To the toilet we go!

If you’re my fb friend you’ll know, over the past few weeks Stephen and I have braved the “Attack against the Toilet” with our 3 year old son.

Koa is the kind of kid who has to decide he wants to do something. No amount of encouragement, or incentive will change his mind.

If you’ve ever spent any time talking to our Koala Bear, you’ll know this kid is an opinionated, stubborn, independent little bugger.

For example, over Christmas, he was being a rather naughty little boy. At one point I was so sick of it I told him “If you continue to be naughty, Santa isn’t going to bring you any presents”. 

Thinking I had bested him with my brilliance, his response of “So” shut me down. Granted, as a 3 yr old I don’t think he can truly comprehend what I was saying, but still, I was caught off guard. 

Don’t worry, he did end up getting some presents, which he was extremely grateful for, the point of that story was to highlight his indifference.

Truly, we wouldn’t have him any other way.

With Mana, we waited awhile to potty train him, but once we did, it was a cinch. It was basically nappy off, here’s-the-toilet-use-it, undies on.  Champ.

It was ignorant of me to assume the same ease with Koa, but one can hope right?

So, in order to get this kid into undies, I figured I’d read up on what I needed to do to get him going,  so I’ve added that wonderful advice below, so you can see how they  did or did not work for us.

Is your child ready for potty training?

If I left this up to Koa, he would never be ready.  We attempted to broach the topic about 6 months ago with him, and we were met with hysterics. 

 About 3 months ago when we tried again, we were privy to his fear “Mummy, will you hold me while I go” and even though we would hold him, he wouldn’t actually go.

His biggest fear at that point was falling into the toilet, so for his security, he needed some one to hold on to him, and tight.

 In the past month, when he started his process of *nappie elimination, we decided it was time.

Go shopping for potty supplies.

This I was on board for. I went to the almighty Walmart and let my baby pick something he was willing to sit on. He chose a Lightning McQueen toilet seat with handles that sits on top of the toilet. We got some Diego undies (his favourite) and those Gerber extra padded training pants (once recommended to me by a good friend) and were on our way. As a back up, a packet of Lightning McQueen pull ups was also purchased and kept on hand.

• The Gerber undies absorbed a lot of pee, so for accidents, it didn't get all over the furniture
• The Diego undies, Koa tried harder not to pee on those, because he thinks Diego is cool
• Pull ups = Laziness, for him, they were like wearing nappies

Practice being a good potty coach.

I’m good for a high five and a way-to-go, but other than that I’m out. I definitely understand the necessity of positive reinforcement, and I’ll do that, but I’m not raising a generation me kid. The first few times its praise and encouragement, after that it becomes an expectation.

Establish a potty training Reward System.

This did not work. Koa loves chocolate, it's one of his favourite treats, but when I tried to use that as a reward, he informed me “I don’t like chocolate”. Untrue. He just wasn’t interested in chocolate if it meant he had to go to the toilet.

Figure out your kid’s potty Training schedule.

HAHAHAHAHA. If I could figure this out, I would have attempted to do this ages ago. His body doesn’t have a schedule, or at least one that is clearly identifiable by me. Some days he’ll wake up dry, some days he’ll have soaked through his clothes, though every night he goes to sleep with a clean nappy on.

Choose and use potty words for potty training.

No. Poo’s and wee’s or poo’s and pee’s, that’s stupid enough for me.

Cutesy words, pee pee's, poopie, they annoy me, so I'm not using them.

SIDE NOTE: For entertainment purposes, Koa can and will say “Drop a deuce” as in “Did you just drop a deuce” or “I need to drop a deuce” though that is purely for my amusement.

Become a potty supermodel.

This point was highlighted by the words “Monkey see, Monkey do”.  Since I’ve got boys, I’ll leave that to their father. Though entertaining it may be for them to watch me attempt to pee standing, my boys are already skilled at peeing on the floor.

Teach your kid about washing and wiping.

Teach men in general the importance of this.

Have a potty party.

After a week of potty training, and an entire day with undies (not pull ups) we had a celebration dinner at CPK, where our baby ate his entire pizza (minus the crust) and was extremely proud of himself.

Going #2 is phase #2.

Not the case. Koa has not had an issue crapping on the toilet, in fact he would ask to be put on the toilet for a dump, and would continue to pee his pants.

Dress for success.

Clearly leaving your kid in a onesie that they can’t get themselves out of quickly is not conducive to successful potty training. And unless you’re a baby, overalls are ugly. No worries here.

In all honesty, it is persistence speckled with understanding that has helped us.

Helping Koa get through this is truly our first success of 2012.

*nappie elimination – The process of separating and not wearing any nappies with the following:

Including but not limited to Ariel-The Little Mermaid, Minnie Mouse ANY Disney princess or character of female origin.

*Nappy = Diaper

Give Thanks.

With it being Thanksgiving and all tomorrow, it's that time of the year, the time to openly give thanks to all that you are grateful for and it's expected.

Let's start with Stephen Giles.

I've blogged about him a number of times click here Ode to Sexy for a refresher.

Is he or are we perfect? Clearly not, if you've read anything I've posted. Though we are perfect for each other. I'm thankful for his hard work, and the example he is to our boys to be a good man, and a wonderful husband.
Thanks to my inlaws for raising a stellar son.

Thankful tear.

My babies.

Being a parent is one of the most fulfilling and rewarding jobs I will ever have. I can be quite selfish, narcissistic, but my kids make all the hard work and long days seem worth it. After a rough day at work, I can pick them up, and listen to them sing in the car all the way home and it reminds me that all the crap? Doesn't matter.

I love their little smiles. Their constant need to sit on me whenever I'm close to them.

Their kisses and their cuddles.

Their nightly good night farewell?

"Mummy, I love you a million times, you're the best, you're pretty and beautiful, see you in the morning".

Wouldn't trade that for the world.

Proud tears.

The home that I have to live in.

Our home is a simple home, built on love and a hard work.

I'm warm in the winter, A/C in the summer, and there is room for family to visit and stay.

The job that I have.

I complain, I get frustrated, it's cathartic for me, but I love it.

Working affords me opportunities I may not be able to have otherwise.

If I lived in NZ, I'm not confident I would have these same opportunities.

6 years at the same place and it's still a challenge I'm enjoying.

I work with some awesome people and some interesting people, I love it.

Food & Clothing.

Well, the jobs Stephen and I have help us to eat what we want and wear what we want.


(Feels a little like I'm saying a prayer right now)

Which leads me to my parents.

Champs. 
Thanks Mum for giving me a crack when I needed it, I could have been a lot more off if you didn't.

Nah, my mum is awesome though. If you know her, you know it. No need to explain, I'd be here all day. Taught me how to communicate.

My dad. 
Saying no, and making me scab off my friends for whatever you didn't feel like giving me money for, was a challenge. Challenge Accepted.

I had to get a little more creative to do what I needed with 15 cents.

That's what kids need these days. 
Someone to say NO more often.


Thanks for raising us in the gospel, and for the righteous influence you have been, and have encouraged.
I know I rarely go the religious route on this blog, but it's something I'm truly grateful for and was blessed to have as a strong influence in my life.

America. 
More specifically Utah.
I may not be the most outdoorsy person, but I love the mountains, and the cost of living, and the cleanliness.

Thank you for letting me live and thrive here.

Appreciate it!

My Brothers and Sisters.

All awesome.

Ariel - You're a pretty awesome big brother. A bit hard to deal with a sister like me so close in age. Who was the blubbering mess at your mission farewell? HAHAHA. You work hard to provide for you're family and you've got some beautiful girls. Stoked we are so close.

Phil - Even though you think you were born a man, I'll still remember you being scared of the dark and not wanting to run around the house. Contrary ;) Who knew you would get all into politics and rebuilding Christchurch?
Love your boy and wish you were closer.

Mims - Best. Sister. Ever.

Luke - What can I say, you've always kept us entertained, from your stories, your antics (shaving your hair with a razor at 9?) to your pictures with your earrings and tattoo's (don't think I don't remember that) never a dull moment with you around.

Sam - On his mission right now, but so proud of him and his spiritual and intellectual growth. Growing up and not crying every day? Way to go Sammy.

Tapua - You're pretty much the big brother with the little kids, and you've got a lot to live up to ;) But, you're a smart and sensitive, and I'm proud of you little brother.

Josiah - You my little brother, are a good boy. Be an individual, be who you want and form your own ideas on things.

Bronte - Little sister, you're lucky you look like me. I'm glad you're opinionated, we all are, and we will clash, but you'll need that independant streak you have ;) Little sister, you're lucky you look like me. I'm freakin' beautiful :p


Feleti - Our other brother. Man, you're the smartest person I know besides Mum, and I wish we saw each other more, but alas, we are too far. 
Who knows half the things I've learnt from you ?
Clearly not me if you didn't tell me ;)


Grateful for some sweet sisters-in-law and the two brothers-in-law I have.
Good on ya for marrying my siblings, or being my husbands siblings.
Ambitious maneuver.

Extended Family.

Man, I'm truly blessed to be related to so many wonderful, sometimes beautiful, people.

Friends.

Well, you're going to have to take a good hard look at yourself.

You actually chose to be my friend. Consciously made the choice.

HAHAHA on you.

That's enough for this post I think, feeling a bit cheesy at the moment.

If I don't say it enough, I'm sorry, but I'm thankful to be blessed with a good life, and the good sense to recognize that I am blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving suckers!

Emotional Range of a Child

This is my emotional range.

Well, more like this.

 

Presents make me super happy.

I'm materialistic, what can I say ?

I'll make lists of things I want for any occassion, with links to sites to be sure the hubs knows EXACTLY what I want.

My everyday joy ?

Driving home with the kids.

They sing to me, tell me about their day, fight.

Joy.

What can make me cry?

Fighting with Stephen.

Though, sometimes I can get so angry I can cry.

Or so happy I can cry.

Cry baby.

When I wake up, I'm not usually in a neutral state.

I'm always somewhat teetering on the edge of aggression.

Probably, because most of time time, I haven't had enough sleep.

This is why I believe I suffer from chronic aggression. (TRUE STORY)

I'm a planner. I love task lists, grocery lists, present lists.

Knowing things in advance so I can co-ordinate my nap time is necessary.

When things don't go according to plan ?

Nostrils flare, eyes get big, face tightens and morphs into a shark.

Brothers and sisters of mine, sound familiar?

Mother.

My sister is the same when it comes to the anger issue.

I think we have a high level of testosterone running through our bodies.

She's pregnant right now, which intensifies the aggression, so I tell people she got herself pregnant, with all that testosterone.

Maybe when she pushes out the baby, she'll push out the agro.

Nah.

Something to work on for me maybe?

Maybe.

Blame On, Blamers!

You know what drives me nuts? Lack of accountability.

If you decide to open your mouth and say something, or decide to put your thoughts into action, guess what?  It’s time to take responsibility for the outcome!

I will make a point of accepting responsibility for what I say, do or write. And if you read this blog, you know I’m an idiot and I post on ridiculousness.

Don’t get me wrong, I do care when something I say or do hurts someone’s feelings, I’m not that heartless, but I think people are too sensitive, to quick to jump on the defensive.

If you begin a statement with “It’s not my fault …” then I’m going to tell you it is your fault, you’ve made some poor vocabulary choices. 

"It's not my fault I'm late, my alarm didn't go off", "It's not my fault, I ran out of gas"

Here's an idea, let's find someone to blame for everything that isn't our fault shall we?

I’m generalizing, I know I am, and I make things too simple, I often do that, but it’s easier for me to compartmentalize everything. Life doesn’t have to be complicated.

Everyone is entitled to their opinions, and able to express said opinions as they see fit.

You’ve been given the “Freedom of Speech”, which is the freedom to speak without censorship. Don’t forget, you’ve also been given the “Freedom to listen to whatever the hell you want to listen to” and the “Freedom to believe in whatever you deem worthy to believe in”.

If something someone says offends you, say something, or walk away. There are times when you have to listen, if I don’t like what I’m hearing, I mentally tune out or draw on my phone.

“I’m just being speaking the truth” doesn’t necessarily mean someone IS speaking the truth. It’s an opinion, or their version of the truth, so take it as it is.

I’m rambling, I can hear it, but this is what I feel like ranting about and since it’s my blog, I can do what I want. (Wonder if this will take my readership from 2 down to 1? JULES & LIZ, STAY WITH ME!!).

ANYWAY …..

You choose to open your mouth and say what you say.

You choose to put into action your random thoughts.

You choose to react to situations the best way you know how.

Every day we make thousands of millions of choices. Own it! Be accountable for yourself, and the world will be a much greater place.

Crocodile Tears

We all cry.

Sometimes you have a crappy day, and cleansing tears are warranted, I get that, I'm supportive of that, hell, I'm a willing participant when the time is right and the emotions are running high.

However, I have strong feelings of dislike for CROCODILLE TEARS.

I have even stronger feelings of dislike for THE UGLY CRY.

Combined ? My nemesis!



Ladies, I say this with every kindness and understanding of my being,

DO NOT DO THIS!

It's hard to take you seriously after this infraction has been witnessed especially in a professional environment.

TIP: Practice your crying face in the mirror.

Check the angles you rest your head at, how your eyes screw up and how your mouth turns.

If your crocodille tears aren't paired with the ugly face cry, I think you would be able to get a more sympathetic show if you looked cute crying.

Just sayin'.

Harry Potter - The End :(

I saw the final Harry Potter over the weekend, tear.

I remember the first time I read a Harry Potter book. I was visiting my friend at the beach for the weekend and decided I wanted something to read while I got my tan on, and picked up her little brothers book, which just happened to be the Chamber of Secrets. I wasn’t looking for much, something mindless to read for a few hours, but was quickly drawn in. I ended up reading the whole book that day, and was hooked!

I was a little bit apprehensive going to see the movie so soon, I knew it would be the end, but I wasn't sure if I was ready for it yet. Alas, I had to do it, I hate reviews (weird huh?) and wanted to see it before I was tempted to ask anyone I knew what their thoughts on the movie were.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 was all I hoped it would be.
I cried when Severus Snape died, and got choked up when he told Harry to take his tears. The way the film makers imagined his memories of Harry’s mum, so heartbreaking.

I wanted to slap Bellatrix Lestrange more than a couple of times, and cheered when Mama Weasley called her a biarch and gave her what’s up.

I was proud of Neville Longbottom, for his strength and his growth. I cheered along with the rest of the audience at the cinema for his big moment, I almost stood up and jumped at the screen to give him a high five!

There is so much to love in this movie, and after 10 years, it’s some pretty nice closure.

Yup, I’m a big geek, Harry Potter is awesome! See it, read it, love it!

Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth

My Disneyland cherry was popped last month. I only waited 28 years for it, and it was worth it!

Hate all you want, Disneyland is the shiz.
From the food, to the characters you grew up with roaming the park, its a nostalgic journey everyone should take.

The ride of my day, and my emotional high, was It's a Small World.
"WHAT !?!" you ask incredulously "That is the cheesiest, most annoying ride ever!".
No, haters, it is not.

You are on this boat, on a pilgrimage to discover many different cultures. As you go through the ride, the singing begins in English, and as you slowly transition through different nations and the varying ethnicities, the singing changes to the various corresponding languages. The whole time I was enthralled, the same song being sung in all these different languages, as if the world were as one.

Think about that the next time you go to Disneyland and cry a little.