of all his other little friends who were using the potty, Charlie would pick it up in no time with no effort on my part. It was going to be great.
I failed to take into consideration one minor factor, though...it appears that my son is completely indifferent to peer pressure. Take this morning for example. Today is "pajama day" at school. Charlie's teachers, Jason and I have been raving all week about the fact that he'll get to wear his beloved pajamas to school -- any pair he wants.
Last night after much dithering, he decided he would wear his dinosaurs to bed and his bicycles to school today, so this morning when I got him up and asked him if he was ready to change into his other jammies, what did he say? "I wear clothes to school."
So I reminded him that last night he'd decided to wear his bicycle jammies, and he responded, "I changed my mind."
Clearly this isn't a battle worth fighting, so I let Charlie pick out his "game shirt" (Gamecocks polo), and we went about our morning, but I stashed his jammies in his backpack, thinking that once he got to school he would feel left out.
In fact, when we walked into his classroom, I went so far as to point out that Hayden and Bryce were wearing Mickey Mouse jammies and Wyatt looked just like Buzz Lightyear. Again, I asked Charlie if he'd like me to help him change, so he could be "just like his friends."
He looked at me like I was completely crazy, said "No," and ran off to read a book. Sigh...
Deep down somewhere I am proud that Charlie knows his own mind and doesn't feel like he has to be just like everyone else, but it sure would have been nice for potty training. Now my weapons of choice for next weekend are raspberry lemonade, stickers, M&Ms and a shiny new umbrella -- his current heart's desire. Hmmm...maybe he's even smarter than I thought...
Update: So, after bragging about my independent little boy in the blog, I picked him up at school this afternoon to find him happily see-sawing away in his jammies...seems he was convinced to change after I left. Never fear though, now I'm just proud of him for being flexible!
I'm even taking Friday off work so we have three straight days to focus, reward, sit, pray, cry, etc -- whatever it takes! That said, I'm not completely convinced that we are going to embark upon September 12 fully trained, but I am hopeful.
I had already committed myself to next weekend a few weeks ago, but the fact that Charlie's little friend, Trey, who just moved up to the two year old room this week is already using the potty, convinced me. It's definitely time.
I realize that all kids are different and do things at different times, and it's possible that the part of Charlie's brain that is intended for potty training is busy hanging out with the verbal part of his brain because the kids can definitely talk, but I'm beginning to realize that there just might be more to this.
See, way back when Charlie started school at 15 months, I was thrilled to hear that once he moved into the 2 year old room, they would start potting training him for me. I thought that with the repetition and the influence of all his other little friends who were using the potty, Charlie would pick it up in no time with no effort on my part. It was going to be great.
I failed to take into consideration one minor factor, though...it appears that my son is completely indifferent to peer pressure. Take this morning for example. Today is "pajama day" at school. Charlie's teachers, Jason and I have been raving all week about the fact that he'll get to wear his beloved pajamas to school -- any pair he wants.
Last night after much dithering, he decided he would wear his dinosaurs to bed and his bicycles to school today, so this morning when I got him up and asked him if he was ready to change into his other jammies, what did he say? "I wear clothes to school."
So I reminded him that last night he'd decided to wear his bicycle jammies, and he responded, "I changed my mind."
Clearly this isn't a battle worth fighting, so I let Charlie pick out his "game shirt" (Gamecocks polo), and we went about our morning, but I stashed his jammies in his backpack, thinking that once he got to school he would feel left out.
In fact, when we walked into his classroom, I went so far as to point out that Hayden and Bryce were wearing Mickey Mouse jammies and Wyatt looked just like Buzz Lightyear. Again, I asked Charlie if he'd like me to help him change, so he could be "just like his friends."
He looked at me like I was completely crazy, said "No," and ran off to read a book. Sigh...
Deep down somewhere I am proud that Charlie knows his own mind and doesn't feel like he has to be just like everyone else, but it sure would have been nice for potty training. Now my weapons of choice for next weekend are raspberry lemonade, stickers, M&Ms and a shiny new umbrella -- his current heart's desire. Hmmm...maybe he's even smarter than I thought...
Update: So, after bragging about my independent little boy in the blog, I picked him up at school this afternoon to find him happily see-sawing away in his jammies...seems he was convinced to change after I left. Never fear though, now I'm just proud of him for being flexible!
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Traditions
Mom's visit has definitely put me in a "Grandma" state of mind. So much so, that I even had a dream last week that my own Grandma was still alive, and we were hanging out in her assisted living apartment watching a movie (something we never did, by the way, her "stories", yes, but never any movies).
Now, I think I've mentioned before that my Grandma wasn't your sweet, little doting old lady. She had a difficult life, clung to some bitterness and could be downright difficult when she wanted to, but I adored her. She was one of the strongest, hardest working , most determined and most constant people I will ever know, and I like to think that I inherited some of those qualities.
Despite the fact that she wasn't the doting type, I believe she would have adored Charlie. For one thing, like me she thought Jason hung the moon, but I think their bond would have gone beyond the DNA, because they truly have a lot in common.
They both love yardwork: Grandma her gardening, Charlie his weed-eating. They both love fiction: Grandma her "stories", Charlie his books. They both love puzzles: Grandma completing them, Charlie dumping them all over the floor...not to mention the fact that Grandma was my primary supplier for sausage, macaroni & cheese, and icecream, Charlie's all-time favorite foods.
Perhaps it was the fact that we shared a macaroni & cheese dinner, just the two of us last night, like I did so many times with Grandma, but I had the idea to initiate Charlie into one of my very favorite traditions that I shared with her -- Strawberries & Powdered Sugar.
You see, this is more than just a snack, but a whole process, because despite the fact that toddlers and powdered sugar are quite possibly the two messiest things in the world, you have to let them dip their own strawberries. Then you laughingly pat their back when they cough on the powdered sugar and pretend to be stern when they blow it across the table, just like Grandma did.
I'm definitely sorry that Charlie will never know my Grandma, but so grateful that I can pass on her love for me to him through time and traditions and laughter, until he meets her someday in heaven.
Now, I think I've mentioned before that my Grandma wasn't your sweet, little doting old lady. She had a difficult life, clung to some bitterness and could be downright difficult when she wanted to, but I adored her. She was one of the strongest, hardest working , most determined and most constant people I will ever know, and I like to think that I inherited some of those qualities.
Despite the fact that she wasn't the doting type, I believe she would have adored Charlie. For one thing, like me she thought Jason hung the moon, but I think their bond would have gone beyond the DNA, because they truly have a lot in common.
They both love yardwork: Grandma her gardening, Charlie his weed-eating. They both love fiction: Grandma her "stories", Charlie his books. They both love puzzles: Grandma completing them, Charlie dumping them all over the floor...not to mention the fact that Grandma was my primary supplier for sausage, macaroni & cheese, and icecream, Charlie's all-time favorite foods.
Perhaps it was the fact that we shared a macaroni & cheese dinner, just the two of us last night, like I did so many times with Grandma, but I had the idea to initiate Charlie into one of my very favorite traditions that I shared with her -- Strawberries & Powdered Sugar.
You see, this is more than just a snack, but a whole process, because despite the fact that toddlers and powdered sugar are quite possibly the two messiest things in the world, you have to let them dip their own strawberries. Then you laughingly pat their back when they cough on the powdered sugar and pretend to be stern when they blow it across the table, just like Grandma did.
I'm definitely sorry that Charlie will never know my Grandma, but so grateful that I can pass on her love for me to him through time and traditions and laughter, until he meets her someday in heaven.
Last One
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