Dad (dy) and Mom (my)

Somehow over the past week or so Isaac has started calling David 'Dad' instead of 'Daddy'. I for the most part am still mommy with the occasional mom. We are trying to figure out where it came from, or where we picked it up... but it does make us chuckle when he says it. "Dad... where are you. Dad, come here. DAD!" It sounds too grown up for our liking, and we know it will swing in and out of dad (dy) for a long while, but for now just another reminder that he is growing up all to fast.

Looks like a Snail. Looks like a Rocket.

Something clicked a couple weeks ago, and Isaac has been successfully pottying in the toilet time and time again. We are no longer wearing diapers for naps, and he tells us pretty reliably when he needs to go. He definitely prefers to stand for #1, so we have opted for a step stool instead of using the kiddie potty we started with. It seems over the past week #2 has really clicked as well. He understands that he needs to sit to do it, and tends to go back and forth to his little potty several times before he is ready to commit. Ultimately he does go, and then stands up and analyzes his hard work. It always 'looks like ...". Yesterday it looked like a 'snail'. Today it looked like a 'rocket'. David and I simply smile and agree. As far as we are concerned it can look like anything he dreams to imagine... as longs as it lands in the potty.

Weeks 28 & 29 | Montana to Wyoming

589 miles. 5 days. more to come.

Week 26 and 27 | go go go

These past weeks have been a whirlwind. I will say that right around week 26 I felt completely exhausted. So much so that I called Dr. Rabin to ask if I should get my iron drawn, or if there was anything that could be causing it. He said yes, you have a toddler and you are pregnant. I thought for a while and realized he is probably right. With my first pregnancy I wasn't working. I could put my feet up and relax whenever I felt necessary. I took naps and really took care of myself. This time around is a totally different story. I am running back and forth to Isaac's school, running errands, working, slipping in yoga when I can, and caring for Isaac. Seeing that the exhaustion fell right after a week of potty training at home, I thought, Rabin's right. Slow down sister.
Week 27 started with Isaac's 'All about Me' day at school Monday so David and I arrived with a sideshow, his favorite treat (ice cream) and a couple books that he loves right now (three robbers and iggy peck). He loved having all of his friends see photos of him, and dancing to the music of his favorite songs. It was very cute to see him enjoy the spotlight, and feel so comfortable at school. Tuesday I headed to Dr. Rabin's for my favorite gestational diabetes test, an iron test, and my RH injection. Lots of poking and prodding, but baby sounded great, was head down, and everything seemed to be moving along nicely. Isaac and I had a lot of play time in the afternoons as this will be our last week together before Natalia arrives home. He is enjoying 'Zingo', and movies, and is completely edible. Friday, as it always seems to happen the day before we left for our trip, Isaac came down with a fever. He seemed much better after his nap, although it was clear that he wasn't totally himself. It is amazing to hear him tell us that 'he is not feeling so well' and to articulate what doesn't feel good. 'Im hot, Im cold, I feel better'. It feels like it has taken a while to get to this point, but it is so good to be here.


aches and pains of week 26/27: exhaustion, indegestion, swelling in feet and hands at night

25 weeks | summer vacation

Isaac has been off school for the week, and as mentioned in the previous blog, most of the week has been inundated with potty training. It was an especially challenging week given the enormous fires going on which made it impossible for us to venture outside, or even into the backyard to play. The air quality was awful, raining ashes, so we decided to find as many ways to spend our time indoors as possible. On top of the fires, it has been HOT, breaking 100 every day. That kind of weather is pretty unbearable for anyone, but I will say being pregnant adds a whole new level of discomfort. We were lucky to head out of town Thursday and drive up the beach house for some much needed relief. It was WONDERFUL. We were able to spend time outdoors in moderate temperatures. We took an amazing walk on the sand after dinner Thursday night, and spent the morning on Friday watching Isaac get more and more comfortable in the ocean. It was so nice to relax, and I was so thankful to have some help from mom and dad. It provided a cherished break. Isaac didn't want to leave Friday night after dinner, and I was sad to say goodbye too. I hope we are able to head up there again soon and take advantage of our special other home.


aches and pains of week 25: caught isaac's cold, indigestion, heartburn, floating rib pain, congestion

Bye Bye Diapers, Hello Undies. Bye bye Undies, Hello Success

This week was Isaac's summer break, so we decided to take the opportunity to ditch the diapers once and for all. We could sense he was ready, and just needed a little push to get there. We made a big deal about it on Sunday and headed to target to pick out new big boy undies. Of course, he had no interest in the Undies, and much more interest in picking out a truck... but that was to be expected. The week went a little something like this:

Monday: I tried to get him to sit on the potty every 15-30 minutes. He threw a fit every time. It started to turn into a battle. It definitely wasn't the way I wanted to make the transition, so we regrouped.
Tuesday: The day started with Isaac having two accidents, on the couch, and then in his pants. He seemed to be intentionally holding it just to protest. I almost threw the towel in, when David reminded me... this is going to take time. We had a breakthrough with his first #2 on the potty in the afternoon.
Wednesday: We cracked the code. No undies. As soon as the undies were off, and he didn't have the security of the diaper like feeling, he started using the potty. We had no accidents. We went out for lunch, without a problem, and he really seemed to be understanding the concept.
Thursday/Friday: We spent time at the beach house. It became very clear that he preferred standing to sitting for both #1 and #2. We have to work on the standing for #2, but hey, you have to figure that's the way hes been doing it for three years.
Saturday: We have tried bringing back the undies. He has more accidents when they are on, but typically only with #2 and he tells us right away. He is aware of what he SHOULD do, and I think is becoming more aware of his body. He is also not yet comfortable using the public toilets. We have to work on how to solve this seeing that he pees standing up, and cant reach the big toilet, not yet sure how to make it work.

Overall it has been amazing to watch his progress and we are so proud of him. Yet another reminder of how he is no longer our little baby, but rather our little boy. We are cherishing the small things and moments that remind us that he is still only three, and dependent on our love and support. Watching him this morning curl up on the couch with his 'money milk' and 'mr. toots', with thumb in mouth, I thought to myself... he may be sleeping in a bed, and peeing in the potty... but he is still the same scrumptious love we have always known.

'Fursula'

Isaac loves animated movies. It seems like each week there is a new favorite who's characters lead to endless discussions. He has always enjoyed watching little mermaid, and has always asked us to 'fast forward' through any parts that include 'Fursula'. He has recently become interested in watching the end when 'Fursula' grows into a 'giant octopus' and turns 'orange'. This of course has lead to numerous discussions about why 'Fursula' doesn't like fish, why 'Fursula' is 'not a nice person', why 'Fursula' gets so big and orange... This in turn has lead to discussion about jealousy, choices, actions. The past few days he has awoken from each nap and bedtime asking about 'Fursula'. When he saw his giant shadow at dusk on the sand, he reminded me he was 'giant like Fursula'. When he was standing on his cooking stand, he told me he was 'getting giant like Fursula. She is definitely on the brain, for now, I am sure only to be replaced with a new character of interest full of questions and lessons. When Isaac asked me 'why Fursula was not a nice person?' I responded by saying, some people are just not nice people honey. His response... 'and some people are giant orange octopuses'. I chuckled and fell even more in love with my inquisitive little guy. I guess it is that simple. Some things just are what they are.