Potty Training at our House

A few of ya'll have asked about how we potty trained Z, and I am happy to share. It's also good for me to record so I'll have a little reminder when we are doing this with Colson. Thankfully it was pretty easy for us. ; )

Let me first say that losing a child puts everything in life into perspective. Things that would have been a big deal to us before Reese was born really are not at all. Potty training is definitely included. Our goal was to have Z potty trained by the time he turned three, but I didn't want to make a huge issue about it.

Several friends with boys told me not to rush and not to push Z if he wasn't ready. I followed their advice, and I'm so glad I did!

When he was 2 1/2 we bought him a Sesame Street video about PT. I have no idea if it helped, but he liked it. Who knows!?

We also bought him a little potty which I was completely against (not sure why I just was). This was Jason's idea, and it worked well for Z. He picked it out.

Zach also picked out a lot of matchbox cars, and I put them in a drawer at home. We explained that if he went #1 he would get two M&M's, and if he went #2 he could pick out a car.

For us, potty training took a lot of repetition repetition repetition. Talking about it several times throughout the day, about his rewards, his big boy undies, what big boys do, etc. We talked about all of this for weeks and months hoping it would click when he was ready.

We also started a habit of taking him to the bathroom before his bath at night, in the morning, and after his nap. He did not always want to do this, but we would say, "Let's just try" over and over. And over and over. ; ) We let it go if he was adamant against going.

When Z's diaper was dry most of the time, and he was using the "big boy" potty, we took the leap and let him wear his undies. He has only had one accident. Yea!

Of course, he still wears diapers for his nap and at night.

Potty training is definitely an adventure. I have pulled over on the side of the road twice to let him go to the bathroom, and I'm sure I'll do it many more times! It's all worth it though.

A few books help, too. ; )

Good luck!

The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger, abounding in love.

Psalm 103:8

Hunter

My new little nephew arrived yesterday!

Hunter Allen Bain

He's beautiful and perfect! Thank you, LORD, for this sweet gift. Love you, sis! So proud of you.

Then the One seated on the throne said, "Look! I am making everything new...these words are faithful and true."

Revelation 21:5

Dentist Appointment

Dentist time again! Fun fun.

Zach was thrilled. Ha! His first appointment was six months ago right before Colson was born. That is crazy to think about.

Taking things very seriously

Cool shades (I love his grin!)

I am so proud of him. This was the first time the hygienist cleaned his teeth, and he did great. His love of toothbrushes helped a little, too.

After the dentist we went to Hobby Lobby, and Zach wanted to hold this huge Easter egg. We stopped and talked about the egg and all the other eggs on the display. These are the moments that make up my day. I love it.

He also made me put the egg back just like he wanted it. Bossy little guy. ; )

Little man got a toothbrush, too! He loves it.

Never too early to start, right? Brushing his one little tooth coming in.

I'm glad ya'll are liking Colson's hair. Ha! It sticks up anyway, so I decided to have a little fun and style it in the middle. A little water and hairspray do wonders. ; )

The boys are at such a sweet phase. Colson laughs at everything Zach does, and Z loves someone to entertain. It works out great!

I am at rest in GOD alone...

Psalm 62:1

More Bows

Happy Tuesday! I am actually enjoying this winter. This is big for me because I usually have a hard time during the cold gray months. I'm too busy with the boys to think about how cold it is so it's nice! I can't wait until spring though. ; ) I'm already thinking about the boys' Easter outfits. Ha!

I forgot to mention I am laughing at the peaches comments. I can't help that I love them! I stock up. Zach eats them too so I do have a little help. ; )

I took more headbands and bows to the NICU yesterday. My mom bought them in honor of Reese for Christmas. The nurses were excited and told me two baby girls had just been admitted. This made my heart so happy to know their parents would get to choose a "pretty" for their little girls.

I pray these small gifts brighten their day. Details mean so much in the NICU!

Jason brought home these beautiful flowers, too. Sweet man!

Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love
and His wonderful deeds for man, for He breaks down gates of bronze
and cuts through bars of iron.

Psalm 107:15-16

Time to Eat

Colson tried rice cereal with some apple sauce and loved it. His face was so cute as he tasted it. I can't believe he is old enough to be eating food!

His first tooth is also coming in. It makes me so sad because I love those gummy grins.

I know he's mine completely, but he is just the cutest thing I've ever laid my eyes on! Along with Jason, Zach, and Reese, of course. ; )

More please! My happy boy. : )

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

John 6:35

Snow

Snow and more snow!

I'm so thankful we made a Sam's trip before it hit. Why do I feel like we go there all. the. time? I try to go only once a month.

Does anyone else look like this? This is minus the toilet paper, too. Zach is loving his icee, and Colson is about done at this point. ; )

We survived the trip. ; )

Z loved playing out in the snow with Jason yesterday.

Everything has to be "super fast" in his world right now. ; )

I recently found out a couple named their fourth child after Reese. Reese Caroline was born December 16th. Wow. I was speechless and deeply touched after I received her mom's email. Reese's life continues to shine. I'm so proud to be her mom!

He sent His word and healed them...

Psalm 107:20

Bible Study

Yes, the pond definitely made me nervous! I did not like it at all, but I trusted Jason and knowing Gran was out there too helped. ; )

Bible study started back yesterday. I loved seeing friends' sweet faces and getting back into our study. We are still going through Breaking Free. I love how GOD speaks so differently to each of us nomatter what the lesson is on. The boys were excited to see their friends, too.

A few fun pics before we left...just in case you're wondering, Piglet is Reese's so I like to throw him in pics when I can. ; )

All of you,

take up My yoke

and learn from Me,

because I am gentle

and humble in heart,

and you will find rest

for yourselves.

Matthew 11:29

Monday

Thank you all for your sweet words about our boys. We do have such joy in our home. They are everything to us, and I will always wonder what it would be like to have Reese with us, too. Zach asked me the other night where her bathtub was. I love how naturally he talks about her.

Friday night we went out to eat as a family. Probably the very first time with both boys. Ha! Z told us he wanted to go to Target for dinner to get popcorn and an icee. Silly boy, I have no idea where he gets this from. ; )

Saturday Jason and Z had to see just how frozen the pond was. Crazy! Always an adventure around here.

Gran dropped in for a visit, too. She jumped right in (like Z gives her a chance not to). He always has things for his grands to do (and tells them exactly what to do and how to do it!). Thanks for coming to see us, Gran. ; )

I also treated myself to new tennis shoes. I was still wearing the same ones I had when I was pregnant with Reese, so it was time. ; )

I've never had pink running shoes before. Jason and I are training to run in a marathon relay with another couple this spring. I'm excited!

Happy Monday. ; )

Be gracious to me, God,
according to Your faithful love;
according to Your abundant compassion,
blot out my rebellion.

Psalm 51:1

Picky Sticky Winner

The Picky Sticky winner #38 is Beth!

True Random Number GeneratorMin: Max:

Result:

38Powered by RANDOM.ORG

(I promise I typed in the number 178, it just didn't show up when I published the post. Anyone know why?)

Congrats! I will email you with the details.

Thank you all for entering! I have a feeling I'll be doing this again. ; )

Have a wonderful weekend.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

Psalm 23:1

Six Months Old & Giveaway!

Happy 6 months, Colson!

Where has the time gone?

How can you get any cuter?

I guess we've been having too much fun to notice how quickly you are growing. ; )

I think Zach is getting a little attached to you, too. ; )

Still loving Colson's monthly stickers by Picky Sticky. How about another giveaway?

Leave a comment to win a Gift Voucher for $15 off a set of Picky Stickys (right now they are on sale for $14.99).

I'll announce the winner Saturday night. Good luck!

...times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Acts 3:19

Sweet Raspberries

When I picked up Zach from school he asked me for a fruit snack and told me he had a "sweet heart." We talk a lot about sweet and obedient spirits at our house because a certain 3 year old always needs reminding. ; ) It was so cute of course I gave him the whole box. Kidding!

Zach loves to give Colson zerberts or raspberries. This is our entertainment! The best kind there is. No more favorite tv shows or reading a book. Who has time for these things anyway?!

This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength.

Nehemiah 8:10

a Treat!

Don't you just love a good surprise?

My sister Mandy is due in a few weeks with baby Hunter, and she had a baby shower Saturday night. I flew to Dallas that afternoon to surprise her and barely made it back yesterday. Thank you, Lord. ; )

I was so nervous! When she answered her door she screamed and I screamed, and she stood in her doorway shocked for about five minutes. I loved it. It's hard to pull off a complete surprise.

I also spent time with one of my besties Ashley. BOO on me for not taking our picture. We were too busy talking. ; )

Me, Mandy (doesn't she look fabulous?), my mom, & Kelley (one of my mom's friends)

Delicious Sprinkles cupcakes

Cutie pie Abby

I could not stop smiling the entire time I was there. I can't wait to meet my new nephew! He is coming into one crazy family. I hope he likes us. ; )

Jason and the boys had some good "guys' time" while I was away. He took the boys to Chuck E. Cheese, and they loved being with their daddy. The house was spotless when I got home, too. He definitely got some major bonus points! Great job, Babe.

The boys and I went by Reese's garden today. There is something so beautiful about snow.

Sweet sweet Colson

His six month appointment was today. This big guy weighs 18 pounds 12 ounces. He was really upset this afternoon because of his shots and would not stop crying. Z tried to cheer him up by sharing his favorite toys. It was precious!

It worked too because Colson started smiling and laughing. I can't believe all of this stayed on him while he was swinging. When Z started putting stickers in Colson's hair I had to put an end to the fun. ; )

Happy Monday! Eat some soup and stay warm.

Is anything impossible for the LORD?

Genesis 18:14

Safe

Zach jumps off of anything in sight. My brave little man. He also loves to make Colson laugh, so this video is a wonderful combination. I have no idea why it's sideways. ; )

I really miss Reese. I've been so busy with our boys there has not been much time to think and reflect on her. It just seems that familiar ache is closer to the surface these days.

I saw this video on someone's blog, and it's how I feel sometimes. I laughed at certain parts because it hit so closely to home. Since Reese went to Heaven, it's very easy for me to hide in our little routines, doing everything I can to keep our boys happy and secure. Of course it's completely natural to feel this way after what we've been through, but I also don't want to live an plain "safe" life.

I am challenged to keep living and trusting in my Heavenly Father. I've been to the depths of the deepest valley with Him, and I can still say He is faithful!

...to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:19

Let's Roll

Colson rolled over for the first time on 1.1.11. ; )

AND...we missed it. Yes, really. I can't believe it.

Jason and Zach were upstairs, Colson was in his room, and I was in the kitchen making him a bottle. He had been so close, and when I went back into his room, he was on his stomach. I can't believe he did it without us. Crazy!

Thankfully we have seen him do it since then, but I'm still so sad I missed the first roll. ; 0

I don't realize how big Colson is until I'm around other babies. He is wearing 12 month clothes, and is bigger than a lot of our 1 year old friends! Just more for me to love. ; )

He likes anything he can reach in his mouth and has become quite the drooler.

I think I'll keep rolling...

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AND

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Call to Me and I will answer you, and I will tell you great and mighty things, which you do not know.

Jeremiah 33:3

New

I'm still here!

Thank you Designer Blogs for my new design. We needed a fresh look with a new handsome little face.

Amy did a great job. I love it. ; )

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:19

Let's Play

I love routine, but I also enjoy when we are not on any schedule.

Apparently Z is the same way. He loves school, the gym, and Sunday school...except when we've been out of going for awhile.

When I took him to Sunday school yesterday, he was hysterical. Since he rarely does this, my heart just broke in pieces. I stood outside his room and waited until he stopped. When I picked him up his teacher said he had been fine, and of course he was so busy playing he didn't even come to me.

When we got in the car I asked him if he had fun. He said, "Yes. I cried for you." I said, "Why did you cry?" and he answered, "Because I wanted you." My heart is still melting.

He starts school this week, and thankfully Jason is taking him. ; ) Maybe he'll be excited to see his teacher and all his friends.

New Year's Eve Day we went to a friend's 1st birthday party, and it was a perfect winter day to be outside. The sun was shining, and Z loved every second. He was busy on the playset most of the time.

Sha, West, Cols, me, Parker, & Stacy

More sweet friends & babies

Jill, Kellen (birthday boy!), Ava, Abby, Sha, W, Cols, me, Parker, Stacy, Payton, Mandy, & Hunter

Who doesn't love pictures like this!?

On the top of the couch is Colson and Payton

Sitting on the couch is Ava, Parker, West, Hunter & Noah

Today we met some friends at a bounce house place. We had a great time holding babies and watching our little boys run around. These places are wonderful!

Us, Zachary, Heather, Haley, & Jennifer

Z ran in like he owned the place, and this is what I saw most of the time. He was not interested in pictures. ; )

My big boy

I love recording our family's life. Especially what Zach says, and one day what Colson will say to us. Lately, Zach has been telling us some things he wants to do, and then he'll add, "Sound good, Mom?" Such a smartie.

...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus...

Hebrews 12:1-2