I hate potty training...

There are very few things in life that I can use such a strong word for.  Hate just isn't a word that's in my vocabulary normally.  When it comes to potty training though, I use it. 

For some back story into my potty training adventures, click here.  It wasn't all that long ago we were potty training Ren and while he was stubborn about it, it didn't take that long for him to be totally trained!  We're talking even at night!  A was super simple to train.  She just woke up one day, proclaimed she was a big girl and would potty and did!  While we still have issues with night time wetness with her, she's never had a daytime accident since the day she proclaimed she would potty! This is a quick glance at potty training history in our family.

Enter CS.  From the word go she's been her own little person.  She typically laid back, happy, and rarely grumpy.  She would rather hang out with Mom or Daddy then her siblings.  She will almost bend over backward to please people.  Then we introduced potty training.

Oh my, has this been an adventure and not one I wanted to take!  She refuses to use the potty.  I mean flat out throws herself on the floor and screams when we mention it to her.  We've had the potty in the bathroom for a couple of months.  She was really interested in it for a while and even went potty for a while.  By "went potty for a while" I mean she would go #2 all day long, but #1 was a different story.  We tried everything to get her to go #1.  Sticker charts, pennies for pees, allowing her to pick a dollar store toy for each potty and NOTHING worked.  I saw more gray hairs appearing daily over this. 

So what's a Mom to do? Absolutely nothing.  Nope, I just calmly put her back into Pull-Ups.  She wasn't happy to go back into diapers, but I told her that as long as she refused to potty she would wear them.  I think I was pretty spoiled with the first two kids.  Neither one was overly terrible with using the potty.  CS is, as typical to her, her own little person and I'm hoping will use the potty soon.  Please?!?

I have some ideas as to why she won't use the potty, but I'm not in her mind so I don't know for sure.  I'll list them out and please let me know if they sound silly to you.

• She uses a small potty.  While the other kids obviously use the big potty.  CS is shorter than the other two were at that age and has trouble climbing onto the big potty.  The couple of times I have gotten her to sit on her potty, she stares at the big one the whole time.


• She's just too busy.  I never thought about this one too much until I realized how much we aren't actually at home.  I'm sure those huge potties at the store scare her.


• She just isn't ready.  The other 2 kids were what most people consider "late potty trainers", so maybe she just isn't quite ready yet

Whatever the issue is, I'm not giving up entirely.  I know that she will eventually use the potty.  I take comfort in what Grammy said to me yesterday when I was whining on the phone to her about it.  She reminded me that "she's never seen a child in Kindergarten who couldn't potty, so don't push her".  That's very true and maybe I should just stop pushing her to potty.  Just like the other two, she'll tell me when she's ready (Dear Lord please let it be soon though, diapers are getting ex-pen-sive!)

 Do you have any suggestions or ideas?  Share please!!

"Leave Me Alone!!"

Welcome to the most used phrase in my house.  Well, the most used phrase by CS.  She's now 3 1/2 and overflowing with sass and attitude!

Where does this phrase fit in?  Well, she actually pulls this one out at the oddest of times.  By that I mean she doesn't tell her brother or sister to "leave me alone" when they are actually bothering her.  Nope, not CS.  She will tell them to "leave me alone" when she is randomly walking through the living room.  The more popular reason she pops off with that phrase is when they are clamouring out of the van.  Oh yeah, she'll just blurt out "leave me alone". 

Her other new phrase.  "What about me?".  This one usually comes out at snack time.  She will see me putting snacks into the snack bowls and (with hands on her hips for emphasis) sticks out her lip and says "Mommy, what about me?".  My typical response is "I didn't forget about you" to which she will crack up. 

Do your kids have "catch phrases"?  If so, do they make you giggle uncontrollably?  I know the ones my kids say usually do.

Oh goodness, we're in trouble

If you have more than one kid, I know you've probably heard someone say that by the time you get around to disciplining the last one, you're out of energy.  I know when we were first told this Chuck and I laughed and said "No Way we're going to do that.  CS will get the same discipline as the other two".  WRONG! 

You see, we actually discipline our kids pretty much the same.  Time outs are our go-to problem solver.  Although, depending on the situation, we will count as well.  That usually (and I use usually lightly) solves our issue of the moment.  The problem arises when it deals with CS.  Yup, you read that right.  CS is the one who gets away with a lot more than either of the other two did.

Why?  Well, to be honest, I don't know.  I've been mulling over this the last few weeks and can't come up with a reason good reason.  She just gets away with it.  Oh, it's nothing big mind you.  The occasional not trying a new food or sitting quietly in time-out.  Nope, we don't get as uppity about those minor infractions as we did with the other two.  This leads to a whole other set of "Mom guilt" for being too hard on the other two, but I'm working through it.

I think  the main reason why she gets away with more is her personality.  When she's in time out she'll sit there for her 3 minutes and then we discuss (in 3 year old terms) what she did wrong.  The other night, she pelted Ren with a Hot Wheel Monster Truck.  Oh yeah, she was livid at him for something.  So, we put her into time out and soothed Ren's boo-boo.  Once she was allowed to get off of the naughty chair, we ask her to come and talk to us about what she did wrong.  She climbs up between Chuck and I and he says "CS, why did you hurt Ren with the truck?"  She responded "Because he's a stinker winker (she has this small rhyming thing right now).  We went on to explain that she hurt her brother and that it was very naughty to do something like that.  We told her she needed to use her words to vent, not just throw things.  She acted like she understood and then we ask her the BIG question "So, will you throw a truck at your brother any more?"  She said "Yes, if he keeps being a stinker winker".  See, honesty.  Now, we aren't condoning the truck throwing, but let's face it, they are siblings and they argue.  It happens.  Thankfully, no more truck throwing has happened ;-)

Her new famous line when caught being naughty is"but I didn't do anyting".  Really, I can go into the girls room and she will be wearing all of her sisters jewelry.  I'll ask her if she's been into A's jewelry box and this little on will look at me and say"Mommy, I didn't do anyting, I pwomise".  Sometimes, it's very hard for me not to laugh. 

She has also started twirling her hair when she wants something.  If she wants a snack she knows she can't have she'll go to Chuck and start twirling her hair.  Then she'll ask for what she wants.  If he says "No", then she turns on the hurt look.  If that doesn't work, then she usually storms out and heads to her room.  The she will stand in her doorway and peak around the wall, glaring at Chuck with the funniest mean face you'll ever see.  Then she turns on the charm.  She'll come back down the hallway and ask to "snuggle" with you.  Snuggles turn into lots of  "I love you Daddy" and "you're the best Daddy ever".  Honest to goodness I think this child was just born with the ability to suck up!  At the age of 3 she's really good at it already. 

So, like the title says.....if this type of thing continues, oh boy, we're in trouble in a few years.

Remember when I mentioned...

Andrea and I have been introducing you to each of our kids over the last month or so.  A few weeks ago, I introduced you to my youngest, CS.  I believe in that post I mentioned something about her having a way of "getting back" at her sister and brother for making or angry or not allowing her to "get her way".  Well, here's proof of that fiery little temper of hers....

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That is one of A's favorite books!  It's a hand-me-down from her cousin.  Mariah held onto that book for years hoping that Chuck and I would have a girl and when A turned 3 she gave the book to her!  It was so sweet!  A treasures it.  It has a permanent place on her nightstand and she requests a story read to her several times a week from that book (they get books read to them nightly, but this one is read more often than not). 

Last weekend, I heard the girls get up and start quietly playing in their room.  As an over-exhausted Mom, I appreciated the gesture and just stayed snuggled in my bed.  I wasn't sleeping, I was just listening to my girls lose themselves in a world of Littlest Pet Shops.  Then it happened.  As it goes with girls (anyone with a sister will KNOW what I'm talking about), the arguing started.  It began as a simple "I want my Pet Shop to be here" and escalated from there.  Well, my nice warm bed became cold pretty fast as I started toward their room to break it up.  All was well when I left the room and I headed toward the kitchen to start breakfast.

That night, A ask for a different book, so I thought nothing of the missing Princess book.  Until I tucked CS into her bed.  I stepped on something weird under her bed.  I got down to look under and lo and behold there was the book.  My thought was "oh $%@!, how in the heck am I going to tell A about this one?".  Turns out, I didn't have to.  CS saw what I had and immediately started crying.  She knew she had done something naughty.  I pulled out the pieces and looked at A, who also started crying.  Then, CS got up and out of bed, walked over to A and told her she was sorry and then ask me if I could "fix her meanie".  (meanie = naughty behavior).

I told her I thought so, but that she had to help.  She agreed and the following day we sat together and taped every single piece back together.  Lesson learned?  I hope so.  No more "meanie's" for her, I hope, but I'm not betting money on it ;-)

Wordless Wednesday ~~ Meet CS

This is CS.  She's my baby.  The youngest of my 3.  She is all the good things hubs and I are all rolled into one small little person.  Seriously.  She's laid back.  She laughs all the time.  She smiles at everyone and says "Hi Mister or Lady" as the gender requires.  She is very, very, very, very, VERY girlie.  She loves flowers, dirt, animals (except dogs which terrify her to the point of shaking), and life in general.

Honestly, I'm not trying to make her seem like sunshine and rainbows, but to us that's what she is.  She can make anyone in our family smile after the worst day.  She is the one who never allows anyone to leave our house without a hug and a wave.  She's also the first one to come running to the door when you arrive home. 



Now, on the flip side of her personality, DO NOT, I repeat DO NOT get her on your bad side.  At the tender age of 3, she is already known for her silent treatments.  Seriously.  Oh, and make her angry and she will get you back.  When you least expect it.  Although that mostly just pertains to her brother and sister...LOL.



CS loves Barbies and Littlest Pet Shop.  She ADORES Disney Princesses.  Her favorites are Tiana, Snow White and Belle.  She loves them because they have dark hair like her.  She's a HUGE Team Umizoomi fan and speaks great Spanish thanks to Dora!  Books are her next love and she goes no where without a book in tow.  Singing and dancing are the newest things she's into.  She will dance all over the house. 

She still won't use the potty, but I'm not worried.  Oh, and she still can't sleep without her binky.  Through it all, she always wakes up with a smile and laughter soon follows. 

Happy Birthday Courtney!!

Happy 3rd Brithday Courtney! 

My dear sweet little Courtney.  You are such a happy spirit.  So full of life, love, laughter and the occassional temper tantrum.  I wanted to write you some cute little story or some post to let the world know just how special you are, but the words are failing me.  I don't know why.  As I sit here typing, I am looking at the pictures of you and thinking "wow, 3 years already!".  You were an unexpected gift for our family that we thought was complete.  Now we couldn't imagine how we ever thought something that ridiculous.  Our family is ONLY complete because you are part of it.  You have this way of making Dad and me laugh and smile each day, almost like it's a goal of yours.  You are free spirited, yet know exactly what you want and how to get it.  You admire your sister and brother, although they don't understand that quite yet.  Oh, and you are sas-say (although I'm pretty sure I know how you got that *ahem*).  I love that you, at the old age of 3, still think my lap is the coolest seat in the house.  Snuggles and saying "I love you Mommy" are also high on your list of priorities.  To just put it bluntly, our house has become a whole lot more fun and interesting over the last 3 years.  Thank you for completing our family Courtney and for allowing us to watch you grow.   

These are the sweet moments.

It's not very often I write a post exclusively about CS.  Maybe it's because she's the youngest of my 3.  Maybe it's because she's so laid back and go with the flow.  One thing is for sure though, she is 150% her own little person.  Yes, she cries, argues with her brother and sister AND thinks she needs to get her way most of the time.  Are those bad things?  Neh.  She's the baby of the family. 

She also has this uncanny ability to know exactly where I am at all times.  This morning I was trying to "hide" in my bedroom and clean out my dresser.  Well, she "found" me.  She came into the room, grabbed my hand and said "Mommy, we get on bed and 'nuggle preeze?".  How can I pass that up?  So, we both climb up on the bed and she just curls up.  You know what I'm talking about, that tiny baby melts into you curling up.  She has always done this.  She will walk up to me at any time and just say "I need Mommy 'nuggles".  She almost always gets her wish.  Why wouldn't she?  She climbs up, binky in one hand, other one rubbing her belly button (that's her thing), and just sighs. 

Why am I sharing this?  Because I know that all too soon she'll be declaring her utter independence from me.  I'll no longer be her "go to" person.  Her friends will become more important.  School will keep her busy.  Any number of things will allow her to gain her independence.  Right now though, she's my little CS.  Mommy's girl.  'Nuggle lover.  All around sweetheart.  I cherish these moments.  They are fleeting.