Potty Trained!

That's right, ladies and gentlemen, I'm calling it: Seth is officially potty-trained!

He had been ready for a few months, but had NO interest.  We tried taking away his pacifiers when he messed his diaper, but he didn't care about the five on his dresser as long as he still had one in bed.

So we tried positive reinforcement--a treat every time he went on the potty.  Bingo.  Between candy and dollar-store toys, he's a happy kid.

We started him off with a little plastic potty from Ikea that he could sit on easily.  Then I got tired of cleaning and sanitizing it all day, so we moved him to a little potty seat that fits on top of the big potty.  Then I got tired of cleaning and sanitizing that (how did people potty train before Clorox wipes?!), so we taught him how to hold himself up on the big potty.  Now he can run to the bathroom, pull down pants and undies, sit down on the potty and take care of business all without any help.  All I have to do is wipe, pull up the pants, and help wash his hands.  Oh, and then give him his treat, of course.  Not looking forward to weaning him off of the treats.

Here's what we've learned about potty training with Seth:

-Once Upon a Potty worked like a charm.  He loved going on the potty "like Joshua".

-Pull-ups are a joke for him.  He knows he can pee in them and not get wet, so he won't even bother going to the bathroom.  We put diapers on him for naps and bedtime because diapers are cheaper than Pull-ups.  Once he starts waking up dry, we'll put him in underwear.

-He's already amazingly good at letting me know when he needs to go, even if we're not at home.  He's also amazingly good at holding it when he doesn't want to go.  Must get that from his father because it sure didn't come from me...

-Little boy underwear is SO CUTE.  Cars, dinosaurs, trains...

Overall, it was much easier than I expected.  I heard from lots of experienced moms that we shouldn't push him--he'd train when he was ready, but trying to make him train earlier would just make us both frustrated.  It was a little annoying watching many of his friends start training before him, but I'm glad we waited until he was ready!  Now we're just praying he doesn't decide to revert back here in a month or so.  Hopefully as long as he gets an M&M every time he goes potty he'll keep going.  I'll keep giving him M&M's until he's in kindergarten if that's what it takes to keep him out of diapers!

I Hate Bees.

As a survivor of 6 rounds of bee stings, I have a legitimate reason to hate the stupid bugs.  Now I have another.

Last Sunday we were heading to a friend's house for dinner.  I was upstairs getting ready when I heard Seth screaming.  He's been a little bit of a punk lately (pushing the rules to see if we'll follow through with the punishment) so I assumed he'd gotten in trouble with his daddy.

But then Catherine started screaming, too, so I headed downstairs to see what Jon was up to.  He had a sobbing Seth in his arms (Catherine was ticked off because he put her down).  Apparently Seth had stepped outside without shoes on and somehow managed to land right on a bumblebee.  One of those big, fuzzy ones that I didn't think could sting.  They can.

I got a baking soda paste on his toe as quickly as possible and then Googled, "How to tell if your kid is allergic to bee stings."  Reminding ourselves to check him for swelling and rashes, we headed out the door.

He was totally fine by the time we left.  No allergies, no pain.  All that's left is pure terror--every time he sees a bee he panics and runs.  Yesterday he even wet his pants because he was so scared.  Part of me is so sad that he's afraid of everything that looks like a bee (flies included).  But the other part of me is glad--now he knows them for what they are: horrible, nasty little monsters who are out to get him.

If I were in charge, all pollinating would be done by butterflies.  And yes, I can totally live without honey, thank you very much.

Repeat After Me

Things Seth says that crack us up (nothing funnier than hearing what you say translated into toddler-ese):

"When you get so big?"

"Good morning, big world!"

"What nice day."

(As I'm getting ready to change Catherine's diaper): "Oh my goodness, oh my goodness, oh my goodness..."

(If the diaper is particularly disgusting): "Holy Shniekies!"

"Mom, go 'way." (I don't).

"Mom, go 'way to work." (Still not moving).

"Mom, go in Seth's new van and go to work."  (Pulling a sad face but still sitting on the couch).

"MOM!  1 2 3, GO 'WAY!" 

He just doesn't understand why counting to three doesn't strike the same fear into my heart that it does into his...

Happy Birthday

Seth has taken to stealing all the grocery bags after a shopping trip.  He then proceeds to fill them with random toys and then delivers them to you with the announcement, "It's Mommy/Catherine/Seth's Happy Birthday!"  And don't you dare try to put some of those toys back--he'll hunt you down and ask with a scowl, "Where's my Happy Birthday?"

Just for Fun

 "I need my beauty sleep!"

A huge mess, but at least it's a sanitary mess... 

"Hands off--this is MINE!!!" 

 What Catherine has to put up with every diaper change.

Or every tummy time.

Basically any time she's within Seth's reach...

I pulled out some of my baby clothes from my cedar chest for Catherine to wear:

First, my BYU shirt (this one's for you, Tracie!):

Train 'em up young, that's our motto!

And next, the orange dress: 

Catherine was thrilled to be modeling for me...

How about a sibling comparison? 

 They are most definitely related.

And she most definitely looks like her daddy.

Grand Finale:

Seth modeling Catherine's headbands (or 'colors of the rainbow' as he calls them)

No, I did not pose this.

Anyone know how to explain to my  two-year-old why he can't wear bows?

PS--to celebrate her 7 week birthday, Catherine has (twice now) slept from 10:30-11:00pm until 5:45am.  I am a very happy mommy.  But I would be even happier if she would go back to sleep at 5:45 am instead of fussing until I bring her into bed with me...  She is a very spoiled princess.

Mikesells!

My parents and baby sister (okay, she's 16) flew out for Catherine's blessing, but then got to stick around for another week.  We were really exciting, too.  They've already done D.C. and New York and we were not up for a tour of Philadelphia with a month-old baby.  So here's what we did instead:

Played with Grandpa (who ended up on the couch most of the time with an injured knee...boo...)

Got a haircut:

(He screamed bloody murder last time--this time he was all grins.  Explain that one, please)

Read books with Grandpa.  Grandpa especially loved 'Once Upon a Potty':

Showed off:

Went to the library: 

(Bad idea--Seth was grumpy and BOTH kids pooped. Oh, joy.)

Played cars: 

Went to White Marsh Mall and Ikea:

(Sorry, Beth--this really was the best shot)

(Catherine enjoying her first trip to the mall)

(Riding the cars is great fun until Grandpa puts money in them--then they MOVE and are SCARY)

Went to 'the pumps':

(Beth and Catherine were thrilled to be there)

Helped Grandpa feel better:

Went to the temple:

(Mom & Beth took the kids so we could do a session together.  Awesome date--thank you, Mom & Beth!)

Took lots of naps:

Began potty-training:

Definitely not our most exciting hosting, but they swore they just wanted to hang out with us.  Hope you meant that, cause that's what you got!  

My mom, of course, was amazing--laundry, dishes, and cleaning were magically done; babies were held so I could nap; and pictures were taken since I never seem to remember my camera.  My dad was a pro at getting Catherine to nap, plus he cooked us AMAZING meals.  And Beth was very good at letting Seth jump all over her while she slept and at introducing us to Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, and Justin Bieber (and yes, I just had to Google their names for correct spelling).  We are all a little dumber now (love you, Beth!).

I know I say this a lot, but I really feel like families are meant to live near each other.  Not necessarily next door, but close enough that a mom with a newborn could call for help when things are getting too overwhelming.  I know my mom would LOVE to help--not living near us is very hard for her.  So we are so grateful for the time we do get to spend with them!  Thank you for everything (and see you in a couple of weeks!!!).

Blessing Day

We blessed Catherine on March 20th at our ward here in Maryland.  Once again, we were lucky to have both of our families there.  Okay, SOME of both of our families, but we'll take what we can get.  Beth and my parents flew from Tucson (and stayed for a week--more to come!) and Jon's parents plus Stephen & Claudia, James & the twins drove from West Virginia.

Times like this make me wish we weren't so far away from our families.  Seth was in HEAVEN--so many people to show cars to, wrestle with, and take him outside to play.  And Catherine was in heaven, too--I don't think she was put down that entire weekend, which is exactly what she prefers.  I think she spent most of the time in Stephen & Claudia's arms--they're getting in some good practice before their little girl arrives in August (yay!).

Catherine's blessing dress was the same one my mom and her sister Lori were blessed in.  Since she's named after my mom, Mom & Lori decided it was only fitting to pass the dress on to Catherine.  Please excuse the slightly yellowed color--I took it to the cleaners and they wanted to charge me $45 to whiten it.  No, thank you...

And can I just say that I'm in LOVE with her little booties?  Possibly as much as I'm in love with her ruffle-bottom tights?  Little girls are SO FUN to dress up.

Sara Catherine was given a name and beautiful blessing by her father.  In the circle were her dad, both grandpas, Uncle Stephen and Bishop Brady.  She was very cooperative--no screaming and no pooping on her dress (my two biggest worries).

And now for picture overload:

Our family.

The attending Bloods.

The attending Mikesells

Sara Catherine & her two namesakes (Grandma Cathy & Grandma Sara)

And yes, she's totally covering her face.

I was not kidding about her being constantly held:

Catherine & Aunt Joanna

Catherine & Aunt Bethany

Catherine & Tia Claudia

Catherine & Mommy 

(Notice the angelic glowing?  From my legs, I mean.)

A smile (for real!)

The reason we have so many pictures:

My dad's favorite--tongue out!

And just so you don't forget, we also have a very handsome son:

Even with only one eye...

We are so grateful to have this little one in our family.