Big Boy

Blake has been potty trained for awhile now but has refused to poop in the potty and would always ask for a diaper. We would try to be patient and let him do this and then push him to use the potty every once in awhile. He was really scared and would not do it. No amount of bribing worked--and Blake is easily bribed.

But then the starts aligned and Blake learned about Wii Sports. Blake loves sports. I forgot we even had this game but Blake saw it at someone house and he was so excited about it. I told him we had it and he could play a game every time he poopped in the potty. He eventually did it and hasn't turned back. He started one day past being 3 1/2 years old. He told me it wasn't even scary.

His favorite sport to play on that game is bowling. The top picture is Blake doing his "spare" dance. Whenever he plays he yells to me what happened on the screen--informing me of how many pins he knocked down or if he got a home run in baseball. He cannot play it while anyone is sleeping because he cannot help yelling his score.

I am so proud of him and so grateful this is over. He recently told me he would poop in the potty in 10 years. Although I knew it wouldn't be that long, I was worried it was going to take a long time because he was so fearful. I am forever grateful for the Wii.

And another reason Blake is a big boy. He now says that he is "three" instead of "free." We started working on his /th/ sound and he self corrects now. I liked him being "free" but I felt it was time he knew the truth. I still let him say things like "snow cloud" for snow plow and "gloss" for "floss."

Miss Independent

Some days Janie wants to pick out her outfit, and most of the time it involves a skirt. And She wants to do everything herself. "No, I do it" is what I hear all day long. She tried to get dressed the other day and would not let me help her. She also wouldn't hold still for me to take a picture. It is hard to see but she first put a shirt on upside down around her waste. Then her skirt, then a piece of her tights.

Her and Blake often fight over toys. The past few weeks all I hear from Blake is "I had it first!" and from Janie with a whine "I had it pirst."

Janie and Blake call one piece of Kix cereal a "kick" and one piece of Chex cereal a "check." I think its funny they take the s off because it's singular.

When Janie is declaring her possessions, if there is more than one she will say "these are mines."

We officially stopped giving her her binky this month. I had thrown them all away, but found one which I desperately needed so that Janie would take a nap. Eric showed me tough love and cut the top off. Janie and I were both sad.

I feel like my kids are old and that I don't have a little baby anymore. With Janie becoming more independent, talking more, and being binky-less, it is weird feeling like a have two big kids. There are some perks--one being I never take a diaper bag anywhere. She will be two next week!

Lately

I have not been a good picture taker lately. Here are the only two I've taken in awhile. We go to the museum every Wednesday. Recently Blake and Janie have a little routine--Blake is always the doctor in the ambulance and Janie is the patient. I love when they play nicely together.


My friend and old roommate Jill made my kids the cutest hats! We got them in the mail last week and have worn them every day. She is so talented. Thank you Jill!

Sunday

Blake went to Primary for the first time today. I had told him before church that if he needed to go potty during class to tell the teacher and they would have me come take him. Three times during Sunday school and 3rd hour, Eric or I were summoned to take him potty. Although he did go each time, he was just using that to see us because he was a little nervous. When I picked him up at the end of class, Blake was holding Eric's watch. I thought it was cute that Eric gave it to him to remind him that we were going to come back and get him. All in all he did great and was excited to show what he had made in class.

Happy 2012!

This is how Blake felt after we all celebrated the new year. He doesn't like loud noises.

The Bundersons came over to eat and play.

Visitors

My parents flew to visit my dads mom in Fairfield Illinois over Christmas break. She lives 2.5 hours from Eric's parents so we went to visit and spent one night at my grandmas house. My parents came to St. Louis for New Years Eve and we went out to dinner and played games. Blake loved seeing 3 grandmas and 2 grandpas on our trip.

Christmas

She just couldn't put anything down.

Blake helped everyone open presents. Once he saw another box, he turned around to find something else to open.

Tinkerbell from Grandmarita