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The results came in while on vactaion...

Thus...

Tennessee Trip July 11- 15

Our trip to Tennessee was great! We enjoyed hanging out with my dad and Tara. My sister and her hubby were here for a day as well! We spent time at the pool, watching videos/TV and eating lots.. the stuff GREAT vacations are made of. With the kid size pool and helpful family I go to really enjoyed the swimming. Just around the corner is the Grand Ole' Oprey. We enjoyed walking around the convention center, where there is an incredible indoor garden. (There is even an indoor river with a boat in it!)

Other outings:

After a great Lebenese dinner, we visited a great park down town Nashville. It's just off Vanderbuilt Campus. There was a walking trail around a pond, an Air Force fighter plane from the 40's on display as well as an actual steam engine. If you havn't been directly next to a train you've not lived! It was amazing. HUGE, to say the least.

We took L. to his first movie Theater experience, which was a sucess. He was captivated for most of the film. Of course the big animated elephant was a fairly interesting thing to watch in Horton hears a Who.

We visited the actual Grand ole Opry, we went into the gift store and through their free museum. It was interesting enough, considering I'd never heard of 99.9% of the people. (I knew Elvis, and Minnie Pearl...)

But above all we enjoyed being together with family!

Under construction:

Will be adding a few more pics when they arrive.. thanks for your patience!

Puzzle Maniac Pt 2

Puzzle Maniac

L. is a puzzle maniac.

I'm serious. Like, certifiable. He walks into my mom's house and first thing he asks for: "puzzle?"

We do this one particular floor puzzle like 10 times a day. And then there are the cars, trucks and tractors, planes, boats and (outside of the box) the set of train tracks. I lucked out at finding a sack full of stimulating puzzle tiles. It's a simple montessori style exercise that he really enjoys.

Last night Steve and I were able to go on a date (a very predictable but fun dinner at Ruby Tuesdays, window shopping and a hunt for a new puzzle for L.). We didn't purchase the floor puzzle but a discounted Alphabet puzzle. I'm a Mellissa and Doug snob... there, I admitted it. There are lots of new words to learn and fine motor skill to perfect!

He's already mastered it. Sigh.

Potty Learning Victory #1

We had voluntary success!

This morning while I was chatting on the phone I looked up and L. had sat and went #1 on the potty ALL BY HIMSELF!!!!!

A moment to let that sink in.

I was ecstatic!

I was elated!
I was overlooking of the dribble that missed on the floor!

I made a BIG deal and praised L. thoroughly.

I wiped up the dribble, but this time, with a grin on my face.

The Proof:

June Photoshoot: 18 months

Photographer Sarah Jokerst captured L's heart...

Potty Learning Trial Day 1

To all the mothers that have successfully "potty learned" their wee ones, my hat is off to you. I have the balance in mind that my son is 19 months old, and sometimes it takes a while. BUT he's been relatively quick to pick other monumentous things up.. like walking and talking. So, why not using a potty?

L says pee and poop, and knows what a potty is, and how to sit on it. I think we're just waiting for the urge-association. And the control to hold it inside his body til he's sitting down.

My friend, Miriam told me about some PLing theory and I tried to apply a few things this afternoon.

1. Don't ask if they need to go, tell them when they need to they go in the potty. There is a difference in attitude and a shift of responsibility.

2. Their mess is their responsibility, in a non-abusive way. So, if there is an accident, there are wipes to clean with. Just like toys belong in the toy basket #1 and #2 belong in the potty.

The penicle of this afternoon's go round was most definitely when L. went #2 on the potty. I mean ON the potty. He was standing on the (closed) lid and went #2. I decided a picture was too gross; you're welcome. But none the less, 3 floor pee's and wipes up and one poopy dumped into the big toilet made a very busy afternoon for mommy. Needless to say, I'm tired of changing diapers. Cloth or otherwise. So say a little prayer for me, I suppose we'll give it another go tomorrow.