Motivation

So, we are working with Josh on potty-training. I think he will be the easiest to train, but it still takes work.

He is OBSESSED with superheroes, especially Spiderman. I told him that when he leaned to use the potty, no diapers, I would buy the movie for him. (Don't worry, we censor the bad parts.) For months we've been talking about no diapers, use potty, buying Spiderman. Ever time we go to the store, we look at the movie and talk about it.

I have tried putting him on the potty and putting underwear (Spiderman, of course!) on him, but to no avail.

Yesterday, I was at the store and they had Spiderman on sale. I bought it and thought that I would put it up for him to look at and be motivated. Well, I got home late (he was already in his jammies) and as soon as he saw the movie, he wanted to use the potty right then and there, to throw away his diaper!

This morning, he was the first one up, he ripped of his diaper, asking to sit on the potty. Guess where he is right now and what he's doing? You know where to find him for the rest of the day...

Rachel is great!

I often get asked how Rachel is doing. Maybe that's because I rarely have updates about her. That's because Rachel is doing great.
She is now 10 months old. She is, and will continue to be, a little behind on her "milestones", but she's not terribly behind. She has been sitting on her own for a month and a half now. She has been rolling over for about the same amount of time. She can roll from her back to her tummy very well, but she is not so adept at tummy to back, but she is getting it. She can move around the room getting what she wants.
She is not really bearing weight on her legs too much and most of our physical therapy work focuses on that. For example, we are to put her in the exersaucer more, as long as she has her AFO's on (Ankle, Feet Orthotics), otherwise, her ankles turn in.
Rachel does not really have any movement in her feet or ankles. I thought that would be the way it is, but our PT's (both Early Intervention and Shriners) think there's something there (in her ankles). We have been assured all along that Rachel will be ambulatory (walk), but it will at the least be with braces on her feet. Our take on that is: Hey, John and I don't ski; we're not runners, so Rachel is not missing out on much:)
It's also not such a great thing since she has been putting her feet in her mouth and chewing. Umm, if she can't feel her toes...We kind of laugh about it and keep an eye on her that she doesn't bite her toes off, literally!
Rachel seems to be doing great mentally. There was a possibility of brain damage or even some kind of delay (this concern was all before she was born, from the Hydrocephalus), but from her very birth, she has been engaged and right on track. There really seems to be no mental problems at this point. If there is anything, it would probably be some kind of learning disability, which might not manifest itself until later.
Another concern was for her urinary/ bowels, but everything seems to be working fine there too. She has had various tests and nothing seems to be wrong. I change her diapers, and, believe me, it's all working just fine! There might be some problems with potty training, and we might need to watch what we feed her ( constipation).
Rachel has a tooth and a second one on the way. She is eating mainly solids now: Cheerios, yogurt, baby veggies and fruits, and she LOVES animal crackers. (Told you she had a sweet tooth!)

Let's see, what else? She is as happy as can be. She loves her siblings, and really any kids. She loves books. She loves to be held and she LOVES mommy!

It's Written on my Face

Guess how much time is between the first picture and the second? Looks like YEARS doesn't it? Can you believe it's only a year and a half! Of course, it was about 20 years worth of stress and fear in that year and a half, and it shows on my face. I compared the two pictures by accident the other day and was SHOCKED (and the second is actually one of the better more-recent pictures of me...ever wonder why there's never pics of me posted??)

I am so BAD!

Did you ever see the movie HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS? It is hilarious, John and I always have a good laugh over it. There's a part in it where the girl (Kate Hudson) puts all her stuffed animals on her boyfirend's (Matthew McCaughney) bed.

I told Rebekah that John REALLY LOVES having stuffed animals on his side of the bed, so now, Rebekah insists on tucking her animals in his side of the bed. Every time he pulls down the covers, this is what he finds....and has a little laugh :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

A B Day and Sweet Toot

We were finally able to celebrate Joshy's birthday yesterday, only a few days late due to illness! He's so excited that he's three now. I am so exited that he's three now too: Wegman's playroom!!
In other news, Rachel's first tooth came in, and I am happy to report that it's a sweet tooth! As Joshy's cake was her first taste of frosting, we have now discovered her affinity for all things sugared. A girl after my own heart!

CANCELLED!

One thing I REALLY hate about this time of year (other than the fact that it IS this time of year) is all the cancellations due to weather and sickness. I think that we've cancelled EVERYTHING this past month: a trip to my brother's, small group, church, dinner with friends, and the coup de resistance (is that right Mrs. Doughty?)...Joshy's birthday party tonight! Today is his third birthday and last night he ran a fever and didn't sleep well at all. He is no better today and they are squeezing us in at the doctor's. Nice way to spend a birthday, huh? Poor guy!
I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL SPRING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can You Believe It?

Today is not a normal day. No one is *very* sick, but nobody is feel themsleves. Benjamin stayed home from school today with a pretty bad cough and is confined to his bed . (I don't want him to think he can stay home and play and watch tv all day, though I am SURE that's what he was planning on!)
After lunch I was on the phone and asked the kdis to go upstairs until I was done. Ben was confined to the boys' room, Rebekah to the purple girls' play-room, and Josh to my room (Rachel was already asleep in the girls' room).
When I finished on the phone and went up to check on the kids (and put Josh down for his nap), I saw that he had snuggled under my covers and fallen asleep. Josh never has a problem taking a nap, but he doesn't usually put himself to bed. UNBELIEVEABLE!

Happy Birthday to ME!

I had a great start to my birthday!
I got to sleep in.
At about 8am I heard a little knock on my door and five smiling faces came in singing, "Happy Birthday to You!". I got breakfast in bed, which I had to share with two little munchers who already had their own breakfast but apparently thought that mine was better.
Following breakfast in bed, I got CAKE in bed, complete with candles and everything! (Of course I had to buy my own cake when I was out the other day!) We pulled back the sheet and partied away!
I love frosting, Rebekah loves frosting, and now Rachel LOVES frosting. She's barely on solids, but I gave her a little taste, and BOY! does she love it! I can't wait until this summer and one of our favorite pastimes...ICE CREAM STANDS!!!
As Rachel took her nap, John took the other three outside to play in the snow, so I got some alone time.
The sun is shining! It's going to be a great day!!

PS...Look at this precious little peanut! I put the picture on the sidebar but wanted to add it here to make sure you caught it. Isn't she just the CUTEST!? Can you see the little pigtails in her hair?