Wondering

Well, I am starting to wonder if, perhaps, I've missed a window of opportunity with Ellie and potty training. Last week she peed and pooped in the potty (not all day but once or twice each day) and now she'll sit on the potty but then she'll say I don't have to go. Perhaps I didn't push it enough or maybe I pushed too much?! We bought big girl panties hoping it would motivate her even more but it really didn't seem to do anything. We've talked about being able to paint her toenails once she goes potty all the time but, again, doesn't seem to matter. I did start giving her a gummy bear when she goes on the potty but even that doesn't seem to make her want to do it more - although she definitely wants it when she goes! Both the boys were almost 3 1/2 when they were potty trained so I didn't even have it in my mind - she's the one that started. I suppose we'll see. I did buy her some pull-ups today and we may try those tomorrow just to see.

The other day in the car (Saturday) it was just Ellie and I and she was being quiet. Then, all of a sudden she asks me "Are you little?" I have no idea what might have prompted her to asking me this or in what way she was thinking so I just said "Well, I'm short but I'm a big girl." I can't help but wonder what goes on in her two year old mind! She just amazes me with her vocabulary and her level of understanding.

Anybody have any ideas or suggestions on how to make a child STOP talking when he shouldn't be? That has been mine and Brian's biggest frustration with Ian for the last few months. He argues and talks when he really shouldn't and we'll tell him to stop talking and he'll just keep going or have ONE more thing to say. Hmph. I'm at my wits end. I feel like we're constantly telling him to STOP talking but I'm afraid that could backfire. We give him Bible verses and he prays about it but he continues. I pray I'm doing all that I should be to help him learn how to be obedient and not always talk when he shouldn't be.

Ellie's Learning!

Yesterday in the car on our way to church Ellie wanted some gum. I told her I didn't have any, we were all out. She sat there quietly for a few minutes then she says, "We pay gum?" In her 2 year old mind she put together that we didn't have any and we needed to buy some! Amazing!

Yes, we're alive!!

Gee, the last time I posted it was a "catch-me-up" post and now I'm at it again! Life has just been crazy for the last month or so and although it doesn't show signs of slowing down, I have a moment to catch up!

Brian and I had the opportunity to drive Josh down to Florida for college. My mom came and stayed with Ian, Ellie, Downey and Bella - bless her heart! (Thanks so much, Mom!!) While we were in Florida we enjoyed a quasi-honeymoon and had a wonderful time.

His college is 9/10 of a mile from the ocean and, as you can see from the pictures, the water is beautiful! So far he is loving college life - but for some reason classes and reading are getting in the way of all his fun! :) He's doing ball room dancing and enjoys it. Although he went as a marine biology major, it sounds like he'll be changing it within the next couple of months.

Ian and I finally started our school year this past Monday and so far things are going pretty well. We're studying American history and we're learning all about the Native Americans. He's a 4th grader this year and a big nine year old. Still active as ever and will be starting hockey again soon. The picture I'm including of Ian was taken last week after a friend's birthday party where they did the tattoos. Well, if you look closely at his hair, you'll see a little "cut-out" in his bangs. He did that unbeknownst to me in order to show off his tattoo better!! Oh, my!

Ellie continues to charm and entertain although this week has been a little rough. I do believe she's finally getting the rest of her teeth and, of course, they all had to come in at once. So, she's cranky, has a runny nose, and did I mention cranky? She has gone pee-pee on the potty quite a few times in the last few days and we're really excited about that. She amazes people all the time with how well she speaks and she comes up with some of the cutest stuff. The other day in the car she was singing "Jesus Loves Me" and it went something like this..."Jesus loves me as far as I know!" She loves to sing and dance around and make you laugh.

Bella. Where do I begin with her? She's now over 4 months old and probably about as big as she's going to get. She's a bundle of energy and just doesn't stop. Still wondering how she's going to cope with the cold. We've taken her to the dog park in town a couple of times and she seems to enjoy it.