Feelin' Hot, Hot, Hot!

We are in the midst of our first heat wave here. Well maybe I am exaggerating a little bit, but it did hit 90 degrees over the last couple of days, and for May, that is way to hot for me! Without air conditioning in my classroom, I come home in a daze and try to remain as still as I can for the remainder of the evening. I can tell you with a two year old that is virtually impossible!

We have found a few ways to beat the heat though. Jackson has been LOVING his 'baby pool' as well as his buddy Shea's pool.

And yesterday in a unexpected and actually relaxing shopping trip to target -courtesy of Babci and Dziadzi agreeing to babysit- Frank I spied a family size blowup pool perfect for splashing in our yard (actually I feel like it could fit the entire neighborhood and is utterly ridiculous, but that is what an hour of adult shopping in the heat will do to you). I was really only looking for a pool slightly bigger than the one we had, another plastic one but this time large enough to put in his slide and allow him to slide down with a little room. Instead, Frank sees this mammoth inflatable pool, on sale of course, and just could not resist. I have to admit it is really fun. We all are having a blast with it. And, at the end of the summer when we have patches of dead grass and dirt and have to re-seed, I will think of all the joy that this little (huge) pool has brought (in a moment of ingenious heat stroke) and all will be alright with the world.

 Babci in the pool

 I have to be able to laugh at my ridiculous self....

Playin' In The Kitchen (again)

I read an article this morning about how difficult it can be to be a toddler and it really made me think.  Toddlers live in a world of mystery.  They are learning and exploring through, just about everything, they do.  They find excitement in the things that we simply find an inconvenience.  They find joy in what we might find annoying or bothersome.  What is the harm in taking all of the pots and pans and Tupperware, and every other kitchen item out of a cabinet and spreading it all over the floor to play in it?  Who does it hurt?  Why does it bother people so much?  (I know and understand the answer to that last one....I, just like the rest of you am really tired of cleaning up after everybody else.) I am speaking on a grander spectrum I suppose.

It was worth the three minutes it took me to clean up, to watch him occupy himself for 25 minutes while I cooked dinner.  Him laughing and experimenting with all of the wondrous sounds that the lid of a pot can make, banging against a spoon, the floor, the pot, while I side step the containers and lids and pans to grab the olive oil.  What does it hurt?  Why are we always so quick to say "not right now".  I try really hard never to stifle his creativity, even when it is an inconvenience for me.  Sometimes it is easy to be patient and sometimes it is downright difficult and trying.  But, I always try remind myself to look through my sons eyes.  He doesn't see that is a mess, he sees FUN.  Well, I think we all need a little fun in our lives.

I am proud to say that I read that article after this had occurred and it made me feel really good!  I want him to be independent and confident and if playing in the kitchen is a step towards that then so be it!

Being A Mom

The decision to become a Mother is the best decision I have ever made in my entire life.  I am so incredibly blessed to have Jackson in my life and I love every moment of being his 'Mommy'.  I feel like there aren't words to express how much I truly love this child and adore having him in my life.....

I did not get to spend Mother's Day with my own Mother or wonderful Mother-in-law but I did get to talk to both of them on the phone and they were certainly in my heart all day.  Miss you Moms!

We did however have a wonderful weekend filled with friends, family, laughter and lots of moon-bouncing at Ella's (Jack's God-cousin??) first holy communion party on Saturday and then on Sunday as a family with a trip to the park and frosty's for a pre-dinner dessert! 

Here are some pictures that I was honored to take of Ella on her special day.  She is beautiful and kind and funny (Jackson loves her so much, he calls her "my Ella") and is growing up so quickly!

 Ella & Erin (both of these little beauties had their first communion today)

It was a beautiful, beautiful weekend!  I felt the love!

Happy Birthday Daddy

Happy Birthday to the most wonderful husband and amazing father!  We love, love, love, love you!

You rock our world Daddy!  We are so lucky to have you!

A Lesson In Perseverance (In Pictures)

Yay!  Sweet reward!

Milkies

This post has been inevitable for a very long time.  I had to find the right way to write about the essence of our beginning and a core value in our family.  Around a year old Jackson started calling any and all things *breast related "milkies".   *bras in the lingerie section of target, the chest region of a gorilla at the zoo....you name it....

To him, milkies, are such an important part of his world.  They sustained his life for the year (or so) and have been a great source of comfort and of course conversation in our day to day lives. 

I really wasn't sure how to approach this topic here, or even if I wanted to.  It has been a very private and personal part of our lives and I wasn't sure I ever really wanted to share.....until today.

This pretty much sums it up!

We are who we are and I am choosing to be proud of my parenting choices!  For more information on this topic look here.

Potty Time

Slowly, very slowly, for quite awhile now we have been introducing, reinforcing, talking up, trying to convince Jackson that it would be a good idea to maybe, just maybe, possibly(?) potty train.

"Wouldn't you like to sit on the potty?"

"Nope."

"Do you want to sit on the big potty or little potty?"

"Nope"

"I know, Let's sit on the potties together!" (that would be me on the regular size one and he on the small one...ha ha)

"Nope"


This is typically how our conversations went.  Now if you are wondering if he is ready, I can honestly say, having never potty trained a child before, that I think so (?).  Maybe.


He is able to tell us when he has pooped or needs to, and if I catch it just right, he has peed in the toilet numerous times.  But to just sit there and try to poop, even when he tells you he is going, well I'm sure you can guess the answer.  Right!  A big, NOPE!

Until this day.  He asked for some fruit snacks and then as he started eating them, he said he had to go.

"Which potty do you want to sit on?"

"Little potty."


So with fruit snacks in hand, he sat.....

and, ate

 and sat, and ate....

and all that came out was this big smile for the camera

We are working on it.  Any potty training tips and advice from more experienced parents/grandparents/caregivers are most definitely welcomed.