Ahhhhhhh . . . Colorado!!

It’s been a week since we returned from the beautiful retreat that is Gram K’s home in Colorado. It was such a blessing to be surrounded by family, the majestic mountains & refreshing temps . . . not to mention meeting our adorable niece, Ruthie Ann. I have been swimming through over 2,000 images to decide how to best commemorate our time together and I’ve decided on three posts. The first will focus on Lil’ A & her adventures (this is the most picture dense). I had such difficulty whittling down my favorite images of Alexa, so forgive me if this seems too lengthy. Seeing her big brown eyes and imperfect grin brighten my day in a way nothing else can, so I hope seeing Alexa frolic in CO brings you joy as well. The other two posts will focus on family time (namely Ruthie) and our activities in God’s country. Enjoy!!

 










 














Notice the lipstick from Gram K on Alexa’s forehead. She had a “love mark” on her face every morning from a Gram K kiss.

And, that’s a wrap!!

Monday pick-me-up

SPLASHIN’ AROUND IN RECORD-BREAKING HEAT


When we returned from Colorado last week, we were convinced we escaped a week too early. With record-breaking temps ranging from 111-113 degrees, we were longing for the mountains. Although we were melting, Alexa didn’t seem to mind. We had no idea a $20 plastic pool would bring her such endless delight but we’re thankful for the welcome reprieve from this beastly heat. You know it’s hot when you are thrilled the forecasted temperature is only 101 degrees. Here’s a glimpse of Alexa’s daily evening dip in the pool
Wishing you drops of refreshment and delight on this Monday (with some AC too)!














Endless delight, friends, endless delight!!

Potty Training – The Final Frontier?

This may look like another ordinary plastic container of little girl panties but these panties represent so much more – independence, freedom, a clean bottom, financial savings, the end to a changing table & the sole reason I may need to institutionalize myself very soon!! I didn’t realize how much a little pink panty could bring about such discouragement & elation within moments of each other.
It’s marked on the calendar with as much enthusiasm as the day we recorded Alexa’s first steps – Wednesday, July 11, 2012 – "Started potty training.” Ummmm, the enthusiasm quickly evaporated after the 15th accident the first day and the realization I’d be scheduling a carpet cleaning when all of this was said and done. Oh yes, did I mention I was trying a three-day “easy potty training” by Lora Jensen who encourages you to throw away diapers and never use pull-ups or training pants in the potty training process? This isn’t for wimps and Jensen clearly states that. She basically says it will stink for three days (for us, perhaps a bit longer). This is panties only . . . no turning back. In my estimation, the only thing “easy” about it was the daily dress code – tank top & panties.

One week and 39 panties later, I felt like we had taken huge strides in the potty training realm. Alexa “got it” very early in the process but due to her strong will, she called the shots when she would actually go in the potty. We are confident of this - the girl has an iron bladder. She’s not a people-pleaser and incentives don’t seem to impress her that much. Regardless, Alexa could pee successfully in her “little” big girl potty when we asked her to. By asking Alexa to go - we are learning - is still only a suggestion but she seems to comply most of the time. Unfortunately, she still refuses to pee pee in the big potty or in public.

Evidence of the first pee pee in the potty. This was my artistic rendering of a toilet sticker chart with treat incentives. It filled up faster than I anticipated. I never dreamed I would text multiple friends & family to let them know about pee pee!!

Three and a half weeks in, we have yet to celebrate a BM in the potty. With our strong-willed little two-year-old, I am fully convinced she will be fine pooping in her panties until she is four . . . we’re praying that isn’t the case. If it is, you can visit Mommy at the closest mental institution. I never thought I’d grow so weary trying to potty train our little whippersnapper. Let’s be honest, she didn’t have a BM for 10 days in April – the girl is hard-headed and does things in her time in her way, even if it means she’ll be miserable. Having Daddy gone a week and throwing in a vacation to CO probably didn’t help matters, but I think we’re sticking to our guns and riding this one out. Given we may need tons of prayer with an equal amount of Shout stain lifter and Miralax, we know our little girl can do it (and we keep telling her that often) – she just has to decide she can do it too. It’s up to her & she understands that.

Alexa loved her princess potty Ama & Opa provided during our stay in CO. It sang and said “Yay!” when she went to the potty. I’m pretty sure she was disappointed with her potty back at home when we returned. Our little potty is bells & whistle-less.

Ahhhh – potty love!!

In lieu of a sticker chart in CO, Ama decided putting stickers directly onto the potty would work. Alexa agreed and enjoyed covering the little bumps on the lid. I think Lil’ A had acquired 21 stickers when we left. 

Partly out of desperation & partly because it is what she talks about the most, we have promised Alexa another trip to Great Wolf Lodge if she fills her sticker chart for going #2 in the potty. One day after creating the chart, it remains sticker-less. We are hopeful that the Miralax will encourage 20 miracles.


Potty training may not be the final frontier but it sure seems like it when you’re in the thick of it. I know I’ll look back on this and laugh at the angst and drama. Goodness, I can’t imagine what I’ll be blogging about when we finally wean Alexa from the paci!
We’ll keep you updated . . .

One Step at a Time

Deep breath . . . so it’s been a long while since I’ve posted. Wish I had some brilliant excuse like we were trekking across Europe, I was experiencing morning sickness or we were building a new home. By the way, none of the above are true. My only reasonable excuse, I suppose, is “life.” Of the four weeks in July, we were vacationing two of them, Daddy was away on business for another, and we started potty training the only week we were at home together (I need an entire post dedicated to that experience).
All in all, I would say this July has been one of the slowest and fastest months of my life. I have a lot of catching up to do so I’m taking small steps getting back into the swing of things. And speaking of “steps,” one thing I did manage to cross off my to-do list was finishing three more stepstools. It took two and a half months to finish them but I am pleased with the final products and the new sealer I discovered after some research. I figured after all the hours I put into painting them, I was tired of messing them up when I started to seal them with a spray finish. The new brush on sealer works like a dream minus the headaches I get from the fumes. I can handle a few headaches for a smooth finish that should allow these stepstools to withstand lots of grubby feet climbing on them for years to come. Here you go . . .







Prepare yourself . . . potty training is coming at you next!!

Monday pick-me-up

A WEEK AT MIMI & POP’S


The cousins – Layton, Alexa & Rylen waving “Old Glory” on the 4th of July.

We just returned from a restful week of family time at my parent’s home in Dallas. It’s become a family tradition since my mom is required to take that week off of work. We splashed it up a couple of days at Great Wolf Lodge (an indoor/outdoor water park & lodge in Grapevine). However, most of our days were spent hanging out, playing & eating together at home. It was a wonderful week where we could get away without having to go too far & simply enjoy being together without an agenda. I’m sorry there aren’t too many photos. I was painting three stepstools the majority of the time we were there. Here’s a recap . . .


Every time we go to Great Wolf Lodge, Rylen insists on a photo with the black bear.


After her fever broke the first day, Alexa was ready to go. Alexa loved the pool and has already told us she is ready to go back to Great Wolf Lodge to swim and play at the “hotel.”


I think she was dancing. Music was always playing outdoors.


Her “cool cat” walk.


Throwing the ball to Rylen.


The kids enjoyed a mini fort in the room.


And almost everyone enjoyed lounging in the master suite bed.


All the ladies together. This was the day Alexa didn’t feel well. She got in the water only to get out with goose bumps and say she was ready for a nap. Poor thing!


Here are the studly men.


Mimi & Alexa taking a break from all of the excitement.


In the evenings when it would cool down, we would enjoy a walk around the neighborhood to explore, throw the frisbee & feed the ducks.


The 13 ducklings we fed on Mother’s Day weekend had definitely grown. “Here’s lookin’ at you kid!”


Alexa thought it was so cool the ducks would eat right out of your hand.


Alexa was trying to convince me she could walk down the steep hill to the pond by herself. It doesn’t look like it, but the hill really was steep.

I had to share a few close-ups of the flag waving pics. Alexa was having a blast waving her flag! I am currently teaching her the Star Spangled Banner. She really gets into it. By the way, she did have on red, white & blue for the 4th but she said the spaghetti straps hurt her shoulders (which were a bit sunburned).





Thank you to all of the men & women who fought and are still fighting to keep our country free. We are grateful for your service & we honor you!! God bless America!!