Zero, Nada, Zip

Short and sweet!  Scar had zero accidents today. She even pooped in the potty all on her own! So proud of her.

Potty Time is a Success!

I am so proud to say that Scarlett is doing excellent at potty training.  More so than I would have thought.  She is in panties ALL day long and she sleeps in a diaper at night.  Once we run out of nightly diapers we will try sleeping in panties with a plastic cover to see how she does. If it doesn't go well we will use pull ups for bedtime.   I am working on getting her off fluids at least 30 minutes to an hour before bedtime.   She has gone 4 days without having any accident at nap-time so I am hopeful for bedtime.  At first I was putting her in diapers for nap and then we tried the plastic cover over her panties for nap but decided we would try panties only.  She's done great and amazes me with each nap that passes with no accident.   She is very attached to "mommy's potty" though and doesn't like to go when we are not at home.  We have had 2 break throughs though.  She pooped in the potty here at home and she peed on the potty at the hospital yesterday and Grandma's today.   She is also starting to tell me when she needs to potty rather than me asking every 30 minutes.  I too am learning that when we leave the house and I put a plastic cover over her panties she's not afraid to pee in her panties because it prevents it from running down her legs. So no more plastic covers. Instead I put a towel on the seat of her carseat just in case.  So far no accidents in the car and so I pulled the towel out today!!!

Funny story (but not for Scar).   She told me yesterday she had to potty and I told her "Hurry! Run!" as I always do when we race for the bathroom.  She then proceeds to waddle with both her legs straight out and in a tearful little voice says " I can't run mommy ".  Bless her little heart she had already started to poop in her panties and was so upset because she couldn't run with me. I didn't know she had started yet. But at the same time it was the cutest thing ever. I did my best not to laugh because I didn't want to hurt her feelings. Instead I told her it was ok and helped her to the potty so she could finish.

Scar is getting to be such a big girl. I can't believe that just a week ago we started potty training! And today she turned 2!

I Can't Believe It

I can't believe that 2 years ago tomorrow I was at the hospital, in labor in delivery, getting ready to have the most beautiful baby girl I would ever lay eyes on.   These past two years have been amazing.  She has made me the happiest mommy in the entire world.   Watching her grow has shown me a whole new side to life, a life I could have never imagined in my wildest dreams.  I have loved watching Scarlett grow and change.  Seeing her for the first time, holding her, kissing her, dressing her for the first time, her first car ride home, the first night at home, her first home bath, smile, feeling her tiny fingers wrap around my one.  Lots of snuggles, hugs, kisses and lazy days just holding her close.  Growing up, turning over, crawling, taking steps and finally running!  Her first words.  The first time she said "mama" and really meant me and not some random baby gibber jabber.  Oh my! I could go on and on.   Here we are two years later.  No more bottles, No more paci (as of a few weeks ago) and diapers ONLY for bedtime.   I can't wrap my mind around how much she has grown and how quickly time has passed.  I love my little girl with my entire heart and nothing will every change that.   Happy Birthday Baby Girl!!!!

On another note.  Lane is getting his 3rd and 4th teeth.  #3 is slightly poked through and you can see #4 and feel it right beneath the gums.  He will be 6 months on the 31st! 

Why must my babies grow so fast?!  I love you Scarlett & Lane.  Hugs & Kisses

Paci, Potty & Teeth

Scarlett is officially OFF the paci. I am so proud of her. It went alot smoother than I expected. We did have our grump, grouchy, don't mess with me days though.  And thanks to Holly and her story of the dog eating the paci Scarlett has been doing great!

Friday we started potty training.  Friday we had no success.  Saturday we had LOTS! She peed in the potty 4 times.  Today is Sunday and we only had 2 accidents.   One, because she is still scared to poop in the potty. I am sure we will get there though.

I am also proud to announce that Lane has not one but TWO teeth.  They are the cutest things ever and he is chewing on everything like a mad man!  He's actually doing very well with teething which doesn't surprise me because Scarlett was not a bad teether either.  I am also ecstatic to announce that Lane is ROLLING OVER!  Hip-hip-hooray!   I don't want my babies to grow up too fast but I thought this day would never come.  It took him 5 1/2 months but he finally hit a major milestone.  He rolls from back to front.  He would roll as long as he had your finger to hold, then he would use his toy bar and now he does it all on his own.  How proud of my little ham I am.

I am so happy and sad all at once.  Doodlebug will be 2 on the 22nd and my Ham will be 6 months on the 31st.  So many happy times, so many milestones, so many memories in such a short amount of time. 

Day 1 of No Paci

We took, or I should say 'I' took Scarlett's paci away today. I was going to do it Monday. But this morning she gave up her paci like nothing.  I knew she would do good during the day while she was awake. It was naps and bedtime I really worried about.  Nap went fairly well.  I guess that's because I felt awful about taking something so special to her away. I let her lay in my bed and watch the Jungle Book until she fell asleep.  It was still a fight. She asked for paci several times.  I just kept her distracting every time she asked. Lots of hug and love!  She did wake up a grump though.  She couldn't find her paci.  I offered her a popsicle instead. That made her happy and she went about her merry way.  Bedtime was a completely different story.  It took an hour and ten minutes to get her to sleep.  She didn't ask for her paci until 40 minutes in though. So I took that as a good sign.  She tossed, turned, cried, scractched, ran her teeth against the safety rail on her bed and drank the water in her sippy cup.  She doesn't usually go to bed with a sippy but I figured I was taking her paci she needed something in return.  She wasn't happy about the water and told me several times "not very good mommy".   She had me hold her, pat her, read an extra story and then hold her sippy for her.  Yes I laid in bed with her.  I couldn't just turn out the light, say prayers and good night and walk out knowing she was going to be so upset over losing something so near and dear.  But, all in all, we survived the first day and I have high hopes for day 2.

Un-Stuffed Bell Peppers

I haven't posted a recipe in a while so I decided I would get one up.  I like to tweak my recipes so that they are done in 30 minutes or less.  This is my quick version of stuffed bell peppers

Un-Stuffed Bell Peppers
1 lb ground hamburger
1-2 bell peppers diced
1 med. onion diced
crushed garlic (or garlic powder) to taste
salt & pepper to taste
1 1/2 cups uncooked rice
1 1/2 cups water / chicken broth
2 cans of tomato sauce (I prefer the roasted garlic)
2 Tbsp butter

• Cook rice according to package directions.  I like to use chicken broth for flavor. You can use water or broth.  
• Melt butter in skillet, add in bell peppers, onion and crushed garlic.  Let cook up for about 5 minutes. 
• Add in ground beef, brown and drain any excess grease
• Add cooked rice to beef
• Add in tomato sauce, salt & pepper and any other spice you might like
• Let simmer for about 5-10 more minutes to let flavors blend.

This is a really simple recipe. I always start the rice first that way it will be ready to add in as soon as the beef is finished browning.  You can cook your peppers and onions before you add the meat or just toss them all in together if you're in a hurry, it works either way.  I usually add some type of crescents or garlic bread and a salad as a side dish.

Bisquick Drop Biscuits
2 1/4 cups of bisquick mix
2/3 cup of milk

Mix together until dough is soft and drop by spoonfuls onto lightly greased cookie sheat.  Bake at 450 for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown.

It's been a While

It's been a while since I have updated.  The family seems to be doing ok.  Scarlett is growing up so fast. Talking up a storm.  We're going to take the pacifier away on Monday!  Ok so we're going to see how it goes.

Lane is growing like crazy. At his last appointment he was up to 17lb 11oz 25.5 in.  Yep! That is my 5 month old for you. He is quite the little Ham.  On his 5 month birthday he cut his first tooth! I was soooo excited. We were not even expecting a tooth. We had checked his gums and nothing. Then he is gnawing on my finger and I feel something sharp.  Believe it or not it was a tooth!

Rassie is doing ok. He got some feeling and mobility back in his left leg on Christmas morning. What a God send. 

We had a good Christmas. It was a little busy but I enjoyed myself and that's what counts.  New Year's went pretty good too.   A few things are worrying me but I am sure everything will work out.