Update on the TT

Xav is still being a "big" boy and using the toilet for most wees and nearly all of his poos. He's not got to the stage of telling me he wants to go (although he has a few times) but I can tell mostly when he needs to go, so I pop him on the toilet and he wees. I still can't believe it every time I see my baby propped up on the toilet, doing wees. When he does do an accident he comes and tells me, so that's a good sign that he is acknowledging it.

For the last 3 days he has been in undies at home (Grace's old pink Dora ones - very feminine!) and he loves wearing them instead of his nappy. I still put him in a nappy for his day sleeps, although he didn't want me taking off his undies today so I put his nappy over the top. I just went to check on Xav in his cot and he had taken off his nappy and just laying in his undies. Very cute. I love his little bottom in undies and can't help smacking it whenever he passes by.

Over the last month Xav has had a major explosion with his talking and comprehension. He has added many words to his vocabulary and using them all in the proper context. If he gets hurt he rubs the sore spot saying "Ouch, Owies." If he gets stuck somewhere he yells out "Stuck, Stuck" Wanting us to either remove him from or one of his toys from the offending place. Lots of other words too. Up, Bubba (he calls himself this), Grandma, smack (no doubt learnt this from me as I am constantly smacking his cute bottom), top, nap-nap, duck, book, door, nose and eyes. We were driving past the school the other day when he started shouting, "School, school" I couldn't believe it.

There are plenty of other words that he has learnt, but I can't remember right now. It's not the amount of words that is blowing us away, it is is comprehension. He understands soooo much and can follow complication instructions. For example I was sitting on the toilet the other day and there was no loo paper. I asked Xav to open the cupboard and get me out a roll, and he did. I can't remember if Grace understood this much at this age, maybe she did?

On another note I have nearly completed all my Christmas shopping. I braved the shops with the kids yesterday which meant I got absolutely nothing done. They are great when we go shopping but it's so busy this time of the year and pushing a pram through the crowds is not my idea of fun. So to finish everything off I ventured out ALONE last night. It was great and I pretty much had every shop to myself as it was so quiet. I picked up the rest of the kids stuff and I think they are going to love it. I can't wait for Christmas morning to see their excited faces as they rip the wrapping paper and discover all the goodies. I've just got to get a few more stocking things and then I'm done. I swear next year I am going to start early and have all my Christmas shopping before December. I know, we all say this every year and it never happens.

I has a horrible nights sleep last night. I woke at about 1am with a really biting, aching back pain. It slowly moved around to my stomach and I was seriously thinking that I was having a phantom labour. I got up and walked around for a bit, but then my stomach lurched and everything came up. After a few talks with the porcelain bowl I was feeling better and it was all over. So not really sure what was happening, maybe something I ate? Actually now that I think about it the only thing that I ate differently from everyone else was some sugar free lollies. It was most definately them, I've reacted to the fake sugar before - same thing stomach cramps and vomiting. That'll teach me to raid the cupboard looking for something naughty and end up eating the left over cake decorating lollies! Feeling better today, although a little weak. Lucky Duane will be home soon cause the kids must be sick of their Mum lazing around not playing with them.

Probably jumping the gun BUT....

I know he is waaayyyyy too early to even be thinking about toilet training BUT when they show signs your meant to run with it right?

So for the last few weeks Xav has been giving me lots of hints that he may be over the nappies. Taking them off - preferring to run around showing off his nudie bum all the time. Being very interested in Grace or I going to the toilet and always trying to pry our legs apart so he could see what all the fuss was about.

So Friday afternoon I asked him if he would like to go to the toilet. I took him in and perched him up there on the toilet insert - he looked so tiny, his little legs dangling in front. I went off to get him a book, thinking that we were in for a long stay to catch anything.

I came back to see his eyes all red and his forehead scrunched - it was his definate poo face! Sure enough after he had got off there was a poo in there. I screamed with excitement, so proud of my little boy. He was equally excited and kept pointing into the toilet saying, "Poo, Poo" He got to flush the toilets for his efforts and also the so exciting job of hand washing (the boy has an addiction to it!) He was also the proud bearer of a sticker for a job well done.

I really thought that it was a fluke and maybe I had just timed it perfectly. Then today I took his morning nappy off and let him run around nudie. I asked him if he wanted to go to the toilet, he nodded and looked excited so I took him in. He sat there for a bit whilst Grace and I encouraged him. Then I heard a little tinkle - He was weeing!!!! OMG that is just soooo exciting!!!

Ok, I was still thinking fluke, timing etc. Then after an hour or so I asked him if he wanted to go again, this time he said "No", but I took him anyway. After a minute or so another wee.

Gosh, I just can't believe that my little boy is doing wees AND poos in the big toilet. I know that we are a probably a far way off toilet training being he is only 17 months, but I think I'll give it a go and see what happens.

Grace started toilet training at about 22 months, and was done virtually in a week. I remember that she wanted to go to the toilet around the time that Xav was born, but it all just seemed a little difficult then so I didn't try her.

So I'm not going to get ahead of myself here, but I am still excited that he had a little success.

Guess who's getting some undies in his stocking this year????!!!!

Am I crazy????

Yes I think that I am & I know that I am going to be hurting later for it.

I had gotten the kids ready for playgroup and was heading out to the car when I couldn't find the keys. I checked the usual spots - handbag, Nappy bag & under the big pile of crap on the bench. Nope no keys. Then I remembered throwing them on the front seat of the car when I came home yesterday, then I also remembered locking the car with central locking later in the day because Grace had gotten in and I hate her playing in the car. Sure enough, the keys were perched up on the seat shining right back at me.

So no playgroup for us, but I had to get out of the house so that's when I came up with the fantabulous idea (or not!)

I strapped Xavier into the toddler seat of the pram and Grace into the actual pram. I never use this pram now - It's too cumbersome and with the toddler seat it felt too top heavy. I was hoping that by having the 14kg toddler in the back and the 9kg baby in the front it would all be ok.

So I lathered us all up with sunscreen, donned our hats and headed off.

I really should have turned left, not right like I did. Turning right meant I had to push 13 kgs of kids & approx. 15kgs of pram up a very long and gradual hill. To top it all off the tyres on the pram were all flat but because the pump was in the car they just had to stay that way. It was so hard and I was absolutely exhausted by the time I reached the top.

I got to the flat bit and that was a bit easier. We were nearly at the servo where I was going to pump up the tyres when the stupid footpath started to become really hard to push on. The I literally had to put myself in between the pram as it started toppling towards a parked car. So after rectifying that, I rushed off to the servo.

The pram was so much better and easier after the tyres were nice and full. We headed over to the shops to post some letters then over to the ducky park. I parked the pram and got the kids out for a play around. Xavier had fun crawling around on the grass, Grace & I went on a hunt for things to make a collage with later. We collected some leaves, pine needles, feather and lots of other interesting stuff. We layed down on grass and chatted about what we could see. The birds flying over, the trees swaying in the breeze and the clouds rolling over.

Grace then told me that she wanted to go to the toilet to do a wee. I offered her the bird toilet and she got so excited. "Yeah, birdie toilet. Grace go bird toilet" So I took her over to a secluded spot in between some trees, wondering if she would do her first 'bush wee'
"No Grace go Grace's toilet, no wees in bird toilet", She was screaming and there was no way she was going there so we packed up and headed back over to the shops.

After the toilet spot we headed home. I was exhausted and I know that I will feel it tomorrow. Grace fell asleep in the pram, Xavier was just happy looking around munching on a cracker.

I do hate living somewhere that I can't walk from easily, it's just so hilly. When ever I take the kids for a walk I have to drive and then walk, I would love to just take them from home.

Also this is funny. Daisy and Lily (the dogs) were going nuts when I left, they wanted to come too. I heard them barking and whining for ages, and when I got home they were both in the front yard (jumped the side fence) and Daisy had her collar with her that she had gotten of the BBQ out the back. Poor things, very rarely get to go for walks now!!

26th November 2007

Well Grace has been in undies now for the last week. She has only had a few accidents at home, no accidents when we are out!! She is going so well and always asks to go to the toilet when she needs to. Today she even got up on the toilet by herself and did a wee. I am just praising her now and not using any “toy” rewards like I was. It all seems so easy and i guess i am waiting for it all to fall apart! I really hope this is it though and i am fairly confident that it is! Yey....no more Grace nappies....just stinky Xavier’s!!

Xavier is just being more and more adorable every day! I am absolutely mesmerized by him! He is just so happy all the time and giggles at everything. Nicole and I took the boys shopping today. It was great to get out toddler free! Xavier is so good in the pram he just looks around until he gets tired then just drops off to sleep! He is still waking of a night at about 2am. I have just been giving him a quick feed and he goes back to bed easily. I think that he might be waking as he is not getting enough milk during the day....which leads me to my next subject!

I am fairly sure that Xavier is going to be a messy eater when he starts solids! If his breastfeeding antics are anything to go by! He latches on, has a few sucks then starts going crazy on my boob! He does this funny thing where he bury’s his head in my boobs and kinda blows a raspberry! I think that it has something to do with my letdown....but is it really necessary Mr Xavier? I come out of the ordeal with milk everywhere and my nipple being exposed to everyone! He also is very distracted during feeds now. Its like there is too much fun happening and he wants to be a part of it! He either laughs at me when he is feeding or gawks around at everyone else. I think that this is part of the reason that he is waking for a night feed. He doesn’t seem to be getting enough during the day! I would try and resettle him but his little tummy rumbles, so i just give him a quick feed and he goes back to sleep!

Well my beautiful first born baby is turning 2 tomorrow. I can’t believe that this time last year I was starting my labour that would bring this beautiful soul into the world. At 7pm the contractions started, just as Duane has dished me up a generous serving of ice-cream, ice magic and walnuts!
We have had so much fun together over the last 2 years, and I am looking forward to the next phase of her life! I’ll write a bit more about how I am feeling tomorrow! We are going to have a lovely family day...maybe go to the beach if it is a nice day! We have bought her a bike...which I am sure she will be super excited about!

My little boy is 10 weeks

Where is the time going?????

My little boy is so grown up at 10 weeks old! He is so strong and seems to be like a 6 month old baby! He rolls easily from his tummy to back and tries to go from back to front but can’t yet! He is so ticklesh and is always smiling and giggling! He loves being tickled on his sides and also on his thighs! He breaks out in the cutest little giggle that is very similar to Grace’s laugh! He is still sleeping very well.

He goes to bed between 4.30pm and 5pm and then wakes between 1am and 2am and then back down till nearly 6am. He just has a quick feed of a night and then goes back to sleep easily! I actually really enjoy the night cuddles with him when I am feeding. He is such a contented little fellow! He’s not too keen on sleeping in the pram…he would much rather his bed! I have managed to get out a bit with the 2 and it hasn’t gone too bad! Grace loves being in the toddler seat…grabbing at everything!

Xavier loves being in the bouncer. He loves kicking and grabbing the toys and laughing at them. He likes being on his tummy but a lot of the time he just rolls onto his back!

Grace is doing really well…except we had a bot of a shocker on Monday! She seemed to be doing everything to annoy me. I know that she wasn’t but that’s just how it felt at the time. She is great most of the time and is fantastic if I have to do anything for Xavier. She is happy to just let me put him into bed and she plays by herself. She has 1 puzzle that she loves doing over and over again. She is actually really good at it and knows where all the pieces go! I am going to get her some for her birthday. She is picking up new words all the time and copies everything that we say. She saw me the other day expressing some milk from my nipple and now she tried to squeeze hers to get something out! She was even trying to suck on her own boob! So funny!

We are attempting to toilet train but not much luck yet! I am finding it hard to get the time to concentrate on it. I am always getting interrupted and having to rush to Xavier. She knows when she needs to go but she hasn’t actually done a full wee or poo on the toilet...just finishes them!!