Celebration! (Not for Those With a Weak Stomach)

I am SO happy to report that it has been well over a week since Robbie has used a diaper! He is officially potty trained. It is one my favorite milestones that a toddler reaches. As a mother, after changing stinky diaper after stinky diaper (day after day), I'm ready to put a party on when a child gets potty trained! For awhile, I won't have any diapers to change that make me feel like holding my breath, or that cause me to sit there praying I won't vomit (I know it sounds a bit exaggerated, but when I have a flu bug or just have an upset stomach and I'm faced with a big diaper load of you-know-what, I DO feel like I may throw up). For some of you, this may come as a surprise. I look like one of those moms where nothing bothers me. Well, I smile as I hold my breath! That smell does bother me (even after four children), though. I feel like I must be like my grandma, who during every diaper change would have to say how disgusting it was and she would make faces. She was just honest about how she felt about it... I try to keep it to myself most of the time. I remember watching her change my red-headed cousin's diaper a couple of times and thinking it was pretty funny... until my grandma had to wipe my butt. That wasn't funny. I was already embarrassed by the fact that anyone had to wipe my butt, but then my grandma would go on and on about how disgusting it was - that was embarrassing! I did learn from it, though... I learned not to do that to kids. When, like Robbie, they need their butts wiped after going number 2, I keep my opinion of what is in the toilet to myself.

So, all of this to say, my little guy is potty trained! He doesn't even need a diaper during the night. He just became determined to be a big guy (in that area) and started using the toilet. Brad took Robbie out to get a package of boxer shorts, which Robbie is quite proud of, and Robbie wears a pair each day. I didn't even know they made boxer shorts that small until Brad found them! They're kinda cute. Well, especially on such a cute little feller. :)

While we're on the subject of Robbie, I would like to bring up that about 3 weeks ago he started teaching himself how to get dressed. That stage with a toddler is mostly cute - especially at first! He usually puts his pants on backwards and it's about a 40% chance (still) that he'll put his shirt on backwards. With this new knowledge, comes opinion. He now has a strong opinion as to what he wears! It's kind of neat seeing a bit more of his personality. I always like that with the children. When Ethan went through this stage I learned that he LOVES vests. With Madeleine I learned she really loves the colors purple and pink. I haven't actually figured out what Robbie loves besides completely dry clothes. That's the part I don't like. He changes a bit too often just from a drop of water (as have each of my children at this stage). With not having a washer or dryer, that makes things a bit inconvenient. I have learned, though, that when I find a pair of pants that look completely fine (since he changes himself, I find his laundry all over the place) to just hang them up for a little while. He'll want them back when he is sure they're dry.

Well, that's all I have to say for now! I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend so far! :)

A couple of videos:

Baby raspberries:



Here's a video of me tickling Robbie. I don't remember why we were saying, "You too big," over and over, but I know he started it. :o)

A Little Crawling...

Here's a short video of Elizabeth's crawling. You may hear Robbie in the background talking about some shooting game he was playing. I later corrected him due to he isn't allowed to pretend or talk that way! :)

Pictures

Here's a picture update:

Here's my first double stroller. I found it on craigslist.org from a gal who was asking $30. I met her at a grocery store nearby and she told me she was going to lower the price and to make her an offer. I asked her if she'd take $25 and she replied, "How about $20?" I was pretty happy with that deal! This picture was taken during our first walk with our new stroller. You can sort of see Robbie in the back and that's Elizabeth in the front (of course). :)

Elizabeth's sweet little face. She's doing so well sitting up and crawling! My baby is growing up so quickly!

Ethan - my first baby! He's getting to be a big guy. Here he is wearing a sweatshirt I had when I was 7-years-old. I decided it was time to get rid of it when I noticed a little hole it in, but wanted a picture to say, "Ethan wore one of the sweatshirts I used to wear!" I always thought it was more boyish than girlie. :)

A more serious shot of Ethan. That's part of our new kitchen there in the background.

I like this picture of Elizabeth. This is her "really happy" smile. :)

Madeleine and Elizabeth.

Baby raspberries! Elizabeth loves to sit around making them. :)

My Four Cuties

I took a short video of Ethan, Madeleine, Robbie, and Elizabeth playing on the pull out bed the other evening and thought I would share it with all of you:



I'll be posting pictures soon, so be sure to check back when you get a chance! :o)