A Clear Perspective

The other day I took Eden to get her Kindergarten shots, I wanted to be ahead of the game. It was the first time they ever brought out an eye chart and wanted to test her vision. The chart had symbols fortunately because only 2 nights before I got chastised by Eden's preschool teacher that she didn't know her letters yet (a whole different story). So I was grateful it wasn't letters. Anyway, they ask her what the pictures was by pointing (it was a heart) she said a circle, and I giggled. They asked her what the next one was (it was a star) she said a heart, and I giggled again. This test went on and one, each line got more laughs from me. I am not sure why I was laughing but it certainly wasn't helping. Eden was getting confused and looking at me to see what was so funny. Believe me I was trying not to laugh but I just couldn't stop. I think I was just as confused, can she really not see those letters or is she really that delayed? Looking back it should have been obvious, I know Eden's knows what a heart, a star, a cross, and a cup look like, but at the time it was confusing and I really wasn't thinking that clearly, I guess I was too busy laughing. After switching charts 3 times, and her finally naming each of the last 4 objects all a circle, I said "I think its safe to say she failed." The Dr came in and recommend her to the pediatric Eye Dr.

A week later we went to the Eye Dr and found out she has a very high astigmatism. Poor girl, she inherited my lack of ability to see along with my eye color. We went and ordered glasses, they came in 4 days later, and Eden can now see, at least that is what I am hoping. I am a little worried her prescription may be off, only because how would we really know if it wasn't correct? I think it's better because she keeps telling me, "WOW things are so much closer, look mom (as she hands me her glasses) see how close the refrigerator is!"

That's gotta be a good sign right?

Wednesdays with Bri

My sister is an LPN. She is finishing up her last year and then she will be an RN. She is a mother of 3 boys and they are so cute. We always like to say I have the girls and she has the boys. It's so fun to live close to her, and about once a month we get together and work on some sort of craft project.

Did I mention we try and do this with 4 kids under the age of 5? Oh that is the small detail I forgot. Well if you saw us in Hobby Lobby or Lowe's you wouldn't forget us, we are the two ladies pushing shopping carts with talking, shouting, running kids in tow. I try and be prepared for these project days and gather the supplies before hand, but I am much too spontaneous for that. Every time we go to a store, I wonder what are we thinking.

But then when the cousins get to play while we craft and I capture moments of them making forts under the stairs, and it occurs to me it's all worth it. Even when she leaves most of her kids clothing at my house when they leave in a rush to pick up her oldest from school. Even when she comes back at 8pm at night to pick up her phone charger that she also forgot in her haste.

I love my Wednesdays with Bri.

Midnight

Our kids have been wanting a pet for years and we always had several excuses, here is the list...
Q: Mom can we get a cat? A:We can't have a cat while I am pregnant, because I could get sick from the cat litter. (This is true by the way)
Q: Mom can we get a dog? A: I am having babies right now, I don't want to have a dog too.
Q: Mom can we get a dog? A: We don't have a big enough yard.
Q: Mom can we get a bird? A: Actually I am afraid of birds.
Q: Mom can we get a hamster? A: I don't want to clean those cages, plus I think they smell.
After the move to the new house, Darrin saw a mouse run through the kitchen. After he told me this was the conversation...
Q: (ME) Darrin can we get a cat or a trap? A: (Darrin) Sure let's get a cat!
And now we have Midnight. We had some friends over for dinner and they mentioned they got this cat, but the wife/mother is very allergic, I told her that we have been wanting a cat, because we saw a mouse (I know it would have been much easier to get a trap), if it doesn't work out with her allergies we would take the cat off their hands. The next day she texted me that she was bringing the cat over.
My kids are in heaven. She really is a great kitty, she puts up with all the hugs, tugs, squeezes and love they have to offer.

My Mother: A 35 year ASSOCIATE and Rock Star!

For as long as I can remember my mom has worked for St Mary's Hospital. It's been longer then I can remember because she started there before I was born. She has held several different positions, but the main and current is scheduling surgeries.
Mom is amazing, she is dedicated and is consistently service-minded and this is not just at work. There is rarely a weekend she won't babysit our children so that we can go out and enjoy some couple time. The list is long on the service she provides, but she is a dedicated mother, visiting teacher, friend and wife. I absolutely love her.
She was honored this year as a 35 year associate at St Mary's Hospital. As an associate of St Marys every 5 years you have worked there they host a dinner in honor of you. There were 6 people that have worked there for 35 years. She could invite 3 guests, she choose me, my sis and my husband Darrin (my dad was out of town). From the minute we arrived she just had to say her name and the hosts would reply "You are a 35 year!". We were treated like royalty, handshakes, hugs, congratulations, we had a table right up front and my mother even got a one-on-one video interview that was broad casted. The food was delicious, Salmon or Roast Beef. We got to sit with the new Vice-President of the Hospital even.

As we sat there my mom mentioned this will probably be her last dinner, I felt so grateful to have been invited. With the thought of this being her last dinner and her leaving St Mary's a sadness hit me. I looked at my sister and said "That will be so strange when she doesn't work for the hospital." My sister reply was "What will it be like when we don't call the hospital to talk to mom?" A little back story here, is everyday after school growing up we would call mom, to check in. I don't think I will ever forget her one line she would always say when answering the phone "Surgery Scheduling, this is Joy". That will always be a fond memory.
Mom your dedication is astounding and I am so proud to be your daughter. St Mary's is a better place because you have worked there.

Ready, Aim, Fire!!

Kale got a great nerf gun for Christmas, it's a great little gun, except for one thing. The kids can't cock the gun. It's so hard to pull back I can hardly do it. So for them to play with it, they load the gun, I cock it, then they shoot. These steps must be repeated for each of the 5 sticky bullets. It's not very practical to say the least. On the bright side when Eden brought me the gun and wanted to play I realized the lighting in her room was just amazing at that particular time.
So here is a photo tip for the day "Have your subject stand in front of a window that is not directly facing the sun. You can get some amazing front lighting, it also creates some darkness as you follow the head around, which I love because it creates some great dimension. Check out this link if you want to know a little more about posing a subject in a window. I am telling you it's a great way to play with your camera & kids, just make sure you bring a nerf gun!

Blanket Capes & Underwear Days

When I was potty training Kale he lived in his underwear most of the day. To put pants and shirts on was unnecessary and inconvenient. Eden decided to join him. Next came the blanket capes and suddenly I had Super Heros on my hands. They played most of the morning, zooming, running, jumping and laughing. There is nothing better then watching my children imagine!

Back on the Potty

Yea, Kale is potty trained. Hands down he was my easiest, but I don't really take the credit for it. My friend Mindy is an amazing potty trainer. When I was pregnant with Kale, Darrin really thought it would be a good idea for Eden to get out of diapers, so I would just have diapers for the baby. I wasn't ready. I didn't have a great experience with Baylie and to be honest it really freaked me out to think that I would have such a hard time again. I had remembered Mindy saying she had a proven plan and it worked great with her 3 girls. So I called her up with a pen and paper in hand and told her to tell me EXACTLY what she did. The next week I started Eden and she did amazing!
When it was time for Kale to be potty trained I followed the same method and PRESTO! He is potty trained. He really was like magic.


So what's the magic answer? Well I will tell you. (If you are past this stage in life you can move on to a different post)
Step 1 - Underwear and Treats. Take your child to the store and let them pick out a pack of pantie or underwear that they like. Then buy a bag of treats they like. I would suggest getting something small. (we personally love gummy bears)
Step 2 - Stay Home, and Don't entertain. Determine a WEEK when you don't have to go anywhere (this is obviously the hardest step), even trips to the school for pick-up or drop-off can cause some problems, but make the trips quick if you do leave the house. I would also suggest no friends for you mom. The first real accident my son had was because I had a friend over and started visiting. I say a week because you just don't know how long it will take the child to get the hang of it. Kale did great within 3 days, but Eden took about a week. Each child is different.
The Big Day
Step 3 - Get a portable potty. This may seem gross to some but you need that potty to move from room to room, or maybe not move but be in an area you are often in. As you can see from the picture, I started Kale in the kitchen. That is where I spend a lot of time, and running to the bathroom just isn't always feasible with a small child and a small bladder.
Step 4 - Get your room ready. Find books, music, or anything else that will entertain the child while you coax them to sit on the potty. Also it's easiest if the child doesn't wear any clothes. I turned up the heat in my house so it would be warm while he ran around in his birthday suit.
Step 5 - Drink up! Make some juice, kool-aid or any child appropriate drink that they will drink lots of. Pour them a big glass and encourage them to drink as much as they want. You want them to have a full bladder so that it will get the process moving along.
Step 6 - Set a timer for 15 min. When the timer goes off, HAPPILY with much excitement tell them it's time to sit on the potty. Sing songs, read books, anything that will keep them on the potty. Keep it very happy and exciting. I try and have them sit for about a minute at least. Your main goal for this step is for them to accidentally "go" in the potty. I say accidentally because they may not understand what they are trying for at this point, or even what it feels like to let the pee out, so if they make it on the potty then it's great, because the goal is achieved, even if it wasn't intentional. If they get up after a minute and then pee on the floor, then I quickly move them to the potty and say "oh pee goes in the potty". Don't get mad about the accident, clean it up and move forward. They are still learning what the whole objective of this new day is, so be patient.
Step 7 - Set the timer for 5 min - 15 min intervals. If they relieved them self within that first 15 min, it's hard to know how soon they will need to go again, but if they drank alot it may not be that long. If they didn't go within that first 15 min, or even after they sat on the potty for at least a minute when the timer went off. I just keep setting the timer for 5 min intervals, and have them sit for 1 minute each time, I am really just trying to "catch it" in the potty. You will continue to do this all day. From my own experience, if I don't set a timer I am amazed at how quickly 30mins can fly by and we have missed the potty. You will also start to learn how long your child can hold it. My daughter (with a full bladder) was going about every 15-20 min, but my son on the other hand could hold for up to an hour. *tip - as the "trainer" it's not a bad idea for you to drink a lot too, because then you will have your "own" timer so to speak, but it also helps you realize how often you have to go, on a full bladder.
Step 8 - Praise, Persistence, and Patience.
Praise - When they go on the potty, you need to be super positive, do a dance, shout hooray, whatever you style is, but make it a big deal. And then they get to pick a treat from the treats you bought. We do 2 gummy bears for pee and 4 for poop. My son quickly caught on that every time something came out he got a gummy bear, so he would squeeze out a little, get a gummy bear, then sit back down and squeeze out a little more, get another, he did this over and over. I knew what was going on, but I still gave them to him. By the time we ran out of gummy bears he knew what to do and that was the over all goal, right?
Persistence - They do start to get sick of sitting on the potty over and over again, but consistency is the key. I did worry in my mind "what if they don't get this? how long can I handle putting him on the potty every 5-15 minutes? should I just stick a diaper back on, and wait till he's older?" these are normal worries, but if you are committed then there is no other option but for them to learn this. Don't give up, stay positive and mix up the potty songs, books and puppets, so they will still sit when the timer goes off. I don't force them to stay on the potty, I try for a minute, but if they are ready to get up from there I let them, but then when that timer goes off we will try again.
Patience - I don't feel like I need to say much here, other then, you can do this (and I am talking to the moms here) this can be a very maddening thing, but try and make it about learning to be grown up. I remember my little boy saying "I'm not a big boy mom!" this was after a round of sitting on the potty and me saying "wow, you are such a big boy, going on the potty" he was sick of it and wanted me to know "he was not a big boy!" They will get it, and all will be right in the world, eventually.
Step 9 - Fall into a pattern. Day 2 - are you exhausted yet? You probably should be! If you child did great on day 1 and you are thinking they understand where pee goes, you can reduce the juice and set your timer for longer intervals. DO NOT expect your child to tell you they have to go potty for at least a week or even longer, some kids pick up on the feeling quickly, and will verbalize it but don't be discouraged if your child needs the timer as the reminder. You will start to get a feel for how long your child can hold it.
Nightime
I personally put the diaper on at night, and when the diaper stays dry for about 3 nights in a row, then I move to underwear at night too. This varies depending on the child, but I do think that as soon as they wake up have them immediately go to the potty. Take off the diaper and get into underwear to start your day in underwear. I always have to pee as soon as I wake up, so why would a kid be different? And don't say because you have had 4 children and your bladder is pretty much shot, your right, but I don't want to hear it!

Hope this helps and Happy Potty Training. If you have any questions leave a comment!