Toddler Talk : Helping

The one thing that lets me have some sort of order in this house, and keeps me sane, is that
Henry loves to help me clean and do my regular household work.

Dust mopping the wood floors has become a weekly necessity and this is Henry's favorite! I shortened a Swiffer mop by taking out a couple of the sections, so now its just his height.



When doing laundry, Henry always jumps at the chance to help. He brings all the hampers to the laundry room for me. And then returns them to their place. He does try to help with rotating the laundry, but usually gets stuck when pulling stuff out of the washer.Read more »

Is it Spring yet?

93 days.
That's how many consecutive days we have played indoors for the entire morning.
I'm so ready for spring.
Henry has had a few days that he played outside with Dad, but I haven't been out at all this winter.[stir crazy]
I can't wait to pull out the outdoor toys and get outside!
Although... I'm bummed... Henry's favorite, I'm afraid, has gotten too small for him.

The Jeep

Though, this year, we're replacing it with this that he got for Christmas.

The Backhoe

These always provide endless entertainment.

The Popper and Bubble Mowers

And there's always the tried and true favorites though.

The playground, his trike and, of course, the farm.

And the all time best.

Nothing. Free play in the yard!

Is Spring here yet?Maybe.Tomorrow there's a high of 60 - I think we'll head out for my favorite - a walk!

Toddler Talk : Potty Training

This week's topic is Potty Training. 

I've been debating about actually writing about our issues or not because I have no answer to it. But I decided to give it a go ahead. 

We are in the middle of potty training - on and off officially. I think we're always potty training. Just not very successful at it. We have tried a few times switching to real underwear the entire day (not at nap or night), it usually lasts for a couple days at a time and by that time, I'm exhausted. 

And my washer can't keep up fast enough.

Henry's getting better though - not successful, just better. He now tells me that he has to go - but its usually always after he already went. 

Pooping is actually more successful than peeing around here - everyone I tell this too gets so excited for me because pooping is such a milestone to accomplish on the potty. Not here. Pooping in general is a milestone for this kid. 

I can always tell when he has to poop - so he gets sat on the potty. It may take 4 or 5 tries at 5-10 minutes each (this conveniently happens about 3 times a day, during every meal - I'd really like a warm meal one of these days) until he actually will allow himself to do it, but, it usually happens... sometime that day. 

Peeing. Well, at least he's uncomfortable now after he pees and wants to sit on the potty and be changed ASAP. That's a step, right? 

We'll get there when we get there and until then, I'll be frustrated.

Meet Blue Dog - H's very best friend.

Meet Blue Dog.

I've often wondered what a healthy lovey relationship is. The last few days, I've wondered it more and more. H has a blue dog (named very thoughtfully - Blue Dog) that he won't let leave his sight. Since we had baby #2 - G - he has started treating Blue Dog like his own child - just like we take care of G. 



Blue Dog takes naps.Blue Dog cries.Blue Dog needs a bone.Blue Dog gets a bottle.Blue Dog gives hugs.Blue Dog gives kisses.Blue Dog needs to be quiet.Blue Dog needs his toy.Blue Dog barks.Blue Dog gets time outs.

It took a long time for H to take on the lovey. In the beginning, I think it was more a teether for his 2 year molars coming in. He chewed on the tail constantly - it was often soaked. Blue Dog got washed A LOT (I SOOOOOO wish he had another...).

I've given in and started treating Blue Dog the same way he does. At night when they go to bed (H and Blue Dog -- they can't be separated) - I have given them the rule that they need to be quiet at night - they can talk, but it has to be quietly - if they do not follow this rule, Blue Dog gets to sleep with Mom for the night. This has yet to happen. Only once have I taken Blue Dog away at night and that was before I implemented the rule (that night I put it into action) - since then H has been quiet when going to bed.
In the morning - very often - the first thing I hear is a 'bark' coming through the monitor from H's room... Blue Dog is up.
Blue Dog tags along almost everywhere and is quite often tagging along in our day to day activities that we've been doing. Here's some pictures where you can spot him hanging out too.