potty talk

Nathaniel is obsessed with potty talk. I'm serious, every conversation we have is punctuated with a "poopy!" or "pee!" being yelled from Nathaniel.

It started off innocently enough. Nathaniel was playing pretend and made me a pretend sandwich. When I asked him what kind of a sandwich it was he told me, "eat it!" So, I took a pretend bite of my invisible sandwich and as soon as I did Nathaniel shouted with delight, "It's a poopy sandwich!" Joy.

It has gotten to the point where he sings "poo-py, poo-py" all of the time. So, I did what some of my other friends did. I told Nathaniel that the only time he can talk about poop or pee is if he has to go potty or if we are in the bathroom because that's bathroom talk (and besides, I wasn't thrilled when, during our evening prayers, Nathaniel would pray "poop" to Jesus. Although I believe that God has a sense of humor, I can think of better things to pray about!).

So, now we are at our new stage. I call it the "run into the bathroom and shout poopy at the top of our lungs" stage. The second Nathaniel steps into a bathroom--any bathroom at all, especially public restrooms--he starts with his poop talk. He even takes time out of his play to run into the bathroom to scream, "POOPY!", just because he can. I have to admit, he got me there. He is following my rules.

I am only thankful that his obsession with body parts and who has what has seemed to die down lately. But, that is another story for another time...

Video of Aaron rolling.

Here's what happens when I put Aaron on his back. My favorite part is his giant grin at the end!

Rollin' rollin' rollin'...

I know I should have pictures attached to this, but I have yet to get a picture of this event. I will though, and probably a video as well because it's so cute.

Aaron started rolling on Friday. It's funny because most babies roll over once and then forget about it for awhile. Also, most babies roll from their belly to their backs first. But...my little guy must have skipped that chapter in the baby books. On Friday I walked into the living room and saw Aaron over on his belly when he had been on his back when I left the room. I asked Olivia if Nathaniel flipped him over for tummy time (which he tends to do). She said no, and so I got excited that Aaron rolled over. This week, however, Aaron has turned into the difficult child. I remember when Nathaniel was about 8-9 months old and I would have to wrestle him during diaper changes because he would roll over and try to crawl away. Well, the minute he is on his back Aaron rolls over to his belly. So, when I change his diaper he immediately flips his bottom half over and I have to start putting my legs on him to keep him in place. Geez!

It's funny because when I check on him after he's fallen asleep I find him in the most awkward positions in his crib. Mostly with him on his tummy and his head jammed into the corner of the crib. Tonight he was bent back though and that worried me.

I know that as soon as he has the strength to hold his stout self up on those hands and knees he will be crawling. Help! I think that when Sam gets home on leave we will spend time baby proofing...ugh, I'm not ready for this!

Real Food!

Aaron is a big kid. He weighs close to 19 pounds now and the breast milk just hasn't been cutting it for this toddler-wanna-be. He still wakes up every three hours during the night to nurse (after one good five hour stretch, but that's from 7:30-12:30 so it doesn't count in my book!). But, what settled it for me was this week when I was eating my In-n-Out cheeseburger (mmmmm) with Aaron on my lap. Every time I lifted that juicy burger to my mouth Aaron was like a baby bird, mouth wide open, craning his neck to try and get a bite as well. Then, when we went out for frozen yogurt on Tuesday Aaron sat on my lap smacking his lips going, "buh buh buh buh!" while I ate my treat (and while Nathaniel also ate his treat, I think that's what got Aaron more this time, brother had a treat and he didn't).

So, today I bought some rice cereal and tried it out on Aaron. After I spooned one runny spoonful into his mouth the light bulb went on over his head and he was hooked. For the second bite he grabbed my hand and helped me bring the spoon into his mouth faster.

Not to be outdone, Nathaniel wanted to help too so he sat on my lap and gave Aaron some cereal as well.

(please note how Nathaniel's mouth is wide open as he feeds his brother. Sam did the same thing when he fed Nathaniel food as a baby).

So, now Nathaniel really is the best big brother ever in Aaron's eyes. Not only is he entertaining (and has a nice full head of hair to pull on), but he gives him food too.

Kosovo Pictures

Here are some pictures from Kosovo.

pictures.

here are some pictures.

We have reached a turning point.

I think that we have reached the end of the tunnel.

Last week Nathaniel was really pushing the limits of everything. It was driving me crazy. I thought for sure that Nathaniel was just going to spend the rest of his natural life in time out. He even pushed it so much as to poop his pants twice on Sunday. Not while we were out and about, but while we were home. Once was even while I was telling him to go potty. It was outright defiance.

But, I think we've turned over a new leaf. First of all, Nathaniel has been begging me to wear underwear at night and during nap time. So, he's been wearing them during nap time and still stays dry. I think when my sister visits we'll work on staying dry through the night (he wakes up dry almost all of the time, I am still not wanting to risk it). That way I will have the extra hand to help while I do my wash.

I have started staying right on top of Nathaniel. I am more consistent with my warnings and am very firm with the time outs. Today he was only in time out twice and it was just for the three minutes rather than longer because of him continually getting out. He stayed in time out and then afterwards did what I wanted him to do (he has a problem with listening and often shouts no at me when I tell him to do something).

Aaron is doing great. I think he's gotten a schedule now. He napped for an hour and a half this morning and three hours this afternoon, which meant he skipped a third nap. He's been growing like a weed and is trying so hard to be a "big boy" like his brother. He is always standing with help from me. It's his favorite position. He likes to stand by the bathtub and watch Nathaniel in the tub. He loves it when I "eat" his hands and feet and often brings his hands up to my mouth so I can pretend to eat them. He's also quite the social one. He is always super happy when there are a ton of people around. He especially loves all of the older kids from church because they are always in his face saying hi and playing with him. He just smiles and babbles at them.

So, life is good again. I'm not losing my mind as much and I am starting the countdown for Sam's leave. Woot!

I will have some pictures on here soon. I just haven't gotten around to downloading them (or taking many).