Fully Potty Trained!

As we were about to walk out the door this morning, I realized the kids sort of matched so I decided to shoot a few pics real quick.

I put the kids by this tractor since they both had on green and blue. Logan wasn't really into taking pics. He had just woken up.

Her "cheese" smile.

Momma's little farmer

Madison's true personality shows in this pic. Look at her cutting those eyes with her legs cross. SASS! And Logan has pure delight in his eyes as he would love nothing more than to run her over!

Stealin' a litte sugar on the tractor!

Well, I can't believe I can finally say it, but she is fully potty trained! Praise the Lord! Madison tells me everytime she has to go the bathroom throughout the day. She also wear panties at naptime and during the night. We started waking her up and taking her to the bathroom right before we go to bed and that seems to be fine. I really never thought we'd get to this stage, but I'm so glad we're finally here. It's funny how long it our diapers are lasting these days...

The Help & Potty Training

My friend, Melissa, and I are both husbandless for the weekend. Our husbands are both in LA for the weekend on a short business trip. That makes for a loong weekend with the kids. I've been wanting to see the movie, The Help. I've heard such great things about it, but didn't know when I would ever get to see it. I never go to the movies anymore!

So, I thought this weekend would be a great time to see it. We decided to go the late movie so we could put the kids the bed first. The late movie didn't start until 9:50, so it was a seriously late movie. We met up at Stoby's for dinner/dessert first. These are the girls that went, minus Melissa, who met us at the theatre. We had a great time and I thought the movie was fabulous!
On another note, this little diva is doing superb at potty training. I just have to brag for a bit because I'm just so excited about it. She did not wet her diaper at all last night. Held it in all night. I'm amazed and thrilled about it! She's been wearing panties for naptime and has been doing well at that too. She has kept dry panties for the past two naptimes. I got a little stressed because MDO starts up Sept. 6 and I heard that you had to send your child in a pull-up unless they could tell you they had to go potty. Well, at that time Madison didn't always tell you. I was constantly asking her if she had to go and taking her to the potty every 45 minutes or more. I was also afraid that they wouldn't want the kids wearing diapers for naptime at MDO. Who knows if they would have or not, but I just decided to start trying panties for naptime at home. She wet the bed for two naptimes, but has had 3 sucessfully dry naps, so she has done very good. All day yesterday, she told me each time she needed to go potty. It was really quite remarkable. She's done the same today, so I really think she has "got it." And I'm really glad. This has been no easy task and I'm just glad we are finally here!

On another note. A kind of gross one too. I had to start giving Madison fiber gummies on a daily basis. She was getting constipated quite often, and it was quite painful for her. The gummies have really helped and she loves eating them. They are like candy. She is really good about telling me when she has to go "poo-poo" and has two favorite books that she reads while taking care of her business. I leave her alone and she "screams" for me when she's done. It's actually quite cute.

Oh, the things that I never thought I'd be talking about! That's motherhood for ya!

Chick-fil-A & Silly Goof!

I cannot contain my excitement any longer! Russellville is FINALLY getting a Chick-fil-A. Ahh, Chick-fil-a. Every mother's dream. Why, you may ask? Many reasons, but one reason being the most important. Indoor Playground.

Those two words mean the world to mothers of preschoolers. I mean, can you just imagine it? Mothers...getting to actually eat their delicious chicken sandwich and waffle fries in peace while their children wildly play through the window in the indoor playground. Mothers...calmly sipping on their refreshing sweet tea while watching their little angels tear each others' hair out through the window of the room next door. Pure bliss. According to their facebook page, opening date is October 6th. Not too far down the road ladies. Hold in your insanity for just a bit longer and come October...release!!!

On another note, this is how Gabe found Madison sleeping several nights ago before he went to bed. Gabe puts Madison to bed every night and they have their own bedtime rituals. It is clearly NOT the same if Momma puts her to bed, and we all know it! Madison and Daddy read, "I'll Love You, Forever" every night at bedtime. In fact, Madison sings the song quite often. Well, it's not actually a song, but I think most people turn it into a song. I thought pic was pretty sweet. Notice that she always has "TWO" babies in bed with her. Ever since Logan was born, she now plays with two babies.
One of Madison's favorite words to call you is a silly goof. Here she is being a silly goof, herself! She's pretend snoring! Can you tell???

my handsome little man...

a true heart breaker!

watch out ladies!!!

Puggles

Tonight was Madison's 1st night of Puggles, which is the youngest group in Awana. Awana is a program at church that stands for Approved Workman Are Not Ashamed. It is a wonderful program that involves lots of scripture memory. I went through it as a child/youth and that is how I learned so much scripture. I'm so glad that Madison gets to take part in it now.

I think she had a good time. Once we got home she started a singing a song that she learned there. Didn't make much sense to me, but hopefully she will learn more of the words soon. All she said tonight was "by...yes!" ???Who knows???
Madison did a little posing for me today in her rain boots. They are actually too small for her, but the girl LOVES her some rain boots. I bought two more pairs for her at garage sales, but they won't fit her for a year or two. I need to find her another pair.

It was a rainy morning, so she wore her rain boots to the gym.

There's her "cheese" smile. Complete with the squinty eyes!

"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, "'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?" Matthew 21:16

Happy 1st Birthday

One year ago today, the Lord gave me this sweet boy. He knew I needed something sweet to balance out the ball of fire He gave a little earlier. :) Logan definately has his daddy's personality. Calm, cool, and collected, but a little stubborn at times.

Logan says da-da, bye bye, and has said ma-ma only a few times. He eats almost whatever you put in front of him. He's a "big boy!" He is a great walker and loves getting into things. He plays pretty well with his "little" big sister and will be able to take her in no time! Madison loves her baby brother.

I love you baby boy and hope you have a super birthday. I'm so blessed to be YOUR momma!

Celebrating 10 Years...

We had the clinic picnic today at Lake Dardanelle State Park. It. Was. Hot. We enjoyed burgers, hot dogs, and all the fixings complete with homemade ice cream, of course!

We borrowed this water bump n' jump from a friend for the kids to play on...since there are now 6 kiddos. The kids enjoyed it. They mostly played in the pool of water at the bottom. They aren't quite big enough to climb to the top!

But, as always, kids always enjoy the free stuff the most. You know, the non "toys." Like this water spigot here. This is where they spent most of their time. They filled up water ballons that never popped..

They turned the water on full blast and Beckett pushed his lawn mower round and round the water spigot! That boy loves to mow!

Madison took lots of sips...

and got Beckett really good!

Logan enjoyed drinking too!

After lunch, everyone who wanted headed to the lake for some good ole' mouthing time. The kids and I stayed back at the pavillion and played in the water a bit more before heading home. (Things sure change once you have kids.)

The boat full of college-aged kids. I think Gabe might have had more fun than they did!

Happy 10 years to the best boss ever. You care about your employees and your work place and it doesn't go unnoticed.

Playdates & Potty Training

Look at Miss Prissy Pants. You can't see, but she has on BIG GIRL panties for the third day in a row now. I had basically given up on potty training and really hardly ever even asked Madison if she wanted to go pee-pee on the potty, but my mom informed me that she was ready! Soo...I decided to give it one more try.

She wore panties on Monday afternoon until bedtime. We did go to the gym and I decided to just let her keep them on. She went potty once and then had an accident at the gym childcare center...Fit Kids. I think they didn't ask her again if she had to go. But, she had no accidents yesterday and has had none so far today. I do put a diaper on her at naptime and bedtime. She wakes up with a full diaper so clearly she is not quite ready for that step quite just yet. I'm just so super proud of her. I know every mom longs for the day that her child is potty trained. I'm just tired of buying diapers for two! I'm hoping to not put another diaper on her unless she's about to nap. My goal is for her to be potty trained by the time she goes back to MDO on Sept. 6. Seems very doable to me!

Speaking of diapers, I think I am about to make a daring plunge. I have two friends who use cloth diapers. Now, before you get wild ideas in your head you need to know that cloth diapers ARE NOT what they used to be. The are not the old burp rags that you pin on the sides. Oh no. They have come a looong way!

There are lots of brands to choose from, but they pretty much all have the same concept I believe. There is a cute, colorful outer waterproof diaper cover with an insert that goes inside. You can reuse the diaper cover throughout the day. You simply have to take the wet inset out and put a dry insert in. A diaper cover with an insert runs about $17. I'm probably looking at investing in $100-125 worth of cloth diapers/supplies, but that's it folks. You can reuse these with each baby. Here's a pic of the diapers I'm looking at.
FLIP cotton diapers from cottonbabies.com
I have a few questions to ask my friends who use these before I make my purchase, but I'm getting really excited about it. It really seems quite simple! I'll be sure to keep you updated on how these work out for us!

On another note, we have been busy this week! We've had a couple of playdates. Monday, we played at the church playground and enjoyed some beautiful cooler weather. Tuesday, we played at The Oliver's. Megon was crazy enough, I mean, gracious enough to have us along with several other kids over for playtime and some Whattaburger! Bless her for having us over! Gabe's clinic picnic is this Saturday and I have quite a to-do list, so we've got several things to keep ourselves busy with!

Happy Wednesday!

Logan's 1st Birthday Party

Look at this big boy! Isn't he a cutie! Logan wore a razorback smocked shortall with razorback shoes that squeaked when he walked. He was too cute!
By the time I had taken several shots of him, he finally decided to go in for the cake. (Logan's birthday is not actually until the 23rd, but because of other weekend events we had his party a little early.)

Logan's Razorback Cake made by a lady who works with my mom.

I was pleased with how it turned out!

Logan's Smash Cake

This one was my favorite. Way too cute!!! I don't have pictures of him eating his cake on my camera, but we did get it on video. He tore that cake up!

The Kiddie Table

The kiddos didn't sit down for very long, but they were cute while it lasted.

Logan's Aunt Tom & Uncle Joe surprised him with his very own John Deere tractor. Let's just say that ALL of the kids loved it. We had to take turns "sharing" the tractor. Logan enjoyed sitting on his tractor, and was doing tricks on it by the end of the night. Thank you so much Aunt Tom & Uncle Joe. Logan's Uncle Joe has a museum FULL of miniature collectible tractors at his house! It's quite a sight!

Logan really wasn't into opening his presents. He just wanted to walk around. I thought Madison would end up opening them all, but she wasn't interested either. Soo...that left me to open all of his presents!

Madison got her own little gift from Grammy & Papa. She got a cute little Mudpie purse full of LIP GLOSS (her 1st tubes of lip gloss), and a cute shirt for fall.

Logan & Momma

Logan got this cute personalized tub from The Oliver's for all of his new toys! And boy, did he get some GREAT toys. We really had NO boy toys so now we are good to go. He now has some cute trains, cars, and tractors. Not to mention, many new cute fall outfits!

Logan's new trick...

Thanks to everyone who celebrated this special boy with us! We sure do love him and are so thankful for great friends and family too!

Happy Birthday, Gabe!

36 years ago God created the love of my life! Let me just say...He did good! I waited 25 years for someone very special, but never dreamed that God would bless me with a man as wonderful as YOU! You were definitely worth the wait!
You are a godly husband and father...the spiritual leader in our home.
You are calm, cool, and collected. Patient. Understanding. Compassionate. Slow to get angry.

And best of all, you don't like to let the sun go down when there is conflict between us.

You're a good dad. And fun. Logan adores you and Madison is "Daddy's Baby Girl."

You are fun, daring, and adventurous.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Happy Birthday to a GREAT CATCH!!! Hope it's your best one yet!