35 years ago today...

I was born.

Yikes!!!! When did i become 35?

It's funny how as you age, birthdays are less and less meaningful. We plan to do dinner tonight and tomorrow with my parents and in-laws and this weekend, instead of anything crazy, doing some fun things with the kids.I will celebrate my birthday knowing I've had 35 great years and look forward to way more than 35 years to come... maybe two sets of 35 to come.

Wordless Wednesday

Cornhole anyone?

I wonder what's inside?

Tell All Tuesday (a day late)

Since I was so focused on Owen's successful potty training, I missed tell all Tuesday. So-today it will be tell all tuesday Wednesday!

• I am so proud of Owen. Last night he went to bed about 9:45 (after stalling). At 10:15, I heard him in bed talking about pee and poop. So- I ran down there expecting to see he had an accident, and he had to go. So- we rushed to the bathroom and he pooped and went right to bed. Yay Owen!
• Woke up dry this morning! Such a champion
• No accidents at all (so far). We are on day 5 of being out of diapers and in underpants only. Woo hoo!
• Sick of all the potty training talk? sorry
• Casey Anthony- OMG... disgusted. Nothing says innocent to me than competing in hot body contests and being out partying when you're daughter is "missing". Stupid young mom. I was 20 when I had Hunter- and would never have been doing any of the things she did if something had happened to him.
• Edwards Pies- amazing. We just discovered them a few months ago (in the freezer section) and cannot get enough of them.. which I think is why I have gained a few pounds.
• I can also admit that a few pounds may have come from the fact that I wait for my children to go to bed before I eat "the good stuff" just so I don't have to share. Is that wrong?
• Because of those pesky 3 pounds, I attempted to start the couch to 5K workout... I ran with my sister in law, Jen, twice... She runs marathons... I can't even run 1/4 mile...
• Hunter's going to work with a golf pro tonight- he's excited! we think his clubs are too big so we'll see if they can fit him properly.

to make up for my lack of pictures last week, and my picture overload this week... check out the cuteness:

If you listen carefully, you can hear Quinlin's attempt at singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". I love her voice!

And we are Potty Trained!!!!!!!!!

We did it! I was dreading potty training and the whole experience, but we did it! and Owen is a champion!!! I'm so proud of him! I picked him up from school on Friday and had him wear underpants from about 6pm- 9pm. He ran around in them, loved to feel like a big boy, loved to pee outside, etc. Potty training then began Saturday morning. At 8am, with his morning diaper change, he knew that was the last time he would wear diapers. We talked about diapers being for babies (diapers are for Quinny) was how he liked to look at it and we started our day!

I had read the 3day PT Method and was fully prepared for how tough it would be but spent the day watching the clock and watching Owen for signs of him having to go. We played around the house, went swimming and he did great. He would stop what he was doing to go pee. He was really starting to understand. I risked nap time and didn't want to put him in pull ups as the method says only underpants and crossed our fingers. And he woke up- dry! I was so excited! I cheered and screamed and he was so proud of himself. I ran out that night to Target to get a waterproof mattress protector for the night as I knew I wasn't going to cave in and have him wear pull ups. (Little did I know I wasn't going to need it)

Sunday morning, we woke up DRY! and he waited about 15 minutes until he peed which showed me he has great bladder control. We packed up our car and headed to Sean's parents for the day and I was slightly nervous about the car ride (1 hour, 45 minutes) but again he did great! we played around at the farm and came home that night.

same thing for Monday. I am confident enough to say he knows his body, knows when he has the urge to go, etc. He gets a little freaked out to poop (but after watching him for signs), he does it and all is fine! I think the keys to success are- do it when they are ready and can understand. I think it also helped that in the last 6 months or so, we would let him wear underpants here or there for a few hours at night before bed just to get the feeling of independence. So- I followed the 3 day but not to a T. We didn't have to be confined to the house...we just had to watch for signs.

Ok- so that was pretty much our weekend. you wouldn't even know it was a holiday. we just really wanted to lay low, enjoy some time to ourselves and get Owen in underpants. And- because my sister has requested pictures...without further adieu...

playing with the water table

looking cute

bathing suit #2

 at least I painted my toes

Quinlin was intrigued by the game of corn hole. 

riding with Adam in the jeep

driving the tractor with Aunt Jen

Hunter (annoyed that I took his picture)

Going for a ride with grandma

does he not just look so cute in his underpants?

My baby girl

Playing with daddy

LOVE!

Feeding the ducks

We all scream for ice cream

 Quinlin's first ice cream cone

water table

watching Nemo



I am anxiously awaiting until about 11:30 am to call the daycare and see how he does. I gave them strict instructions of underpants only- and will be pissed if I pick him up and he's in diapers... 

No other choice but to Withdraw

Those were the words yesterday I read on the note sent home from school. At the very end of the letter "Finally, if your child is not completely potty trained by October 3, we will have no other choice than to withdraw your child. Emerging 3's ratios will not allow for your child to remain behind in that room for an extended period of time, nor is it age appropriate. We would happily take your child back once he/she is potty trained; pending availability."

I read the letter and was dejected... kick him out for not being potty trained? He's not even 3 yet. Remember when I posted about it here? I was so excited about him pooping on the potty and that was almost a year ago (yikes!) although he has gone here and there- and a lot more recently as well. I think what bothers me the most is that he's most likely not even starting kindergarten until he is 6 (since he has a late summer birthday) and so technically their whole "age appropriate" theory is screwed up anyway since he isn't with the kids who he would be going to school with anyway. He's the youngest in his classroom as it stands now. I'd like to tell them to KMA, but I need to work and therefore, need a daycare.

So- I guess my upcoming 4 day weekend will be me, Owen and a toilet.

Weekend Recap

We had a fun, low-key weekend! On Friday, I had the afternoon off and did some things around the house while the kids were still at daycare. That night, I went to my friend's house to meet the new baby, Benjamin Michael. He was so cute and tiny! I had held baby Luca the night before at dinner (who was 10 weeks old) and Benjamin just seemed so small. It was fun to snuggle with two babies in two days.

On Saturday, Sean went golfing with his buddy Pat who was in town and I hung out at home with the kids. My parents came over and we all ventured to the grocery store. It was so nice to be able to shop with the extra help of my folks. Owen loved it, running back and forth between my cart and grandma and poppy's. After nap time, we went over to Pat's parents house for a BBQ. Pat was a groomsmen in our wedding almost 4 years ago and he's getting married in May 2012 and not only does Sean get to return the favor of being a groomsmen, he was asked to be Best Man! He's so excited- and looking to get into Best Man shape! Pat was always like a little brother to Sean (he dated Pat's sister for about 7 years during high school and after) and has remained close with their family. Pat's sister is a great girl and we have become friends as well as their family has really welcomed our family into it. Such great, genuine people! Did I mention the wedding is in Arizona? And the bachelor/ bachelorette parties may be in Vegas? Good times ahead- though just now to figure out who gets the pleasure of watching our crazy children while we are gone! :)

On Sunday, I got to snuggle with another newborn baby, our neighbor Lauren Paige, who was born just the past Wednesday. After all the baby snuggling, you'd think I would be sad about being done having kids. Just more reassurance that we made the right decision. It's fun to hold them, and give them back. Sean's brother and his family came over for lunch and so the kids could play together and then we took them up to the park and let them run wild. It was the first time I brought Quinlin to the big park and she had me on my toes the entire time. She loved it!

I'm looking forward to this week- we are seeing an old co-worker of mine tonight and then just getting through the week to make it to the weekend. Hard to believe it's already the end of June? that can't be right...

True Story

So- I'm at dinner yesterday with some of my girlfriends and I get a frantic phone call from Sean. Story goes like this... Sean was peeing and Owen decided he was going to go as well. So- Owen on the stool attempting to pee, and Sean in full pee mode. Owen slips, almost clocks his head on the back of the toilet and is about to go head first into the bowl. Sean acted fast to "save" Owen and in the meantime peed all over his head. So- he calls me as the shower water was heating up so they could both get cleaned up and the last words out of his mouth were "Fuck...I am going to miss the NBA draft cuz I peed on my kid".

Wordless Wednesday

Potty training, anyone??? Poor Owen will kill me one day, but I couldn't resist. And- I totally have a thing for his little naked butt!

Hooking up with other wordless wednesday folks with Flip Flops and Pearls

Weekend Recap

We had such a fun weekend. A little of this, a little of that, and lots of family time.

Friday I got off of work early, so Sean, Hunter and I went and played a quick 9.

After that, I rushed home, jumped in the shower and then met girlfriends out for dinner. We were celebrating the arrival of my friend's baby and a good thing we did as she ended up having the baby on Sunday!

Saturday morning, we woke up and decided to head to a local metropark. The plan was to feed ducks, but we couldn't find any, so we set out for a mile trail walk. The kids loved it!

they decided it was more fun to walk...so quickly got out of the wagon.

At one point, I was rotating carrying both Owen and Quinlin. After walking for a while, I told Owen I had to put him down. My arms were hurting and he was heavy. He quickly replied, in the most pathetic little voice... "No me heavy, I'm little".

 Saturday afternoon, we went to my BIL's house for my niece's 2nd birthday party. The kids had a great time.

We got home, and I think Sean finally got the hint that I have no pictures of me with the kids... so a little snapshot of Owen and I...(ignore the unmade bed. LOL)

Sunday morning, Sean's mom stopped over and off to the store we went. She wanted Owen to have his birthday present early so he could have the summer to enjoy it.

We came home and Sean started putting it together. He couldn't wait to ride it!

But did take a break to play some baseball...

It was finally ready!

After some playing outside and naps, I brought the kids to my aunt's house to celebrate Father's Day. Sean went fishing (he got to do whatever he wanted since it was his day) so it was a little hectic for me and the 3 kids. But- they had a great time, and I don't think, tore up my aunt's house that badly...

It was a nice father's day. Happy Father's Day to my Dad and to Sean, the best dad I could ask for for our children!