That's M's new phrase lately. As I lay here in hour two of insomnia, thanks in part to said child, I must admit it's so true. In just a month's time, it seems my boys have grown from a small destruction crew to a band of Big Boy Brothers. For example,
1. They're potty trained. Ok, not 100%, but now when I say it's time to go, they both run to the bathroom and cooperate! The last two days have been remarkably clean - compared to last week. I told a friend yesterday that I have to look at their weekly composite score to see improvement, but it's there! Our next challenges are pooping in the potty and those frustrating auto flush toilets in public. Any tips?
2.they each have their own room. Like some kind of fairy dust, separating them has given all of us peaceful bedtimes once again. It took us a bit to figure it our, but N needed an additional night light. He was turning on his overhead light every night! I was less concerned about the electricity than his body not making serotonin. The boys cooperating for bedtime has reduced my stress level greatly.
3. They like popcorn and movies! We aren't quite ready for a feature film, but we had a whole hour of family snuggle time on the couch Sunday night with Cars 2, popcorn, and a fire in the hearth. I think N ate half a bag by himself! It was one of the simple joys in life I've been waiting for with them - to do something "normal." There is so little normalcy in being parents of twins!
4. They are sitting through and eating meals. Again, I have to consider the composite "score" if you will, but it's getting better. The Fisher Price space saver high chairs were permanently removed and "professionally" cleaned by moi this week. (Oh my heavens, that was a whole day job! I almost wrote a post about the massively disgusting things I cleaned on Friday: two high chairs, poopy underpants, and the area under the dishwasher that was installed 11 or so years ago. Gross doesn't quite describe it.) M has been eating like a horse this week, too, cleaning his plate and asking for seconds and thirds. I fully expect a growth spurt from him very soon.
5.they are communicating better and using voice inflection appropriately. For example. While broiling chicken and tossing salad last night, N walked into the kitchen, shrugged his shoulders and turned us his hands. Asking, "seriously? Where's my lunch?" I burst out laughing before I told him he can't talk to mommy that way and needs to say please! He's also been saying "yumm-MEE" and "wow-WEE" in response to things he likes.
6. They are following directions better. I need to stop lifting them as much as possible, so I've been trying to train them to climb into their cars eats on their own. Sounds simple but it's not because our garage is full of amazing things they'd rather explore, like their summer outdoor toys and everything dirty covered in road salt. However. I noticed that more and more often, if I have a tiny bit more patience (ie, I give myself more time for van loading) they will do it and all I need to do is buckle and kiss. Small miracles.
7. They don't fight getting dressed. M rarely did but B hated it. Now I allow them to choose their shirt from the bottom rack of their closet 6 days a week and all is well. N picks a hoodie every day. No lie! He lives his hood and wears it all day. When he finds his sunglasses and sports them we call him the unibomber! He doesn't get his way on Sundays though. He has to choose between a button down and a sweater-he chose sweater. At least until we get home from church:)
8. They are beginning to understand that we're having a baby! The crib is up in M's room and sometimes he tucks his bear in there. Sunday when he was squishing my belly (a problem, I'm losing lap space quickly) I told to be careful of baby brother, he wanted to see him. So I lifted my shirt, then he kissed my belly and said , "sleep tight baby brother," patting it and pulling my shirt back down. It was the sweetest!
9. In one of the potty training videos we watched there was a song about becoming big kids. I would tell them they're big kids now and every single time, M corrected me and said, "I'm a big BOY!". Now he repeats it incessantly.
I guess it's true that we really can speak things that are not as though they are, because suddenly, in a month's time, We have two very very BIG BOYS!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Dishwasher Repairmen
"Mr. Chuck" was here at lunchtime yesterday diagnosing the dishwasher. (Diagnosis: Dead) The boys were fascinated with his drill, and the "special night light" he used to peer inside the dishwasher's innards. It was cute and sweet, but Mr. Chuck didn't seem the type who'd like his photo taken by a nutty stay at home mom, so I didn't.
He did, however, spark a renewed interest in the Handy Manny tool set kept on the toolbench downstairs, and while I was fixing pancakes for breakfast this morning, the boys werearguing over Squeeze fixing the dishwasher.
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The good news is tomorrow morning should be VERY exciting as Mr. Chuck will have two handy helpers to install the new dishwasher! Hooray!
He did, however, spark a renewed interest in the Handy Manny tool set kept on the toolbench downstairs, and while I was fixing pancakes for breakfast this morning, the boys were
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Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Potty Training on Mount Carmel
In 1 Kings 18:16-39, we find the story of Elijah defeating Baal on Mount Carmel. It's a pretty long and amazing story of the power of God, ending in verses 38-39, "Then the fire of the Lord fell and burned up the sacrifice, the wood, the stones and the soil, and also licked up the water in the trench. When all the people saw this, they fell prostrate and cried, 'The Lord-he is God! The Lord-he is God!'"
That was last night, after I gave the boys a bath. I was dressing N in his pj's and nighttime diaper and M was running around like a naked shivering little cowboy when he cried, "I need to poo-poo in the potty!" something I'd heard a dozen times already that day. (Not a surprise, though, since I'd been feeding them bowel movement inducing foods due to no BM's in days)
"Okay, go ahead, I'll be right there to check on you," N was almost dressed and I was heaving my giant pregnant self up off the floor when he came running back,
"I did it!" he cried. Mmm, hmmm, I'll see it when I believe it, I thought.
Lo and behold! A miracle! There it was, big and brown as it could be, right in the bottom of the little white potty! Praise the Lord! The Lord-he is God!
"Good job! Way to go!" The three of us danced, sang, clapped, dumped, flushed, and Clorox wiped when he asked, "I go poo-poo in the potty again?" Thinking this was his clever way of getting not two M&M's but four, but not wanting to crush his victory, I told him he could try. I stepped out to retrieve his pj's and nighttime diaper and when I returned,
ANOTHER MIRACLE! The Lord- he is god! It was as big as the first!
"Wow, that's amazing! Way to go! Good job!" The three of us celebrated again, danced, sang, clapped, dumped flushed and wiped the potty again, when I heard, "I go poo-poo in the potty again?" What was I supposed to say? He hadn't pooped in three days - maybe there really was more?
Of course, two huge poos had cleaned him out, but it took another 10 minutes of trying to convince him it was over, then we washed hands and I delivered the 2 M&M's he'd earned. We called the grandmas to celebrate, I texted Hubs in JFK and they went to bed quite late due to excessive celebration.
I felt like a million bucks. N and Hubs were recovered from their weekend illnesses and now M was pooping in the potty.
Then today. Read 1 Kings 19: 3, immediately after Elijah defeats Baal, he is threatened by Jezebel. "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there," (but if I had a servant here today I might not quite feel this bad) "while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it, and prayed that he might die."
Okay, I think Elijah is a tad dramatic because I'm not praying for death, but seriously?
The two of them have had so many accidents this morning I've lost count. It's only 1:30 in the afternoon. We've reverted to diapers again, I've emptied the Diaper Champs, and I'm back to potty training day 3.
I kind of want to run away. Not die, but a vacation on a nice warm beach under a palm -or broom - tree would be okay, too.
But I can't. And I won't. I'll just buck up and put the underpants back on. Hopefully that will do the trick and we'll be back on track.
That was last night, after I gave the boys a bath. I was dressing N in his pj's and nighttime diaper and M was running around like a naked shivering little cowboy when he cried, "I need to poo-poo in the potty!" something I'd heard a dozen times already that day. (Not a surprise, though, since I'd been feeding them bowel movement inducing foods due to no BM's in days)
"Okay, go ahead, I'll be right there to check on you," N was almost dressed and I was heaving my giant pregnant self up off the floor when he came running back,
"I did it!" he cried. Mmm, hmmm, I'll see it when I believe it, I thought.
Lo and behold! A miracle! There it was, big and brown as it could be, right in the bottom of the little white potty! Praise the Lord! The Lord-he is God!
"Good job! Way to go!" The three of us danced, sang, clapped, dumped, flushed, and Clorox wiped when he asked, "I go poo-poo in the potty again?" Thinking this was his clever way of getting not two M&M's but four, but not wanting to crush his victory, I told him he could try. I stepped out to retrieve his pj's and nighttime diaper and when I returned,
ANOTHER MIRACLE! The Lord- he is god! It was as big as the first!
"Wow, that's amazing! Way to go! Good job!" The three of us celebrated again, danced, sang, clapped, dumped flushed and wiped the potty again, when I heard, "I go poo-poo in the potty again?" What was I supposed to say? He hadn't pooped in three days - maybe there really was more?
Of course, two huge poos had cleaned him out, but it took another 10 minutes of trying to convince him it was over, then we washed hands and I delivered the 2 M&M's he'd earned. We called the grandmas to celebrate, I texted Hubs in JFK and they went to bed quite late due to excessive celebration.
I felt like a million bucks. N and Hubs were recovered from their weekend illnesses and now M was pooping in the potty.
Then today. Read 1 Kings 19: 3, immediately after Elijah defeats Baal, he is threatened by Jezebel. "Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there," (but if I had a servant here today I might not quite feel this bad) "while he himself went a day's journey into the desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it, and prayed that he might die."
Okay, I think Elijah is a tad dramatic because I'm not praying for death, but seriously?
The two of them have had so many accidents this morning I've lost count. It's only 1:30 in the afternoon. We've reverted to diapers again, I've emptied the Diaper Champs, and I'm back to potty training day 3.
I kind of want to run away. Not die, but a vacation on a nice warm beach under a palm -or broom - tree would be okay, too.
But I can't. And I won't. I'll just buck up and put the underpants back on. Hopefully that will do the trick and we'll be back on track.
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| Back to square one |
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Play...Date!
It took us 5 seconds to agree to the free babysitting, and I packed the boys PBJ's in their tiger lunchboxes for the long trip across the street. It was so adorable to see them all bundled up with their cute little backpacks on, I just had to take a picture! They are only two, but look like little gradeschoolers on their way to school!
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| Mom, seriously? Do you really need a picture NOW? |
The boys had so much fun at Mr. L and Ms. T's that it took everything within us to get them dressed and come home. Our neighbors love the boys so much - it's such a blessing to have them in our lives. They are the same ones who bailed us out the very next day when Hubs was near death. (Okay, not really, but sort of.) God bless them!
Monday, January 23, 2012
My life is weird, but good.
Potty training has stalled. All I can tell you is M is great at keeping dry, but doesn't get number two in the potty. N had 4 accidents Saturday and I was brainstorming a blog post called "progress, Regress," but then life got crazy. Hubs has been under the weather most of the weekend, so a sweet neighbor came to watch the boys last night so I could take a friend to an awesome women's ministry event at our church. Then if was freezing-raining, but we went anyway.
Everything was great while we were there and I was quite enjoying myself, knowing it was my last night "off" since Hubs was supposed to be going to JFK all week. Little did I know. In an hour's time:
My van battery died.
Friend's mom came to church to jump it.
It didn't jump.
Key stuck in ignition.
Hubs texting asking where medicine is because he's worse.
Another friend found church maintenance guy "Bill" who helped jump with his truck.
Hooray! Van starts!
Hubs textx again because he's even worse.
Roads are bad going home.
Poor neighbor stayed till 10:00 because he heard how bad Hubs was feeling. (need I go onto the details? Let's just say he was SICK.)
Find hubs white as a ghost and covered in hives.
NYC trip cancelled.
Wake up nurse M for consultation.
Everyone sleeps through the night.
I showered at 7am , lest I find myself taking Hubs to a clinic with 3 day old greasy hair.
N is whiny clingy and doesn't finish breakfast.
Taking care of Hubs and surreptitiously running to Target for meds while boys watch PBS, I come home to find N fevering.
Consult nurse M again.
Give N albuterol treatment, tuck all 3 in and go back to Target for more meds.
Did I mention our neighbors snowblowed our driveway so I'm trying to bake thank you cookies and make cute cards with the boys? No? We did that, too.
Toss more laundry in because sick people make more of it.
Sit down to eat a yogurt and check my email and blog this to you.
That's why potty training is at a standstill.
And, why my life is weird, but good.
Everything was great while we were there and I was quite enjoying myself, knowing it was my last night "off" since Hubs was supposed to be going to JFK all week. Little did I know. In an hour's time:
My van battery died.
Friend's mom came to church to jump it.
It didn't jump.
Key stuck in ignition.
Hubs texting asking where medicine is because he's worse.
Another friend found church maintenance guy "Bill" who helped jump with his truck.
Hooray! Van starts!
Hubs textx again because he's even worse.
Roads are bad going home.
Poor neighbor stayed till 10:00 because he heard how bad Hubs was feeling. (need I go onto the details? Let's just say he was SICK.)
Find hubs white as a ghost and covered in hives.
NYC trip cancelled.
Wake up nurse M for consultation.
Everyone sleeps through the night.
I showered at 7am , lest I find myself taking Hubs to a clinic with 3 day old greasy hair.
N is whiny clingy and doesn't finish breakfast.
Taking care of Hubs and surreptitiously running to Target for meds while boys watch PBS, I come home to find N fevering.
Consult nurse M again.
Give N albuterol treatment, tuck all 3 in and go back to Target for more meds.
Did I mention our neighbors snowblowed our driveway so I'm trying to bake thank you cookies and make cute cards with the boys? No? We did that, too.
Toss more laundry in because sick people make more of it.
Sit down to eat a yogurt and check my email and blog this to you.
That's why potty training is at a standstill.
And, why my life is weird, but good.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Special Kind of Crazy
When it happened 3 years ago I thought I was losing my mind. People warn you of kankles and fat, swelling and discomfort. But they don't read you the fine print: side effect may include INSOMNIA!
It's not like I don't have sleep problems to begin with, but in normal life, once I fall asleep, I don't wake until the alarm, and then, barely. Nowadays my alarm isn't set of twin toddlers, born to make me crazy all day.
Now I have a pre-born infant making me crazy at night. For the second time this week, I am awake at the wrong time. It went like this:
I was dreaming (they don't tell you about vivid weird dreams either) about M and N playing with a 17 foot python at my sister P's house. Apparently it was friendly, but wouldn't you know, they broke it into 4 large pieces. Of course I yelled at them for hurting their uncle's snake, and they put the carcass pieces onto the coffee table and crawled into a large chair together, pouting. As my sister and I were discussing what to do with the mess and how to tell her husband, I woke up (for real woke up)
To the sound of M crying in his room. I sat up listening to determine whether to go in there, but he stopped a few seconds later and fell asleep.
Begin insomnia. I tossed and turned trying not to wake Hubs for a half hour. I feel totally caffeinated, like I just had a Big Gulp of Diet Coke. All I can think about is turning Chicken in a Pot into Best Chicken salad for lunch, so rather than "waste" time tossing or wake Gibs eating crackers like I did 3 nights ago, I move stealthily (haha, right?) to the kitchen.
Quickly abondoning the chicken salad idea (too noisy, must chop things) I see 3 spoiling nana nas, perfect for bread. Mmmmm, I love banana bread and I even have walnuts in the cupboard...no, even noisier, must use Kitchenaid. Hi, Kithenaid, how are you? Haven't mixed anything lately, huh? Don't worry well make something tomorrow. (sigh)
Finger jello! The boys were mysteriously well behaved last night and each had just one no 2 accident yesterday so I decide to boil water and fix it for them. They can have it after they eat chicken salad for lunch.
Anyone want to guess what size my post pregnancy body will be this summer? The Lands End Overstock catalog arrived yesterday, which I browsed as I whisked with my quiet rubber whisk. There are some great sales and I love the LE suit from 2 summers ago.
"were you in the kitchen?" mumbles Hubs as I slip not so stealthily into bed.
"shh, yes, just insomnia, go back to sleep," I whispered. Fortunately, he did, and he's probably dreaming about cherry finger jello, which the house now smells of.
Seriously it's a special kind of crazy.
PS Happy 32nd Birthday, P! Love you sis! Quite obviously, I was thinking of you on your special day today. And I PRAY J does NOT get you a python. Pretty sure that came from our zoo visit Mon, not because I'm telepathic :)
It's not like I don't have sleep problems to begin with, but in normal life, once I fall asleep, I don't wake until the alarm, and then, barely. Nowadays my alarm isn't set of twin toddlers, born to make me crazy all day.
Now I have a pre-born infant making me crazy at night. For the second time this week, I am awake at the wrong time. It went like this:
I was dreaming (they don't tell you about vivid weird dreams either) about M and N playing with a 17 foot python at my sister P's house. Apparently it was friendly, but wouldn't you know, they broke it into 4 large pieces. Of course I yelled at them for hurting their uncle's snake, and they put the carcass pieces onto the coffee table and crawled into a large chair together, pouting. As my sister and I were discussing what to do with the mess and how to tell her husband, I woke up (for real woke up)
To the sound of M crying in his room. I sat up listening to determine whether to go in there, but he stopped a few seconds later and fell asleep.
Begin insomnia. I tossed and turned trying not to wake Hubs for a half hour. I feel totally caffeinated, like I just had a Big Gulp of Diet Coke. All I can think about is turning Chicken in a Pot into Best Chicken salad for lunch, so rather than "waste" time tossing or wake Gibs eating crackers like I did 3 nights ago, I move stealthily (haha, right?) to the kitchen.
Quickly abondoning the chicken salad idea (too noisy, must chop things) I see 3 spoiling nana nas, perfect for bread. Mmmmm, I love banana bread and I even have walnuts in the cupboard...no, even noisier, must use Kitchenaid. Hi, Kithenaid, how are you? Haven't mixed anything lately, huh? Don't worry well make something tomorrow. (sigh)
Finger jello! The boys were mysteriously well behaved last night and each had just one no 2 accident yesterday so I decide to boil water and fix it for them. They can have it after they eat chicken salad for lunch.
Anyone want to guess what size my post pregnancy body will be this summer? The Lands End Overstock catalog arrived yesterday, which I browsed as I whisked with my quiet rubber whisk. There are some great sales and I love the LE suit from 2 summers ago.
"were you in the kitchen?" mumbles Hubs as I slip not so stealthily into bed.
"shh, yes, just insomnia, go back to sleep," I whispered. Fortunately, he did, and he's probably dreaming about cherry finger jello, which the house now smells of.
Seriously it's a special kind of crazy.
PS Happy 32nd Birthday, P! Love you sis! Quite obviously, I was thinking of you on your special day today. And I PRAY J does NOT get you a python. Pretty sure that came from our zoo visit Mon, not because I'm telepathic :)
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Day 8: Hold Steady
Whew, I'm exhausted. Potty training is not for wimps. I had an OB appointment this morning and Dr. C asked how I've been feeling. "we're potty training the boys this week," I answered.
As a father of 5, the youngest a set of twins, he just smiled and said, "Good luck,"
He did say his girls "got it" faster but the boys were slower, a theme that nearly every parent ahead of me repeats.
So I'm just grateful that M is doing so well and that we are seeing more cooperation with N, who has not had an accident today! We 're just holding steady today. No major problems, 1 accident, no major breakthroughs. I'll take it.
Here's a funny, non-potty training story. I had a "Julie and Julia" moment last night. If you've seen the movie or read the book, you know Julie gets upset because she has to bone a duck. When she finally does, she's dressing the duck in the living room, talking to Julia as she watches the same procedure and follows along. Because Cub did not have the whole cut up chicken I needed for a recipe, but had the whole chicken on sale for .99/lb., I decided I'd do it myself. I've roasted whole chickens before, but not cut them raw. How hard could it be?
Oh, gross. It was full of gizzards and guts! I had to look up "how to cut up a raw chicken" in my Better Homes and Gardens "Bible" cookbook, and read it aloud, following the photo guide! The crunching sound of the knife through cold chicken tendons made me gag! However, when I finished, it looked just like the "whole cut up" chicken I usually buy for twice the price! Now, I'm pretty proud and looking forward to our Chicken in a Pot" dinner simmering away in the crock pot right now. Yeah, I'm totally a butcher.
By the way, Baby 3 is healthy, strong, and doing well. My weight and blood pressure check out well, and I go back in 3 weeks for the blood glucose test. I don't feel diabetic right now, so hopefully I can avoid it this time!
As a father of 5, the youngest a set of twins, he just smiled and said, "Good luck,"
He did say his girls "got it" faster but the boys were slower, a theme that nearly every parent ahead of me repeats.
So I'm just grateful that M is doing so well and that we are seeing more cooperation with N, who has not had an accident today! We 're just holding steady today. No major problems, 1 accident, no major breakthroughs. I'll take it.
Here's a funny, non-potty training story. I had a "Julie and Julia" moment last night. If you've seen the movie or read the book, you know Julie gets upset because she has to bone a duck. When she finally does, she's dressing the duck in the living room, talking to Julia as she watches the same procedure and follows along. Because Cub did not have the whole cut up chicken I needed for a recipe, but had the whole chicken on sale for .99/lb., I decided I'd do it myself. I've roasted whole chickens before, but not cut them raw. How hard could it be?
Oh, gross. It was full of gizzards and guts! I had to look up "how to cut up a raw chicken" in my Better Homes and Gardens "Bible" cookbook, and read it aloud, following the photo guide! The crunching sound of the knife through cold chicken tendons made me gag! However, when I finished, it looked just like the "whole cut up" chicken I usually buy for twice the price! Now, I'm pretty proud and looking forward to our Chicken in a Pot" dinner simmering away in the crock pot right now. Yeah, I'm totally a butcher.
By the way, Baby 3 is healthy, strong, and doing well. My weight and blood pressure check out well, and I go back in 3 weeks for the blood glucose test. I don't feel diabetic right now, so hopefully I can avoid it this time!
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Day 7: Roller Coaster
It's only 1:30 and I'm already describing today as a roller coaster.
Low: cancelled today's playdate because we need more training time.
High: M has stayed dry all morning!
Low: N threw his worst temper tantrum EVER about sitting on the potty this morning, resulting in a diaper day for him.
High: M felt the poo coming and made it to the potty in time!
High:N sat with his brother in poop solidarity waiting for it, resulting in a pee pee hit!
Low: N pooped at naptime again.Update: Twice. Second day in a row of a double-poop no-nap day.
High: I've managed to get a tiny bit of housework done. Tiny. But I'm sitting here updating you because I desperately need to put my feet up for a few minutes.
I'm pretty sure potty training twins is some kind of cruel and unusual punishment. I've been brainstorming all morning, trying to figure out what I've done to deserve this.
1. I treated someone terribly. I did my fair share of dumping jerks and nice guys decades ago, but I'm pretty sure I was punished by also being dumped a few times, too, so I don 't think that's it. For the record, Hubs and I never broke up - so don't think I treated him badly! The worst I've done so far is make him help potty train (I hope!)
2. I was a horrible person in a previous life. I don't believe in reincarnation, but for the first time, it kind of makes sense- at least when it comes to explaining this cruel and unusual punishment.
3. I gave my own mother this kind of trouble when she was potty training me. She's been telling me for 2 1/2 years that N is my little clone and Hubs tells me all the time that N got his hard headedness (and fantastic good looks) from me. According to my calculations, mom was either hugely pregnant with my sister or dealing with a newborn around my age 2 1/2, as well as a pretty rotten marriage situation at the time (now she's married to Prince Charming and I've been potty trained for around 32 years, so her story has a happy ending). If I were trying to potty train N during all of that, I, too, would have prayed that God would "bless" that child with one just like her so she knows what she did to me.
Ah, yes, that's it. Today that prayer is finally being answered. That's what I did. I gave my mom a special kind of heck during my own potty training. That's how I earned this.
Hopefully all I'll remember in 30 years is how cute his tiny buns were. And that his own child does this to him.
Update: M kept his pull up dry ALL DAY! N earned his pull up back after nap and kept it dry the rest of the day and fell asleep immediately, resulting in me being able to finish some housework (expecting guests tomorrow). That's why the pull ups, even though I'd rather not. But I was able to catch up on non-underpants laundry today - yay!
Low: cancelled today's playdate because we need more training time.
High: M has stayed dry all morning!
Low: N threw his worst temper tantrum EVER about sitting on the potty this morning, resulting in a diaper day for him.
High: M felt the poo coming and made it to the potty in time!
High:N sat with his brother in poop solidarity waiting for it, resulting in a pee pee hit!
Low: N pooped at naptime again.Update: Twice. Second day in a row of a double-poop no-nap day.
High: I've managed to get a tiny bit of housework done. Tiny. But I'm sitting here updating you because I desperately need to put my feet up for a few minutes.
I'm pretty sure potty training twins is some kind of cruel and unusual punishment. I've been brainstorming all morning, trying to figure out what I've done to deserve this.
1. I treated someone terribly. I did my fair share of dumping jerks and nice guys decades ago, but I'm pretty sure I was punished by also being dumped a few times, too, so I don 't think that's it. For the record, Hubs and I never broke up - so don't think I treated him badly! The worst I've done so far is make him help potty train (I hope!)
2. I was a horrible person in a previous life. I don't believe in reincarnation, but for the first time, it kind of makes sense- at least when it comes to explaining this cruel and unusual punishment.
3. I gave my own mother this kind of trouble when she was potty training me. She's been telling me for 2 1/2 years that N is my little clone and Hubs tells me all the time that N got his hard headedness (and fantastic good looks) from me. According to my calculations, mom was either hugely pregnant with my sister or dealing with a newborn around my age 2 1/2, as well as a pretty rotten marriage situation at the time (now she's married to Prince Charming and I've been potty trained for around 32 years, so her story has a happy ending). If I were trying to potty train N during all of that, I, too, would have prayed that God would "bless" that child with one just like her so she knows what she did to me.
Ah, yes, that's it. Today that prayer is finally being answered. That's what I did. I gave my mom a special kind of heck during my own potty training. That's how I earned this.
Hopefully all I'll remember in 30 years is how cute his tiny buns were. And that his own child does this to him.
Update: M kept his pull up dry ALL DAY! N earned his pull up back after nap and kept it dry the rest of the day and fell asleep immediately, resulting in me being able to finish some housework (expecting guests tomorrow). That's why the pull ups, even though I'd rather not. But I was able to catch up on non-underpants laundry today - yay!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Day 6: Setbacks
Pooping in the potty is proving to be a real challenge. I'm seeing a pattern: the boys keep their underpants or pull ups dry all morning, (hooray!) then durin nap, N poops in his pull up. No big surprise there-he's been driving me crazy with this poop -at-naptime philosophy for over a year. So I kind of expected it and can deal easier with the mess.
M, our "model student," wants to get it right so badly. He understands that he's not supposed to go in his pull up, but apparently can't feel it until it's already on its way, so he has half an accident in the underpants and finishes the job in the bathroom. I know he's on a pretty steep learning curve, but I lost count how many number 2 accidents he had today. That's because Hubby got a few of them while I was attempting to fix dinner.
On a positive note, dinner was a surprise success. I breaded and pan fried tilapia and called them "fish nuggets," served with carrot sticks and ranch dressing. They both ate every bite an M asked for more. Wow, praise God! Guess I'll be making that again. It's hard to find an adult meal we and the kids both like.
Also, both boys went pee pee at the church this morning and kept their pull ups dry for the 30 min rides there and back, so we are still making progress. It's hard to remember that when I've got a pile of dirty stinky bottoms to start washing now.
Just tell me it gets better and I'm doing the right thing, even if it's the hard way. (won't be the first thing I've done the hard way.)
M, our "model student," wants to get it right so badly. He understands that he's not supposed to go in his pull up, but apparently can't feel it until it's already on its way, so he has half an accident in the underpants and finishes the job in the bathroom. I know he's on a pretty steep learning curve, but I lost count how many number 2 accidents he had today. That's because Hubby got a few of them while I was attempting to fix dinner.
On a positive note, dinner was a surprise success. I breaded and pan fried tilapia and called them "fish nuggets," served with carrot sticks and ranch dressing. They both ate every bite an M asked for more. Wow, praise God! Guess I'll be making that again. It's hard to find an adult meal we and the kids both like.
Also, both boys went pee pee at the church this morning and kept their pull ups dry for the 30 min rides there and back, so we are still making progress. It's hard to remember that when I've got a pile of dirty stinky bottoms to start washing now.
Just tell me it gets better and I'm doing the right thing, even if it's the hard way. (won't be the first thing I've done the hard way.)
Monday, January 16, 2012
Day Five: Celebrate!
We seem to have made it past the hardest part, so we made today a celebration day! Daddy has MLK day off, so we applied Pull Ups after a successful morning of pee-pee-ing in the potty, and headed out to the MN Zoo for a day of family fun. Besides going to church yesterday and for a short walk down the block, it was the first real outing we were taking with our potty trained boys!
And I did NOT take the diaper bag. Nope, just one oversized purse with 2 diapers, 5 wipes, 2 juice boxes, 2 granola bars, and hand sanitizer. I'm livin' on the edge here, people!
The boys were in heaven and so were we! I haven't been out of the house much in the last week, so to re-emerge (victorious?) in a very public place - more public than church, at least, was simply exhilarating.
N was refusing his photo this morning, so in an attempt to get one, I allowed him to hold the camera for a moment. The above shot resulted. I almost deleted it and then I thought, gee, I should show the world what I look like with make up from my kid's point of view. Not my best angle, but kind of cute because N took it and it's in focus, better than most of mine! (It's the Sony Handycam, if you're wondering. They're not allowed to touch the Nikon.)
I was SO EXCITED that M went pee pee in the little tiny potty at the kid's play area in the zoo I asked Hubs to take a pic. For the first time in my life, I understand why Kate Gosselin took pictures of her kids' first poos in the potty - I used to think it was disgusting, but now I understand it's a monumental accomplishment (we're still working on that one - prunes will be our snack this afternoon).
He still wasn't digging my photography here, but was so happy collecting "pollen" (yellow bath poufs) in the "beehive" I couldn't help myself.
We visited the dolphins, the penguins, the Tropics Trail, made a penguin picture, and visited the potty again (of course) before heading to McDonald's for our celebratory lunch.
McDonald's still holds its magic. When we were kids, we thought it was awesome, too. Back then they had Ronald and Grimace walking around and dangerous teeter totters and merry go rounds outside, so things have changed a bit. They could barely eat their favorite food, so excited they (okay, N was) to get on the "playground." M chose to spend most of it on my lap finishing his cold nuggets and fries, but N was climbing, screaming, and sliding with the best of them. He was the smallest on the play set, but was having the most fun!
Just when I thought it couldn't get any more perfect, Daddy took each boy to the men's room, one at a time, and they BOTH went pee pee on the big big potty!
Seriously wonderful.
And I did NOT take the diaper bag. Nope, just one oversized purse with 2 diapers, 5 wipes, 2 juice boxes, 2 granola bars, and hand sanitizer. I'm livin' on the edge here, people!
The boys were in heaven and so were we! I haven't been out of the house much in the last week, so to re-emerge (victorious?) in a very public place - more public than church, at least, was simply exhilarating.
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| N's photo of me at the dolphin show |
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| M's first public pee! |
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| N busy as a bee in the honeycomb |
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| M and Daddy reading a bumblebee story in the "hive" |
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| M is very very proud of his penguin picture. He hasn't let go of it all day! |
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| Absolute JOY! |
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| What it looks like to eat out with us! |
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| N is simply in heaven! |
Just when I thought it couldn't get any more perfect, Daddy took each boy to the men's room, one at a time, and they BOTH went pee pee on the big big potty!
Seriously wonderful.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Day 4: Progress Report
If we were only training M, I would have no idea why potty training is a big deal. However, I do not have a big head with his quick success because I have twins.
M has taken to potty training like a fish to water. He's also highly motivated by M&M's and the faucet. Bingo! He feels it coming and runs to the potty, he cooperates when I tell him it's time to try-he loves his big boy underpants and says repeatedly, "I'm a big boy!". He's a model student. On days 2 and 3, he only had one accident, when he had a number 2, and today he kept his Mr. Incredible underpants dry all day! He's making our job easy.
N. He's got an iron will and a loose cannon. Yesterday he had me in tears and ready to throw in the towel. After the poop debacle he and M delivered- a triple punch - and his refusal to even try, resulting in multiple accidents, as well as getting sprayed myself sitting on the floor in front of him on the toilet ring...it was just too much. Only after they were asleep and I was eating Culver's chocolate custard could I begin to feel better about undertaking the monumental task of potty training.
Today was day 4, though, and I knew we were past the point of no return. N and I had it out in the bathroom this morning, but rather than giving in, I stood my ground and made him "try." wouldn't you know? He went! Tries 2, 3, and 4 were also met with initial resistance, but quicker secession and rewards, until by the end of the day, he was finally trying with just a reminder. Yes, there were still accidents, but just two, and the big news is he stopped when he realized he was going! Here's where I have to say we do underpants during the day in the house. Yes, it's messy, but I know my kid and that a wet diaper doesn't bother him. A wet pull up doesn't bother him, either. But wet underpants DO! I'd rather clean up accidents for a few days than buy pull ups for 6 more months. I'll use them for outings for a bit.
P.S. I don't recommend this method unless you're married to a Mr. Incredible like I am. Without Hubs, I would have quit midway through Day 2.
M has taken to potty training like a fish to water. He's also highly motivated by M&M's and the faucet. Bingo! He feels it coming and runs to the potty, he cooperates when I tell him it's time to try-he loves his big boy underpants and says repeatedly, "I'm a big boy!". He's a model student. On days 2 and 3, he only had one accident, when he had a number 2, and today he kept his Mr. Incredible underpants dry all day! He's making our job easy.
N. He's got an iron will and a loose cannon. Yesterday he had me in tears and ready to throw in the towel. After the poop debacle he and M delivered- a triple punch - and his refusal to even try, resulting in multiple accidents, as well as getting sprayed myself sitting on the floor in front of him on the toilet ring...it was just too much. Only after they were asleep and I was eating Culver's chocolate custard could I begin to feel better about undertaking the monumental task of potty training.
Today was day 4, though, and I knew we were past the point of no return. N and I had it out in the bathroom this morning, but rather than giving in, I stood my ground and made him "try." wouldn't you know? He went! Tries 2, 3, and 4 were also met with initial resistance, but quicker secession and rewards, until by the end of the day, he was finally trying with just a reminder. Yes, there were still accidents, but just two, and the big news is he stopped when he realized he was going! Here's where I have to say we do underpants during the day in the house. Yes, it's messy, but I know my kid and that a wet diaper doesn't bother him. A wet pull up doesn't bother him, either. But wet underpants DO! I'd rather clean up accidents for a few days than buy pull ups for 6 more months. I'll use them for outings for a bit.
P.S. I don't recommend this method unless you're married to a Mr. Incredible like I am. Without Hubs, I would have quit midway through Day 2.
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Day Three: The Poop Hits the Fan
As for "emerging victorious Sunday morning," we haven't quite given up. We're just redefining "victorious." Parents have won many battles, but the war is far from over. Kids pulled ahead around 1:00pm this afternoon with a 1-2-3 poop bomb, rendering Parents speechless and exhausted but still standing (barely).
Since I can't drink, I've been self-medicating with a pan of brownies and leftover Christmas candy.
Since I can't drink, I've been self-medicating with a pan of brownies and leftover Christmas candy.
Friday, January 13, 2012
Day Two: Holy Crap!
Potty training twins is not for the faint of heart. I'm not sure who it is for, though - maybe Super Nanny? This is insane. It reminds me of learning how to tandem nurse twins: nobody can prepare you for it, only a professional or another twin mom can even begin to teach you, and it's painful like all the bad words I cannot publish, making you think - there must be another way! Is this really worth it?
Yesterday exceeded my expectations. Here are a couple of cute pics from then:
In the above photo, you can see the back side of the book, "Everybody Poops," a gift from Aunt P. My nephew S was reading it to the boys at Christmas, screeching, "This is inappropriate! Who wrote this for kids!?" much to our delight!
By the way, I have an enormous master bath, in case you're wondering about my brilliant idea to lock ourselves in there (more coming on that). Embarrassingly huge, actually. That's why I did it - room enough for all of us, two potty chairs, a basket of toys, a DVD player, and best of all, a heated tile floor, making it a very toasty space! So the boys and I, and for quite a bit of it, my wonderful Hubs, were in there all morning, drinking, peeing, and basically "getting" it! Much dancing, singing and M&M consuming happened after each score and I was feeling pretty stinking awesome, albiet, exhausted.
Pull Ups for naps, and back to the lock in, but it was clear at 4:00 that it wasn't working anymore. Hubs took them and the potties to the playroom so I could fix dinner, which was interrupted by not one but BOTH of them filling their undies with a big load of poo. I should have seen it coming. We cleaned them up, ate dinner, and the rest of the evening was uneventful. (By the way, they're wearing overnight diapers until they start waking up dry - I'm not even going to begin tackling that!)
However, we did make it through the entire day in underpants with only Pull Ups at nap, so I was very, very happy.
Today - totally different story. We started out the same way, this time with Elmo, who, I've been told, is the master when it comes to potty videos. They are less impressed than they should be.
However, after just an hour locked into my brilliant potty training bathroom, it was very evident we weren't going to make it. I was about to throw them both out the window! So we moved back downstairs to the playroom like last night. But here's what's different: we introduced the toilet ring.
The problem with normal bathrooms is there is just ONE toilet that can be fitted with a toilet ring. Never mind we have multiple bathrooms - we are always all together for this. So, we've had more accidents today because they both are in love with the toilet ring (hooray, right?) but cannot "hold" it while his brother is on the ring!
Today I'm feeling less like the Super Toilet Training Mom that I thought I was yesterday. But they are still "getting" it most of the time AND they like the toilet ring, SO I think I'm still on the right track.
Correction: WE are on the right track. I couldn't do this without my supportive husband and I'm not just saying that to be nice. He ran errands yesterday so we could have Elmo and smoothies for more training today, he's right there showing them how to hold their pee-pee's down, and pretending it's totally normal to be wiping up pee and answering a business call at the same time. Seriously - BEST. HUSBAND. EVER.
Yesterday exceeded my expectations. Here are a couple of cute pics from then:
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| N drinking juice, waiting patiently for the pee pee |
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| N and M, watching a potty video, waiting for the big moment |
Pull Ups for naps, and back to the lock in, but it was clear at 4:00 that it wasn't working anymore. Hubs took them and the potties to the playroom so I could fix dinner, which was interrupted by not one but BOTH of them filling their undies with a big load of poo. I should have seen it coming. We cleaned them up, ate dinner, and the rest of the evening was uneventful. (By the way, they're wearing overnight diapers until they start waking up dry - I'm not even going to begin tackling that!)
However, we did make it through the entire day in underpants with only Pull Ups at nap, so I was very, very happy.
Today - totally different story. We started out the same way, this time with Elmo, who, I've been told, is the master when it comes to potty videos. They are less impressed than they should be.
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| Begin Day Two: Cheese! |
The problem with normal bathrooms is there is just ONE toilet that can be fitted with a toilet ring. Never mind we have multiple bathrooms - we are always all together for this. So, we've had more accidents today because they both are in love with the toilet ring (hooray, right?) but cannot "hold" it while his brother is on the ring!
Today I'm feeling less like the Super Toilet Training Mom that I thought I was yesterday. But they are still "getting" it most of the time AND they like the toilet ring, SO I think I'm still on the right track.
Correction: WE are on the right track. I couldn't do this without my supportive husband and I'm not just saying that to be nice. He ran errands yesterday so we could have Elmo and smoothies for more training today, he's right there showing them how to hold their pee-pee's down, and pretending it's totally normal to be wiping up pee and answering a business call at the same time. Seriously - BEST. HUSBAND. EVER.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Round One: Mannekin Pis!
There is a statue in Frankfurt Germany of Mannekin Pis, the little boy who saved the town from a ravaging fire by peeing on it. I know because I've seen it with my own eyes.
And re-lived it this morning. N stood up next to his brother, who was innocently sitting on his potty chair playing a game on Daddy's iPhone, when WHIZZZ! He sprayed all over his brother!!
M was surprised, so was N, but no crying ensued, likely because M was so absorbed in the game! Daddy cleaned u M while I got N back on the chair to finish the job.
We count round one as a success: 5 hits for N, 4for M. Both passed out for naps and now I am, too. I've got to go disinfect my bathroom and switch out some toys so we can spend the afternoon there. Daddy's on his way to get potty time Elmo and some more smoothie ingredients. We are already exhausted, but getting a lot of participation and smiles from the boys. I think the Operation Potty Training Lock In is going well so far!
And re-lived it this morning. N stood up next to his brother, who was innocently sitting on his potty chair playing a game on Daddy's iPhone, when WHIZZZ! He sprayed all over his brother!!
M was surprised, so was N, but no crying ensued, likely because M was so absorbed in the game! Daddy cleaned u M while I got N back on the chair to finish the job.
We count round one as a success: 5 hits for N, 4for M. Both passed out for naps and now I am, too. I've got to go disinfect my bathroom and switch out some toys so we can spend the afternoon there. Daddy's on his way to get potty time Elmo and some more smoothie ingredients. We are already exhausted, but getting a lot of participation and smiles from the boys. I think the Operation Potty Training Lock In is going well so far!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Operation Potty Training
Begins at 8am tomorrow. I'm not taking it lightly, people. I'm locking us in my bathroom with 2 potty chairs, a box of books and coloring, a DVD player with brainwashing DVD's (maybe Elmo if I can get hubs to swing by the library - just got the email that it's in!), juice boxes, disinfecting wipes, potty stories, and a pair if rubber boots! Oh, yeah, and a boatload of M&M's in a gumball dispenser. We will emerge victorious on Sunday morning.
M is ready and so am I, so I'm not going to miss this window of opportunity. N is somewhat interested and went poo yesterday after watching a "go potty go!" movie. So, I think it's time. Not to mention my little bundle of joy (the next Karate Kid) is going to he using their diaper allowance in 3.5 months.
Pray for us, that we will survive the next 3 days! I'll update you on our progress. In the meantime, let the river flow!
M is ready and so am I, so I'm not going to miss this window of opportunity. N is somewhat interested and went poo yesterday after watching a "go potty go!" movie. So, I think it's time. Not to mention my little bundle of joy (the next Karate Kid) is going to he using their diaper allowance in 3.5 months.
Pray for us, that we will survive the next 3 days! I'll update you on our progress. In the meantime, let the river flow!
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Separation....Anxiety?
On my part, not theirs. I thought they would HATE having their own rooms, the reason we were separating them to begin with - as punishment. But as the weeks, and the naughtiness, wore on, it dawned on me that they were TRYING to get separated!
They've been sleeping separately for naps since the fall. The second room wasn't set up as anything, so it was just a mattress on the floor in a mostly empty room. I erroneously thought that they would miss each other so much that they would shape up so they could be in each other's company again. Boy, was I wrong!
After several weeks of all-out naughtiness at bedtime, I finally convinced Hubs that we needed to give M the second room, despite that it also needs to be a nursery in four months (GAH!!!!) So, this weekend, we did it. N has the old room and M has the "new" room. Both rooms are mostly empty because they still screw around with everything in there, making them look sparse and bare.
But they love it. N still gives us a hard time when we put him down, but only for 5 minutes. Without M, there's no one to entertain with all of his goofiness and he passes out pretty quickly.
M is a chatterbox and sings songs and reads books well into the night, probably too late. But three nights in, I'm just happy he's staying in bed and not crawling the walls anymore - or bossing N around, telling him to do naughty things. Sneaky.
I, on the other hand, am a tiny bit sad. Weird, because I wasn't sad to see the breastfeeding go, cribs go, the highchairs go, the toddler beds (a bad idea) go when the big kid beds arrived. But separating twin brothers? It doesn't seem right. We want them to be each other's best friends, inseparable buddies, so I'm just the tiniest bit sad that they are totally okay with having their own rooms at just 2 1/2. I thought they'd share a room until the day one got married!
On the other hand, I'm totally happy to report that the last 3 bedtimes have gone (mostly) well. By that I mean the weeping an gnashing of teeth usually accompanied by bedtime is down to just minutes. Who are those people who say bedtime is their favorite time of day with the kids? The ones whose kids listen to stories quietly in laps, and drift off silently to sleep? Does that really happen, because I'm thinking it's only in the movies. Like love at first sight. Everyone wants it to be true, but it's just not.
We will still have to figure out what to do with the bedrooms when Baby Three arrives, but that's so far in the future, I can barely conceive it. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. In the meantime, I'm praying for miraculous bedtime behavior so that we can "reward" them with moving back in together, and therefore giving the baby his own nursery.
Here are two snaps taken with my iphone yesterday. M "wanted to do a project," so I gave him the dyed noodles and some yarn. The project lasted all of 5 minutes, but he was very serious about it while he did it! The other is N, who found the baby sunglasses they refused to wear this summer or last, and LOVED them yesterday. He wore them all day and night, as evidenced in this photo, where he's playing with Grandpa A's iphone. You can tell it's dark because of the screen's light on his face!
Now that I've got that off my chest and I'm over the separation anxiety of bedrooms, I'll have you know that potty training officially starts on Thursday. So you might not hear from me for awhile. I'll be scrubbing the floors.
They've been sleeping separately for naps since the fall. The second room wasn't set up as anything, so it was just a mattress on the floor in a mostly empty room. I erroneously thought that they would miss each other so much that they would shape up so they could be in each other's company again. Boy, was I wrong!
After several weeks of all-out naughtiness at bedtime, I finally convinced Hubs that we needed to give M the second room, despite that it also needs to be a nursery in four months (GAH!!!!) So, this weekend, we did it. N has the old room and M has the "new" room. Both rooms are mostly empty because they still screw around with everything in there, making them look sparse and bare.
But they love it. N still gives us a hard time when we put him down, but only for 5 minutes. Without M, there's no one to entertain with all of his goofiness and he passes out pretty quickly.
M is a chatterbox and sings songs and reads books well into the night, probably too late. But three nights in, I'm just happy he's staying in bed and not crawling the walls anymore - or bossing N around, telling him to do naughty things. Sneaky.
I, on the other hand, am a tiny bit sad. Weird, because I wasn't sad to see the breastfeeding go, cribs go, the highchairs go, the toddler beds (a bad idea) go when the big kid beds arrived. But separating twin brothers? It doesn't seem right. We want them to be each other's best friends, inseparable buddies, so I'm just the tiniest bit sad that they are totally okay with having their own rooms at just 2 1/2. I thought they'd share a room until the day one got married!
On the other hand, I'm totally happy to report that the last 3 bedtimes have gone (mostly) well. By that I mean the weeping an gnashing of teeth usually accompanied by bedtime is down to just minutes. Who are those people who say bedtime is their favorite time of day with the kids? The ones whose kids listen to stories quietly in laps, and drift off silently to sleep? Does that really happen, because I'm thinking it's only in the movies. Like love at first sight. Everyone wants it to be true, but it's just not.
We will still have to figure out what to do with the bedrooms when Baby Three arrives, but that's so far in the future, I can barely conceive it. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. In the meantime, I'm praying for miraculous bedtime behavior so that we can "reward" them with moving back in together, and therefore giving the baby his own nursery.
Here are two snaps taken with my iphone yesterday. M "wanted to do a project," so I gave him the dyed noodles and some yarn. The project lasted all of 5 minutes, but he was very serious about it while he did it! The other is N, who found the baby sunglasses they refused to wear this summer or last, and LOVED them yesterday. He wore them all day and night, as evidenced in this photo, where he's playing with Grandpa A's iphone. You can tell it's dark because of the screen's light on his face!
Now that I've got that off my chest and I'm over the separation anxiety of bedrooms, I'll have you know that potty training officially starts on Thursday. So you might not hear from me for awhile. I'll be scrubbing the floors.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Lightning Horace Clay McQueen
We still have no idea what to name baby Three! Last night, Hubs and I were chatting and he started looking up baby name websites on his phone. We scrolled through the top 100 baby names of 2010 (the most recent list) and through the Social Security website listing all baby names in 2010 as well. While they did give us some ideas, no decision has been made yet.
However, Hubs did tell me the following story, which made me laugh so hard I leapt from the bed (no small feat at 6 months prego) to run to the bathroom before I peed my pants!
He was a real stinker around 8 or 9 years old, a smarty-pants-know-it-all with a sassy mouth. He was giving his mom a hard time when she told him,
"If you keep this up, I'm going down to the courthouse to get your name changed. Tomorrow when you go to school, you will have to tell everyone your new name is Horace Clay!"
Poor Hubs was shocked and shaken to his core - that was the worst possible name he'd ever heard or could even imagine! Whenever he was naughty after that, my mother in law would just call him Horace Clay and he would straighten up.
Well, guess what? Horace Clay is a real name and there are a bunch of them. I spent exactly one minute googling the name and I found out he's currently a guy on Facebook, was a horticultural professor at Leeward Community College in Hawaii, was a Korean war veteran survived by his son, Horace Eugene Clay Jr., was a 1970 graduate of Capitol High School in Baton Rouge, LA, and many, many others.
So we're considering naming the baby Horace Clay.
When we asked M and N what we should name the baby, they said,
"Nose,"
"Tree,"
"Chicken Nuggets"
"Lightning McQueen."
They're on the list, too. What the heck.
However, Hubs did tell me the following story, which made me laugh so hard I leapt from the bed (no small feat at 6 months prego) to run to the bathroom before I peed my pants!
He was a real stinker around 8 or 9 years old, a smarty-pants-know-it-all with a sassy mouth. He was giving his mom a hard time when she told him,
"If you keep this up, I'm going down to the courthouse to get your name changed. Tomorrow when you go to school, you will have to tell everyone your new name is Horace Clay!"
Poor Hubs was shocked and shaken to his core - that was the worst possible name he'd ever heard or could even imagine! Whenever he was naughty after that, my mother in law would just call him Horace Clay and he would straighten up.
Well, guess what? Horace Clay is a real name and there are a bunch of them. I spent exactly one minute googling the name and I found out he's currently a guy on Facebook, was a horticultural professor at Leeward Community College in Hawaii, was a Korean war veteran survived by his son, Horace Eugene Clay Jr., was a 1970 graduate of Capitol High School in Baton Rouge, LA, and many, many others.
So we're considering naming the baby Horace Clay.
When we asked M and N what we should name the baby, they said,
"Nose,"
"Tree,"
"Chicken Nuggets"
"Lightning McQueen."
They're on the list, too. What the heck.
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