Potty Training, #3

Yes, I am the worst at blogging. Now that that's out of the way, I want to record some things for my own use later. I have vague outlines of how the other 2 potty trained, but want to collect my thoughts as I get ready for a new school year, during which I will be expected to help other parents with their own potty training battles.

Day 1: Cora mostly held it for up to 3 hours at a time. When she was wet, it was a flood. But, she peed in the potty twice, and even pooped in the potty. All of them were flukes that happened because I put her there, not because she told me. THIS IS NORMAL. If you think about how a toddler has to learn to use the potty, there are a lot of things going on here. One is the muscle control to hold their pee, and then release those same muscles at the right time. Another is the ability to recognize the feeling of a full bladder. Third is the ability to recognize that feeling ahead of a relieving it, and the fourth is communicating that to someone, or taking herself to the potty.

Day 2: Wet all day. But here's the bright side: wet in tablespoons. She would pee, stop peeing, then say pee! and we would take her to the potty. This doesn't sound like a triumph, but in light of what I just described above, this is a huge step to have made in just 24 hours.

Day 3: It's noon. She's peed in the potty twice, been wet twice. However, the first time she did make it to the potty, she came barreling into the bathroom where her cousin was occupying the potty, and yelled and signed potty! I hauled Ollie off, much to his dismay, put her on, and she did it! Again, this is massive for only her 3rd day in undies.

Check out that 'hawk!

This is how Cora's hair chooses to style itself. We truly play no part in this. She is the happiest, most laid back baby. Every day, she reminds me of Emmeline. Poor girl recently had an ear infection, but the only way we found out was when we took her to the pediatrician for something else. She never ran a fever, never tugged her ear, never stopped smiling. She was having a harder time sleeping, but at 3 months, it's a little tough to figure out if sleeping issues are sleeping issues or health issues.
The big kids are so totally in love with her. Emmeline likes to change her diaper, and talk to her, occasionally read her books. Jamie sings to her and tickles her. They are great at being big brother and big sister.

Big Smiles!

We got our first "social smile" yesterday. Cora is still a pretty easy baby, so long as I maintain my strict diet of water and bread. No soda, beans, possibly dairy, or virtually anything else. She has the dreaded reflux, and some bad gas. I'm working on it. But as long as her tummy's not hurting, she's golden. Cora loves it when her big brother and sister talk and sing to her. She prefers naps on her side, tucked into a sort of blanket cocoon. Not a swaddle, just cocooned. She's still deciding on the pacifier...Em loved it, Jamie hated it, Cora...does both. She seems to love it in the middle of the night, when she'll take it and put herself to sleep (thank you, Lord). But during the day, I'd say we have about a 50% success rate with it, 

What she definitely does NOT love, however, is Zantac. Emmeline asked why we don't just make it breastmilk flavored. Good call, Em. 

Happy Birthday, Cora Juliette!

Here's our tiebreaker! Looks like the girls will carry the day here. Cora joined us on January 22, at 10:46 am. It was a whole new birth experience for me, since my epidural only worked on one side. Also, for the first time, my water broke on its own. Not at home, but it was still interesting. Miss Cora has a LOT of hair, more than Emmy did, and it's much longer than Emmeline's was. She is a champion nurser, figuring out this latching business almost immediately. At her pediatrician appointment yesterday, she had already put back on 3 ounces of the 9 she lost.

The big kids are just in love, Jamie can't stop kissing her (despite my mild protests, since he has a runny nose). When Meme took them shopping for Cora, Jamie wanted to buy her most of Target.

We are so very blessed here.

Baby G3 Baking Nicely

We had our mid pregnancy ultrasound about 2 weeks ago. Everything is looking good! Baby is measuring just right, and everything is where it is supposed to be. We are staying on "Team Green" this pregnancy, just like the others, which gets significantly easier after that ultrasound has passed. Now, we're just waiting it out, and working on logistics. Baby has been kicking like crazy, enough that Shawn even felt it once. My heartburn is back with a vengeance, but as long as I remember the rules (no tomatoes, no oranges, not too much fried, nothing carbonated + two Zantac a day), I seem to be ok. Doctor said today that I've put on 7 pounds this whole time, so I'm happy with that. I have had two people ask me if I'm sure it's not twins, and if I'm sure the doctor doesn't think I'm farther along than I think I am. I realllllly don't think I'm that big, but whatever.

And Just Because We All Look Pretty Good

Mother's Day 2014

Well, Jamie looks a little goofy, but we're all dressed nicely.

The Big Kids' Take on an Addition

We told the kids about the new baby coming a few weeks ago. They were sort of unimpressed, but have been slowly reacting. All positive - Emmeline is kind of excited, Jamie just sort of rolls with whatever Em says. Of course, Emmeline wants a sister, Jamie wants a brother. Not surprising. What is funny is that Jamie wants a brother so he can share his toys with him (!) They have had lots of questions about how things will be once the baby gets here, and logistics: where will the baby sleep? Where will its carseat go? Things like that. So far, they seem happy about the whole thing, so we're embracing that and hoping it sticks.