Seeing as I blogged about Warner's potty training last winter, one might have assumed he was potty trained months ago. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. He completely lost interest in the spring and refused to use the potty. Frustrated and exhausted, I decided to drop the issue for a while. I fought the battle intermittently, sometimes telling Warner he
had to wear underwear, to which he would respond "No! I wear diaper!" and then a fit would ensue. It was not pretty.
A few weeks before his third birthday, we started talking about potty training again. Kevin and I would talk about how three year old's wear big boy underwear and use the potty. We told him that on his birthday, he wouldn't wear diapers anymore. I'm not sure why, but this approach worked. For the potty part. It was like the light bulb went off in Warner's head. After only a few accidents, he was soon running to the potty whenever he had to go, wearing underwear at preschool, during naptime, and even during the night. Amazing, right?
Well, the poop part wasn't so easy. Warner would tell me when he needed to poop, but once he got on the potty, he'd either say he didn't have to go anymore, or he didn't know how. We agonized over what to do, but something finally worked. When he needed to go, we put a diaper on him, then told him he could poop in it, but he needed to do it while he was sitting on the potty. Two nights ago, he did just that. So yesterday when he announced he needed to go, I told him to do what he did the night before, but this time he wouldn't wear a diaper. I left him alone in the bathroom, assuming it wouldn't work. 60 seconds later Warner yells "MOM! I pooped!"
I screamed. I jumped up and down. I cried. Warner wanted to save his poop to show Kevin when he got home from work, but thankfully he agreed to take his picture with it (don't worry I won't post that one) and then flush the poop. He got "a lot" of stickers for his potty chart and a whole bowl of candy corn for a reward.
I'm sure he'll have a few more accidents, but he has pretty much sworn off of diapers, wanting me to put them away even. So I think I can safely say this boy is potty trained. Whew. One down, one to go.
We had Warner's 3 year photos taken today and I'm really pleased with how they turned out. Since I'm his mother and it's my blog, I get to gush about how stinking cute he is and post lots of pictures for you to see.
Maren even cooperated for a few shots. What a nice surprise.
This is a common sight in the morning: Maren carrying around a sleeve of saltine crackers, hoping someone will open them for her. It hasn't happened yet, but she's holding out hope.
And, here is where she gets it from. Well, at least the saltine cracker thing. In Kevin's defense, he does eat fruits and vegetables, but probably because I make him. I'm such a pain to live with. Like father, like daughter!
We went to the zoo Wednesday. The weather was glorious and we did all of the important zoo things. This includes riding the train and the tram, eating a picnic lunch while shooing the peacocks away from our food, and seeing the elephants, manatees, monkeys, and cows (among other animals but these were the ones requested by Warner). 
Warner has thoroughly enjoyed his dad's undivided attention. In fact, on Monday night he went to dinner with Kevin and some of Kevin's friends from work for a guys night out. They also built the Careful game tower a few times (and then Maren would knock it down of course).
And here is Maren hard at work taking appointments on my calendar and talking on Kevin's phone (actually it's his iPod but she thinks it's a phone). 
I think my hair bow/hair accessory obsession began about a year ago. My mom made a few bows for Maren and a whole new world was opened to me: I could make the exact bows I wanted to match (each of) Maren's outfits. Genius! And so it began.
After spending more than I cared to know on ribbon, the next thought that crossed my mind was to sell a few bows to help finance the bow obsession. Thus, Fancy Flair. To date, I've sold about 80 bows and flower headbands. They're at a few retail stores and then I did my first craft fair this past weekend. I teamed up with two MOPS girlfriends who sell tutus and flower hats. Here is our adorable table: 
I've only made a nominal amount of money and realize I'm most likely not going to make buckets of cash with this business. But, I find the whole thing really fun. I enjoy crafting things and feel like I've gotten a small piece of "me" back with this little artistic outlet of mine. 
Okay. That's it. I promise the next post will be about the kids. Thanks for hanging with me.
I'm sure he'll have a few more accidents, but he has pretty much sworn off of diapers, wanting me to put them away even. So I think I can safely say this boy is potty trained. Whew. One down, one to go.
