All About The Rice: June 2008

Fun At The Park

A few weeks ago, the weather actually cooperated for a few brief moments, so we headed over to the park after supper for some play time.

Taking time to smell the flowers, and check out all the bumble bees.

Riding the dinosaur.

Peek-a-boo

I'm not sure why, but there's something about this picture that I love. Maybe it's just that she's hanging out, taking it all in.

"I'm the Queen of the castle"

"Come on Daddy - let's go to the big park!"

If the weather reports are right, we'll be able to get lots of park time in this weekend. (but who ever believes the weatherman, right?)

Potty Training Tip #1

Always make sure your child looks cool while sitting on the potty.

Poor Baby

Warning - the dolls and (most) blankets seen here were not soiled during the incidents described below. This "Ahhh" photo has been included only to generate more sympathy. Reader discretion is advised.
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On Wednesday night, Bradyn said "I'm sick" a few times. She seemed OK, so I figured she must just be remembering the last time she had been sick. Unfortunately, a few hours later I woke up to Brady crying "Mommy, I'm sick". After running into her room, I rubbed her back until the heaving subsided. She then stood up and insisted "Pick me up". Eventually, we got her (and me) all cleaned up and tucked safely back in bed. After several hours of lying in bed fretting over my baby, I finally fell back to sleep. In the morning, we did it all over again. Last night and this morning, same thing. Ever hear of the "nighttime flu"? I can't figure it out. During the day she's happy and playing, but then at night she's sick.

The sweetest, although most heartbreaking thing ever, was this morning. She was standing in her doorway, then came back into her room. Without saying a word, she held my hand, walked me into the bathroom, let go of my hand, put both hands on the toilet seat and proceeded to be sick again. It was an awful moment, but so moving at the same time. I'll never forget it.

On a happier note, we have officially completed 2 weeks of potty training, and Bradyn is doing fantastic. Despite not being 100% the past 2 days, she'll go several hours between trips to the potty, wake up from naps with a dry Pull-Up, and is getting really good at telling us when she has to go. I am so proud of her.

Last Sunday I got brave and took her to the rec centre for drop-in play time. With our folding Dora seat, she did great in the public washrooms. However, after refusing to go in Starbucks, I just knew we were going to have an accident. We had a very close call in IGA, but she was able to tell me she had to go, then hold it as I ran around trying to find a bathroom. Not having the seat with me, I had to hold her, perched on the side of the seat, while she let it go. We made it! Maybe this weekend I'll be even braver and try to venture out to the mall. Am I crazy?

Do I Dare Start Thinking 'Success'?

Technically speaking, today is Day 5 of potty training. From my perspective, it's really only day 3, because days 1 & 2 were more about changing wet underwear than peeing on the potty.

On Monday when I picked Bradyn up from daycare, they suggested I bring her potty chair in for Brady to use, as they thought she might be afraid of the big toilet, their small bathroom, or maybe that she didn't like having to leave all the fun to go to the bathroom. (She's used the big toilet at home for months, although she'll only use the one in 'her' bathroom) They also indicated they may try rewarding her with smarties. Hey - whatever works. They seemed to have a little more success than I'd had on Sunday, but things were not looking overly promising.

When Kevin picked her up after school yesterday, there was only one wet pair of underwear to bring home. What? Are you kidding me? He also said her breath smelled 'odd'. Hmmm, like chocolate maybe?

Today when I picked Little Miss Bradybug up, she was wearing the same pair of underwear, and the same pair of pants that she left home in this morning.

You heard me right..... no accidents!

OK, so she wore a Pull-Up while napping, and they put her on the potty every hour, so how could there be an opportunity for peeing her pants? But still, I'm so proud of her! Of course, back at home and in Mommy's care, it all went to Hell in a hand-basket. Maybe I shouldn't say that. She did fine until about 7:00. She wet her pants a little and then was so sad about it. (Looking all forlorn, she said 'I'm so sad' - it was really quite sweet) She finished up on the potty, then insisted on a clean pair of underwear. 20 minutes later she was fully wet. I should have known better because she kept saying 'I'm OK', which I've come to learn means 'I can feel that something's going on down there, but I really don't want to stop what I'm doing to go to the bathroom'. If I'd taken her the first time she said it, we would have had a truly successful day. I'll know better next time. By the way, did I mention that she rides to and from daycare in her car seat wearing underwear too? Ok, granted, she's sitting on a change pad just in case, but so far she has stayed dry in the car. I think we're going to do just fine with this whole potty training thing.

PS - I took this picture of Bradyn tonight while she was prancing around in her T-shirt, socks and pink underwear, singing her new favourite song from the Potty Power video: "I'm proud to wear my underwear, I'm proud as proud can be. I march around and then I shout 'I'm proud to wear my underwear'. Sing it loud, sing it proud, I'm proud to wear my underwear. Sing it loud, sing it proud, I'm proud to wear my underwear."

PPS - I have just totally jinxed this whole thing by writing this blog posting, haven't I?

We Have Another Girl

Several weeks ago, Bradyn found a "dinosaur egg" by our driveway. With lots of encouragement from Daddy, she took very special care of it, hoping that one day it would hatch. She took that egg everywhere. After much anticipation, the egg hatched, and we now have a new addition to the family. Although the baby still doesn't have a name, we know it's a girl because Bradyn keeps calling it 'she'.

Not too sure what to think.