Coming up this week...

I've been MIA for the past few days. Jesse and I went out of town this weekend to celebrate our anniversary. We enjoyed a jacuzzi, great food and shopping. Very relaxing and well deserved! :) I have a lot to catch you all up on this week. Here's a glance at what you can expect: 

* Recipes from our homemade anniversary dinner & a family favorite

* Pictures from our weekend away

* More thrifty shopping trips

* Diet Cleanse which I'm starting tomorrow

* A look at one of my latest embroidery/sewing projects

* And of course, an update on our boys! :) 

I'm so excited to share all of this with you all! Until then, I'm going to bed since both boys are sound asleep! :) 

Potty Training Bootcamp: Day 3

Well, this is a day late. Yesterday was our 3 year anniversary and the boys went to mama and papa's for the day. So no potty training Bootcamp happened. We're going to give it another go next week.

Potty Training Bootcamp: Day 2

Well today was Day 2 of Potty Training Bootcamp. It's been a slow process. I'm beginning to think that this is going to take longer than 3 days. I keep reading that every child is different. So, I'm torn on what to do... Keep going or take a break after tmw. I know Gabe is old enough and I know he understands. The question is: "Is HE ready!?" If he's not ready then he's just not ready. I think I'll stick it out through the end of the week at least.

Anyway today- well today wasn't easy. Gabe did pee in the potty but that was only after he POOPED in the floor. To say I was disgusted and aggravated is an understatement. But, I kept my cool and took him straight to the potty and again, I explained how we go poop on the big boy potty and not in the floor. It was a lot of the same thing as yesterday. Hopefully we get there soon! Tomorrow's another day. Oh & it's also our 3 Year Anniversary! 

Potty Training Bootcamp: Day 1

This post is a little late due to the fact that both boys thought it'd be fun to stay up until 1 a.m. Seriously this has got to stop!

Anyway, today was Day 1 of Potty Training Bootcamp for Gabriel. We tried this a few months ago but only lasted a day. This time we're hitting it full force. I know there are a couple different approaches to this Bootcamp- but in my opinion you find what works for your child and you.

Here's our approach: Most say that the Bootcamp takes 3 days. I knew that I needed to do this at a time when I knew we could stay home all day for 3 straight days. No interruptions (i.e. Doctors appointments, errands...) So this week is perfect. 

I started by explaining to Gabe the night before that he was going to start going potty on the big boy potty. I also explained that if he started going In the big boy potty that at the end of our 3 days he could go pick out a new car. (It can be any toy but with Gabe a new car does the trick!) Today, I sat him down on the potty after we had woken up. We sit for about 10 minutes each time. I let him go diaper free after that. I took him back to the potty every 15-20 minutes. Each time encouraging him to go potty. I did put his big boy undies on him 2 times today in between trips. He peed in both I them. 

I prepared myself for accidents since I knew it was inevitable. My main goal for today was to get him used to sitting on the potty and to get him to realize when he needs to go so he wouldn't go on the floor. 

Now, there's a few important things that I find to be vital during this Bootcamp. 1) Always encourage him and praise him for at least trying. 2) Don't get discouraged when he doesn't go. 3) Do not get mad when he has accidents on the floor. That's a big one! Gabe only peed on the floor twice today. Each time he told me immediately after he did it. I explained to him why he needs to go in the potty instead of on the floor. I also praised him for at least telling me that he went. Then I took him back to the bathroom and sat him on the toilet and again I explained that he goes potty in the big boy potty. Nap time was the only time that he had a diaper on today. We also put a diaper on during supper and he had it on after that until bedtime. 

Gabe likes to watch Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood. On the show the song a song "If you have to go potty- Stop and go right away! Flush and wash and be on your way!" We sing this song.... A Lot! It not only teaches him but also helps him to realize that when he feels that urge to go it's ok to stop playing and go to the potty. A few months ago he was actually watching that episode and asked if he could go potty! :) 

We also have a Potty Chart. I explained to Gabe that everytime he goes potty in the big boy potty he will get to put a sticker on his chart. I made the chart Mickey Mouse themed so he would like it. We have one star already- but that's from te first time we tried the Bootcamp. 

Overall, today was successful. I'm hoping that tomorrow will be even better and he will at least go in the potty. :) 

Checking out his potty chart! 

Lincoln joining in on the fun! 

Showing off his big boy undies! 

Potty Training Bootcamp

Today we are giving the "Potty Training Bootcamp" another try. Say a little prayer for us! I'll be updating nightly on our progress!

Cherishing Late Nights & Early Mornings

Sleep. It's something that I LOVE and don't get enough of. Before having kids, I enjoyed sleeping in. I loved the days that I could sleep in and not have to be at work until 11:00 a.m. Ah YES! Those were the days. 

I prayed and prayed that my boys would enjoy sleep as much as I do. Guess what!? They don't! :) Yes, my boys have been keeping me up late and getting me up extra early these days. Lincoln used to sleep from around 9:00 p.m. to 9:00 or 9:30 a.m. Now, I'm lucky if he goes to sleep before midnight. On the bright side, he does sleep in now until around 10:00 a.m. Gabriel used to go to sleep by 10:00 p.m. and he would wake up around 8:30 a.m. or 9:00 a.m. Now I'm lucky if he goes to sleep before 2:00 a.m. Seriously... what is going on!? haha. 

Last night, Lincoln would not go to sleep for anything! I was blaming it on his teeth, but the fact that he was wide awake and ready to play made me realize that his teeth were not the problem. Tonight, I put Gabriel in bed and started my nightly cleaning up chores and worked on a few orders. I went to check on him about an hour later and he had managed to get the iPad off of the bathroom counter where it was charging and take it into bed with him. He was watching Curious George on Netflix. So I thought, "Ok, he'll fall asleep watching this... he looks tired." About 30 minutes later I went to check on him again... this time he was in the bathroom trying to get the iPad back on the counter to charge because it had died. He's seriously too smart. How in the world does he know to do this!? 

What's a mother to do? I sent him upstairs to Jesse and he sat on his lap for about 30 minutes and passed out. Whew! I'm glad. 

You would think that with them going to bed so late, they would sleep in. However, Gabe NEVER sleeps in. Despite what time he goes to bed, he is always wide awake by 9:00 a.m. He sleeps in our bed... so I always here this sweet little voice saying "Momma...momma... play with cars!?" He doesn't sit still until I'm awake. Now, I will say that there have been some days when he'll sneak out of bed and go to the living room and play for a bit and then come back into bed and wake me up. But- those days are few and far between. And of course, when he goes into the living room to play, Lincoln hears him and wakes up. And SO the day begins. 

A few nights ago was the worst! Lincoln woke up at 2:00 a.m. I thought for sure that he'd go back to sleep. NOPE! He was wide awake and ready to party....despite all of my best efforts to get him to go back to sleep. Gabriel got woken up by all the "partying" (netflix) around 4:00 a.m. Again, despite my best efforts he didn't go back to sleep either. Can we say EXHAUSTED and MAD? I mean, who wants to be up at those hours? I decided to let Lincoln cry it out and took Gabe back to bed. Jesse couldn't take it and of course brought Lincoln into the bedroom. ANd so-  we were up. It wasn't even light outside. No one should be awake that early if they don't have to be. What's worse? Both boys were wide awake and ready to play! They weren't even tired. I brought a pillow and cuddled with my blanket on the couch while both boys played. I put the baby gate up and blocked the living and dining (Lincoln's room) off with his crib. I contained them to one area, turned on Mickey Mouse and laid down on the couch. I had bottles ready, food ready, and cheerios within arms reach. I told myself to give them an hour and they'd be ready for bed. NOOOO! Bring on 8:00 a.m. and Gabe finally laid down. It was another hour or so before Lincoln finally passed out. Now, someone please tell me the secret to getting them to sleep again! 

I know I may sound like I'm complaining... and let's face it, I am. However, I do realize that one day they're going to be grown up and they won't need me to get them back to sleep or cuddle with them. So even though I dislike those early mornings and late night... I am taking the time to cherish those little moments with my boys. After all, it's during these times that Gabe says the funniest things and he is the sweetest little boy ever! And Lincoln, well he's just as sweet too. They smile or laugh and it sure does make those late nights and early mornings worth it. 

I guess what I'm saying is... don't get too frustrated with your kids if they're not operating on "your schedule." Take the time and cherish those little moments. Those are the moments that count. 

Lincoln's 1st Tooth!

LINCOLN HAS HIS 1st TOOTH!

He's been teething for awhile now but none have popped through...until Wednesday. I could feel 2 of his bottom teeth working their way through and one finally did. It wasn't quite as bad as I had anticipated. We had a few nights where he woke up crying. However, a little bit of Orajel and Tylenol did the trick. He's been a happy baby ever since. And man, let me tell you- that little tooth is sharp! As you can see, I tried taking a picture of it. Obviously, it didn't turn out that well. If you look closely you can kind of see the little white popping through. :) I'm not sure I'm ready for this... I just pray that teething doesn't get too bad and he's stays happy!