Potty Update

Well, we made it. Mia is pull-ups free. Totally potty trained. We're thrilled. Unfortunately a new issue has presented itself. Something about doing #2 in the potty chair is very unappealing to Mia. She clearly is aware of when she needs to go and will ask for help to the potty chair, but as soon as she is seated, she clenches up and scrambles down as soon as is physically possible. She managed to prolong the inevitable for about three days making herself completely miserable. Correction - making EVERYONE around her completely miserable. Not sleeping. Not eating. Just screaming. By 10 am yesterday, I had taken her to the potty 30 or more times. I was at my wits end. This morning Mia began her high fiber diet. Prune juice. Grape juice. All the fruit she can eat. Raisins. Nontheless, by 10 am she was back to her clenching. Determined not to spend another day listening to Mia lament about her poo-poo, we took the glycerin suppository route. Major "code brown" if you know what I mean. Is this too much information? Needless to say, Mia is feeling much happier this afternoon and is very proud of her accomplishment. So proud she wants to talk about it with everyone. The clerk in the supermarket checkout, the Schwans' delivery man, the people we passed going for a walk... "Poo-poo! Me poo-poo! Yeah!!!"

Ali Goes To The Dentist

This is an Ali first. I finally got Ali to the dentist. It started out a bit shaky.. the nice hygenist wanted to take Ali back and get started while I finished paperwork in the lobby. I recognized the "are you crazy?" look in Ali's eyes, however, the nice hygenist did not. I thought I'd be quiet a second and see how Ali responded. The hygenist persisted and Ali said "I don't think that's a good idea." So she waited with me until paperwork was complete and then we attempted to obtain a panoramic xray of Ali's teeth. Another not so good idea. I even demonstrated and still Ali refused to cooperate. So we moved on to the actual cleaning. After a very in-depth explanation of all the tools and equipment, Ali was still reluctant to let the nice hygenist get anywhere near her teeth. So again, I demonstrated. With water splashing onto my face and while trying desperately not to jump, gag or appear distressed in any way I exaggerated the joys of the "tickly toothbrush" and reassured her that the scraping would not be part of her exam. Only after we'd made a huge show of my sparkly clean teeth and bribed her shamelessly with prizes and stickers, did Ali agree to get into the exam chair. Very bravely, she opened her little mouth and was thrilled when the nice hygenist counted her little teeth. Ten on top. Ten on bottom. Then she permitted the lady to clean her teeth and apply "tooth vitamins" afterward. Feeling empowered and enjoying the fuss everyone was making over her, she then suggested we try the tooth picture again ("Lots of big 5 year olds cry at the dentist I bet, but not me."). I was very proud at the end of the appointment - got an xray, cleaned the teeth, no cavities. What more can you ask for? And I laughed a lot more than I normally do at the dentist...

Baby Seamus

Well, this is a little late, but I just wanted to put up a picture of my new "nephew". My dear friend Megan from Omaha became a Mommy on March 14. (This is significant because my other nephew, James, was born on March 14th and "Seamus" actually means "James" in Irish.) I was fortunate enough to get to visit the little guy a couple weeks after his birth. He definately is an "Irish Blessing".

Just Doin' What We Do

The girls love their swingset. Ali pushes Mia nicely on the swings. Mia repeats over and over "not high".

Ali loves the phone. If you've ever called, you know what I'm talking about. Joe thinks it's funny to hand Ali the phone and walk away - especially when he's talking to his Dad.

Bathtime Buddies