Wednesday, April 30th, 2008

Most grateful moment: I have a couple today! I was so grateful that our playgroup met at our house this morning. I have been looking forward to getting together with them so much lately. And this week- especially, due to the fact that we haven't left the house with Jack potty training. It's been a long few days and seeing everyone made this day go much faster. Kim is also potty training Kylie, so it was nice to commiserate with her, too!
I was also so happy to get out tonight with my aunt, mom, sister and cousin. I lined up a baby-sitter and met them for dinner. It was great to sit, relax and chat. Di's wedding is coming up and it was so much fun to talk about it and get excited!!!
I was also very grateful to come home and put my kids to bed and have a few hours of alone time, with Tommy at the Tribe game tonight!

One thing I learned today: I learned that potty training a toddler is an all-consuming event. I never thought that my emotional highs and lows could truly be dictated by the toilet habits of my 2 year-old, but they are. When he went poop today without a fight in his potty, I was seriously on Cloud 9. And when he had an accident, I was completely deflated. There must be an under-lying issue here....but I'm too busy running him up and down the stairs and washing his hands every 20 minutes to figure it out.

One moment I wish I could re-do: This is stupid because I know in my heart and head that I desperately needed to get out tonight. However, I wish I hadn't gone. Mallie was freaking out the whole time I was gone and the sitter had to call me home at 8:30. And it interfered with Jack's potty routine. I wish I had had the strength/ stamina to make it one more night on my own. Tommy will be home for the first time this week at the regular time.

Best life tip: Take a minute to enjoy your pregnancy every day! My friend, who had a miscarriage last year and is pregnant again, was talking about holding a friend's newborn yesterday. She said that as she held this little baby, how excited and happy she was to be pregnant because she knew that cuddly time was just around the corner for her again! It made me excited too- for her- and for my own new baby on the way! I think I let days go by without getting myself psyched up for this new one!

Biggest laugh of the day: Charlie was over for playgroup. Olivia wasn't feeling well and was crying pretty hard at some points. Charlie leaned over to her and said, 'Olivia, settle down. Settle down.' This didn't really settle Olivia down, but it made us all laugh.

Best Tommy moment: Tommy called to see if he could take Jack to the Indian's game on Sunday. My cousins, dad, and uncles are sitting in Dan's suite for the game to celebrate Kevin's bachelor party. And Tommy's first thought was to bring Jack. I thought it was the cutest thing and a perfect way for Jack to enjoy a game- since it was 'too loud on his ears' last year.

Best Jack moment: Jack went poop on the potty without a problem today and exclaimed that it was 'a big one', when he was finished. He also told me that he had to go potty before wetting his underpants this afternoon- which, to me, is the biggest step we've had so far!!!

Best Mallie moment: Mallie is being completely neglected this week in the shadow of this potty issue. I have interrupted her bottles, her baby food feedings, rocking her to sleep, her playing peacefully with a toy....all to take her big brother up to the potty. She is a wonderful sport about the whole thing.
She is also cracking Jack up (and vice versa) lately. She'll scoot in to the bathroom while he's going and poke her little head around the corner and grunt. He thinks it's hilarious and we call her the Monster Baby and run away from her, only for her to scoot after him and grunt again. They both get themselves into hysterics.
Mallie has 2 good sized teeth on the bottom now. She eats 2 baby food meals a day and about 4 bottles. She's getting huge! Her 9 month appointment is next week and I cannot wait to see how much she has grown!
Mallie waves when she is waved to and claps when other people clap or say 'yeaaaa!'. Tonight she cried for 2 hours for the baby-sitter, but as soon as I got home and held her, she was smiling and waving at her and doing her little 'doggy pant' that she does when she's happy with herself.