Happy Halloween!

Today was Gavin's first Halloween! We had a great day! This morning, Gavin and I met Aunt Allie and went to Garvin Park for his 9 month pictures. Then after naps, we dressed up and headed out trick or treating. We'd been talking to Macie about trick or treating and practicing saying "trick or treat" and "thank you". We only planned 5 stops all close by and to family since to were in the middle of potty training. We went to my Aunt Julie and Uncle Alan's, Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Gary's, Rachel and Eric's, Grandpa and Grandma's, and Aunt Allie's. I was so worried about her having accidents when were potty training, but she did great! She didn't have a single accident and went potty at several of the places we stopped! I was so proud of her! We ended our night at Allie's so we could stay for dinner. Overall, we had a great Halloween! The only thing we missed out on was trick or treaters. We actually had 5 last night, but we got home too late tonight to get any. Oh well...Happy Halloween to all!

Minnie Mouse Macie and Chunky Monkey Gavin

Trick or Treat

Macie, Anya, and Gavin

Can you believe they were all sitting and looking our way?

Gavin and Anya were buddies!

Black cat Anya

Knocking at Grandma and Grandpa's door

Don't you just love the monkey tail?

Macie had to check out the new table at Grandpa and Grandma's house

Grandpa and Gavin

When Macie left my parent's house, she was dragging her full bucket behind her!

Gavin had to wear the same Halloween pjs that Macie wore last year

For Gavin's first Halloween he got all of the above plus an outfit! This doesn't even include what Macie got!

Gavin's First Word

Gavin said his first word tonight! Brian yelled at me from the other room to let me know that Gavin said his first word. I have to admit....I thought he was full of it, but low and behold....Gavin said "ball"! He is talking up a storm lately! I got two short videos....he is such a ham!

The first video he is telling us a story and if you listen closely to the second video, you will hear him say "ball" several times!

All this and we haven't even gone trick or treating yet...

This afternoon, Grammie and Pops came for a visit. We knew that we wouldn't be able to go all of the way to Sturgis because Macie is right in the middle of potty training. When they got here, it took a little bit for them to get everything out of the car. I was a little overwhelmed when I saw just how much stuff there was! Not only did the kids get gifts from Grammie and Pops, but each of the kids that Grammie watches also got Macie and Gavin stuff. Yes, my kids are blessed!

I wonder how much stuff they will get tomorrow!

Daddy with his little pumpkin

If you look closely, you can see two little teeth in the bottom of Gavin's mouth. He now has four!

Potty Training...Week 1

Well, we survived the first week of potty training! Macie has done remarkably well! Most days she only has 1 accident. Most of the time she doesn't have any accidents at daycare, but at home it always seems to happen right in the middle of absolute chaos (getting ready in the morning, I'm cooking dinner, etc.). Today, has not been a good day at all. She has had 5 accidents! I think she is punishing me for being gone the last few days. She has been whiny and defiant. Oh well, tomorrow is a new day! I know that we are on the right path to a completely potty trained little girl!

Indy

I spent the last few days in Indy at a teacher's conference. I was lucky enough to go with four of my closest friends who I also happen to work with. We had a GREAT time! We have 11 small children between us and we rarely get an opportunity to hang out and have an actual conversation. Even though we didn't get food breaks or much sleep, I am so glad that I went. It was a much needed break from my husband, children and students. I also got so many new ideas for my classroom and my students. Even though I had a wonderful time, it was so nice to come home and see my family. Brian took care of the kids by himself and he was very grateful for me to come home!

I didn't bring my camera so I stole these from Jamie's blog. Thanks Jamie!

Patti, Me, John Angotti, Renee, Jamie, Brandi
Renee and I

Potty Training Update

Today went MUCH better than yesterday! Up until lunch time, Macie didn't have any accidents! She did have one while she was eating lunch, but we can't be too upset about that because she was strapped in her booster seat. In total, she only had 2 accidents for the day! Tonight, was the biggest breakthrough. After baths, I was putting laundry away and Macie said, "Mama, I poopin". I picked her up and ran to the bathroom. Luckily, she hadn't started yet and she pooped on the potty! I was so proud of her and she was so proud of herself! Hopefully, each day will get better and better!

Hopefully, he didn't mean what he said...

A conversation between Brian and Macie:

B "Who is Daddy's big girl?"

M "Mommy"

B "No, Mommy is a woman...a really big woman!"

Disclaimer: A red face and apologies quickly followed this conversation!

Potty Training

Today was our first official day of potty training and Brian and I are both exhausted! We've been talking about potty training all week to get Macie pumped up. She was so excited and every time we asked her what we were doing this weekend, she would say "Potty training!" Last night, we took her to Walmart to pick out some big girl panties. She picked Minnie Mouse (I know you are shocked) and Dora. Next, we let her pick out a reward. She picked mini m&ms. Perfect!
Being the planner that I am, I'd been planning everything out. Looked for signs Macie was ready...check! Talked to Miss Julie....check! Got advice from friends...check! Husband trained and on board...check! Panties, pullups, and m&ms bought...check! Schedule cleared for entire weekend...check!
After breakfast this morning, we showed her a potty training dvd we had with some songs and cute cartoons on it. She was pumped! She was ready! Then the reality sank in....dun dun dun!!! (Yes I'm being a bit dramatic) Macie loved to wear her big girl panties and she had no problem sitting on the potty. In fact, we spent a lot of time reading books, talking, and even painting her toes!
She poops on the potty no problem and in fact went several times today. Peeing, however, is a WHOLE different story. She went 1 and 1/2 times in the potty, but peed on herself every other time. 5 pairs of panties later, we were ready to put a pullup on for bed time. We decided to put panties on her when she was awake and a pullup on her when she was sleeping. Our hope was that she would feel the pee and not like it. Well, we were right, but she just wanted to be changed right away. Two times we were so frustrated because she sat on the potty for a while, didn't go, but as soon as she got up she would pee.
Now I should note that Macie was extremely whiny and clingy from the moment she woke up this morning. I'm not quite sure what was going on. I'm by no means giving up. I still think that she is ready to potty train. I'm hoping that tomorrow will be a better day! I also think that when she goes to daycare will help because other kids use the potty there.
I'll keep you posted...pray for us!

How to get a man to do dishes...

...set up football nearby!

More Yard Work Before and Afters

We finished a few other yard projects before Macie's party, but I'm just now getting to posting the pictures!

Before: A huge snowball bush in our driveway

After

Look how much more room there is!
Before: Can you even see a concrete slab under there?

After: Much more usable space!

Toothpaste

Tonight, Brian showed Macie how to brush her teeth with real toothpaste! Lately her breath has been a little rank, so I knew the other stuff wasn't working anymore! We tried to teach her to spit it out, but that didn't work so well. Brian said the fact that it was bubble gum flavored probably didn't help the cause. Brushing our teeth is something we need to practice, practice, practice!

First we put the toothpaste on the toothbrush
Next you put it under the water

I always sing a silly song to Macie when she is brushing her teeth.

"Brush, brush, brush your teeth,

Brush them all around

Top and bottom

Front and Back

Don't forget the tongue!"

(Sung to "Row, Row, Row your boat)

Spit

Sparkly White Teeth

Macie got a tiger flashlight from Aunt Beth and Uncle Wil. Some mornings we find it in her bed!

Melt. My. Heart.

I went to pick up the kids from daycare today and when Macie saw me, she attacked me! She wrapped both arms around my legs and said, "Hi Mommy, I love you!" Talk about melting my heart! Being a Mommy is the best job in the world!

In other news...Gavin waved for the first time tonight! Aunt Beth and Uncle Wil came to visit and drop off Macie's birthday present. When they got here, it looked like Gavin waved at them, but I thought it was a fluke. A few minutes later, he started waving at Uncle Wil! What a big boy!

Little Colts Fan

Brian and I were doing laundry this afternoon and he put my Colt's jersey on Macie. She loved wearing the "dress" but she kept saying, "too big"!

10 Year Reunion

Last night was my 10 year high school reunion. I honestly can't believe that it's been 10 years since I graduated high school. Going to the reunion made me reflect on my life...was I where I'd hoped to be in 10 years? The answer is absolutely YES! I have a job that I love, am married to a wonderful man, and have two beautiful children! Yes, I love my life. I do have to admit though that I was dreading going. Long story short, my best friend from high school died in a drunk driving accident 8 years ago this month. We always talked about going to our reunions in the future and how they would be. On the day of my 5 year reunion, I had a complete and total melt down and couldn't make myself go. I literally cried all day! (Ironically, I met Brian the night before my reunion) This time around, I knew that I had to go! I wanted to and it would be good for me. Jessica would have wanted me to go! Friday night, I got out my senior year book and I reminisced a bit with Brian. It was kind of cool to look at the book and remind myself of some of the people in my class!
I'm so glad that I went last night because I had a blast. There weren't a lot of people there, but it is was enough to make it a fun night. We ended up going to Fox and Hound. Brian and I took full advantage of the fact that we had an overnight babysitter and we went to Hacienda first for a margarita and some chips and cheese. Then we went to the Fox. I haven't been able to let loose like that for almost 3 years! It was good to see people. There were at least 5 pregnant women there and many more had kids so it was fun to share stories. After the Fox, we went to Steak-N-Shake for a late (after midnight) dinner. We made it home about 1:30. I used to go out like that every weekend. Now, I can barely handle one night of it! Yes it was fun, but I think I like my simple life much better!

More Presents!

After the Corn Maize Craze, we headed to Sturgis to drop off the kids. Macie and Gavin spent the night with Grammie and Pops so that Brian and I could go to my high school reunion. We were on a very tight time schedule, so we only had a few minutes at Brian's parents before we had to leave. They had all of Macie's gifts laid out on the floor so that we could see her open them before we left. I wish that I would have gotten a picture of all of them, but we were in too much of a hurry! Macie got gifts from Grammie, Pops, Aunt Katie, Josh, Judy, and Aunt Poggy (aka Monica)! She got 2 outfits, 2 sets of pjs, Matchbox cars, Dora bongo drums, a diaper bag, Baby All Gone, a hair bow, bubble machine, helmet, and a princess four wheeler! Yes, our little girl is spoiled rotten!! As soon as she was done opening gifts, we left, but it was nice to get to play with all of her toys today!

Macie loved the card from Aunt Katie and Josh! It sang the "Hotdog" song!

Macie's helmet even has her name on it!

She is a little freaked out by the four wheeler, but she is getting better!

So stinkin cute!

Wrong way Macie!