Luke received some truck theme underpants for his birthday in August from Jay's mom. She thought Luke's love for trucks might encourage using the potty.
Last night Jay and I spent time talking to Luke about being a good boy and using the potty. We told him he couldn't go to school next year if he didn't use the potty. I even showed him the big boy underpants again, hoping to renew interest.
It seemed to work. He was talking about the underpants this morning. I told him that if he wore underpants, he needed to poop and pee in the potty to keep the trucks dry and clean. Luke said, "ok!"
So, I helped him take off his jammies and night time diaper. We went into the bathroom and he did go a little. Then I put on the underpants. Luke spent a few minutes looking at the trucks on them...especially the excavators.
After those first few minutes, Luke looked up at me with his big brown eyes. In his matter-of-fact voice he said, "Mommy, I can't do this. I need my diaper." And he took off his underpants and waited for me to put a diaper on.
Oh, well. At least he didn't pee on the furniture. One of these days it will click! Hopefully it happens pretty soon, though. Luke is a solid little boy and even the largest size diapers are starting to look like a Sumo wrestler's loincloth on him!
Monday, September 10, 2012
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Just a Great Sunday
It's been a really nice weekend...one of those weekends when it makes Monday's arrival even more difficult to accept.
Saturday started with a cross country meet and a soccer game in the morning and then morphed into yard work in the afternoon and ended with friends over for dinner in the evening. It was a full day!
Sunday started with Mass. Then home for breakfast and playing with the little ones. By late morning I was preparing food in anticipation of watching the Patriots game. We are a football family. There is nothing better than a lazy Sunday afternoon in the fall watching a Patriots game and eating some special food. Since today was the first game of the season, we did some extra special food for the game. On the menu was taco dip, pigs in a blanket, coconut chicken, chili, and, for dessert, cupcakes made from Jay's mom's beloved recipe. It was a yummy way to enjoy some family time. Since the Patriots won the day was even better!
With a large family, everyone in the house knows that if they want to enjoy the food, they need to move fast once it comes out of the oven. Sometimes it's like a feeding frenzy! If they don't get a plate early, they may be out of luck!
Everyone in the family has their favorite foods. Today, I tried to make sure everyone had something that they enjoyed. Andrew is my pickiest eater. His two favorite foods are bacon and hot dogs....I know, definitely not the healthiest but we keep working on him! Pigs in a blanket are one of his all time favorites. The kids know that if they want to eat more than a couple of these treats, they need to move fast. Jon made the comment today..."Hey, since Andrew's wrist is broken and he only has one hand to work with, we might have a fighting chance to get those pigs in a blanket!"
Jon was especially hungry today. (Must be all that soccer!) The first batch of coconut chicken had barely come out of the pan before he filled his plate with most of it! I sprinkled the seasoning on his chicken as he walked past me!
Mike likes it all so he was thrilled with the spread. Jay, too. Sarah was most excited for the cupcakes since she has been talking about chocolate cake all week. She helped me make the frosting. She even put the extra frosting into a tupperware and put it away. Of course, this clean up had ulterior motives....Sarah hid the tupperware deep in the fridge so no one else would notice it and she could keep the extras for herself! Because, really, what's better than a spoonful of frosting!?!
After the game, I spent some time outside with Luke and Kate. There was a cooler breeze with the hint of fall....perfect afternoon weather. It was so nice just to be outside.
My loving husband finished cleaning the kitchen while I was out with the little ones! Then he played basketball with Mike. After a while, Luke noticed they were outside and ran out to play, too. Peter followed him outside to wander around the yard.
I opened the front door to check on Peter. Luke was standing next to Jay holding the basketball. I yelled "hi" to him and he yelled "hi" back and then told me that he was playing with Daddy and gave me a hearty wave and an adorable smile.
Jay told me later that when I shut the door, Luke looked up at him and said, "That's my mommy. She was checking on me. Mommy loves me!"
Yes, she does, Lukie...very, very much!
Saturday started with a cross country meet and a soccer game in the morning and then morphed into yard work in the afternoon and ended with friends over for dinner in the evening. It was a full day!
Sunday started with Mass. Then home for breakfast and playing with the little ones. By late morning I was preparing food in anticipation of watching the Patriots game. We are a football family. There is nothing better than a lazy Sunday afternoon in the fall watching a Patriots game and eating some special food. Since today was the first game of the season, we did some extra special food for the game. On the menu was taco dip, pigs in a blanket, coconut chicken, chili, and, for dessert, cupcakes made from Jay's mom's beloved recipe. It was a yummy way to enjoy some family time. Since the Patriots won the day was even better!
With a large family, everyone in the house knows that if they want to enjoy the food, they need to move fast once it comes out of the oven. Sometimes it's like a feeding frenzy! If they don't get a plate early, they may be out of luck!
Everyone in the family has their favorite foods. Today, I tried to make sure everyone had something that they enjoyed. Andrew is my pickiest eater. His two favorite foods are bacon and hot dogs....I know, definitely not the healthiest but we keep working on him! Pigs in a blanket are one of his all time favorites. The kids know that if they want to eat more than a couple of these treats, they need to move fast. Jon made the comment today..."Hey, since Andrew's wrist is broken and he only has one hand to work with, we might have a fighting chance to get those pigs in a blanket!"
Jon was especially hungry today. (Must be all that soccer!) The first batch of coconut chicken had barely come out of the pan before he filled his plate with most of it! I sprinkled the seasoning on his chicken as he walked past me!
Mike likes it all so he was thrilled with the spread. Jay, too. Sarah was most excited for the cupcakes since she has been talking about chocolate cake all week. She helped me make the frosting. She even put the extra frosting into a tupperware and put it away. Of course, this clean up had ulterior motives....Sarah hid the tupperware deep in the fridge so no one else would notice it and she could keep the extras for herself! Because, really, what's better than a spoonful of frosting!?!
After the game, I spent some time outside with Luke and Kate. There was a cooler breeze with the hint of fall....perfect afternoon weather. It was so nice just to be outside.
My loving husband finished cleaning the kitchen while I was out with the little ones! Then he played basketball with Mike. After a while, Luke noticed they were outside and ran out to play, too. Peter followed him outside to wander around the yard.
I opened the front door to check on Peter. Luke was standing next to Jay holding the basketball. I yelled "hi" to him and he yelled "hi" back and then told me that he was playing with Daddy and gave me a hearty wave and an adorable smile.
Jay told me later that when I shut the door, Luke looked up at him and said, "That's my mommy. She was checking on me. Mommy loves me!"
Yes, she does, Lukie...very, very much!
Friday, September 7, 2012
Directions....Please
I started this post late last night...well, late for me! I was interrupted by my glorious sleeping toddler.(insert eye roll here!) I had to end abruptly...so I'm posting it now:)
I feel antsy tonight...unsettled. Do you ever have that feeling that there's something you are supposed to figure out but you aren't sure what it is? That something is there waiting for you to understand if you can just find it?
But what?
It's amazing what having a little time to unwind will do. Kate actually fell asleep in Jay's arms at bottle time tonight. She actually stayed asleep when he put her into her crib around 9. That hasn't happened in quite a while. Maybe those 2 teeth that she finally cut, (one on the top and another on the bottom), have finally let her get a little more rest and not sleep so lightly? Of course, that other top tooth and the next bottom tooth can't be far behind! But I gratefully accept the reprieve.
I worked on the grocery list for the week tonight. Sometimes it's such a struggle to be inspired to cook all week while trying to pick recipes that don't involve buying too many ingredients!
I watched/listened to the movie Julie and Julia while I worked on the list. I've seen the movie before. I really like it. I like that it's based on a true story. It's really neat the way a woman's blog and an idea to complete a goal while sharing the experience on the blogosphere could interest so many people and result in a book and a movie!
It's inspiring.
In my own blogging journey, which is still so new, I continue to stumble around the "where is this supposed to go?" question. I can be satisfied that it's just an expression of "me"...my thoughts and feelings and memories and accounts of my family's journey through life. There is a part of me that wants it to be more...to lead some where bigger. I truly believe that "it's all about timing"...if something is meant to be it will happen. I just have to do my part and be open to God doing His part. )Though I often wish that God sent postcards with specific, concrete directions!)
Sometimes I just want to figure out how to make something happen....but since I have no idea what direction to head in I just keep writing...and praying...and try to keep my eyes, ears, and heart open to the path that God has chosen for me. I don't want to ruin anything by pushing too fast and arriving unprepared. It's an opportunity to practice patience, and humility, and to focus on living in the present moment without rushing to get to the next moment.
Life is so much more satisfying when each moment of the day is breathed in and savored...even the difficult ones...instead of just trying to "survive" each moment to get to something else. It's a lesson I've finally started to allow myself to learn....and is still new enough that I still need theconstant occasional reminder that "this moment" is the important moment because it's the moment I'm living now.
Even as my little ones cough from their late summer colds and begin to stir before I've even made it to bed, I know that this present moment is fleeting. The nights of broken sleep will not last forever...though sometimes it feels that way. I will miss these baby and toddler days...Kate's obsession to always have me in her sight and Luke's invitations for me to play trucks or snuggle with him. So I try to "soak up the now" because memories of night time nursing and pudgy toddler hugs can never compare to experiencing the real thing.
And I have been blessed to do it many times over!
I feel antsy tonight...unsettled. Do you ever have that feeling that there's something you are supposed to figure out but you aren't sure what it is? That something is there waiting for you to understand if you can just find it?
But what?
It's amazing what having a little time to unwind will do. Kate actually fell asleep in Jay's arms at bottle time tonight. She actually stayed asleep when he put her into her crib around 9. That hasn't happened in quite a while. Maybe those 2 teeth that she finally cut, (one on the top and another on the bottom), have finally let her get a little more rest and not sleep so lightly? Of course, that other top tooth and the next bottom tooth can't be far behind! But I gratefully accept the reprieve.
I worked on the grocery list for the week tonight. Sometimes it's such a struggle to be inspired to cook all week while trying to pick recipes that don't involve buying too many ingredients!
I watched/listened to the movie Julie and Julia while I worked on the list. I've seen the movie before. I really like it. I like that it's based on a true story. It's really neat the way a woman's blog and an idea to complete a goal while sharing the experience on the blogosphere could interest so many people and result in a book and a movie!
It's inspiring.
In my own blogging journey, which is still so new, I continue to stumble around the "where is this supposed to go?" question. I can be satisfied that it's just an expression of "me"...my thoughts and feelings and memories and accounts of my family's journey through life. There is a part of me that wants it to be more...to lead some where bigger. I truly believe that "it's all about timing"...if something is meant to be it will happen. I just have to do my part and be open to God doing His part. )Though I often wish that God sent postcards with specific, concrete directions!)
Sometimes I just want to figure out how to make something happen....but since I have no idea what direction to head in I just keep writing...and praying...and try to keep my eyes, ears, and heart open to the path that God has chosen for me. I don't want to ruin anything by pushing too fast and arriving unprepared. It's an opportunity to practice patience, and humility, and to focus on living in the present moment without rushing to get to the next moment.
Life is so much more satisfying when each moment of the day is breathed in and savored...even the difficult ones...instead of just trying to "survive" each moment to get to something else. It's a lesson I've finally started to allow myself to learn....and is still new enough that I still need the
Even as my little ones cough from their late summer colds and begin to stir before I've even made it to bed, I know that this present moment is fleeting. The nights of broken sleep will not last forever...though sometimes it feels that way. I will miss these baby and toddler days...Kate's obsession to always have me in her sight and Luke's invitations for me to play trucks or snuggle with him. So I try to "soak up the now" because memories of night time nursing and pudgy toddler hugs can never compare to experiencing the real thing.
And I have been blessed to do it many times over!
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Soaking In The Sunshine
After two days of rain, today's sunshine was a welcome sight! Knowing Luke wouldn't want to be stuck in the house all day, (me neither!), and wanting to take advantage of the summer-like weather while it lasts, I decided to take them to the beach. My sil, Jackie, was free so she met me there with my niece and nephew. I swung by Dunkin for some ice coffees, then dropped off something at my friend, Anne-Marie's, house on the way to the beach and invited her to come along with her two little ones, too.
The kids had a great time! Luke, Brayden and Nate all played near the water digging and swimming and throwing seaweed:) The girls all stuck near their mamas...at least for this year! I'm sure next year they will try to keep up with their brothers!
It was a little overcast...but perfect for the little ones. Fresh air, nice weather, adult conversation, occupied kids...what could be better?
The kids had a great time! Luke, Brayden and Nate all played near the water digging and swimming and throwing seaweed:) The girls all stuck near their mamas...at least for this year! I'm sure next year they will try to keep up with their brothers!
It was a little overcast...but perfect for the little ones. Fresh air, nice weather, adult conversation, occupied kids...what could be better?
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
Adventure Wednesdays
We made it to Wednesday! Maybe not quite an amazing accomplishment since the week only started yesterday...lol...but let's think positive!
Last year Mike had Wednesdays off on his school schedule, and he didn't work that day. Mike often wanted to do something with Luke....sometimes the zoo or the park or out shopping.
This year Mike has one class on Wednesday morning. Today was his first day and the teacher did a short introduction and then let them out very early. Mike called me to tell me he was on his way home and to ask, "So, what are we going to do today?"
Being 19, Mike is on the verge of jumping from teenager to young adult. He is heading towards independence from us...which is normal but isn't always very pretty as the tug of war of power can get a little ugly at times. I think it's even more challenging for us since Mike is the firstborn so this is new territory from us. Trying to balance when to let go in some areas and when to hold firm in others isn't easy. Compromise is definitely a key word with Mike at this stage in his life. It's VERY hard to go through the "letting go" process. Unfortunately, it's necessary, so we keep moving forward the best we can.
Sometimes Mike drives me crazy. He can be overly critical with his siblings, passive aggressive with Jay and with me, and is not always the most sensitive person. Other times, he is extremely helpful to us and extremely kind to his siblings. Hopefully, as he continues to mature, the helpful/kind Mike will be prominent!
These Wednesday outings are special and important. These Wednesdays are moments to build my relationship with my oldest son and moments to build Mike and Luke's relationship. Those two have a special bond....not only are they brothers but Mike is Luke's godfather, too. There are so many years between them,(16), that, most likely, Mike will not spend the majority of Luke's childhood in our home.(Not that we are in a hurry to see Mike leave..at least most days!;)
Sometime's Mike's question of "What are we doing today?" is met by thoughts of reluctance on my part. Sometimes I just want to stay home and clean. Sometimes I just feel too tired to try and come up with something fun or interesting to do. But then I remind myself that Mike is reaching out, and this is an opportunity to spend time with him and strengthen our bond...to put a deposit of "good feelings" in both our emotional tanks since, all too often, we are making "emotional withdrawls".
I love that Mike wants to spend time with Luke. I'm thankful for the opportunities to just be together in a relaxed way. Today's outing was to the Whaling Museum. It was Mike's idea. Luke had fun. At first he was timid...but after doing things with Mike hand over hand, Luke was ready to do it on his own!
What a good big brother!
Last year Mike had Wednesdays off on his school schedule, and he didn't work that day. Mike often wanted to do something with Luke....sometimes the zoo or the park or out shopping.
This year Mike has one class on Wednesday morning. Today was his first day and the teacher did a short introduction and then let them out very early. Mike called me to tell me he was on his way home and to ask, "So, what are we going to do today?"
Being 19, Mike is on the verge of jumping from teenager to young adult. He is heading towards independence from us...which is normal but isn't always very pretty as the tug of war of power can get a little ugly at times. I think it's even more challenging for us since Mike is the firstborn so this is new territory from us. Trying to balance when to let go in some areas and when to hold firm in others isn't easy. Compromise is definitely a key word with Mike at this stage in his life. It's VERY hard to go through the "letting go" process. Unfortunately, it's necessary, so we keep moving forward the best we can.
Sometimes Mike drives me crazy. He can be overly critical with his siblings, passive aggressive with Jay and with me, and is not always the most sensitive person. Other times, he is extremely helpful to us and extremely kind to his siblings. Hopefully, as he continues to mature, the helpful/kind Mike will be prominent!
These Wednesday outings are special and important. These Wednesdays are moments to build my relationship with my oldest son and moments to build Mike and Luke's relationship. Those two have a special bond....not only are they brothers but Mike is Luke's godfather, too. There are so many years between them,(16), that, most likely, Mike will not spend the majority of Luke's childhood in our home.(Not that we are in a hurry to see Mike leave..at least most days!;)
Sometime's Mike's question of "What are we doing today?" is met by thoughts of reluctance on my part. Sometimes I just want to stay home and clean. Sometimes I just feel too tired to try and come up with something fun or interesting to do. But then I remind myself that Mike is reaching out, and this is an opportunity to spend time with him and strengthen our bond...to put a deposit of "good feelings" in both our emotional tanks since, all too often, we are making "emotional withdrawls".
I love that Mike wants to spend time with Luke. I'm thankful for the opportunities to just be together in a relaxed way. Today's outing was to the Whaling Museum. It was Mike's idea. Luke had fun. At first he was timid...but after doing things with Mike hand over hand, Luke was ready to do it on his own!
What a good big brother!
"
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
On Leaving Little Ones
I have to say, that the weather this weekend was just great! We got to spend lots of time "playing" outside....and I truly love going to bed on Sunday knowing we get to have a lazy Monday morning:)
This morning was back to the regular schedule of getting all the kids out of the house for school on time..and Jay off to work. Since it's Tuesday, I had to go to work as well. Sigh.
Kate doesn't like being apart from me:( I always feel really bad leaving her even though it's with her grandparents who love her to pieces. As soon as we walked into their house this morning Kate's grip on me got a lot tighter. Grandma managed to distract her with a toy and a snuggle so I could slip out. I know she cries off and on until she takes her nap. Thankfully, she took a longer nap today so it wasn't too long before I got home after she woke up.
When I walked in the door, Luke was very happy to see me. I walked to the room where Kate was playing with my dad. As soon as Kate saw me, she burst into tears and had such a sad face that seemed to say, "How could you leave me?" I picked her up and she just cried for a few minutes. I felt awful:(
Kate has been fine since we got home. I give moms credit that don't have the option of being home with their little ones...I couldn't leave her to work full time! I hate leaving her for 3 hours! I am so grateful that I can stay home with her everyday except Tuesday morning! I would end up crying more than she would!
This morning was back to the regular schedule of getting all the kids out of the house for school on time..and Jay off to work. Since it's Tuesday, I had to go to work as well. Sigh.
Kate doesn't like being apart from me:( I always feel really bad leaving her even though it's with her grandparents who love her to pieces. As soon as we walked into their house this morning Kate's grip on me got a lot tighter. Grandma managed to distract her with a toy and a snuggle so I could slip out. I know she cries off and on until she takes her nap. Thankfully, she took a longer nap today so it wasn't too long before I got home after she woke up.
When I walked in the door, Luke was very happy to see me. I walked to the room where Kate was playing with my dad. As soon as Kate saw me, she burst into tears and had such a sad face that seemed to say, "How could you leave me?" I picked her up and she just cried for a few minutes. I felt awful:(
Kate has been fine since we got home. I give moms credit that don't have the option of being home with their little ones...I couldn't leave her to work full time! I hate leaving her for 3 hours! I am so grateful that I can stay home with her everyday except Tuesday morning! I would end up crying more than she would!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
If We Could Only Live Without Sleep!
So sleeping went better last night until 2am. At 2, Kate woke up and wanted to nurse..which is fine because then she usually drifts back to sleep.
Notice I said usually....
Unfortunately, just as she was settling Luke woke up. Luke is not, and never has been, a good "waker upper"!(He gets that from Jay) He is not quiet or pleasant in the middle of the night...or first thing in the morning either!
Luke wanted a drink of water. I put a water cup on my night stand every night for him. Since I was nursing, (and trying to keep Kate from fully waking up!), I asked Luke to lean over and get the cup. He did...drank the whole thing, put the cup back, and laid back down on the pillow next to me. I managed to shake the sheet out to cover him while still nursing Kate, and thought I was good to drift back to sleep....
Umm...no:(
A couple of minutes later, Luke starts whining that his foot is sticking out of the blanket. Really? Still nursing, I re-position it and, after a couple of tries, it seems to please Sir Cranks-a-lot.
Kate is starting to drift off and......
Luke sits up again asking for more water. Since his cup is empty, I ask him to lay down and I will fill it when Kate is done nursing. Luke wasn't interested. Whispered explanations and attempts to keep him quiet while he was waiting were futile. By this point, Kate's eyes are wide open while she's nursing, looking at me and trying to figure out what's going on.
Frustrated, I told Luke to lay down and to stop waking up the baby in a "not so patient" voice. He started crying. Great...that worked well.
Since we were all wide awake by that point, I got up and got him more water. Luke drank the water, laid down, I covered him with his blanket(both legs underneath!), kissed him good night, and tried nursing Kate again, hoping she would drift off.
Two minutes later.....
Luke is whining again!!!
So I ask him what he needs. Luke says, "I need to pee."
Really? This child of mind, the reluctant potty trainer, who NEVER wants to use the potty decides, at 2:30 AM, that he needs to pee! Arghhh!
I am desperate to get Kate back to sleep so I told him he had a diaper on(like every other night!) and to just go to sleep.
No go(literally and figuratively!) Two minutes later he is whining again. I realize that sleep is just not going to happen at this point. So, I pick him up, put him on the potty, praise him for going pee(his diaper was dry), and bring him back to bed.
Luke asked to go into the living room. Ummm...no. A short explanation of "its dark out and everyone and thing is sleeping",(except us, of course), convinced him to lay his head back down. It took until 3 to get Kate back to sleep:(
You know what the kicker is....Do you think he asked to use the potty when he woke up? Or at any point during the day so far?
NO!
I try very hard not to swear much...sometimes the "little swears" slip out. Even though last night was rough, I really didn't swear at Luke last night! Honest! But I can truly appreciate the humor behind the book, "Go the F#@* To Sleep", after nights like this!
Notice I said usually....
Unfortunately, just as she was settling Luke woke up. Luke is not, and never has been, a good "waker upper"!(He gets that from Jay) He is not quiet or pleasant in the middle of the night...or first thing in the morning either!
Luke wanted a drink of water. I put a water cup on my night stand every night for him. Since I was nursing, (and trying to keep Kate from fully waking up!), I asked Luke to lean over and get the cup. He did...drank the whole thing, put the cup back, and laid back down on the pillow next to me. I managed to shake the sheet out to cover him while still nursing Kate, and thought I was good to drift back to sleep....
Umm...no:(
A couple of minutes later, Luke starts whining that his foot is sticking out of the blanket. Really? Still nursing, I re-position it and, after a couple of tries, it seems to please Sir Cranks-a-lot.
Kate is starting to drift off and......
Luke sits up again asking for more water. Since his cup is empty, I ask him to lay down and I will fill it when Kate is done nursing. Luke wasn't interested. Whispered explanations and attempts to keep him quiet while he was waiting were futile. By this point, Kate's eyes are wide open while she's nursing, looking at me and trying to figure out what's going on.
Frustrated, I told Luke to lay down and to stop waking up the baby in a "not so patient" voice. He started crying. Great...that worked well.
Since we were all wide awake by that point, I got up and got him more water. Luke drank the water, laid down, I covered him with his blanket(both legs underneath!), kissed him good night, and tried nursing Kate again, hoping she would drift off.
Two minutes later.....
Luke is whining again!!!
So I ask him what he needs. Luke says, "I need to pee."
Really? This child of mind, the reluctant potty trainer, who NEVER wants to use the potty decides, at 2:30 AM, that he needs to pee! Arghhh!
I am desperate to get Kate back to sleep so I told him he had a diaper on(like every other night!) and to just go to sleep.
No go(literally and figuratively!) Two minutes later he is whining again. I realize that sleep is just not going to happen at this point. So, I pick him up, put him on the potty, praise him for going pee(his diaper was dry), and bring him back to bed.
Luke asked to go into the living room. Ummm...no. A short explanation of "its dark out and everyone and thing is sleeping",(except us, of course), convinced him to lay his head back down. It took until 3 to get Kate back to sleep:(
You know what the kicker is....Do you think he asked to use the potty when he woke up? Or at any point during the day so far?
NO!
I try very hard not to swear much...sometimes the "little swears" slip out. Even though last night was rough, I really didn't swear at Luke last night! Honest! But I can truly appreciate the humor behind the book, "Go the F#@* To Sleep", after nights like this!
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