Warning – Contains Potty Talk

We had a big night in the Ishida house. For the VERY first time, Thomas pooped on the potty. Oh, he has dabbled before. He peed a couple of times after sitting there for twenty minutes. He even peed NEXT TO the potty last week. But last night was the real thing!

He told me he didn’t want to pee in his diaper and then that he didn’t want to use the potty. I then explained that those were really his only two options and he said “OK – Potty”. And then he Pooped – on the potty!

We have started a reward system where he gets a marble everytime he uses the potty. When his little jar is full, Thomas can trade the marbles for a toy of his choice. He has had the jar for about three months now and, as you can see, it hasn’t been a huge success yet. Two of the marbles mark this particular occassion. He has been showing renewed interst lately though. We have been reading potty training stories – most of them involving Sesame street characters.

I am way more excited about this than I should be. In fact it is right up there with my anticipation about the Wiggles concert next week. Yes – those Aussie men in colourful skivvies.

And to think I once used to get excited about silly things like going out to dinner and traveling. Oh how life has changed

Soap Mohawks simply make bathtime more fun.

Thomas is really into puzzles right now and he’s getting quite good at putting them together. This one is his Buzz Lightyear puzzle – Buzz is another recent obsession.

Thomas was invited to a birthday party today for his five year old friend Shubhan – at a Roller Skating rink. He was about the youngest child there and not really able to skate (or we weren’t willing to find out) but he did enjoy watching the other kids skate and jumping on some big podiums. I sometimes wonder if I am a little too relaxed with Thomas. Kei was worried the whole time that he was going to get knocked down by some bigger kids or hurt himself in some way. My attitude was more “boys will be boys” and if he gets hurt it will just be part of the experience and he will learn from it.

Maybe I was born to be the mother of boys after all… Either than or I am a completely neglectful parent.

Oh, and if you’re wondering, Roller Skating rinks are the same in America as they are in Australia. Very dark, located in dodgy neighbourhoods and more than a little bit white trash and dirty. But hey, the kids love it.

Meet Patrick. Isn’t he cute?

We had our semi-regular potluck gathering with friends from my baby group last night. I have known this group since our babies were born (well the mothers anyway) and it’s so much fun to catch up with everyone – especially now that the kids actually play together. It was so nice to just let them keep themselves occupied. I actually felt like I had a chance to experience some adult conversation. It helps that we were at a house with LOTS of toys. Seriously – A TON!

Of the five families who get together, Patrick is the first sibling to be born. Our baby will be the second.

Part of our bedtime routine. The toothbrushing happens every night. The headband only if Thomas is feeling like he needs an accessory.

Beautiful day today and, thankfully, a chance to spend some time at the park. I love that Thomas is able to do most things on his own now so I don’t have to help him up ladders or down slides. Not that I could right now if I wanted to…

Loving our Organics to You deliveries. I have never eaten so much fruit in my life.

A girl’s best friend? Yes, the dreaded cold has hit the Ishida house and none of us are immune. Of course Kei got it first so soaked up all the sympathy. By the time I got it he was still sick so I have been trying to make do withoput the sympathy and care that I should have expected. Instead I am asked constantly if I am even sick? I guess I just hide it better. Work is also crazy right now so I don’t have time to lay about on the couch and recover.

Ohhh…. and wiping a toddler’s snotty nose has been a regular ritual. Better than the alternative I guess. Thomas has picked up the rather gross habit of wiping his nose on his sleeve and my weak pregnancy stomach has chosen this week to kick itself into high gear which means I find myself retching whenever he does it. OK – that may have been too much information… apologies.

Woe is me…

Two photos today

Colourful Feet

I love brightly coloured shoes. The red ones are some clogs I bought about 5 years ago and have just rediscovered. They are so comfortable and perfect for pregnancy elephant feet. The green ones are Thomas’ new Crocs. So cute!

And A Colourful Garden

Spring is on its way. Lalalalalalalla! 🙂 (Apologies to everyone still digging out of blizzards, but there is a REASON I chose to live on the West Coast.)