Earlier today Lilly and I were looking at some photo albums. One page had a picture of Elliott and I at a costume party dressed as hippies. Elliott had on a long haired wig and Lilly didn't recognize him at first. I pointed out that it was daddy, just wearing a wig, which was silly big hair. She studied it for a few seconds and then continued looking at the album. Shortly thereafter she pointed to another picture of Elliott, this one looking like himself. Her comment?? "Small hair. Much better hair."
I'd have to agree.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Potty Training
The thought of potty training really fills me with angst. Most of the people I know who have gone through it recently say to wait until your child is well aware of when they're going to begin the process, rather than having to follow your child around for months in hopes of avoiding an accident.
Lilly has just begun to become aware of when she's going pee. Usually she tells me when she's peeing in the bath. That's gross, but progress in the awareness department none-the-less. This just so happens to coinside with a new indifference toward the potty she has been using before bath. For the better part of the past week, she doesn't want to even try. I haven't pushed it, because I don't want to create a power struggle around the potty. Let me assure you that as Lilly is approaching 3 she's dutifully ramping up the dramatics when she doesn't approve of something. You'd think that she'd give up in that we never give in to her terrorist tacticts, but nope. She's not yet convinced.
Anyway, back to the potty training. I'm thinking that when the weather gets warm we'll pick a week and spend most of our time outdoors, with our trusty potty chair of course. She can wear her assortment of new underwear and dresses for easy maneuvering. Of course, all of this depends on the premise that she will dislike the feeling of pee-pee running down her legs. I've heard that some kids don't even care, and I'm hoping that won't be the case at our house. Remember my comments about power struggles? I have a sneaking suspicion that if Lilly doesn't WANT to use the potty badly enough (ie. she doesn't like the alternative, being wet) she isn't going to use the potty. I don't believe in forcing a kid to use the potty, so I'm praying that she'll be on board when the time comes.
Am I delusional for thinking this can be done (for the most part) in a week? What did you do to potty train your kids?
Lilly has just begun to become aware of when she's going pee. Usually she tells me when she's peeing in the bath. That's gross, but progress in the awareness department none-the-less. This just so happens to coinside with a new indifference toward the potty she has been using before bath. For the better part of the past week, she doesn't want to even try. I haven't pushed it, because I don't want to create a power struggle around the potty. Let me assure you that as Lilly is approaching 3 she's dutifully ramping up the dramatics when she doesn't approve of something. You'd think that she'd give up in that we never give in to her terrorist tacticts, but nope. She's not yet convinced.
Anyway, back to the potty training. I'm thinking that when the weather gets warm we'll pick a week and spend most of our time outdoors, with our trusty potty chair of course. She can wear her assortment of new underwear and dresses for easy maneuvering. Of course, all of this depends on the premise that she will dislike the feeling of pee-pee running down her legs. I've heard that some kids don't even care, and I'm hoping that won't be the case at our house. Remember my comments about power struggles? I have a sneaking suspicion that if Lilly doesn't WANT to use the potty badly enough (ie. she doesn't like the alternative, being wet) she isn't going to use the potty. I don't believe in forcing a kid to use the potty, so I'm praying that she'll be on board when the time comes.
Am I delusional for thinking this can be done (for the most part) in a week? What did you do to potty train your kids?
Friday, February 20, 2009
New family members
I realize that title may have you thinking that we brought twins home or something. Do you think we are nuts??? (I realize that wouldn't be nuts for some people, but for me it would!)
We do have a growing family though. Wendy's mom is engaged after being widowed 6 years ago, so on June 20 Lilly will officially have a new grandpa... grandpa Joe. He's a great guy and we are thrilled for them.
And, last night we learned that Elliott's brother and his wife are expecting their first baby in October, so Lilly will have another cousin soon.
I'm going to confess here that upon learning the news of the new baby I immediately felt jealous. That's not a feeling I'm proud of, but it's the truth. I wouldn't trade Lilly for anything, but I'm a little sad (and yes, jealous) that I didn't get to experience the joy and attention of being the pregnant daughter in law. That's petty and selfish, I know, but I also know that anyone who has struggled with infertility will understand. Our waiting for Lilly was more a journey of worry and angst for our family rather than the pure joy and anticipation of a pregnancy.
I know that Elliott's family love Lilly like crazy and that won't change, but I just pray that there won't be any thoughts of this new child being "more" a Trevino than Lilly. I'm sure that nobody will really think that, but this mommy still worries for my little girl. *** NOTE*** Just after typing that sentence Elliott's mom called to assure us/Lilly that she will always have the special place of being their first grandchild. Thank the Lord for great timing because I was getting all teary writing this post! I know that God will answer my prayers and remove the "junk" in my heart so that I can be truly happy for the new family. It IS very exciting!
It's going to be a big year! I'm on "processing" overload.
We do have a growing family though. Wendy's mom is engaged after being widowed 6 years ago, so on June 20 Lilly will officially have a new grandpa... grandpa Joe. He's a great guy and we are thrilled for them.
And, last night we learned that Elliott's brother and his wife are expecting their first baby in October, so Lilly will have another cousin soon.
I'm going to confess here that upon learning the news of the new baby I immediately felt jealous. That's not a feeling I'm proud of, but it's the truth. I wouldn't trade Lilly for anything, but I'm a little sad (and yes, jealous) that I didn't get to experience the joy and attention of being the pregnant daughter in law. That's petty and selfish, I know, but I also know that anyone who has struggled with infertility will understand. Our waiting for Lilly was more a journey of worry and angst for our family rather than the pure joy and anticipation of a pregnancy.
I know that Elliott's family love Lilly like crazy and that won't change, but I just pray that there won't be any thoughts of this new child being "more" a Trevino than Lilly. I'm sure that nobody will really think that, but this mommy still worries for my little girl. *** NOTE*** Just after typing that sentence Elliott's mom called to assure us/Lilly that she will always have the special place of being their first grandchild. Thank the Lord for great timing because I was getting all teary writing this post! I know that God will answer my prayers and remove the "junk" in my heart so that I can be truly happy for the new family. It IS very exciting!
It's going to be a big year! I'm on "processing" overload.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Just a little confused
Last night while bathing Lilly, she "washed" her tummy and told me, "Have baby in my tummy. I be big sister." It took me a second to realize what she said, and then the rest of the evening to figure out how she put those two together (and just how many kinds of wrong that statement is in a creepy back-woods way).
We've been talking to her about a baby joining our family someday and how she will be a big sister, but never in the conversation is there anything about babies in tummies. We've had a few pregnant friends, including one at the beach, and I've told her that they have babies growing in their tummies. She also has seen pictures of Bekah pregnant with her and I point out that she was growing in there. So, I guess in 2-year-old logic and imagination, it's not that far of a leap afterall. If babies grow in tummies, why not? Oh my.
We've been talking to her about a baby joining our family someday and how she will be a big sister, but never in the conversation is there anything about babies in tummies. We've had a few pregnant friends, including one at the beach, and I've told her that they have babies growing in their tummies. She also has seen pictures of Bekah pregnant with her and I point out that she was growing in there. So, I guess in 2-year-old logic and imagination, it's not that far of a leap afterall. If babies grow in tummies, why not? Oh my.
Monday, February 16, 2009
Beach report
Forgive the fact that the photos are before the text. I don't want to take the time to change it right now.
We had a great time at the beach this weekend! The new house worked out great and had some perks of its own, not the least of which was a dishwasher! Score for kitchen cleanup.
Lilly had a fantastic time and loved walking on the beach. Last year's February trip found us carrying her a lot. She wanted nothing to do with walking on the sand, but this year we could hardly keep up with her. She LOVED playing in puddles near the rocks, and had a ball playing jumprope with a big piece of sea kelp. I have fond memories of doing that when I was a kid at Dillon Beach. She also enjoyed climbing on the rocks and is quite good at it. Of course, mommy was right behind her with a hand on her, but she did just fine.
We had lots of rain and wind, but got some sunny moments as well to head on down to the beach. All in all, another great trip!
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Beach time
We're getting ready to head to the beach tomorrow, and I'm feeling cruddy. I will fight this cold bug to the death though. Wait, that sounded bad. I mean that the cold bug will die, not me. Anywhoo...
This will be the 26th year of the Veerkamp/Candido President's Day weekend Dillon Beach trip. Sad to say, the house we've rented for all these years (except one) has been sold and the new owners aren't renting it out. So, we're on to a new house and will surely be trying to find things in the cabinets all weekend.
Our beach trip now makes me think of 3 years ago. We just found out on Thursday that Bekah had chosen us as parents for her baby, and we left for the beach the next day. What a weekend of surreal disbelief that was! I was kind of hoping that we would be "expecting" again for this year's trip, but no dice. (Where does that phrase come from anyway? Dice?) Another member of our beach party is expecting though, and I'm so excited for her. Last year we were there looking at Bride magazines for her wedding in July, and this year we'll be planning for baby who is due in August!
Another member of our party has a big announcement to make, but I better not spill the beans. I'll let you know when I'm allowed.
So... we're off to the probably rainy coast! I promise to update photos when we get back. I've been a slacker in the department lately.
Thanks for reading. This was a strange post. I blame the Sudafed.
This will be the 26th year of the Veerkamp/Candido President's Day weekend Dillon Beach trip. Sad to say, the house we've rented for all these years (except one) has been sold and the new owners aren't renting it out. So, we're on to a new house and will surely be trying to find things in the cabinets all weekend.
Our beach trip now makes me think of 3 years ago. We just found out on Thursday that Bekah had chosen us as parents for her baby, and we left for the beach the next day. What a weekend of surreal disbelief that was! I was kind of hoping that we would be "expecting" again for this year's trip, but no dice. (Where does that phrase come from anyway? Dice?) Another member of our beach party is expecting though, and I'm so excited for her. Last year we were there looking at Bride magazines for her wedding in July, and this year we'll be planning for baby who is due in August!
Another member of our party has a big announcement to make, but I better not spill the beans. I'll let you know when I'm allowed.
So... we're off to the probably rainy coast! I promise to update photos when we get back. I've been a slacker in the department lately.
Thanks for reading. This was a strange post. I blame the Sudafed.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Trash talk
It's not what you think.
Within the last couple of weeks Lilly started throwing away trash on her own. If she ate a granola bar for example, she excitedly announced that she was taking the wrapper to the trash. "Fantastic!" I thought, "She cleans up after herself!" She favors the little wastebasket in the front bathroom. Hey, I'm not going to be picky! I praised her exuberantly for helping me and throwing away her garbage.
Perhaps I was unclear in my praise, because for the last 2 days I've been finding shoes and bowls in the trash. Never a dull moment!
Within the last couple of weeks Lilly started throwing away trash on her own. If she ate a granola bar for example, she excitedly announced that she was taking the wrapper to the trash. "Fantastic!" I thought, "She cleans up after herself!" She favors the little wastebasket in the front bathroom. Hey, I'm not going to be picky! I praised her exuberantly for helping me and throwing away her garbage.
Perhaps I was unclear in my praise, because for the last 2 days I've been finding shoes and bowls in the trash. Never a dull moment!
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