Potty Progress!

So I haven't explained it much yet (if at all?) but I am attempting to use elimination communication (EC) with Mitchell this time around. Basically aiming to go diaper free as soon as possible. I'll admit that it was a bit ambitious for me to think that I could attempt to start it from day one, in the hospital. Not when I could hardly move. So fast forward to day 5 when we got home and yes I've been trying to hold Mitchell and catch his "cues" as much as possible.



So far I have learned that he is a good pooper. He likes to go at least 2 or 3 times while I am nursing him. Therefore out came the potty and/or the silver bowl. Not the easiest to hold mind you but I'm getting better. The whole point is to see when he is going and to start "cueing" him with a sound or action - I've chosen a grunting noise for poop and a "Tsss" for peeing. I make these noises when he is going so that eventually when I hold him over the receptacle or toilet and "cue" - he will go on his own.



Fast forward to yesterday - he went on cue for me 4 times!!! Unbelievable! It was really quite cool. I don't know if we are at the point that this will save diapers (we've had to have the diaper service come early both weeks because we have used all the ones we have), but I feel we are making progress! Drew is not impressed that we used the sink so I'll have to work on that.



I've been reading two good books about the topic from the library and there are a few good websites if you google "elimination communication" or "diaper free". The books are Early Start Potty Training by Linda Sonna and Diaper Free! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene by Ingrid Bauer.



BTW, we also decided to go with a cloth diaper service (since there is one locally) and the experience so far has been worth it. As I mentioned, he goes through them rather quickly - often soiling one as I'm changing him! The service has been very accomodating but it does take some getting used to. When he wets he is definitly wet so I don't let him sit in it for long - if at all. This is actually supposed to help with the potty training though - not allowing him to get used to the feeling of being wet or dirty which disposables can sometimes do. Either way, I can tell that it is going to be an interesting learning experience.

I have spent most of the day doing...

...nothing. Except watching Mitchell that is. I could watch him all day. A few people have mentioned how different this little guy will have it - since our other guys are older and out of the house a few days a week, I will have this little guy all to myself for a lot of the time. And I am a different parent now then I was when I first had Matthew. A lot more relaxed. A lot more knowledgeable. Hopefully a lot more in tune with what he needs. And so far it's cool to just sit and relax and get to know him.


That's not to say that the house and everything around us isn't driving me a bit crazy. When I knew Mitchell was going to be entering his sleep time I did get a few of those nagging things done - not as many as are on my mental TO DO list though.

• sweep stairs and upstairs hallway (check)
• vacuum upstairs bedrooms (check)
• wash bathroom floors (check)
• load of laundry
• put away large booster seat that has been on the pool table for three weeks
• put away easter bucket and decorations
• do a blog post (check)
• put carpet back in front hall
• take library books back
• do thank you cards
• SCS scrapbooks for auction (that's coming up soon!)
• figure out where to put Mitchell's accumulating wardrobe (we'd figured out about sleeping but somehow forgot about his "stuff")

This not being able to lift is starting to have its toll. And I don't want to burden Drew too much with a honey do list when he gets home too. So I'm practicing my patience. It will all get done in due time.

We could get used to this...

...eating like kings every day that is. Our small group (initiated by KG) arranged a week of dinners for us soon after the baby was born. I then found out this week that my sister also arranged for a few days of meals as well. I will be highly recommending that we continue this idea with any other babies born at the church or amongst my friends. Also amazing is that each meal was actually enough for at least one more if not two. Right into the freezer for the next week! What a blessing it has been!

Last Sunday everyone (I was still in the hospital) had a meatloaf from S&C.
Monday (home day for me) was turkey pot pie with strawberries from A&A.
Tuesday was a yummy chicken and broccoli casserole with a fruit tray and dip from K&S.
Wednesday was a pork roast with roasted potatoes and asparagus from C&A.
Thursday was lasagna and salad from G&C.
Friday (Good Friday) was quiche and KFC with trimmings with the H for lunch - which carried on into dinner.
Saturday was some of the leftovers (there are LOTS - mostly put into the freezer as we knew we were getting more food daily).
Sunday was spent at family's places and we also got leftover lamb and ham for future meals.
Monday started the meals from my sister (organized from South Carolina none-the-less) - we had another amazing Pork roast with potatoes and veggies.
Tuesday brought an Asian theme with noodles, broccoli and beef as well as Caesar salad and bread.

I wonder what tonight will bring?

A conversation from grandma about Matt...

Before the kids went out on the Easter egg hunt Grandma asked you “if we had 24 eggs and 3 kids, how many should each kid get?” You figured out that each kid should get 8. So when you were outside at the end of the hunt you realized that you had 9 and Marlee had 9 and so without anybody prompting you grabbed one from each of your baskets, without even looking at whether it was the best one or not; you just grabbed one from yours and Marlee’s baskets and stuck them into Cierra’s basket and then you all came in.
Grandma thought that was really neat. Most kids your age would need some prompting but you didn’t – you just did it and did it quietly and everybody went on their way. She had meant to comment on this at the time but didn’t. So she called to tell you - because she thought it was something to be proud of. And we are!

Happy Easter!

I was beginning to wonder whether Easter and all its trimmings was going to make it around here. The kids were eagerly talking about the Bunny coming and the (3) Easter Egg Hunts that were going to be a result. Me? Well the Easter Accessories Bucket didn't make an appearance until 10pm Saturday night. But yes everything did fall into place. The kids had a great time and were pleased to be greeted with hanging eggs and banners even though it would only be for a day or two. I made them hold off on the Easter egg hunt as their dad was running but since we had to also make it to church for 10:30 (we were skipping the sunrise service and breakfast this year), I finally let them start around 7:30. It was a good thing because this year's hunt took a LONG time! I'll have to remember this !

I did a personalized list for each child - they had to find for instance 3 blue eggs and 6 yellow eggs (the numbers were different for each child). This way they were encouraged to work together and share with each other when they found one they didn't need. Nicely enough, it worked. Among the eggs were also the 12 Resurrection Eggs that I made a few years ago. Once all of the eggs were found they went over their lists, we did the Resurrection Eggs/ Easter story and then they each got a final scavenger clue to find a personalized gift. These included garden stuff, bubbles, sand buckets and shovels, books for Cierra, hair things, craft supplies and a large egg with candy treats. I forgot the new bathing suits and tooth brushes. Matt got goalie equipment and the girls will be getting new scooters. The whole family got an outside hockey net.

Our goals for Easter gifts is to try to get outdoor gifts that we would probably already need to get. This could be bikes, swim suits, garden/ sand toys, bubbles, chalk etc. We'd considered a basketball net but figured Matt's more into hockey right now so the goalie equipment and net would be better received. He says we were right! Since their birthdays fall outside of this season, it seems appropriate to use this holiday to that advantage.

We then headed off to church getting there just on time. Adam had said he would be introducing Mitchell near the beginning so we wanted to be there early but that rarely happens and certainly not when it's a celebratory holiday. Anyway, that went over well and Mitchell got shown around to lots of people. Dad was on worship and I really enjoyed it. I was particularly moved when we sang "Because He Lives".

I'll admit that I hadn't really focused much on the Easter season this year. I guess I was busy. LOL I didn't do anything for Lent. We didn't go to any of the "extra" services. I didn't get any decorations up until the night before. I didn't buy any presents until the day before (thank goodness there was stuff there!), although we did discuss the big ticket items. I remember now though how much I miss the Seder dinner and I do like the sunrise service with the breakfast after. It makes for a long day with the kids but I like that the whole day is focused on the risen saviour.

So being at the morning service and singing the songs we did really made me think about the season. And the day. And the fact that "this child can face uncertain days because he lives". It is so true. I looked at Mitchell and the tears came flooding. It put everything about the day into perspective for me. I love how God does that!

After the service Mitchell met a lot of people and then we went out to the farm. The kids had a hunt in the barn and then we had lunch and sat outside. What a glorious day! The sun was shining, the birds were chirping, the horses were lingering nearby. It couldn't have been better. Matt and Drew hit some golf balls around the horse field and we stayed until it was time to go to my parents house. There we had another hunt, gorged on more food (LAMB this time - SOOO good!) and socialized together. All in all a great day - one to celebrate the risen king.

Now that we are home - and facing the disaster we left, it has hit us. A good day, but a long day and the mess can wait until tomorrow.

March 2010 Recap

Backtracking to add this - I can't believe I forgot!

· Exercise – yeah right! Just making it to and from school most days was enough!
· Books, Magazines Read – Creating Keepsakes, Scrapbooks Etc, Us, People
· Entertainment - TV/ Movies Seen – LOST, NCIS, Parenthood, Office, TLC, SLICE & HGTV at hospital
· Special Events – photo shoot at Zehrs; Kim, Julie’s party; Mitchell born!
· Travel – Tremblant (4th -7th)
· Significant Purchases/ changes –
· Health – Matt ill; Alison – 35-39 weeks pregnant (itching, twinges, numbness, swelling, heartburn); birth of Mitchell Alexander (25th)

Easing into routine

What a great day - of doing relatively little. I don't think I've indulged this way in a looong time. The kids were all at school so I went back to sleep with Baby M for an hour - woke to feed and back to sleep for another hour. Off and on feeding (and changing), catching up on blogs and reading. Back to sleep for another hour and then the kids got home. We went to Mitchell's first doctor appointment (he's up to 8lbs 6oz) and then took Matt to play practice, and then home for a late dinner. I have to admit I am now a bit sore and ready to sit for a while. Neat how the day prepared me for that though.

I was saying to Drew that this schedule looks like it might work well - I have every other day where I can nap more if needed since the kids are at school and the baby and I will be alone, and the opposite days are longer with the extra kids. By the time the kids are out of school in June we should have a better night time routine in place that will coincide more with the kids and the daily routine. Oh how I hope so! Otherwise, so far so good!