The Tale of the Potty Princess

One summer, not so long ago, in a land, not so far away, there lived a princess who liked mud pies, pink toenail polish, 90's cartoon series' and chocolate milk. Her mother came to her one day and said, "little girl it's time for you to be a big girl and pee pee in a potty like everyone else." Because Mommy was tired of being a slave to the King Pampers and his evil minion wipes.

It was a long week of training. Prices were won. Battles were lost. And much to the Mommy's excitement the legend of the book of "Attachment Parenting Potty Training in 5 Days or Less" actually worked.

And they all danced around and wore stickers on their shirts...and lived in a land without size 5 diapers forever and ever... (or at least until the baby princess gets big enough for them).

The End.

To Anyah @ 3 Months Old

Dear Anyah~Bean,

This has been a month of tiny little discoveries for you. You figured out how to get your hands into your mouth (which you prefer to a pacifier). You also figured out how to roll from your back to your tummy. Ironically, this discovery has lead to the none-to-happy discovery that even when it's your idea you HATE laying on your tummy. So the scene plays out rather amusingly with you laying on the floor, working away kicking and flinging until *pop* you roll over, and then screaming bloody murder until someone puts you back on your back.

You like to sit up and watch things. You're quite the little watcher content to be propped up on the couch, set on the floor, left in the swing or held in a sitting position. You rock the head holding and Mommy has stopped helping you with that all together. You like your jingle baby doll, pulling Mommy's hair, watching your sister dance and rubbing your blanket up against your face now that you've figured out how to grab it and move it around.

You despise loud noises. You are very aggressive about screaming the second an offensive noise happens anywhere near you. At this point loud noises are the only thing you really hate. You've finally warmed up to daddy and like to smile and laugh at him just as much as mommy (well when he's being entertaining that is)...Mommy on the otherhand is always fascinating and worthy of free smiles (lucky me).

You also warmed up to the concept of baths finally. You like a bath most of the time. The exception is when your sister insists on helping...then you LOVE a bath. I don't know what Layla does differently (as she's 2 and I am standing right there it all looks the same to me) but if she gives you a bath you giggle and kick the whole time. She doesn't mind this new chore at all, just this week she told Mommy off for trying to bathe you without her.

Your relationship with your sister is the main change this month. Suddenly she is a little protective of you, a little interested in you, a little excited to fetch a pacifier or a toy and a little bit invested in your happiness. And I totally get that because you WORSHIP her and everyone needs their own fan club.

This month has been all about growing up... and you my little bean...are sprouting into a graceful, peaceful little flower.

Love,

Mommy

Layla's First Movie Theatre Experience

We went to see Despicable Me today in the theatre. We had nachos, popcorn, M&M's, Gummy Bears and soda. We watched in anticipation. And we laughed...oh how we laughed...those minions are hilarious. When it was scary Layla hid behind the row of seats in front of us and watched through the cracks. Most of the time she sat on someone's lap. She leap frogged from Mommy to Daddy to George to Nannie and then back again. She was completely well behaved. She loved the movie itself. She kept telling George "look a big movie on the big tv at the show" over and over. Too cute!

Definitely a wonderful thing to knock off our fun list of things to try this summer. The first movie in the theatre was a HUGE success.

This week

We ended Sunday night (4th of July) with fireworks in the front yard. Layla and I wrote her name in the sky with a sparkler (checking yet another thing off the summer fun list) and then at 10 p.m. she was tucked into bed and so tired she slept through fireworks going off all over our neighborhood. Anyah on the other hand hated hearing picalo petes and kept me up very very late.

Monday was a day filled with over tired toddler antics and a baby who just wanted us to all.be.quiet.please.for.the.love.of.god. Which resulted in Layla and Daddy playing outside in her pool and Mommy and Anyah going for a 2 hour long drive in the car so Anyah could nap and Mommy could recollect her calm.

Tuesday Layla went to Nannie's for part of the day and I finally caught up the dishes and laundry.

Wednesday we had a pajama day and watched Sesame Street on DVD.

Today is Thursday and Layla is off having fun with Nannie so that I can spend time sorting baby toys, cleaning dishes, blogging, calling SDI and enjoying a noise free baby naptime.

Tomorrow is the Farmer's Market (without Nannie) and Saturday is going to be Layla's first movie at the theatre... we're going to take her to see Despicable Me. We heart Disney.

And if I make it to Sunday then I am going to nap...because I am exhausted and if it's this tiring to keep up and be home all day I am starting to dread thinking about what it will be like in 5 weeks when I go back to work and keep up while missing the crap out of being home with my kids all day.

So I am enjoying this busy week in this busy summer and thanking God that I got to be home for as much of it as possible.

All American Traditions

Yesterday we packed up the girls for the short drive downtown to watch the local Independence Day Parade which is something I was totally looking forward to this summer. Layla enjoyed the parade and watching all the classic cars for the car show driving by. I loved the wide eyed wonder of a toddler at a parade. I love the way her little flag waving would pause when something cool distracted her from her duties. Anyah slept through most of it.

Today we'll be enjoying another set of All American traditions... we'll have BBQ and play outside in her plastic pool until the sun goes down and then Daddy will set off fireworks and we'll write our names in the sky with sparklers.