Potty Training Tips and Tricks

I can honestly say that potty training is something that makes me a little anxious to begin. Although I long for the diaper days to be over, I also dread potty training.

I am currently potty training Madelyn and I have realized a few things this time around while potty training:

• It is not easy. It cannot be done in a day. Did I mention that it isn't easy?

• Try to plan when to start potty training in advance. Going on a vacation? Wait until you are home to start potty training. Do not start potty training the month of said vacation.

• Have patience. There WILL be accidents. You will feel defeated. It's okay to feel defeated. Just keep pushing through it and have a plan.

• Don't start too early. I have heard many parents brag that they are potty training their one year old. Sure, introduce them to the potty. Have them sit on the potty while you are in the bathroom. But don't have your heart set on your child being "ready" to start. 

• Look for "signs" that your child is approaching the potty training age. 

• Have a reward system! Stickers, lollipops, buying their own underwear--potty training should be fun and exciting for your little one! 

• Be consistent with the timing of taking a potty break. Pull-Ups has a timer that you set as a fun reminder to your little one that it's potty time. Being consistent with potty breaks and following the guidance from Pull-Ups has helped me tremendously with potty training. 

• Staying home was helpful in the beginning with each of my girls. I tried to let my husband do the errands and running around. If it was necessary that we leave I would utilize Pull-Ups in case of an accident.

• I learned that Pull-Ups are GREAT for naps, bedtime, car trips. While at home my girls were in their underwear. Try out different methods and find what works best for your child.

• Make potty training a fun time for your child. It can turn very stressful for a little one very quickly. Come up with a fun plan. Talk about potty time and be excited! This should be a very fun and exciting time. If you feel like your child isn't ready? That's okay! Wait until you think they are ready and it will be a much more pleasant experience for everyone.

Pull-Ups are a great way to begin potty training. Not only do they have fun designs that your child will love, but they have a great community of tips, hints, tricks. One of my favorite things that Pull-Ups offers is the phone call from a Disney character! We had Cinderella give Madelyn a call and she LOVED it:

Below is a great way to get started with potty training. Remember, it may not be easy, but you will get through it. Good luck!

Browse more data visualizations.

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Pull-Ups. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating. 

In An Instant.

I believe that there are moments in parenting that we will never forget. First words. First steps. First giggles. Birthdays. Those are the moments that I love. I love to watch my daughters grow, change and experience life. But with the good, there is the bad.

It was a sunny day. One large cloud floated in the sky. I talked to my sister on the phone and joked that I wished the cloud would bring some rain so the girls would go inside. We were all outdoors enjoying the warm day. I took photos of the girls (it had been ages since our last shoot) and they were playing so sweetly.

I distinctly remember looking out onto our driveway and watching Isabella & Madelyn. They were having so much fun together. Sister giggles filled the air. Shrieks. Laughter. Smiles. Madelyn was in the back of a toy wagon that was pulled by Isabella.

Right before the accident...

I waved to my neighbor across the street. He had just arrived home from work. He had let his dogs out to play for a few moments. Brynlie was mesmerized and I was sitting there counting my blessings.

Within an instant there was blood everywhere.

Madelyn half crying.

Looking up with blood pouring out of her mouth. I assumed she had bit her lip.

I was so wrong.

I raced out to grab her, grab my baby who had blood coming out of her mouth so fast.

I rushed her into the bathroom, grabbed a towel and instructed her to hold it there. I had to go out front and grab my other two daughters. I ushered them indoors and raced back to Madelyn.

I think she was in shock at this point. I asked her to open her mouth. I couldn't see some of her teeth.

Shit. She knocked out teeth. Where were her teeth?!


I called Leo, told him I was on the way to the ER. Madelyn was hurt. He was almost home and said he would take her. I grabbed a clean washcloth, held it to her mouth and got her into the van.

I walked to the end of the driveway. There was blood on my driveway. No teeth. Just blood.

Leo ran out of his car. He jumped in the van and they left.

The verdict? My baby girl has two tooth intrusions. Which is a fancy word for you fell and your teeth got shoved back into your gums.

My poor baby. Her mouth is so messed up. Swollen. Still bleeding. She is on an antibiotic to fight an infection, Tylenol with Codeine for pain.

Her follow up is in three months assuming we have no complications before then. We will then be discussing surgery options if needed.

My point is this. Life is fragile. Sometimes in an instant things can go from bliss to a nightmare. Madelyn is so lucky she didn't suffer from a head injury, neck injury or more. I am counting my blessings that it isn't worse.

And for the record? All wagons are now banned from my home. I will never allow one anywhere near my daughters again.

My Middle One.

Oh, Madelyn. She's my sweetie pie.

Or as she calls me (and everyone to include the cat & dog) "cuuuu-tee".

She is my cuuuu-tee. 

Speaking in full sentences. 

Picking flowers for hours.

Animal lover.

Sister sidekick.

My middle one. 

Always the one with a huge heart.

A heart that is as easily broken as it is full of love.

I? Love her. With every ounce of my being.

Stomach Bug from Hell.

Oh my word. Somewhere from Texas to Mississippi Isabella picked up a stomach bug. I have decided that this bug is the virus from hell. I am not even kidding.

It all began on Wednesday with Isabella throwing up all. day. long.

She started feeling a little better on Thursday, which made me do a happy dance and thank the Lord that I wouldn't have to smell puke anymore. Which, by the way, is one of my least favorite smells in the world.

Friday morning all five of us were in our bed making plans of perhaps going to the park for some fresh air. Madelyn and Brynlie--within seconds of one another--throw up all over me. So much for park slash fresh air time.

*sigh*

Baths, mountains of laundry, carpet shampooing.

That was the extent of our week last week. I am now an expert of realizing the moment of puke impact and how many towels can fit into my washing machine at any given moment.

Here's hoping that Monday will be our day of no throwing up. In fact, I am declaring tomorrow the day of zero tolerance to anything puke related. Hopefully the virus will get that memo as well...

Lately.

Madelyn has been having a hard time lately sharing me with her sisters--or anyone for that matter. I knew that this day would eventually come, but I also assumed that it would have hit a little sooner than now.

She cries constantly if I am unable to hold her right then and there when she wants me to. This is usually when I am feeding Brynlie or rocking Brynlie to sleep. It breaks my heart that she is hurting so much with adjusting to a new baby sister.

I am trying to make it easier on her and trying not to get frustrated with the amount of tears and tantrums that are occurring on a regular basis around my home. Believe me when I say she cries a lot. It's hard being a mom and seeing your child hurt in a way that we try to fix, but all that will truly fix it is time and acceptance on her part.

Until this phase passes I will keep showing her how much I do love her. I hope that when she is old enough she will understand how much I love her and how much this is hurting me to see her struggling like this.

Best Friends Forever...

Madelyn has become quite the little character--from her wild dance moves, to the things that she says, I am constantly laughing with her. 

Some of my favorite things about my girl include:

Her love for her family. She loves with all of her might and the love she has amazes me every day.

Her love of pumpkins. Now that Halloween is over it breaks my heart a little--especially when her Ariel carved pumpkin will be in the trash can and no longer on our front porch...wish me luck with that one...

Her dance moves. I have no way to describe these. She does a gallop, toe, hop move that has me laughing hysterically--seriously, it's beyond hilarious!

When she toots she says "I poot!" OhmyGod. SO hilarious.

The way she snuggles. When Madelyn was little it was very rare for her to actually want to be snuggled. She's always been independent, so for her to want to come climb on my lap? Heart melting.

Her love of Ariel, Snow White--basically any Disney princess. But her top fave? Ariel, hands down. She walks around singing the song that Ariel sings as Ursula is stealing her voice. YouTube it--and then imagine a two year old walking around singing it. 

I could probably go on and on and on...girlfriend is such a sweetheart and my own live in comedian. I adore the little person she has become--and can't wait to see who she becomes in the future.

Madelyn. My Own Sleep Ninja.

Madelyn has been fighting going to sleep lately.

She used to be my girl who would practically beg for bed.

Now it's a battle of her vs mommy vs sleep.

She tries every trick in the book.

More water.

Cover up.

Potty.

Stinky.

Fan on.

Fan off.

Once she realizes that I am not going to come to her room with all said requests she starts in with her Mo-mmeeeeee. MO-mmeeeeee. MO-MMEEEEEEEEE!

I know naps won't last forever, but girlfriend needs a nap. A day without naps in my home is equal to a day from hell.

Take my word on that one.

I Heart Instagram--September Photo Dump

If you're friends with me on Facebook or friends with me on Instagram, it's no secret that I have a crush on my Instagram app. It's addicting. Quick. Easy. Fun.

If you don't have Instagram I highly suggest snagging that little app for your phone--you can thank me later. It's a great way to snap a pic and give it a different look, a different feel and the bonus? You can stream it right onto your Facebook, Twitter accounts in a snap.

So, here are a few of my favorite pics from September...love!

From left: 1. The girls filling up their car...so sweet when they play nicely together! 2. Brynlie on our car trip to Houston a couple of weeks ago. Great times. 3. My lucky scratcher Bingo ticket--won $200! 4. Sweet Brynlie asleep...love sleeping baby pics. 5. Me and my new hair. I am not going to show a close up of the highlight job...not good, friends. 6. Brynlie on our trip home from Houston earlier this week. More great times. 7. Maddie on a rocking horse at her grandparents' in Houston...she turned into a cowgirl while we were in Texas. 8. My two new fave hair products. I'm a hair product junkie. 9. Brynlie at the Houston zoo--LOVE the pic of her. 10. Isabella outside of her dance class. Girlfriend is in l-o-v-e with dance and her "teach-ah".

That was my photo dump for September. Hoping to do this weekly...if you do a photo dump leave me a comment--I love checking out pics from my favorite readers!

The One Where I am a Dance Mom...

 Isabella has recently started dance class which consists of tap and ballet. She has wanted to dance for so long and I really think that this will do wonders for her firecracker personality. Watching her do the tap moves and ballet poses is one of the cutest and funniest things ever. I am constantly giggling and grinning from ear to ear while I watch her. You can definitely tell who the newbie mom is that has never had her daughter enrolled in anything...I probably embarrass her to death. Poor Isabella!

Madelyn, unfortunately, is too young to be in the class. On the first day of Bella's first class Madelyn insisted on wearing her own dance attire. She was so happy and felt so big in her own precious leotard and tights. Isabella was so great about it and really was happy that Madelyn was dressed up which really made me proud of her.

Once the first class had started the students were sitting on the floor, legs stretched out in front and hands in their laps. They were each telling the teacher, Miss L, their names. I was holding Brynlie and before I could stop Madelyn she was sitting at the end of the row with the students.

It was the sweetest thing ever, and absolutely shattered my heart that I had to go and remove her from the class. She broke down in tears and was sobbing. I felt so bad for Maddie! She was so proud of herself and even made sure that she was sitting just like the big girls.

Sigh.

I'm thinking once spring arrives that I'll enroll both big girls in gymnastics somewhere...but until then Madelyn will keep wearing her leotard and tights to dance to her big sister's class.

The Story of Squirmy Wormy

You're probably asking yourself what in the world or more accurately, who is squirmy wormy. Before I go any further I am certain that we all know a squirmy wormy or two--whether by birth or just association.

Madelyn is my current squirmy wormy. As in when I change her diapers she morphs into a squirmy wormy which can be a full out battle at times! I can't remember what age this all began, but it is still continuing to this very day. Diaper changes with my Madelyn, as they were with Isabella, are a battle. I hope you have your battle gear ready if you have the job of changing her diaper.

Need a visual scenario to play out in your mind? Here is a quick replay of a diaper change with Madelyn:

• Madelyn tells me she's 'tinky or "poppy"
• I go and gather all of the needed gear (Huggies wipes & diaper, bag, etc)
• I hunt her down
• Once she is caught and I start pulling out the wipes she runs away once again
• I catch her yet again where she proceeds to scream, go boneless, crying
• I pin her down, take off the dirty diaper and try to get her new one on
• Due to her wiggling, squirming, fighting, the diaper gets placed on crooked
• Repeat diaper putting on until it is on perfectly

As Madelyn has gotten older I have figured out a few tricks along the way to make her less of a wiggle worm during her diaper change. A few of my favorite tips and tricks include:

• Have all diaper changing necessities in one place--preferably where you do diaper changes at
• Always, always, always make sure your wipes container is stocked! Nothing is worse than needing wipes, opening the wipes container and seeing that--ack!--you are out!
• Distract your child with something. Whether it be a small toy, small book, or engage in counting/abc's/song. This usually works like a charm for us. 
• Offer your child a wipe of their own. I will hand one to Madelyn and ask her to clean her hands. She loves this and it gets her to practice cleaning up her hands or face.
• Doing one of these usually will result in a successful diaper change without failing to get it on and secured properly.

I hope that by me sharing a few of my favorite tips it will help you out in the diaper changing department. If they all seem to fail on you, I am excited to announce that Huggies has come up with a great diaper (one that I've wondered since having Isabella why they weren't around yet!). The Huggies Little Movers Slip On diapers! Seriously--how great is that?! I can't wait to buy a pack and test them out on Madelyn.

If they will help in diaper changing I am all for trying them out. Especially once Brynlie gets older and learns that moving around is a lot more fun than staying still!

Do you have any nicknames for your little one during diaper changing time? Or do you have a tip to share to cut down on the frustration of changing a squirmy wormy's diaper? I would love to hear what you have to say. Leave it below in a comment to share with me and my readers!


I wrote this blog post while participating in the SocialMoms and Huggies blogging program, for a gift card worth $35. For more information on how you can participate, click here.

The Gift...

 

Seriously sweet.

Happy Birthday, Sweet Madelyn

The Big "2"

Where has time gone?

You've captured my heart with your smile

your endless giggles

your heart melting 'mooches

your love of the outdoors

everything mermaid

especially Ariel.

You have the prettiest curls

The brightest eyes

The cutest of chubby cheeks.

Your heart is amazingly big for someone so small.

There are days that I think that you are wise beyond your years.

I love you, my little princess.

My number two

who is turning two.

I cannot wait for more years to come.

And I cannot imagine my life without you in it.

I love you, Madelyn.

For now.

For then.

For always and always.

Forever,

Mommy

The One Where Madelyn Resembles Hitch...

Poor Madelyn. I swear any bug that likes to bite people migrate to her. Of course she swells up as obvious from the picture above--and this was taken after Benadryl.

We took a quick road trip to Texas this weekend and she had to ride home to Mississippi like this. But she was an angel and such a trooper!

And I still think she is totally adorable. Swollen Hitch eye and all...

This Girl? Hates Diapers...

Girlfriend will take off her diaper every chance that she has...

Doesn't matter what's in it.

That thing gets ripped off like there's no tomorrow...

Good thing she's so adorable...

Because it's not always pretty finding what little diaper surprises may be lurking for me...

And now if she is "trapped' with her diaper on?

She's been known to check out the diaper situation on her own.

You know, to see if she is 'tinky or not...

Just be warned that if it looks like she has chocolate on her hands it's not always chocolate.

If you know what I mean...

Summer? Has Arrived...

In the form of sunny days, sticky faces and sprinkler afternoons...


In the form of bbq, ice cold beer in a frosty glass and sand between my toes...


In the form of long days, long nites and tired little ones...


In the form of summer beach reads, birthdays and longing to be a kid again in the summer time...


In the form of happy girls, happy momma and a happy daddy...

The One With the Eye...

This is what I woke up to on Saturday morning:

After nearly passing out {ahem. I claim I got up too quick when I heard her screaming and sobbing...},

I rushed us out to the ER.

The culprit?

An allergic reaction--the doc said it was from an insect from the looks of it.

We're home and she is on steroids and Benadryl.

I'm just praying that it looks much, much better very soon!

Happy Day Indeed...

Today we made a Halloween card for Daddy...

Played outside for a couple of hours...

Had our windows open for fresh air...

And ordered pizza for three.

A happy, smile filled day.

Just what this momma needed.

Because They? Make Me...

Smile.

Love.

Laugh.

Live.

Breathe.

Be joyful.

Forgive.

Cry on occasion.

Love unconditionally.

Be my best.

These two girls are me.

And everything I do I do it better.

Just for them...

Pure, Sticky Deliciousness...

If there is one thing that makes me giggle about Madelyn, it is her pure joy and love for food...

Her new favorite?

Yummy

Sweet

Sticky

Cold

Popsicles.

Love her drippy, sticky, lovable, messy face.

♥

The One Where I Would Love Your Help...

It seems like forever and a day ago that I have actually sat down to write a post. It has been nothing short of chaotic around my home. Leo is leaving this weekend. Which in reality is totally ironic the day he leaves. That date has so much significance in my heart as well as so many of our hearts.

The emotions that I am feeling right now are surreal. With his parents down here it just feels like they are here visiting and helping us with things that we need done around the house. It doesn't feel like they are here to spend precious moments with their son before he flies off to a country so dangerous to protect the country that he would give his life for.

Anyway, in the title of my post I stated that I need your help. And I do. I really, really do. One of the local photographers here is hosting a Facebook contest. Basically the baby with the most votes get a free photo shoot.

This is both amazing and generous all in one. I love her work--and Leo and I have talked about saving some money to have her do a shoot for us. It's pricey and being a one income military family we don't have a lot of extra cash laying around.

It's SUPER easy to vote. You like her page which is Lisa Campbell Photography. After you are a "liker" of her business you click on like under Madelyn's super cute picture. That is it! The contest runs through the 15th of September before it is over. Votes won't count unless her photo is "liked" on Lisa Campbell Photography, so if you are voting just make sure that you like her picture. This is the photo that I used:

This is her photo that I used...so freaking adorable!!

I typically don't enter any of these cute baby photo contests because so many babies are cute and it ends up being who has more friends, etc. But I would love nothing more than to win a session with Lisa. I want to surprise Leo while he is in Afghanistan with pictures of the girls. Could I do it myself? Sure. But she is a professional photographer...which is freaking amazing.

Don't feel like you have to vote...I don't want to "make" anyone do anything that they don't want to do. But if you have one minute to do the steps above, I would love you forever. Forever and ever.

I am sure I'll be posting more this week, but I'm honestly just trying to take in my honey and remember everything about him...it's about to be a long 6 months...