Adventures in Pottysitting

We've been back for almost a week now, but I haven't been able to get it together and write a post. I'd like to say it's because I've been accomplishing lots of other things, cooking, cleaning, taking down the Christmas stuff. Unfortunately I've only cooked and cleaned the minimum amount allowed for someone like me and the Christmas stuff is glaring at me harder and harder every day (I swear I'm going to do it tomorrow, quit looking at me that way!) I'd also like to say that I've made some great effort into potty training, but I haven't done that either. We did have one epic night on the potty though. If you're not interested in disgusting things, please feel free to look at the pictures and leave, I understand completely. The other night She told me she wanted to use the potty after her bath. I set her up and was then shooed away by the suddenly shy Molly. First she did her "Stand by the potty and pee" move but after being reminded that you have to sit on the potty, she got to work. Without getting into the gory details, I'll just say that 6 times I went in to clean out the potty, only to be shooed away for her to go at it again. I'd like to say that they were all diminutive in size, but that was not the case. The only explanation is that for some reason she had saved it all up for this one potty adventure. Gross I know, but I thought it was a story I should remember.

We had a great time in MO my only complaint was that it was too short of a visit. Molly of course had a fantastic time demanding and receiving every one's attention. She actually did really great on the plane. We used all the tricks we could think of: endless "dados" (crackers) and fruit snacks, writing Molly and drawing circles, and the main event~unlimited use of the ipod which had been loaded with entire seasons of both Sesame Street and Yo Gabba Gabba as well as several new exciting apps. The best part was how she thought take-off and landing (potentially unsettling for even some adults) were super fun. She kept saying "WEEE, WEEE!" It also helped our image that on the way there, there was an 18 month old who screamed almost the whole time. The mother commented to me how well behaved Molly was and I of course said "oh, well you just caught her on a good day" of course part of me thought I should tell her that it's probably due to our superior parenting and our superior child who was created from our superior gene pools...well it could be true.

Here are the photos from the trip in no particular order.

Molly didn't warm up to Chris and Stephanie 100% although she did like talking about them when they weren't around. Such a gossip. They decided if they were going to get pictures with her they were going to have to take a "wildlife" approach and just sort of hang in the backgrounds of pictures of her.

Don't feed the animals

After they left, we said Chris' name and she said "Need find Chris"

Chris got Molly some cute outfits while he was in India.

Aunt Stephanie probably gets to take credit for the fancy purse, it's her new favorite for when she wants to step out.

Gran got her this hat to keep her warm. I thought for sure she would tear it off, but it seems that when there is an actual need to keep her head warm, she'll wear hats.

An Elephant change purse also from Chris' trip.

Another favorite, Red from Fraggle Rock.

My mom surprised us all with our own fancy needlepoint stockings for Joplin (Thanks to Land's End, not her lightning fast needle pointing skills). None the less, it was a fun addition. I love Molly's stocking, it's perfect for her.

Well it's a little late, but Happy New Year to everyone. Hope 2011 is filled with only awesome things.

Behind closed doors

Today I decided to resurrect the potty, again I'm not going to push the issue too much, but if she's ready I don't want to ignore that either. So after lunch while we were doing our typical nap time rituals, I asked her if she wanted to use the potty. She said that she did and so I got her all set up in the bathroom with her potty. I sat there trying to read a book to her while she sat, but she was not interested. Finally she looks at me and says "bye bye mama, you go" So I left the room and watched her through the crack in the door. At first she stood in front of the potty and although I didn't notice at the time, she was peeing next to the potty. I realized that's what happened when she went frantically to the vanity cabinet to get some towels to clean up her mess. I helped her clean it up and then again she asked me to leave, I reminded her to sit ON the potty. I gave her some privacy (sort of) and watched again from the crack. This time there was success! I hadn't really expected her to take to it so easily, and of course I don't have my hopes too far up that we'll be completely done with diapers for awhile, but there was a definite understanding of the process which was fantastic.

I'm also pleased to report some sleep successes as well. She has been sleeping better at night the past couple weeks (all night most nights) which is fantastic. I of course know not to get my hopes up since she's gone back to her insomniac ways before. I'm also super happy that she'll go down for her nap by herself now (most days). I read her some stories and then say goodbye. No fussing, fighting or crying it out...beautiful! We're still in it for the long haul at bedtime, but nap time is a start. I must go pack now! I'm being such a procrastinator!

Since I can't fathom having a blog without a picture, I'll post the picture from our Christmas card for any of you reading that didn't see it.

Baby it's COLD!

It's of course not too bad outside, but lately Molly's been taking Polar Bear baths. I'm not sure why she thinks it's hilarious to set the water to cold and then dump it on herself while exclaiming "IT'S COLD!" over and over in a falsetto, but I tend to agree with her. I think you'll all agree that these pictures are hilarious. Remember, she is doing this to herself repeatedly, I have nothing to do with this, she enjoys the shock for some weird reason. I do have to cut her off since I don't want a hypothermia baby on my hands.

Getting ready

See the little anticipatory smile?

The next three are the cold faces. what's really important to notice in these is that she no longer has any air in her lungs at all. It's most noticeable in the last one.

Pleased as punch and ready for more.

We had a fabulous Christmas and as always I'm a little sad it's over. I am glad we get to extend it just a tad with a quick trip to Joplin this week to visit Chris and Stephanie.

I have a ton of pictures so I'm just going to power through and do it quick and easy.

A few days before Christmas we went to the Santa's village that the city put together. The highlight for Molly was meeting her new friend, also named Molly at the Humane Society booth.

Molly and Molly

The only photo op that she had any interest in participating in was this one. She was a big fan of the props.

Daddy got her totally Frito Banditoed out.

We spent Christmas Eve with everyone at my parent's house. Lot's of fun as always. She stole the hat from my old Jingle Bear. It's cuter on her anyhow.

Jonny would insist that there is no story to be told about what Molly's wearing. I disagree. On Christmas Eve I was finishing up cooking something to take to my Mom's house, so I asked Jonny to get Molly ready to go. I said to him "put a dress on her". Since we only really have 2 winter dresses, I didn't think it would be a big deal. What I didn't count on was that he either didn't care or couldn't distinguish between what clothes are for winter and what clothes are for summer. I know it's Yuma and it's not that cold, but let's pretend and not put her in a tank dress. When we were leaving I could tell it was almost like a test he was putting me through...thinking to himself..."go ahead and say something". I didn't feel like bringing it up and I really didn't want to fight Molly into something else, so that's what she wore. Later I couldn't keep my mouth shut and I had to say something to him about it. He laughed and told me that he had let her pick it out and that she was completely happy so who cares, I suppose he's right, Although her clothes do look a little out of place when sitting next to the impeccably dressed Lorelei.

Christmas was of course a blast with a little one. Even though it will probably be next year before she really understands and can be bribed with the concept of Santa. She loved getting toys and quickly learned to say "presents".

I finished her stocking before Christmas! Can you believe it!?! I think it turned out pretty cute.

Santa brought her a trike, and she's a big fan, except she about an inch or so too short still. I think in a couple months though she should have the hang of it.

Hell on wheels!

She's also very fond of the baby supplies she received from Gran. Her babies did not have enough gear to allow for their proper care, now they're set.

This probably won't be the last time this happens.

Jonny and I got her a little soccer net and ball. She got the hang of it right away, and enthusiastically cheered for every goal she made.

Christmas Molly looking dreamy.

This year I was entrusted to make the St. Lucia bread for our breakfast. It turned out pretty good. If Jonny liked it, I might be tempted to make it all of the time.

Later we went to Cassie's for a delicious Christmas dinner. Granny got Molly an awesome inchworm, which she was able to try the next morning. She's still a touch too short, but she still likes to scoot along on it.

He soccer cones make nice Devo hats. "When a problem comes along, you must whip it."

Today we went to the Morris' for a gift exchange and Molly got some sweet fairy princess stuff. I can't wait to get her decked out to watch "Abby's Flying Fairy School" on "Sesame Street".

Other than the Christmas festivities, things have been about the same. The sentences that she pulls seemingly from nowhere continue to blow me away. My favorite sentences have "please" "thank-you" and "sorry" in them. Politeness in a toddler is undeniably cute, probably because it seems contrary to their nature. When she knows I'm upset with her, it kills me when she pulls out the "sorry mama, I'm sorry mama". How can you resist it? I know it's total manipulation, but it's too damn sweet. I do feel like the Thank-yous are genuine. Upon receiving something she's asked for she'll say "Thank-you mama, Thank-you for blank" and then she likes to add a bonus "your welcome" in there too because she knows they go together, but she's not quite sure how they all fit together. I know she's just getting started, but the whole process is so captivating to me.

Rainy Day

Nothing like a rainy day to help you feel "Christmasy" in the desert. Molly is not the type to be held back by a little water (and it was indeed a little water) so we spent the morning outside playing in the rain, getting muddy.

It was fun to break out her fancy new Jacket that Gran bought her in New York. Probably a little fancy for the compound, but it was cold for us desert folk!

With our luck, it will probably be 85 by Christmas...just add it to my Festivus grievances. These are my grievances:

1) The baby rave that we have in Molly's room Thursdays and Fridays for the past couple months. I'm not sure why a certain bar decided to lose it's "jazz club" feel in favor of a "La Falla" (sp? I was a good girl and never actually went there) feel, but it's super annoying to when your kid, who is already an insomniac, is woken up by profanity laced rap music at midnight.

2) Toddler PJs. Why oh why have manufacturers of children's pajamas removed the zipper cover once you get into T sizes? Molly is fantastic at taking off pajamas, followed by her diaper, when there is no snap to cover the zipper. I know that it is only a matter of time before she figures out the snap too, but hopefully by then, she'll be less interested in undressing or better yet, potty trained. Thankfully my mom is sewing covers onto all of her winter pajamas. I will say Children's Place PJs do have the snaps, but they're too lightweight for winter since she won't keep a blanket on.

I suppose that if that's the worst I have going on right now, I should be grateful. Not in the spirit of Festivus, I know, but still...Now who wants to wrestle?

Even though I'm not 100% ready for Christmas, I am excited for it. Molly's going to be more into it than she was last year (although she did have fun last year) so it should be entertaining to watch her reacting to all of the festivities. We've already sent out our Christmas cards, I won't ruin it for those of you who haven't seen it yet, but here are some outtakes. Jonny and I didn't make the cut this year. That proved to be too complicated for us.

Molly being Merry and Bright!

Don't worry, the bulbs are shatterproof (Jonny wants to know why they don't just say plastic?)

One of Molly's new favorite activities is stacking. At home it's blocks, at the store it's paint sample jars and sanding blocks, at Gran's it's my old wooden blocks. The funniest part of stacking is that she narrates it by repeating "stack" over and over.

Of course the best part of stacking is knocking it over. She doesn't even care if she didn't build it.

Anyone in demolition will tell you that planning is key

Crash!

Morris Family Fun

Since the arrival of their new baby girl, we've been spending some quality time with the Morrises.

Molly with Elmo, Colbie with me.

Just an illusion...not actually holding the baby. Must be magic from the hat!

Hamming it up!


Today we took an outing to the park with Ramsey, Grayson, Colbie, and my mom. The highlight for Molly was of course the slides...anytime she can launch herself downwards at high speeds, she's game.

"two, two, two, go!": Molly hasn't quite gotten the hang of counting yet, but she's all over the number 2. She repeats it over and over while using a "counting" tone of voice.

I tried to get a picture of them going down the slide together, but they were never in sync.

At first Grayson wasn't too keen on even sitting next to Molly on the slide. I think I should put together collage of all of my "Grayson, crying while Molly watches" pictures. I'm of course joking, I don't think there are enough to warrant an entire collage.

He cheered up pretty quickly.

going up!

Getting this picture was kind of tricky! He kept ducking on purpose right when I was about to take a picture.

We even got to feed the ducks...okay it was mostly pigeons, but there were 3 ducks.

We thought putting Grayson in the wagon would slow Molly down, but she could actually pull him...freakishly strong.

This is what Colbie did the whole time.

Ramsey has it good with this one! Can someone explain why my 21 month old woke up more times last night than the 1 week old Colbie? I'm going with teething. It's my hope that when all of her teeth are finally in (8 more to go I think) that all of her sleep issues will magically disappear. Fingers crossed.