Monthly Archives: October 2008

Scarred for life?

More adventures in potty training. Thomas has now decided to pee standing up. This came as quite a shock to me and Kei. We didn’t know that he even considered it as an option. To be honest, it’s a lot cleaner – especially when we provide him with “targets” in the form of cheerios floating in the bowl.

Tonight Thomas needed to use the loo. He ran into the bathroom, pulled down his pants, stood on a stool and assumed the position. Unfotunately he leaned a little far forward and fell head first into the bowl. He ended up in water up to his elbows.

I tried to laugh it off, even when Thomas started crying a little. I think it was more the shock than anything but I am really hoping this doesn’t make him afraid of the potty. The good news is that he got right back on the horse and finished what he went in there to do – after I dried him off with a towel of course. 

These are the things you don’t think about when you decide you want to start a family.

P365 Day 264 – September 21st 2008

This is Emerson. Isn’t she adorable? And isn’t it a nice change to have a photo of a beautiful little girl on the blog? I took this picture during a visit with my friend Laurie and her two children. I’m sure the boys (Thomas and her son Ethan were off making a mess somewhere).

Sometimes it’s so nice to take photos of other people’s kids. Not that I don’t love my own of course. I sometimes think about taking this hobby a little further but then I’d actually have to learn how to use my camera properly and right now I’m not sure I have the time to do that. I’ll have to make do with random photos of my friends and their children. There’s worse things in life. 🙂

P365 Day 263 – September 20th 2008

This is my very favourite children’s book right now – The Way Back Home by Oliver Jeffers. It’s so adorable and has a great message about friendship. This is my favourite page and it previews the rest of the book as the two characters work out what they are going to do.

The best part is that I bought this book on our trip to Australia so it uses Australian words like Petrol, instead of gas and torch, instead of flashlight. I took a look at the American version at a local bookstore and was so grateful for having bought the Aussie (or British) version. Sure, my kid is going to be confused as hell, but at least he’ll be Aussiefied.

You can find out more about this book and others on the author’s website. The website is a treat on its own.

P365 Day 262 – September 19th 2008

Thomas insisted I take this photo of the two of them together before their bath. In fact I think he also asked me to take the previous photo. He just loves his little brother. All my fears about him being resentful of the new addition to our family were for nothing. But then Samuel isn’t able to get into Thomas’ toys yet…

P365 Day 261 – September 18th 2008

OK – these guys are too cute. Thomas asked me to take a photo of him with Samuel. It’s a little out of focus but could not be more adorable.

P365 Day 260 – September 17th 2008

I love spending time outside with Thomas and an easel and some paints. I wish we could do it more. Today’s project – a picture for Nan for her birthday.

P365 Day 259 – September 16th 2008

This photo is a little sentimental. It marks the last day that Samuel and I had together before he started daycare. I am so grateful for the four months while I was off work and Thomas was in daycare – when we were able enjoy each other’s company and really bond. I am going to miss spending so much time with this little guy. I will just have to make the most of the time we do have together.

P365 Day 258 – September 15th 2008

A cowboy hat, a cowboy song (thanks Wiggles) and a funky little dance. That’s all it takes to entertain us these days. And Thomas IS very entertaining.

Life is good

Everything’s falling into place. I don;t want to jinx things but I do want to say how grateful I am that it seems like the family is finally getting back to normal after our trip to Australia. Don’t get me wrong, we had a great time, but it takes a few weeks for little bodies to get back on schedule.

This one is close to being potty trained. After a few false starts he finally seems to be getting it. Tonight we were just about to start eating dinner when he said “Excuse me. I need to go to the loo.” I don’t know if I was more excited about that fact that he used the potty or that he used the word “Loo”. 🙂 He also used the real toilet instead of his potty chair which means I didn’t even have to clean up after him. Nice!

After two weeks this one is finally settling into a routine at daycare. It was a rocky start. He wanted to be held all the time, cried most of the day and wouldn’t nap. Thankfully eating was never a problem but I was worried that Michelle would decide that looking after a baby in addition to a bunch of toddlers is just too difficult and that we would have to look for alternative childcare. I am excited to report though that he has been great all week. He is now on a fairly regular napping schedule and happily sits and watches the kids or will lie outside on the grass and coo for a good hour without needing to be held. And he is eating more than ever (5 bottles today!).

Oh, and he can now officially roll over. He rolled from his back to his front while going after a toy and I’m pretty sure he can roll the other way as well. I left him on the floor lying on his stomach and when I came back he was staring at the ceiling. I knew he was close to rolling but it doesn’t make it any less exciting when it actually happens.

And one more positive – I seem to have found some of my scrapping mojo. Here are a few of my recent pages.

Life is good. At least until I go back to work full time next week. I’ll be sure to provide an update…

P365 Day 257 – September 14th 2008

Thomas and his friend Ava “helping” Riley open his birthday presents. Riley is the kid you can barely see peeking out from behind Thomas. I don’t think he minded too much. Thomas and Ava were very sweet about the whole thing when they weren’t ripping open the paper like their lives depended on it. And at least Riley took home the booty.

I’m not sure how Thomas is going to make it to his next birthday. He asks about it every day. Good thing we have Christmas before then and I envision lots of “helping” Samuel in May at his first birthday.