Potty Training 101

We took the plunge two and a half weeks ago into pantydom with Coryn. Amazingly the first day she "got" it. She was excited about her sticker charts and the praise and the chocolate. I thought "Wow, why didn't I try this sooner". I should know better than to gloat about the sheer genius of my children because that is always when it comes back to bite me in the butt. So about the 4th day, Little Miss Independence finally realizes that it takes time and is work to potty in the potty. It is SOOOO much easier to just pee wherever she may be. So about half the time she was going on the potty, the other half was me on my hands and knees scrubbing up the mess she left behind, and doing the mammoth amounts of laundry that this produced.

So the last week I have been contemplating diapers again because I have been so frustrated with all the "accidents" which I don't really think are truly accidents. I have been counseled by the wise sages of potty training, better known as my two friends Heather and Felicia who both have used the same potty training method recently. Yesterday in a conversation with Heather, I decided that it was time to change up the game plan, so after 15,000 accidents yesterday and a desperate refusal to potty before bedtime, I told her quite sternly that she must still be a baby, because babies potty in their pants and that they have to wear diapers. I put a diaper on her. She hated it, but still refused the potty. So she kept the diaper on all night, woke up dry, asked for panties this morning and has not had ONE accident all day. I knew she was stubborn, but I called her bluff and won. Will she need therapy over being called a baby someday? We'll see, but I know she won't be wearing a diaper when she goes.

My Weight Watcher Success

As I mentioned 2 posts ago,in 1999 I became a mother. I also became fat. Not grotesquely fat or anything, but more like a pleasingly plump. At the time that I became a mother I quit my job and I also quit going to the gym. Like many people, I lost any focus on myself and completely transferred any and all of my energy on my sweet little Ella(which is why she still can't entertain herself). After I had Coryn 2 1/2 years ago, I kept meaning to start Weight Watchers. I kept telling people I was going to do it, but just never had the time or once again the energy. I tried other methods of losing weight, but they weren't working. Honestly I wasn't working. I never got to that point where I was so completely disgusted with myself that I jumped in. That is until this Christmas. I gorged myself completely. Looking back, it was so gross and foul how I ate. Butter tarts, sugar cookies, candy, cheesecakes, ham, turkey, ribs, bread with butter, all assortments of rich and fatty foods and no exercise. Was I trying to kill myself? And then I started looking at the pictures of myself...really looking. What happened to me? So after the new year I finally took the plunge and joined Weight Watchers. It has made a huge difference in how I feel and while I am still no super model,I AM seeing the difference. I have lost 10.8 pounds as of this morning! I see it in my clothes which are falling off my butt and my chins are disappearing. YAY! I am so pleased that I have finally decided to lose this weight. I would like to start sharing a recipe here and there that are hits with our family and also would like to suggest the above cookbook which has QUICK,being key, and yummy recipes. The recipe that I am sharing here is the spice rub that set off the smoke alarms in the previous post.


Spice-Rubbed Pork Chops
POINTS: 5
INSTRUCTIONS

1 1/2 tbsp chili powder
1 tbsp unpacked brown sugar
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
20 oz lean boneless pork chop, four 1/2-inch thick chops
1 pound(s) green snap beans, steamed
1/2 tsp fresh lemon juice

Preheat broiler and coat broiler pan with cooking spray.


In a small bowl, combine chili powder, sugar, cumin and garlic powder. Add Worcestershire sauce and stir until paste forms.


Rub paste onto both sides of each pork chop, place on prepared pan and broil 4 minutes on each side until inside is no longer pink.


Serve with string beans drizzled with fresh lemon juice.


Enjoy, and if you make them let me know how your family likes them. You can also use this on steaks and chicken.

I'm no Rachael Ray

Fire Drill at our house!

Yeah that is a picture of a smoke detector. And I got to experience firsthand how obnoxious our house sounds when they go off. The good thing is, there is NO way we'll be sleeping through that ever, and it was a nice reminder that we need to have an escape plan, but after those thoughts wore off I just had to laugh a little, because I was getting a bit cocky in my kitchen tonight and broiling pork chops with a spice rub that I had made. It smelled delish until it started burning. Luckily they were still edible.

Lucky Girl

Ella and Baby Shaye

Almost ten years ago, my life took a big turn. I became a mother. When I became a mother, I decided to be the best mother I could possibly be and the nerd that I am read everything and anything about how to raise the perfect child. In my pursuit of perfection I came across a website that is well known in the internet mommy world. BabyCenter. If I had a question about poop, food, diapers, sleeping or if I just needed an ear, the women there responded. As women in groups usually do, several of us migrated together and found that we had a lot in common. TONS! To this day I am lucky to say that some of those original women are some of my best friends in the world. I consider them family. I still go to them for support and also to share my life moments with.

It isn't often that we get to see each other, but when we do, it is wonderful. This weekend three of us had an occasion to come together and celebrate. Our good friend Kristi is expecting a baby boy in April. I am so excited about this little guy and wanted to throw a shower for Kristi. Our friend Heather from South Carolina decided that she was going to surprise Kristi and fly out for the shower. It was so awesome to see Kristi's reaction and how happy she was to have Heather there. The shower just wouldn't have been the same without Heather and her girls(Brinn and Shaye) as our guests(and bigtime helpers!!)

Yesterday I took Heather and her girls to the airport. It seems silly, but I really didn't want for her to leave. I know I am lucky that I get to see these friends every so often, but it is never long enough. And most often I don't know when I'll see them again, 6 months, a year? I never know. As Ella and I pulled away from the airport, she began crying, actually bawling. She said through her tears, "Mom I really like Heather and her family. They are probably the nicest people we have ever met". I told her that had it not been for her, I would never have become friends with all of these wonderful women. And so it goes, my children have also fallen in love with my most awesome friends. I truly am a lucky girl.