Sorry for the book this post turned out to be but I thought I'd simply post about a couple things so that I don't forget them (and so I can use what I've learned in the future):
Vanna's First Haircut:
Yes, we gave Vanna her first hair cut this week. She got bangs, her hair trimmed throughout and we snipped quite a bit off the back. Our good friend Angie did it and says that a good haircut can really help out a baby's hair and we just figured it was time. I think she looks more grown up :( but so cute!
No, Not Passionfruit - A Passion FOR Fruit:
My kids love love love fruit! Bananas, kiwi, strawberries, raspberries, apples, peaches, mandarin oranges - you name it - they just can't get enough (except cantalope pinapple and watermelon- weird I know). Here they are devouring some delicious strawberries and making quite a mess - which always seems to go along with a scrumptious snack. It's hard to tell in the pix but I have to add too that lately Cash totes his sunglasses around on his head all day long. He says "I lika Mommy" which just means he likes to wear them like Mommy when I go into the store and move them from my face to my head while indoors. He thinks he's so grown up.
Potty Training 101:
We've really been cracka lackin on the potty training this week. Some time ago Cash seemed to have it down pretty well but then reverted when he got sick and got diareaha (sp?). So I decided to do try this quick program a friend of mine told me about and I'm so proud of Cash for doing so well. He has finally gone stinky in the toilet, he goes into the bathroom to use it himself, and wakes up from his naps completely dry. The only thing we're struggling with is his waking up in the night to go. I've been sleeping next to his bed to listen for his restlessness and try to get him up to go, but he refuses. Last night, however, he actually got out of bed himself but of course, it was after he'd wet the bed. Oh well, it's progress.
Several things I've learned:
- kids will do it on their time
- be dedicated - you have to make it your priority- you don't go anywhere or do anything but pay attention to your kids' cues for a week or however long it takes - but it doesn't have to be a long drawn out process, kids can be successful in a short amount of time
- be consistent
- be positive - it's much more encouraging for your kids to be positive all the time - even when they do have an accident (this was kind of hard for me because Cash was having a hard time learning to go #2 in the potty-very discouraging-but now he's finally getting it)
- real underwear seem to work best (at least for us) - it's easier to realize they've had an accident
- lots of drinks help the whole thing out
- I learned it's better to tell your kids to "remember to tell Mommy when you need to go potty" instead of asking them if they need to go - Cash would always just tell me "No" and then go in his underwear right after - but by having him tell me when he needs to go, he's still in control
- when you see your kids begin to have an accident you should run them to the potty and let them finish in it so that they learn the signals themselves that they need to go and that when they feel those signals, they run to the potty to go there instead of in their underwear
- a reward system works
- patience is key
I'm sure I'll learn much more (hence the 101 - maybe next time it will be 102) but we're making progress and I hope to have it this over soon. Hopefully I can remember what worked with Cash and maybe I'll find it easier with Vanna (but don't they always say "every kid is different" - we'll see). Wish me luck and throw me any of your suggestions for potty training through the night!
