6/13/2011 - Potty Training

Jesse and I have started the process of potty training Finny. We have set up a little game for him. Everytime he sits on the potty, he gets a sticker. After 10 stickers, he gets a hot wheels car. I bought a 10 pack of Hot Wheels that sit on the toilet tank. Each time he sits down he gets to examine the box and decide which one will be his next Hot Wheels. Additionally, when he is at home, we have him wear big boy underpants. THIS IS A REAL JOB!! He has pooped his pants already and peed in his pants numerous times. It doesn't seem to really upset or phase him. Did we start this too early? In this pic, Finn is in diapers because he just pooped and peed in 2 pairs of undies in the previous half hour. What to do? We can't stop now. Ahhh, this stinks! Literally and figuratively.

6/12/2011 - Bouncing away

From Drop Box

We attended a friend's 4 year old daughter's birthday at a bouncy house place. It was exhausting ... dangerous ... and terribly fun all at the same time. Finn and I ran crazily around bouncing haphazardly through all the equipment, with Finn laughing hysterically and me happily sweating up a storm. When we first walked in Finn decided to brave the large bouncy slide, but got freaked out when he actually got to the top. So I headed up to assist him and ended up slipping and sliding down the ladder with Finn in my arms. Jesse actually has it on camera. It was terrifying, painful (those bouncy ladders took some of my skin off) and exhilirating. Needless to say, neither Finn nor I braved that slide for the rest of the day. Finn did enjoy running through an obstacle course and playin the air skeeball and basketball.
Oh and Finn peepeed in the potty. It happened after he peepeed in his pants, but nevertheless a small amount of pee went into the kiddy potty. We bought him a hot wheels car. THere's a whole plan in place, but I sure I will post about that later.
Exciting and exhausting day. Such a great end to our lovely weekend.

6/11/2011 - It's a zoo out there!

From Drop Box

Our weekend was destined to be fabulous! We started out with a super yummy breakfast out at The Oakland Grill, a restaurant near Jack London that we had never tried before. I had the best Crabcakes Benedict and Homefries ever! What a find! Then after breakfast, we went to the Zoo with the Carnricks. Dylan and Finn loved running around the zoo checking out the animals and playing at the playarea. We got another membership this year, as 3 visits basically pay for themselves. Life is starting to feel normal again. I feel like we are finally venturing out with less nervousness. Liam is becoming a much easier and happier baby. I don't know if it is just time passing, or whether it's me back at work, but life is starting to feel somewhat manageable again. I hope I didn't speak too soon!

6/10/2011 - Mr. Sunshine

From Drop Box

Liam is just the smiliest boy. I could spend all day just watching him smile at me. It seems like just yesterday he was screaming for hours straight inconsolably. But these days he spends most of the time with us just smiling sweetly. It makes his Baachan giggle. It makes his brother proudly announce that he made Liam smile. It makes his mother swoon with such unconditional love that I think that my heart is going to burst. Your baby's smile can make you forget that you are not getting full night's sleep. Your baby's giggle can make you forget that he was once a colicky and fussy child. Your baby's grin can make you feel like the most beautiful person in the world.

6/9/2011 - Pumped Up

From Drop Box

Pumping at work is a job. I pump 3 times a day for about 20 minutes each time and only get about 10 ounces. It is enough to get Liam through the next day. I am doing my best to take the pumping time to relax and try to get as much milk as possible. But it's kinda stressful. I think that I am doing everything I possibly can to produce milk and it just doesn't seem like enough. At least I can say that I have made it 2 weeks longer than I did with Finn. I just need to keep reminding myself that I am doing the best I can. Wish I didn't feel so much pressure.

6/8/2011 - Happier boy

From Drop Box

Day 2 of daycare at Baachan and Jiichan's was a huge improvement from yesterday. Liam took 2 longish naps and still ate quite a bit. It's a big relief for me, as I was worrying that Liam might be too much of the challenge for my parents. Hopefullly, Liam continues to get easier and easier on them. One can only hope. He was sweet as sugar when we got home. He spent time underneath his mobile which can always make him smile. I swear that his kid gets sweeter and sweeter each day.

6/7/2011 - First day at Baachan & Jiichan's

The first day of anything is always kinda stressful. Liam spent his first day with Jiichan and Baachan and everything did not go as planned. Not surprisingly, he didn't nap well. But surprisingly, he ate about 10 ounces of milk. The eating is good and bad because at this rate, I will not be pumping enough milk at work in my 3 sessions. It's good because we want him to be eating and growing. As for the napping, well I hope it will get better in time. Liam was so exhausted he passed out in the carseat on the way home and slept for over 2 hours in his carseat. Liam is not a big fan of the carseat, so this again was surprising. Poor kid.