Underware vs. Diaper

I am so sorry that I haven't posted for a little bit. This should explain why. I decided it was time to try and potty train Lauren. Saying that she is smarter than me is an understatement. We tried the potty training in a day book. All started off well, we trained the doll then it was Laurens turn. "OK Lauren it is your turn to go potty," "NO!" Needless to say that was the beginning of a frustrating day that has now turned into almost a week. She really loves underwear, so I can usually get her to go potty so she can put on her pretty princess underwear. But then the cooperation stops. And just yesterday she had another 'breakthrough', we got home after walk and Lauren sneaks a pair of underwear and disappears into the living room. She resurfaces wearing them not the diaper (previously she would have them on over the diaper). So I watch her and every now and then we talk about going potty. So then about a hour latter she disappears again, this time she comes back with her diaper on, that's right a diaper not a pull-up a diaper. She wears it for about 10 minutes then changes back into the underwear. Yes, that's right, you guessed it, she didn't want to mess her underwear so she put her diaper on to go pee pee then changed back. Well, I suppose this is progress. Any tips on finishing this potty training thing bring them on!

The Car Seat

I mentioned before that Lauren had started being very helpful when it came to taking care of Austin. Well it turns out that she is quite the little nurturer all around. Pretty much every time I go to put Austin in his car seat I find that all the buckles are already clicked. Usually the car seat is empty but recently I have found she has been buckling other things in as well. Sometimes its is a doll, sometimes it is a toy, but most recently I found her dragon stuffed in there. She always tells me it is for them to be safe and to go to sleep. Well, I hope the dragon got the rest he needed!

Dress-ups

Lauren has developed a LOVE for dress-ups. Every morning she asks me to get out the dress-ups so she can be a princess. She puts on the dress the shoes and whatever else she can to find to make herself beautiful. My favorite is when she has what her Grandma Ehat calls an 'identity crisis' by putting on many layers of outfits at once. Most recently I went to put her in the bath tub and I peeled off two princess dresses, a leotard, a Dora costume and a pair of underwear. (The underwear are her cousin Maddie's which she smuggled home the other day under her tights.) I have attached a picture of her in her Grandma Ehat's latest addition to the dress-up box, "The Flapper."

Friends...

Well, Friday I got to spend the day with two of my best friends from the college days! Mary was in town for a wedding and Melinda lives here so we spent the day together. It was great to talk and to catch up on each others lives. It seems so weird that two people that I used to spend every minute with we would now have to "catch up". Oh well. Probably the nicest thing about seeing old friends is the way you fall back together. From the moment they got here we had so much to say and it was as if a day had never passed. I guess that is what I love the most about true friends and family, it doesn't matter how much time has past you can always just pick up again.

Lauren and Austin

Well, Lauren and Austin have now come to terms with each other. They actually are really starting to get along. Lauren loves helping with Austin especially giving him his pacifier whether he wants it or not! And Austin loves it when Lauren talks to him and makes him smile. Recently Austin has grown into his Bumbo seat and absolutely loves it. He will sit in it for a really long time just looking around and smiling. He also loves it when Lauren gives him rides on the skitter, with my help of course (see pict.) And his newest trick is standing up, he loves standing! He will sometimes giggle just because he is standing. Well, that's all for now!

Well here we go...

OK, I have finally broken down and started a blog. I am not to creative so we will have to see how it goes. But for starters I thought I would tell you about our last playgroup activity. Last Friday we went to the farm at Thanksgiving Point for the first time in a while. It was great! Jill and Val Ehat came with their kids and the cousins had a great time together! Also, while we were there some of my friends from college days, Will and Deb, showed up with their little girl Lizzy. All in all it was a great day! Hope you like the pictures.

Jessica