Easter Party

We went to our church's annual Easter party.  Last year Isaac did not care for the bouncy houses.  This year...it was a hit.  But even Levi at 12 months old LOVED the bouncy house.

Hi Mom!

Moving up to the BIG jumpy houses!

Oh what fun!

Isaac would make the baskets on his first try.

Isaac and Eli listening to the Easter drama

Isaac and Levi having fun in the bouncy house!

No fear

Isaac and Levi

Eli, Isaac and Emma

Isaac - head first coming down slide

Levi - 1 year old

Happy Birthday, Levi!!

I forgot to write stats down at his checkup...will update when I have them)
Weight: 20lbs (around 50th percentile)
Height (87th percentile)
Head Circumference: (around 50th percentile)

Levi runs everywhere and climbs anything. He still is a free spirit who demands his freedom.  He has become very loving, loves to cuddle when he decides he wants to cuddle. He will come up to give you a hug or kiss then run off to play.

He understands everything we say and follows commands very well.  He doesn't have any words in his vocabulary at this point but communicates by pointing and saying "ah-ah-ah!"

Has no interest in books or reading, but does like to scribble with markers.  He loves pushing trucks or other vehicles around the floor.  He loves toys where you can put pieces in something.  For example, he likes his new Little People farm where he can put the animals in the barn.  You will often find him standing that the sliding door looking outside, pointing to go out.  With winter still here, we are all anxiously waiting to get out more!!!

He loves his brother Isaac and loves it when they can play together. He shares pretty well and will often give up a toy to Isaac.  However, he has a bloody murder scream when he does not want to give up a toy or when he doesn't get his way.

He goes to bed instantly and only wakes up one time around 4 or 5 then back to sleep until 7 or 7:30.

He is much more independent than Isaac.  He loves his Daddy and loves to come and tackle hima nd play with him whenever he's in the room. But there are plenty of moments when he is a momma's boy and needs mommy's attention.

Isaac - 2 1/2 years old

Common sayings: "Sorry, Sorry!," "Excuse me, Mom,"  "I touch it?," "I'm so excited!."

Favorite TV show: Hasn't really been watching a whole lot of TV.  Likes PBS shows, but isn't tied to a favorite one.

Favorite Foods: Still pretty much anything.  If he won't eat it, squirt some mustard on it, and he'll usually gobble it up.

Favorite Readings: He enjoys his "Highlights" magazines and "The Easter Story."

He still struggles with learning how to share with Levi.  He wants anything Levi is playing with just because Levi has it. He will go and take it right out of Levi's hands and doesn't really care about having to go to time out.  Levi loves Isaac and wants to play with him, so there are times that they are chasing each other around, laughing, and playing together. I just pray it continues to get more and more playing and less and less jealousy. During Levi's nap time, Isaac is rarely in trouble and listens great.  The rotten behavior is usually only when Levi is awake. But then there are times that he is super sweet to Levi, trying to cheer him up or sharing a snack with him.  So I still have hope.

We continue practicing potty training every day.  There hasn't been any real progress, but he knows what to do  and he knows what not to do.  He also knows that wetting his underwear during timeout makes mom upset so I have to put a pull up on every time he goes in time out.  He did demand to wear underwear to the store the other day.  I let him with diapers and extra pants in tow.  He made it the whole trip and we were all excited.

Family Sledding

The new house has a great sledding spot out back behind the park.  Lots of kids and the boys loved it! Isaac even helped some girls make a snowman.

Visit from Ga Ga Shaw

My mom came out to visit with the boys.  It was around Levi's 1st birthday and also to help when Joe went to NC to go to a friend's wedding and a quick visit with his family.  The boys LOVED Ga Ga Shaw's visit and we even had some decent weather to play at the park a bit and celebrate Levi's birthday.

Potty Training Update - Isaac

I don't even know if we are are on week 3 or 4 of potty training.  It still sucks.  But we are progressing. I want to remember how it went for Isaac, so I'm documenting the process for the next 2 boys.

How we have progressed so far:

• Began with the bottomless approach.  Isaac did great.  Would go on potty chair every time.  Made a sticker chart and after every big or little success he got a sticker.  After 5 stickers he got a special treat of his choice. 
• Put on underwear.  Would pee in them instantly. Put on loose pants only.  Yep...pee.  Let's try shorts.  Nope...pee again.
• Back to pantless behind until friend Eli came who is also potty training.  He had big boy undies on.  Isaac was open to trying them the next day.  I also let him have 1 candy (M&M or sweet tart) after the timer went off and he was still dry.  This was a hit...instant reward was what he liked.  I increased timer 5 minutes if he was successful.  Accidents here and there but at least we had underwear and pants on. I have tried non-candy rewards like trucks, toy bugs, crayons, etc. He goes straight for the candy.
• This is pretty much where we stand after 3-4 weeks.  Accidents when we forgets.  Can tell he is beginning to try to "hold it" when he has to go now.  He gets sad when he wets and knows he doesn't get a treat. I don't even remind him he gets a treat unless he tells me. 

So we are progressing but still have a ways to go.  He doesn't keep himself wet through naps and nighttime so I'll tackle that after we can go during the day with wetfree pants.  I'm just happy he has his little butt covered now. Would I take him out in public with underwear????...not yet. :-)

Potty Training

I. HATE. POTTY. TRAINING.

As my great friend Carolyn often says..."Parenting is not for wimps."  Oh, how I think of her quote often.