A Deep Breath

We have added several things to our calendar. We have gotten involved with a community mom's group and went to a playdate on Monday morning. I considered not writing about how that playdate was because I don't really want to remember what went down, but maybe, just maybe one day I'll look back and laugh. It was horrible. I enjoyed getting a few minutes of chat with the other moms, but Everett's behavior was right off of Supernanny and I am not just being dramatic. He wailed, he threw markers, he threw food, he tantrumed, he ran off.....I was mortified! What happened to my child!?! I left without a shred of dignity (although I am positive the fellow mamas totally understood) and went home to re-evaluate and pray. I have let some of the discipline of Everett's behavior slide and now it was time to get back on track. The playdate from you know where happened for a reason and well, it happens.

Everett also started preschool yesterday. I had to work so Eric took some pictures from me. Eric said he cried when he dropped him off, but our babysitter said he was doing great when she picked him up. The teacher's report was that he did well and liked music class the best. Everett's report was "school fun" and "playground." I think he'll love it.

This morning we started MOPS (Mother of Preschoolers) at our church. Everett cried at drop-off, but quickly recovered. In fact, he cried about leaving. Are you sensing a theme here? It was great to connect with other moms of young children and I know I'll love going to that group.

Overall, I know we'll go through phases of behavior ups and downs, but through prayer and discipline we can stay on track. Some days are amazingly smooth and others have their share of bumps. And although I see this face a lot these days.......

I wouldn't have it any other way! I am a tired, worn-out woman at the end of the day. But I love it. I love the peanut butter on the wall, the Thomas the Train underwear I am so tired of washing, the pile of diapers throughout the house, the toy cars I constantly step on......I love it all.

This and That

Yesterday Hampton had to go to another cardiologist appointment. He was having an echo cardiogram done to see if they could up his dosage on his medication. He also had another EKG. Everett loves that office because all the nurses dote on him and there are lots of fun toys!

This picture is a little blurry, but this is where Hampton had his echo. Everett asked to get on the "bed" and they put Thomas the Train on for him to watch. I eventually took Ev out of the room because Hampton fell asleep during the procedure and we didn't want to disturb him.

Here he is in his little hospital gown. I just love this baby!

The results of the echo were good. The doctor decided it was safe to increase his dose of the beta blocker, so hopefully we will see results for his eye soon. He did discover one of his ventricles was enlarged and leaking, but he believes he'll be fine. It scared me, but he said he wouldn't even check on it again until he was three. He believes it will not affect him, so that is good.

After his appointment we came home and Hampton had some more rice cereal. He loves it! I was going to wait a couple of more weeks to introduce solids, but he is a hungry boy and nursing alone was just not cutting it. I am happy to report that he is now (finally) sleeping through the night! I pray it stays that way.

Later on that afternoon we took a walk through the neighborhood. I have been trying to do this with the babies every afternoon because they love it. Everett likes to collect rocks, sticks, acorns, and pine cones and Hampton just enjoys the ride.

Hampton's First Food

Lazy Sunday

We had a lazy Sunday around here. Hampton and Eric went to church this morning and Everett and I stayed home to continue with the potty training. I caught Everett and Hampton this afternoon "chatting" together. I love it! I pray that they will be best buds always.

Potty Animal

Today we continued with the potty training. We set-up camp again in the living room. I covered our sofas with towels, just in case. For meals we ate picnic style on the floor, just to be near the potty, and it was fun.

I love Everett's little toddler body.

I dressed Hampton up in one of Everett's old costumes this morning. I figured he would be too big to wear it in October.

This afternoon I took Hampton to Target with me. It is always fun to be out with just one baby. He gets so much attention and I love to show him off! Today I also got to snuggle with him more since Eric was home to help with the potty training.

We gave the boys a "bus ride." Everett thought this was so funny.

I am so proud of Everett! He only had two accidents today! Every 20 minutes we put him on the potty and most of the time he would go. He hasn't gotten to the point yet where he can tell us he has to go, but we are definitely getting there. The M&M's are great motivation for him!

Potty Like A Rock Star

So I gathered my supplies early this week. I got a gallon of fruit punch, cleaning items, a bag of M&M's, a pack of Thomas the Train underwear, and a potty seat. I was motivated. I was determined. Everett was going to be potty trained! This was a parenting task I have dreaded for a long time. I thought however that unless I was intentional about doing it, I was going to keep putting it off. I often underestimate Ev, and today he proved me wrong again. He is very capable of learning how this whole potty thing worked and he surprised me.

Last night I moved our playroom upstairs to the living room. I put out some of his toys, got the cleaning supplies ready, strategically placed the potty seat....Everett however woke up in a mood. He did not want to wear underwear and kept asking for "diaper change." About three sippy cups of fruit punch later he finally pottied and just happened to be sitting on his seat! I cheered and he got an M&M. He had another success after that. The whole morning was a series of successes and accidents. He never told me he had to potty, I just happened to catch it.

By nap I was exhausted. Also, it was tough having to care for Hampton and watch Everett like a hawk. I was so tired of saying, "Do you have to go potty?"all day long. And I will spare you the details of the poop extravaganza. Yuck. By the time Eric got home I was ready for him to take over for a bit. While I was running an errand, Eric reported three successes which is great. We plan on staying home for the next few days to continue to train. I am so proud of Everett. I think he is going to get it!

I Heart Hampton

Hampton went yesterday to the pediatric cardiologist. The purpose of the visit was to see if he could handle taking a beta blocker in order to treat the hemangioma on his eye. He had an EKG and the doctor did a thorough exam. He also was weighed and is 20 pounds! He did so well! It turns out he has a heart murmur and there was something on his EKG that showed maybe a slight enlargement of one of the chambers, however he passed. The doctor said he thought he could handle the medication, so we will start him on it tomorrow. We'll go back in a week for a heart echo and to see if we can up the dosage. Please pray he does well with the medication and that there are no complications. Please also pray that it is effective and that he does not have to be on it long.

I have to note that big brother did so well during the appointment. He kept himself very busy!