Where Have I Been Spending A Lot Of My Time Lately?

In the bathroom.

I finally decided that Brady is ready to be potty trained. He always lets me know when he has to poop (I know, thrilling info for you to read about), but he has never been interested in doing it on the potty - so, he has been showing some of the signs that he is ready to potty train. I have purchased quite a few packages of pull-ups and easy-ups when they have been on great sales (and I used a coupon on them too, of course!), so I had the supplies ready for when things would begin. However, I knew that I would have to be geared up to stay on top of things and bring him into the bathroom about every 20 minutes, so I have put it off a little bit...plus, he really has not been interested in it.

On Monday night, I decided that we were going to start potty training. I let Brady know about it, and he was excited...he is so sweet and can get excited about anything that I am excited about - I love my kiddo! He was really excited to wear his "underwear," as he likes to call it - it has all of the characters of "Cars" on it. I think that when he moves in to "real" underwear, I will have to be sure that some of them have "Cars" on it.

So, we have been at it for two days.

The results?

I have him sit on the potty every 20 minutes, for at least 2 minutes. If you were to see us in out little half bathroom (which is quite small), you would probably laugh - I am sitting on the "big" potty talking to Brady - who is sitting on the little potty, and trying to keep Smiles entertained, who is either sitting on a little stool or closing the door or trying to grab the toilet paper, making Brady laugh or sitting on my lap. We probably have a little too much fun at times - but at least I have not been too stressed by it.

We have gone through quite a few Pull-ups. There has been no pee pee or poopie discarded into the potty, yet - only in the pull-ups! (and I seriously have him on the potty every 20 minutes unless we are eating).

Brady knows that when the timer goes off that it is, "Potty training time" - as he likes to say, and he does get a reward for sitting on the potty. He receives 2 M&Ms if his pull-up is dry and only one M&M if the pull-up is wet. What will he get once he actually puts something into the potty??? Four M&Ms and a sticker. That is what I have come up with at the moment. I also want to get him a "big" reward (probably a toy) that he will be able to play with once he starts going on the potty, and that will be his "no accidents" reward (got the idea from my sister). If he has an accident, the toy will be taken away (put on a shelf) and once he does not have an accident again, he will get it back. That is my thought at the moment. I will have to see how he does, and I may wait until he is a little consistent before I give him the "big reward." (he does not know about this yet - we first need to work on him realizing that he has to go potty, and then letting me know that he has to go, etc.).

So, tomorrow is a new day - Day #3 of potty training and I am hoping and praying that something will come out of his body part and into the potty! I have actually prayed with him about this. (We have a doctor appointment to go to in the morning, so he will be back in a diaper for a little while).

I hope to have some great news about this soon!

Any thoughts, encouraging words, or funny stories to share with me concerning this - from your own experience - please feel free to share!

He is SO my son!

When I was a little girl, I would "make up" words that I really thought were correct. for instance, when my sister and I were outside, I referred to toenails as "fingerfoots." My sister told me that "fingerfoots" was not the correct word, but I was so sure that I was correct, that I went inside to ask my mom...and found out that I was wrong. It was definitely something to giggle about...and we still do giggle about it at times!

Well, today Dawson and I put a cute turtle-neck on Brady. Yes, it took both of us to ease it over his head. He did not like the tight feeling of it while it was being pulled over his head. It is brand new and so cute on him, so I am glad that we got it on him! (it was fine once it was over his noggin).

After we got it on him, and he was sort of fine with it, Brady looked at me and tugged on his cuffs and said:

"Mommy, the turtle sleeves are too tight!"

A huge smile came across my face (and I chuckled inside), and I "stretched" his turtle sleeves a little bit, and asked, "Is that better" and he nodded.

I love my little kiddo! That is SO something that I would have said, and you know what? It kind of makes sense! Maybe he just thinks that the type of shirt is called a "turtle" shirt, so you preface everything about the shirt with the word "turtle." He makes me smile!

Happy Birthday Dawson!

Happy Birthday, Dawson!

I am so thankful that the Lord created you. You are the love of my life and a wonderful and fun husband and daddy.

The Lord has placed so many good gifts inside of you. You are talented and fun. You are so precious to Him and to us. We are so grateful to have you in our lives.

May the Lord pour out every good thing that He has for you each day of your life, and may you realize all that God has for you each day of your life.

Happy Birthday, Hunny. I love you so much - "You're a godsend - a blessing from above. You've been God-sent to me." - and I am so thankful for you!

White Chili with Chicken

This is a delicious recipe that I was given by my friend the Literary Gourmet at my bridal shower, almost seven years ago! (from the Bon Appetit magazine.) It takes a little while to make, but it is SO worth it...if you like this kind of thing!

Here is the recipe that I was given - I always double it!

1 large onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
2 hot chili peppers, minced (be sure to wear plastic gloves while handling)
3 Tbl Butter
1 14oz can chicken broth
1 cup half & half
1/4 cup flour
2 cans canellini beans (or any small, white)
2 cups cooked chicken, cubed
1 1/2 tsp chili powder
1 1/2 tsp Tobasco
1 1/2 tsp cumin
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 cup sour cream (optional, I don't use)

Garnish: grated Monterey Jack cheese (highly recommended), cilantro (optional)

1. Saute onion, garlic, and chilis in butter over medium heat until translucent (about 7 min).

2. Add flour and stir constantly for 2-3 minutes (not letting mixture brown)

3. Gradually stir in broth and half & half, a little at a time, simmering gently until thickened. (this is the longest part)

4. Stir in chili powder, Tobasco, cumin, salt and pepper. Then stir in beans and chicken and simmer for 10-15 mins to combine flavors. (be sure to occasionally stir it during this time)

5. Stir in sour cream for the last 5 minutes, if desired.

6. Garnish with Monteray Jack cheese and cilantro, as desired.

I enjoy eating this with a nice slice of homemade bread - a side salad is also delicious to serve with it as well!

Happy cooking and Enjoy!