Around Here : Fall

It's Fall!  Really Fall! 

View fullsize

This time of the year means more projects, A LOT of recording, busy schedules AND...

View fullsize

Soren's birthday (next month!), leaves changing color and falling, building stick forts, playing sports, making stone soup and tossing ball with the pup.  Our days off are few and far between but our little family takes advantage of every moment we get together.

Soren is potty trained and loving it!  He's getting the hang of public restrooms and is proud to go through the process every time (wipe, flush, move stool, wash hands, then - 'good job!!').  His independence is soaring, more than that - his inter-dependence .  He loves being around other kids.  Introducing himself, working as a team, even taking turns!  Our landlady's six year old grandson came over today and played baseball with Soren.  He had a blast and learned so much from him!

Have a wonderful fall weekend.  We have tomorrow morning together and if the weather cooperates we are headed to Kinds Island to see the dinosaurs or if it rains I am hoping to catch the City Flea at their indoor location! 

Potty Trained

We potty trained - and you can quote me on this one, we had a blast!   We followed Soren's cues and it ended up being really un-stressful and he is so proud of himself.  As he should be.

A couple weeks ago, he started talking about the toilet and what goes in 'd'ere'.  So, one morning - while Soren refused to wear his diaper, Rick put his seat converter on the toilet and about an hour after I got to work I received a lovely picture of Soren's 'morning constitutional'... in the toilet.  Rick said he had gone in, all on his own - and went to the bathroom.  Came out - declared 'I pooped!  Innnn the toilet!'.  And that was that.  We started potty training.

Since he is in cloth we went straight to underwear.  It didn't take long for him to realize that walking around soiled was no fun.  We would set a 'toilet timer' together and check in on him every 20 minutes.  Sometimes just practicing sitting on the toilet while reading a few stories (extra book time - everyone wins!).  Every toilet success we had was a celebration with high fives and 'great job bubs!!  You're SOOOO big!'.   

We opted out of candy and toys.  We've had a lot of success with simple praises - so we thought we would stick with that and sure enough it worked.  After a week and half - Soren started walking in on his own, pulls down his pants and goes to the bathroom.  He now moves the stool over and even washes his hands after wiping (and pulling his pants up, of course...).  I can't believe it.  

The best part about this is how proud he is.  And he should be!  His attitude towards just about everything has changed now - he is growing even more independent!    

I have to say - the whole experience was pretty fun for us too.  It is amazing watching little ones figure these things out.  Seeing them become their own people with their own ideas.  So independent from us.

Next step - using public bathrooms.  Like most - he is a bit tentative (but let's be honest, do you like using public restrooms??).  So far, he just holds it.  But there will come a time we will be away too long!  So far, 6-ish days - no accidents (knock on wood). 

41/52

'A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013' 

View fullsize

This precious face.  Three in a month - can't believe it! 

Toddler Costume - Early Prep

Roar!!!

View fullsize

I know this is super early, but I couldn't contain myself!  I took advantage of a couple slow moving days and made Soren's costume this year.  By made, I mean MADE.  Bought the pattern, cut it and the fabric out (if you've ever cut out a pattern you know why it is italicized - yeesh!) and sewed and stuffed the sucker together.  He wears it just about every day.  Makes sure his claws always cover his toes! 

View fullsize

He runs around saying 'Touch'a me tail?!!'.  I have to say making this was an absolute joy - but watching him prance around in it is seriously the best!!   It was so nice to be reunited with my sewing machine (the same one my Mother made our costumes with - no joke!).  I can't wait to dig in on some potential projects for the holiday!.  This is from a Simplicity Pattern - 1765. 

40/52

'A portrait a week of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013' 

View fullsize

Soren was mesmerized this weekend by the tree trimmers (removers *sad face - for all of us.  Over 100 year old Oak tree rotted half way through.  Thinking - tables, like this one).  He's sitting with one of his favorite people - our landlady Dolly.  She is incredible!  With her own bundle of grand babes, she is so great with Soren.  Here he is explaining to Dolly what the removers were doing.  When we said bye - he made sure to run up to the window and shout 'bye, bye Dowwy!!!'