Potty training already?!

So "pumpkin pie" is almost 19 months now and some people feel that this is a great time to teach thier kids to go to the bathroom.No more wipes,diaper cream or nasty red rashes.No more gigantic mounds of dirty diapers smelling up the garbage and attracting endless amounts of insects.Its the moment we all wait for with great anticipation.

After my awful experience with "monkey" who only just this past year decided that using the toilet was a good thing(I tried to teach her when she was 21/2)I decided I am not going to push it.The first kid is the "guinea pig" or the test subject if you will.You try things out on them and then you use your successes and failures on the next one.

Anyway I had no intention of even bothering at this time because "pumpkin" understands simple commands but she still does not talk much or know how to undress herself yet.So whats the point it would just be complete misery for us both.

With that being said, someone forgot to tell "monkey".She has decided that in her role as big sister,she needs to take it upon herself to teach her baby sister to use the potty.The other morning "pumpkin" had wandered into our bedroom completely naked.So I inquired as to why "monkey had removed "pumpkin's" clothes yet again(she does it quite frequently).So "monkey" brought me to the bathroom to show me that she had put out the little pink potty and was trying to get "pumpkin to use it.The next morning I heard the girls had woken up so I decided to see what they were up to.Sure enough "monkey" had "pumpkin" laying on the bathroom floor trying to get her PJs and her diaper off.She had the little potty on the floor and the toilet ring on the big toilet with three stools pushed up to it.She was encouraging baby sister to "go potty".I couldn't help but just stand back and watch it was so funny and kind of cute.And hey.If she wants to teach her who am I to argue?.Thats one less thing I have to worry about! LOL. Now if I could just get her to change baby sisters diaper I would have it made!

Getting better

Ok so they aren't perect but I am working on it.These are some very sweet pictures of my little "pumpkin.I sure have gained some respect for photographers who do this all the time.Its hard and time consuming.But each time I do it I get just a little better at it.The day that they ask me(at the printers) whether I have the right to print them or not will be a real feather in my cap! That is my ultimate goal.

"Pumpkin Pie"

• Sweet
• Thoughtful
• Compliant
• Serious
• Great hugger
• Lap warmer
• Moody
• Doll lover
• Adoring fan of big sister
• Clumsy (could trip over her own shadow!)
• Mommy's girl
• Has a temper and knows how to use it
• Dancer
• Music lover
• Cautious
  

"Monkey Doodle'

• Spirited
• Strong-willed
• Adventurous
• Fearless
• Dramatic
• Smart
• Chocolate lover
• Puzzle master
• Out going
• Stubborn
• Silly
• Not girly-girl
• Not tomboy
• Mathematical
  
• Logical
• Challenging
• A leader
• Limit tester
• Independent
  
• Friendly
  
• Willful
  
• Quick learner
• Bug hater
• Cartoon lover
  

Too busy to notice?

I don't know what it is about today but I just seem to be in a reflective mood.To be honest I am not sure I am happy with the direction things are going but quite often I feel helpless to change paths.May be its just that I am feeling sorry for myself and trying to fit myself into some sort of mold that doesn't really exist and setting myself up for failure.

I find myself reading other peoples blogs and am inspired by the families or the people who write them but then quite often I start wondering what is wrong with me,why can't I be like so and so....?Everybody always seem to be going here and there on fun outings.They always seem to be sewing,baking,doing amazing crafts with the kids.I have only been doing "school" with my little monkey for three weeks and already I don't feel like I'm doing enough or the right things *sigh*.Some times I go on my own little adventures just so I have something to post or prove to myself that we do have fun once and awhile.

I read about their children who are smart and amazing creatures and they could give you a list a mile long about who their children are.Their likes,their dislikes,what they love,what makes them sad,their favorite toys/books ect.Again I feel like a failure.I have been a SAHM for nearly four years watching my kids grow and I don't know that I could give you that intimate of a picture of my sweet little girls.Or may be I haven't REALLY stopped to think about it that long and hard.Have I just been so busy thinking about the housework,the bills that need to be paid,the groceries that need to be bought and the laundry that needs to be done that I have completely forgot to "notice"them?Who are these little people?I thought I knew.

Why am I always beating myself up and trying to be perfect.It doesn't exist!I know this, yet I still strive to achieve some imaginary goal and quite frankly I am often disappointed.I keep thinking I can be more than I really am.I am ME.

There I think I'm done quietly ranting.Thanks for your listening ear(or in this case your eyes).Maybe someday I will be able to write the mile long list too.