Happy sounds

Training day

Some of you know that yesterday was going to be Holly's "potty-training day." Yes, I said was going to be. I'm sorry if that just gave away the ending.

We were totally ready. I read the books, bought the treats (felt a little like training a dog to sit and roll over), and let her pick out her new underwear. We talked the day up all week. Most importantly, I should add, Holly seemed ready. She HATES having a dirty diaper. So much that she won't sit down and insists on being changed immediately. If you walk toward her she puts her hand out and says in a panicked voice "Be careful! I have a poo-poo!" (I realize that might be TMI, but this is my language now). The time had come.

I was in no particular hurry to toilet train. Diapers are easy. You can drive for hours without stopping (remember the NASA astronaut?) and don't require sitting in the bathroom for 20 minutes at a time, keeping an active 2 year old entertained and still. But I had visions of Holly walking into kindergarten with diapers on, and that motivated me to capitalize on Holly's dirty diaper disdain.

The day started out well - success in the potty earned Holly 3 marshmallows! Then 15 minutes later, another success, another treat! And five minutes after that...her first accident. And 15 minutes after that, the second accident. Is anyone else amazed that a 2 year old can have such an active bladder? We went through the rest of the day putting her on the toilet literally every 20 minutes. Let me just say she went through 7 pairs of underwear.

Interestingly, Holly didn't seem to be bothered at all by the sopping wet mess she created every time she had an accident. She just went about her business, playing and walking from room to room (leaving a lovely trail to clean) until Matt or I discovered her. No shame, no disappointment, just kind of a "what of it?" attitude.

Needless to say, I put a diaper on her at 5 pm and called it a day. I contend that it was a good attempt. No tears, no battles of will, and lots of smiles when the treats appeared. I guess she's just not ready. And I'm OK with that. Because truthfully, I'm not quite ready to stop at every gas station restroom on our road trip this weekend.

And if you see Holly getting on the schoolbus in a couple of years with padded "diaper jeans," don't make fun.

Snow Day!

Yesterday was a fun day in Atlanta. We actually had snow! For several hours, big white flakes fell and fell from the sky. Holly got out in it for a few minutes, but it was really wet (we actually had thunder and lightning while it snowed), and it felt more like playing in cold rain than the snow. But we all loved it nonetheless. We sat inside by the fire and didn't do much all day but stare out the window.

It's pretty much all gone by now. So I'll just look forward to our 75 degree weekend coming up...

One more...

I had to add this to the list of quirky Holly-isms...

The other day I was reading a book to Holly. I noticed she was distracted and quickly stopped paying attention. I closed the book and said, in what I'm sure was an exasperated tone, "I guess you don't want me to read to you."

Then I noticed the calculator in her hands. She looked up briefly and said, "I'm just checking my email" and then went back to clicking away on the buttons.

Ah, the joys of 21st century parenting...

Holly-isms

Holly has been cracking me up lately. Every day, in her attempt to act like a grown-up, she says something so off the wall. I always try to remember them to tell Matt when he gets home, but always forget. So while I'm thinking about it, I'll jot a few down. I hope they're slightly as amusing for you.

1) Yesterday, I walked away from her in her room. She ran after me, saying "Mommy! My mommy!" When she reached me, she said "I was worried about you!"

2) She tells us all the time that "That would be a good idea!" Example: I told her we should eat outside, since it was warm out. She kind of nodded. Then I said we should eat in the backyard since we'd eaten on the front porch the day before. She said "That would be a good idea!"

3) When I say "thank you" she tells me "good manners!" and claps.

4) When Matt says "excuse me" after burping, she also says "good manners!" and claps. This doesn't happen often (and I'm not talking about Holly...).

5) When we see each other after having been apart (which is usually when we're in different rooms, since we're together all day) she runs to me and says "I'm so happy to see you!" That's the best.

6) She loves chocolate, and she knows if anyone around her has been eating it from the smell of their breath. Yesterday when I hugged her after she woke from her nap, she smelled my breath. She looked like she was about to say something, but then moved on. I said, "Wait - tell me what you were thinking." She said "I smell chocolate. Smells like brownie."

7) She thinks her name is spelled H-O-L-Y. We reinforce that extra "L" but it never makes it in.

8) When she gets excited about something (usually chocolate) she grins from her to ear, clasps her hands together, and says "I am so exciting!" Matt and I are in no hurry to correct that one. It's just too cute.

Isabella's website

For those interested in keeping updated on baby Bella (see post below), check out her site on CaringBridge. Be sure to read the journal updates and look through the sweet pictures!

Baby Isabella

This is Isabella Parker, the beautiful new niece of one of my best friends, Dori. Bella is truly a miracle baby. While in the womb, she was diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, or Brittle Bone Disease. Her parents didn't know what to expect upon her arrival, but they were told not to expect much. Ultrasounds showed multiple fractures in her right and left femurs, and they were prepared for the damage to be much more extensive.

Born last Friday, Bella has stolen the hearts of her family, the nurses caring for her, and many people she's never met (like myself). She is no longer on oxygen and is eating from a bottle - pretty amazing. But the road ahead is long. Only her mom can hold her right now, as it's too risky to allow her to be much more than touched. Changing her diaper is a painful ordeal, and she screams when her legs are touched. X-rays show fractures in her skull and ribs (among others, I believe) that healed improperly in the womb. She will always be extremely fragile, but praise God that she is here, and is doing better than expected!

Please keep this sweet baby and her family in your prayers. Here are some specific things I am praying for and invite you to join me:

- that Bella will be strong enough to go home soon, and that her daddy (and Aunt Dori!) will soon be able to hold her
- that she will receive the best care, and for wisdom for her doctors and nurses
- that she will be protected from pain
- for her parents; that their marriage will not suffer but grow stronger under the inevitable strain and stress, and that they will lean on God for their strength
- for her brothers Tyler and Landon; that they will handle this adjustment as well as possible, especially with so much necessary attention going to Isabella

And as we're praying, let's stop and thank God for all the little things we take for granted. And if you have kids, go hug your babies.