The newest family addition

Please allow me to take a moment to introduce the newest member of our family. She doesn't have a name yet, but already has a purpose. According to our latest library addition about potty learning, a doll which potties can help a child connect the idea of drinking, urinating, and wetness. So, today, we began our search for such a doll. First, please know that they only come in pink. Some are even capable of pooping, if fed special separately purchased "baby food". But baby J liked this little girl. She has her own potty which is very similar to his froggy potty (also chosen by him, per "the book"). We searched for big boy pants and found "mouse" (Mickey Mouse Clubhouse) underpants which he gleefully carried around the store.

When it comes to such matters, there is no shortage in the potty market. Actualy potties can range from $9.99 to unlimited amounts (the most expensive I found was $80.99!! It had better train the child for you). Some have splash guards or music or handle bars. There are "starter potties" and those for advanced children. The book section is loaded with wisdom on the matter too. But, when you make it to the potty-ing dolls, expect a limited selection of girl dolls.

One comes with juice packets, baby food, and disposable diapers (I'm too cheap to buy them for my own son, why would I buy them for a doll?!?). The other comes with cloth diapers, a potty chair, and a BPA-free (not really) bottle.

Everything Potty Training Book: $9.99

Lots to Love Babies potty doll with accessories: $15.00

"Mouse" underpants: $9.99

Baby J splashing in LTLB's toilet water: Priceless

Tot Time

Baby feet in the swimming pool are the cutest. I love baby J's little toes anyways, but to see them beneath the water makes them appear even more magical. Those little round toes remind me of grapes fresh off the vine; I just want to gobble them up (don't tell James that I said that; he's never understand that phrase.) Baby J was especially fond of looking at them once I pointed them out too.

We scrambled frantically to the froggie slide. We were the second people in line at the gate. While tot time is restricted to children under 6, children under 6 can still be stressful to a little guy. Last time we were there, baby J saw the slide. And baby J loves slides (the way I love baby feet). So he ran to it. Once he got to the top step, though, he found it a bit intimidating. And the boy who pushed him down it didn't make him less paranoid. Today, I hoped to conquer the fear before the others arrived. He did come down the slide, but not the way you think. He pushed his way down the steps when the hoards of children under 6 arrived. Hopefully next week will be more promising.

The cutest part, though, was that the whole time we were hanging out in the pool, he kept gravitating towards the large, twisty waterslides. I'd hate to be the kid waiting behind baby J in that line! Thankfully, that is a few years off.

While we didn't make much progress in overcoming the slide fear, we did have a great time together just splashing and walking in the water. That's where you'll find us twice a week. By the end of the summer, he should be holding his own on that froggie.

Interpretting the language...

What he says....                            ... and what he means
bite                                               "I'm hungry. Feed me, please."
quack                                           "Cracker, please"
hug                                               "Hug"
up                                                 "Up" or, quite possibly, "Down"
on                                                 "On" or "Off"
off                                                 "Off" or "On"
no                                                 "No" and sometimes "Yes"
bat                                                "Bath"
house                                            "I see my playhouse from the window. Can we go?"
tat                                                 "Cat" or "That"
rooooooar                                     I'm thinking about what a lion says.
deus                                              "Juice" or "Shoes"
tu-oy                                             "Toy"
sock                                              "Please put my sock on/off"
duck                                              "Truck" or "Duck"
book                                              "Book"
bah-lock                                         "Block"
nay-nay                                          "Mama, please help me go to sleep."

But the most beautiful things he says are with words that he can't express yet. Baby J hugs and kisses can brighten these gloomy days easily.

so many things to do and so little time...

Over the course of one day, baby J becomes so many things...

the molder of Play-doh, (Due to his infatuation with all things in the shapes of balls, I taught him to roll a small clump of play-doh between the palms of his hands. He now endearingly refers to yet another object as "balls")

the maker of trouble, (the expression is "No... No." With as frequently as he says the word, people must think that we don't say anything but "No... No".)

the adventurous explorer of wetness,

the happy boy who wishes to play,

the boy who asks "Where is he?" and then playfully pops out saying "There he is!" (We would ask him this and when we'd uncover our eyes or come out of hiding, we would say "There he is!". So, if you are ever wondering why he looks cluelessly at you when you go "Peek-a-Boo", it was unintentional on our part. He knows the game, but plays it a little differently.)

the saver of pennies, (Hopefully we will instill in him the ability to be thrifty and content.)

 

and, of course, our cool guy.

I've lost baby J...

It seems that it was just 30 months ago that baby J began to form. He was my precious little stowaway.

I was a different person then. You might say that I was more of a person. But that mattered very little to me, for I had been given a gift, a little person to lovingly nurture. I had longed for that day for most of my life. As a little girl, I would wrap my dollie inside my dress and tie a ribbon around her so that I could have a "mommie belly". And when my blessing arrived, I knew very little about mommiehood; I still know very little.

That is how it began. It wasn't until today that this finally came to fruition. Honestly, how could something like this happen? One moment, you are grasping so tightly, and the next, something that you thought you couldn't live without is gone. I've lost baby J...










... I did mention that losing baby J is a metaphor for losing the weight equivalent to the little guy, right? 25 pounds down and I'm well on my way!!

Please watch your step...

The neighbors must think I'm crazy. But, I suppose I do have a prescription, of sorts. And, it wasn't too long ago that kids did this everyday. In other countries, it is considered perfectly natural. And our yard is completely fenced in.

But, it still looks peculiar to see baby J in nothing but a shirt playing in the backyard. When I say nothing, I mean nothing. He's had a history of some problems that I don't care to go into detail about. It isn't serious, but it is uncomfortable. So the doctors (we got to see both his PCPs in the same room today) decided it would be best for him to go diaper-free while at home. He also gets a daily baking soda bath and lots of loving.

Hopefully this will finally allow us to resolve the poor boy's "ows", as he so eloquently puts it, and will get us back to a pee-free zone (code for diaper-wearing again). Until then, watch your step please.

Did you know...?

I just learned this. Did you know that you can subscribe to receive an email each time your favorite blogs are updated? Simply scroll to the bottom of the blog you'd like to subscribe. There you'll find a link to "Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)". Click on this and you'll get updates. Per chance, it says to "Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)", choose the "Home" option just above it. Then, choose "Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)".

Thanks for reading!

Childhood memories... Oh, how refreshing.

Recently I learned that a friend of mine locally is well-acquainted with some of my childhood friends from my birthplace. It triggered so many memories. The one that is more prominent in my mind, is that pictured here. I have looked at a collage of pictures, including this one, so many times and happily remembered being a child.

My parents had set up a large tarp on this huge hill in our backyard. I know that it wasn't all that, but in the mind of a child, it was the best thing on earth. As I look at our faces, all I see is carefree whimsy. Ahhhh... The life of a child.

I love taking time to remember when life was a simple as a big tarp, a hill, and a water hose. How refreshing. I loved being a child. But I think I love being a mommie more and seeing those bright happy eyes over such simple pleasures.  I love knowing that baby J will have memories like this.

Oh, by the way, I am the one front and center.