Potty Trained!

Check out these cute buns:

How cute are they?  I don't think that I have ever been so proud to see a little boy in underwear, but I am.  Potty training was the hardest thing I've had to do yet.

Round 3 of trying was the winner.  Round 1 was in July, Round 2 was middle of November when he woke up and said "I all wet, not wear diaper anymore" It only lasted a couple days.  Round 3 was the Monday after Thanksgiving.   He had gotten another bad rash, and he is getting so strong that I can't hold him and clean him at the same time and he just bawls, which breaks my heart so much that, I almost cry too.   I finally put down an ultimatum.  We started the Monday after Thanksgiving and he had a few days notice.

Dexter had a sticker chart he had to complete to get a new toy that he picked out.  It was designed to only take 2 weeks, but it lasted for 4 1/2.   Each time he went potty, he got a sticker and each time he completed a row, he got a treat.  He also got little frogs and dinosaurs for the first few times he went in the potty to entice him to go.  Well, he had peeing down pat after a couple days, but pooping was another story.  I had to reserve the last line just for that.  He was terrified to go, but eventually he figured it out, and got the courage to go.  When he finally did, he got a new book, a frog, a candy bar, and ice cream.  (we tried so hard to get him to go.  That was all he was promised he'd get if he went.)  Needless to say, it was a joyous, celebratory day at our house.

Finally, a couple days before Christmas, he completed his chart.   I think it was Heavenly Father's way of saying Merry Christmas, it's done.  Honestly, I can't think of a better Christmas gift than that this year.  He has done really well.  He has only had a couple of accidents; one when he was at a babysitters, and one other time at home, but he is doing really well.  He especially likes going potty at all the different places we go.  I have a feeling, we are going to get to know just about every public restroom in the city of Council Bluffs.  :)

Here is my big boy with his sticker chart and new toy. 

 He is really into tunnels for his trains and he had had so much fun with it.  He worked so hard to get it.

(this picture reminds me of the song that says, "heaven, I'm in heaven")

Congratulations my dear little Dexter.  You earned it.

Bear Hunt

 Dex and I had another fun adventure with a book.  We borrowed "We're Going On a Bear Hunt"  from our friends the Bournes.  Here is our rendition of the story...

We're going on a bear hunt, we're going to catch a big one, we're not scared.

Look!  A forest a big dark forest!  We can't go over it, we can't go under it, we've got to go through it.  Stumble trip, stumble trip, stumble trip.

We're going on a bear hunt, we're going to catch a big one, we're not scared!

Look!  A cave!  A big dark cave!  We can't go over it, we can't go under it, we've got to go through it.  Tiptoe, tiptoe, tiptoe.

WHAT'S THAT?

One shiny wet nose!  Two big furry ears!  Two big goggly eyes!

IT'S A BEAR!!!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Run back through the cave.  

Tiptoe, tiptoe.

Run back through the forest. 

Stumble trip, stumble trip.

Get home.  Run up the stairs.  

Into the bedroom.  Onto the bed, and under the covers.

WE'RE NOT GOING ON A BEAR HUNT AGAIN!!!

(but we did anyway)

4th Month

Juliette is 4 months old.  While I was pregnant, I remember how excited I was for Christmas to come because she would be 4 months old and starting to be so much fun.  And now it is here.  

Jules went in for her 4 month appointment and did so great. Here are her stats:

Weight:  14 pounds  4 ounces  (60%)

Length:  25 inches (74%)

She is doing just great.  She has amazing and precise coordination with her hands.  She picks up what she wants and doesn't fumble around, and things go straight to her mouth instead of to the side or smacking her face.  She has the best munchable cheeks and loves it when they are munched.  She constantly needs to be held, adores her brother and her dad, and finally uses her legs.  She loves blankets and hands.  When she fusses in the night, if I pick her up to rock her to sleep she stays awake and wants to play, but if I put my hand in her crib so she can hold it, she gently rubs it on her face and then falls asleep, holding onto my fingers.  And she does a cute little dance when she sees you looking at her.  She is quite the listener.  If you are talking, she stops what she is doing and watches and listens intently until you are done.

We just love having her in our family!

Dexterisms

Dexter: What is that? (pointing to a boy in a book)
Mom:  It's a boy.
Dexter:  What is that? (pointing to a girl in a book)
Mom:  It's a girl.

Mom:  Dexter, are you a boy or a girl?
Dex:  I a boy.
Mom:  Is Juliette a boy or a girl?
Dex:  JJ's a girl.

Mom:  Is mommy a boy or a girl?

-pause for thinking-

Dex:  a mommy.
Mom:  Is daddy a boy or a girl?
Dex:  a daddy.

Beauty Queen

Dexter got into my makeup a while ago.

I was surprised that he even got some mascara on his eyelashes.  This has happened twice.  These are pictures from the first time.  The second time was right as we were about to leave for church.  I caught him before he broke into my powder.   He is such an observant stinker!

O Christmas Tree

Dexter helped me decorate our Christmas Tree this year.

This was all his idea.
I actually kinda love it.
It also changes daily.