Pee-pee in the potty

So - about a month ago we started to do some pre-potty training with Madison. We bought a potty, a bunch of stickers and some training pants. We gave it a good shot but Madison thought it was a game. So, we took a little break...then I bought some pull-ups. I thought it might be easier to get her to sit on the potty from time to time and would provide more protection for accidents. It was easier and gradually it became less and less of a game.

This morning Madison woke up with a dry pull-up. I asked her if she needed to go on the potty and she said "Yes!" So, we ran to her potty chair and sat her down and before we knew it, the little trumpets on her musical royal potty were blaring. Madison had gone! YIPPEE! Mike and I cheered and danced around and gave her a sticker as a reward. She looked at us like we were nuts. I don't think she realizes how huge it is that she went on the potty.

Since I was going to work a little early today, I wasn't able to snap a picture of our girl and her potty. Oh well - I'll get one next time.

I'm Bold, I'm Beautiful

I'm a RED door. I look like a shiny new car and because of my gorgeous paint, I've been mistaken for a car....but alas, I am just a door. Ignore the house numbers falling off the siding...we haven't gotten them back up yet!

Check out our new front door. It isn't done yet - but I love it so much I had to share!

This door has a LOOOOONG history. Check out the before picture below - a full glass entry door, no screen door. Ever since I first turned my key in the lock of this house, I have wanted to replace this door, and we have tried ever since that first move-in day to replace it... it has been a long process.

What was wrong with the old door, you ask? EVERTHING. The full glass provided great sunlight in the house - but not a lot of privacy when my husband decides to wander around in his boxers. (Admit it, your husband does that too!) The door was installed BACKWARDS...so it didn't fit very well. I could watch our heat escape through the poorly installed door in the winter and I can watch it come in in the summer. Also, it just didn't say much about our home.

The journey to replace it began with a trip to home depot where we picked out a door. They offered to install it. After the guy came out and gave us an outrageous bid. Plus, I knew the installer from the bank and didn't trust the guy. I said there was no way that guy was going to touch my house. Strike one.

A few months later we had a home improvement company come out and give us a bid. The bid was acceptable so I called them to schedule. Three calls and three messages later, they had not returned my calls. Strike Two.

I was beginning to think it was hopeless when Mike was asked at the Sears checkout if there were any home improvements planned. He said we needed a new door - so they sent someone out for an estimate. Hooray! I thought, this is the answer! The guy showed up and said that the average for a new front entry door in Rochester was $7500. Mike thanked the man for his time and asked him to leave, as there was no way we were going to spend $7500 on a door for a house we don't plan to stay in. Strike Three.

It really was hopeless.

I was telling a co-worker the saga of our door when another co-worker walked by. He said, I'll put a door in for you, let me stop by tonight and give you an estimate. He even had references that I could call! He gave us an estimate of less than $200 to install the door. WHAT??? How can this be???? I went to Home Depot and bought a door and a screen door. They suggested having the entry door painted at an auto body shop so you don't see brush strokes. Cool idea. I called around...the best price? $135 to paint the door two different colors plus $70 for the paint. I had the inside painted white to match all of our woodwork and trim. The outside painted burgundy to match the shutters.

The guy at the auto body shop said this paint job should last 20 years - heck yeah it should...it's meant for the beating a car takes everyday. Let's hope that a certain unnamed toddler won't figure out how to dent it and scratch it up.

I like the eye catching look of this door so much, that I almost don't want to put the screen door on. I'm going to admire just the door until a backordered part comes in - then the screen door will be going on....I hope it still looks as nice as it does now.

Time out is no fun!

These pictures are priceless. I just LOVE the single tear that is rolling down Madison's cheek.

Time outs DO work. When I first decided it was time to start using time outs, I did not think Madison would ever sit on that little timeout stool. Never in a million years. I even looked for straps to attach to it so I could buckle her in. No luck. This is how I got it to work:

When Madison's behavior is unacceptable, she gets one warning to correct it. If it her behavior does not change, it's time out. The experts (SUPERNANNY) say you should give children one minute for every year old. I swear by just about everything Supernanny does (she ROCKS!) but I disagree on this one. One minute will not do it for Madison. She gets two minutes. I set a timer. When the timer goes off, I explain to Madison what she did wrong, give her a hug and its back to playing. If she gets up during her timeout, she gets two more minutes added on to her "sentence." She rarely gets up. The first time I used a timeout, I stood near her and put her back on the stool every time she got up. I did not say a word to her. Now, I can leave the room and know that Madison will still be sitting on that stool when I come back.

MN Children's Museum

For our last day of vacation, Mike and I took Madison to the MN Children's Museum in St. Paul. This place is great! It has four floors of exhibits designed to help children learn through play. Some of the exhibits were a little too old for Madison but most of them were geared for all age groups. (Mike and I even enjoyed learning a little!)

Madison's loved learning about the power of water. She really enjoyed dropping ping pong balls into tubes and watching water move the ball through.

She also liked the Curious George exhibit. There was lots to see and do!

Happy Father's Day

I just wanted to wish all of the fathers a very Happy Father's Day-I hope you are able to do the things that you wanted to do today - whether it be fishing with your son, just spending time with your kids, or enjoying a little time away from the kids (no guilt, we all need that sometimes!). I hope you are having a great day.

Remember, anyone can be a father but it takes a special person to be a daddy.

Conversations

Yesterday, Madison and I had out first real conversation. It wasn't a one-sided conversation like they normally are. We were driving home from daycare when Madison started crying.

Mommy: Madison, what is wrong? Do you want to play?
Madison: Yes, play 'side (outside)
Mommy: You get to play with your daddy tonight while mommy scrapbooks
Madison: Play 'side with my daddy
Mommy: What are you going to play?
Madison: Ball 'side
Mommy: What do you want for supper?
Madison: Juice
Mommy: Do you want chicken or pizza with your juice?
Madison: Chicken and pizza

Instead of playing with her ball and her daddy outside, she got to go to Home Depot with Mike. She started crying again.

Mike: Madison, what is wrong?
Madison: Bye Bye!!!
Mike: Bye Bye - do you want to go home?
Madison: Yes! Bye! Bye!

I guess this is proof that this amazing little creature is indeed human.

I love You

Last night - Madison started saying "I Love You." She kept walking around the house saying it in her cute toddler voice. "I Yuv You." So adorable - so nice to hear. Thinking about it now just makes me want to pick her up and cover her sweet cheeks in kisses. It is definetely a moment that I want to remember - I'm working on a scrapbook page in my head. It's one of those moments where you realize that if you teach your child nothing else, you've taught her to give and receive love - and there is no more important lesson.