Potty Training ...

The most daunting two words in Parenting ...

I took Lily to her 18 month Doctor appointment ... Dr. S says, "18 months? You can start potty training!"; like he knew what he was talking about!!! I gave him my "Are you stupid?" look.

My first experience of potty training was so exhausting, frustrating, and scarring, that we both still have nightmares. Being a first-time mom, I wanted to do everything right. I listened to other mothers, grandmothers and even some fathers ... and well, ... I really must stop this train of thought because I feel myself starting to hyperventilate ...

When Liam came along, I vowed that I would not even THINK about those two words until he turned 3. But about 2 months before he turned 3, he gave me "all the signs". I said to myself, okay, I'll bite ... 1 week later he was trained! Or, at least, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

So along comes Sara, beautiful, sweet, determined and energetic Sara. Everyone told me how much easier girls were to potty train. And ............................................... I have absolutely no recollection of the potty training process with her. Poor girl ... There are a lot of things I don't remember about Sara, I even forgot to remember to take her with me when I left the grocery store once! But that's another blog ...

So here I am, child #4, and feeling total ambivilence toward the whole process. I used to fret and fuss when other mothers would talk about ages and stages with their children. I lost sleep about whether or not I was just a bad parent, or maybe the child was just BAD!

I guess I've finally learned something after over 4 decades and 4 children ... It's not a race, or a competition of any kind. Kids that are allowed to set their own pace are far more relaxed and able to just be kids! And mothers who don't put a lot of stock into what other people think drink far less alcohol!

Post Script ...
And I learned that wanting to do things perfect with the first child is completely normal ... and there are plenty of therapists out there willing to help first-borns come to terms with their parents!

I have a headache ...

I want to be the Poster Child for Beauti Control Spa Products! I don't know if they are hiring, but if a casting call comes, I am IN!

Here's me on a headache day ... Is this not a face that only a mother could love? I've got my Therma del Sol Apothecary Aromatherapy Neck Patch on under my warm, green neck wrap. I've also got some Rejuvenating Eye Treatments on. I'm not sure they are helping my headache but I had them in the freezer, so they felt cold and soothing on my eyes. It never hurts to treat those wrinkles either!

And the MAGIC treatment for headaches that I learned years ago from my good friend Karen .... Wait for it .... Wait for it ... Peppermint Oil! Yeah! Just rub it on the back of your neck underneath the warm, green neck wrap and Whammo ... headache gone!

I'm feeling much better! Was going to take an "after" picture, you know ... one where my hair is done, my makeup is impeccable and I am smiling from ear to ear. But I kinda like my treatments, they feel good ... Gonna wear them the rest of the day. Maybe I can get a few more chores out of the kids with this getup!

Nurses don't make good patients!

I'm writing this from the family room of the Foothills Medical Center. I have been here since Friday afternoon. My heart was hurting, so I thought I better check it out. You might remember that it broke about 2 1/2 years ago ... Trying to figure out if it broke more. Meanwhile, I am very bored. Seems like being in this place has made me sicker, what with all the drugs they are giving me. Want to go home so I can feel better. And of course, there are 3 little people who need me there. Oh well, God knows what's best and I trust that He will straighten all this out.

Really I am a model patient, but boredom does tempt one to get into a little mischief! Like last night I was texting in the dark, under my blankies, so as not to be caught by the nurse. I was going to say "big bad nurse", but that would be totally unfair. She's quite average in size and seems to be a very good nurse. I've had her for three nights in a row! I am also finding myself, as always, craving contraband food! Like a great BIG double double from Tim Horton's or a BIG Mac from "you know where" (minus the fries, I've got to think of my heart for Heaven's sake!), or a BIG bowl of Vietnamese noodles from the Vietnamese restaurant next to my place. Are you catching the "BIG" theme I've got going with regard to food? I'm not really complaining about the food, just about the size of the food! But really, it is a good time to pare down my serving sizes. It is Christmas and I challenged L'Dene to lose 10 lbs. before January 1st. (what the hell was I thinking?!)

Lily was here with me today, but had to call my sis to come get her earlier than planned. The poor little thing has had to withstand formula for the last 3 days. She is not a happy girl! Poor little belly is not feeling so good. Needless to say, she was fussy and the man across the hall kept yelling to shut my door, he couldn't stand the noise! LOL! Poor old fart!

Plotting my next escapade into mischief .... hmmm ... might try doing wheelies in the hallway in a wheelchair. Maybe the night nurses will be up for some races?????

tuesdays with lily

it is 122 pm and i am still in my pajamas. holding a crying baby, feeling guilty for just feeding her 2 ounces of formula cause i seem to be out of milk. needed to journal cause i had to get these feelings out, thus the one handed typing, baby in other arm, with no capital letters and limited punctuation. was feeling overwhelmed and tired this morning so went back to bed, nursing lily in bed. now am stressed over messy house and very much needing a shower. could break down into a puddle on the floor very easily. but still thinking this is right where i need to be ...

Month 8

The eighth month of pregnancy includes some interesting twists and challenges. Apparently, one gets a bit off-balance, so to say, during normal physical tasks! Last Sat. I met Deanna F and her girls at a Stampede Breakfast. There were a thousand or more people there, horse rides, live band, etc. Well, forgetting that I am shaped much more like a watermelon, than the pear I am used to, I stepped up onto an 18 inch girder. Seems harmless! But the rocks at the top of the girder did not give me adequate support to gain my balance at the top! A few staggering steps (No worries, I’m going to gain my composure!), then ... “Uh Oh!” here comes a very large pregnant woman, careening out of control, towards a crowd of innocent bystanders (The poor things are just waiting in line to get their breakfast!} An audible “Gasp” comes from the crowd! Then, luckily, gravity kicks in and I fall to my knees! No one gets hurt ... PHEW! Except me ! No worse injury than that to my pride! The feeling is so surreal, as I have experienced this same crazy fall in previous pregnancies. But each time, after the initial stumble, I feel like I will easily gain my ground, but some unknown, unforeseen force suddenly begins to pull me down and there is nothing I can do!! Except laugh, of course!!