Potty Training/Two Children Woes

After Wall-E on Friday Brian and I decided that this weekend was a great time to start potty training Abby. Things have gone fairly well...we've been able to keep the pantie usage to a min.
It was great to have Brian there to help when I became frustrated. He is so much more patient with her than I am.

Well, this morning Brian went back to work and things turned ugly!! Abby woke up at 6 (normally 7) and after a lousy night sleep with Carson I was in NO mood to be up for the day at 6am!! Reluctantly I got out of bed and got her some breakfast. Then it was time for Carson to eat again, so I put a cartoon on for Abby, nursed Carson, changed his bum, got him dressed and ready for the day then turned my attention to breakfast for me. I ate, felt much better, and then got Abby ready for another day of potty training (which consists of taking the pull-up off and putting panties on, changing from pj's to a shirt, and just combing through her tangled hair.) Within the first 10 mins Abby had wet her panties; so we went through our whole routine talking about why it's a "no, no," practicing while still in the wet panties, changing into new clean panties, washing our hands, and again talking about why it's important to keep our panties dry. After all of that (a good 15-20 min routine) about half an hour and she wet herself again. This happened 6 times before noon, and with reminders from me about every 15 mins!!

So my purpose in posting this sob story is to get some expert advice from those of you that have gone through potty training already. Am I doing something wrong? How long did it take to potty train your kids? I get so mad (I try not to show it, but I'm sure it comes across) and I feel like the poor little things spirit is getting crushed every time we have to practice after she's had an accident. PLEASE fellow mommies out there, help me!!

Tag You're It!!

Blog Tag Rules:Answer these 15 questions on your blog. List: 3 joys, 3 fears, 3 goals, 3 current obsessions/collections, 3 random surprising facts. Tag 5 people by leaving their names at the end of the post.

3 Joys:
1. Brian-My rock! He holds me together when I feel like I can't handle any more. Thanks for always being there babe!! I love you!!
2. Abby-Although at times I'd like to lock her in a closet for a few hours she is tons of fun and I love being her mom!
3. Carson-What can I say...the little guy is ADORABLE (even at 2am, 3am, 4am, 5am...) I can't get enough of him!

3 fears:
1. Not being a good enough mom.
2. My children being hurt, and not being able to help them.
3. Lightening and thunder (I know kinda silly.)

3 goals:
1. Writing in my journal more than once a year!
2. Achieving the next level interpreter certification before my current one lapses.
3. Potty training Abby.

3 obsessions:
1. Blogging ;)
2. My husband...6 weeks is a freaking long time!! ;) (sorry in-laws)
3. Sleep! I think about it all the time. In fact I may just go take a nap now! :)

3 random facts:
1. I have never been East of Vernal, UT (I lead a sad life. :) )
2. My left pinkie finger does not straighten all the way.
3. One of my all-time favorite movies is Chitti Chitti Bang Bang

Let's see... I tag.....
Melinda, Ashlee, Alisha, Mical, and Meghan

Count Down to WALL-E

For the last couple of months Brian has had Abby hooked on WALL-E (the new Pixar movie.) He has told her that when "baby brother" comes the two of them will go see it in the theater. They have been watching previews on the computer for months now! And even in the hospital Brian said they were in the elevator and Abby started to do quotes from some of the previews! Well, today we decided to make a count down chain to WALL-E. It only has 5 links (because it opens this Friday,) but Abby is VERY proud of it and can't wait for daddy to get home tonight so they can take a link off together! :)

The BEST Big Sister

I was worried before Carson came about Abby and how she would react to "baby brother." I tried to talk to her and help her understand what was really happening. For Christmas we bought her a baby doll and she has really taken to it. She loves to feed it, cuddle with it, and even tries to change it's bum! :)

Well, since Carson came she has been SUCH a big helper. She loves to hold him and give him kisses. But most of all she loves to help mom and dad care for him. I hope she keeps this up!!

A Baby Story

Ok, so as you all know from the previous post our little one is here! I know some of you already know this story, but for those who have not yet heard the story here it is...

On Friday the 13th I headed off to the doctor for my final check up. I had been dilated to a 4 for about a week and was 80% effaced. The doctor checked me, nothing had changed. We decided to aggravate my cervix to try to get labor going (OUCH!!!!!!!) And if that didn't work she would schedule me to be induced on the 14th (Saturday.) As soon as she finished I began feeling some VERY hard contractions. She suggested I either go over to labor and delivery (I was at the hospital) or stay and walk the halls for half and hour or so to see if my contractions continued. I opted for the walking...I did not want to get hooked up to the machines and get my hopes up just to be sent home. After about 20 mins of walking the halls at the hospital I decided to go home. I was having some serious contractions, but I was hungry (it was lunch time) and for those of you that don't know me...my tummy is in control!! :) I got home and the contractions continued through the rest of the day, but never were consistent. Finally that night they just stopped. I had the BEST night sleep I'd had in a long time on Friday.

Saturday morning the alarm went off at 6:30. I called the hospital to confirm my time for being induced. They had to push us back and hour from 7:30 to 8:30, but that was fine by me. Another hour of sleep, shower, breakfast, pack the bags, and we were off to the hospital. We finally got there and got hooked up to everything at about 9:30. The nurse checked me and told me I was dilated to a 5 so I could have my epidural anytime I wanted. I opted to wait a while. At about 10:30 I decided to get my epidural even though I still wasn't in much pain. At 11:30 or so my doctor came in and broke my water... this was a turning point for me. Although I had my epidural it was not enough. I began changing stages so quickly I must have broken some records! Within a matter of an hour I was complete and ready to push! And let me just say that that hour was the worst pain I've ever felt! Poor Brian just stood there and held my hand not knowing what to do. My Anaesthesiologist was in a c-section and couldn't come give me a booster. Finally at about 12:45 he came running into the room and gave me the boost. It took about 10 mins to start working, but it was worth it. By the time I was ready to push I was happy as I could be! While I was pushing the nurse even commented on how she has never seen a woman in labor PUSHING and smiling. :) I pushed a few times...maybe 10 and Carson was born!!

During the whole process Brian and I were working on his name. Brian grabbed a name book that was there at the hospital and we compiled a list of about 8 names. After taking a poll from the doctors and nurses we each took a turn crossing off one name, until we had 2 left. After he was born we decided Carson fit him best!

We took Abby with us and she was a trooper; she even got to see Life Flight take off and land a few times just outside our window! My mom met us at the hospital and took care of Abby during the "rough" times. :) Thanks again Mom!!

After going through this process 3 times now I still marvel at what a miracle it is to bring a new life into the world. To my 3 miracles (Adyson, Abigayle, and Carson)... I love you all, and hope you have wonderful lives where ever they may take you!!

8 Pounds 8 Oz, 21 1/4 inches

Passing the Time

Ok, so the past few days have been the LONGEST of my life!! I can't wait for this little one to get here. I am on the biggest roller coaster of moods ever...just ask Brian and Abby (sorry you two!) I seriously think the length of pregnancy needs to be rethought....40 weeks?? Come on! That's at least 20 weeks too long! :) Am I the only one that feels this way?

Well, I finally decided today instead of focusing all my energy on figuring out how to get this kid OUT of me, I'd focus my attention on the child I already have, and have been neglecting for the past few days!

So far today we have played dress up, we got ready for the day (before 11--what an accomplishment!!!) We played outside, visited with the R.S. presidency, and made a very beautiful crown for Abby (which, btw she will NOT take off!) Here are some pictures:

Dress Up Time:




The Making of a Princess:



And Walla...Princess Abby:

Bubble Time

So on Monday I had the day off work and decided Abby and I needed to have a little fun. We went to Walmart and got some fun outdoor toys. She loves bubbles and always wants to do them, but they are so MESSY!! Well, one thing I bought was this cool bubble gun. Abby figured out how to do it within minutes, and quickly went through 2 containers of bubbles! Here are some pics:

Eating licorish--gotta have a snack!! ;)
Can't get the licorish in fast enough!
The little cheese head sitting on the porch feeding her dolly licorish. She is saying "cheese" here.

Now for some bubbles...this is a typical sequence of events with our darling little 2 year old!
Happy as a lark...
Trying to get mommy with the bubbles, and still happy...

OH, NO!!! Life is so tough the bubbles stopped working for a few seconds! Don't you just LOVE tantrums?