Potty Training, pardon the bathroom talk...

This summer I tried to potty train Ben and it was absolutely horrible. We tried for two days and all I did was clean up urine. My house smelled like a men's bathroom. It was gross. So, I gave up and went back to diapers and was convinced he would never use the potty. My plan was to try again over my Christmas break from school. I dreaded it, lost sleep over it and shed a few tears. We started Thursday evening before his bath. I went about it different in that I had him stand on a stool in front of a the big potty instead of sitting down on the little potty. Bingo. The first night he peed in the potty first try, then continued to go to the bathroom when prompted the remainder of the night. The next morning got up put on his underwear and he had an accident in the morning and one in the afternoon, but that was it. He did refuse to poop in the potty and would wait until I would put on his night time pants (Underjams) to go poop. The next day I had a seminar to go to so my Dad watched Ben. He had one accident there and we had a dinner to attend that night and he had an accident there. Sunday we had Church, no accident. He took his nap at my parents house without night time pants on, no accident. Then we picked up John from the airport, no accident. Monday he started going to the bathroom unprompted. We went to Target and out to eat with no accidents. That night he went poop in the potty without me even asking! He was very excited and had to call both sets of Grandparents. No accidents since Saturday. Today he is at his school, fingers crossed no accidents there!

What worked for Ben:
-Chocolate, I used chocolate chips.
-For pooping his reward was a large piece of chocolate.
-I would ask him if he needed to use the bathroom, if he said no, I didn't make him go. I wanted him to feel like he was in control. (Drove me crazy, I like to be in control.) But usually within 2 minutes of me asking he would go to the bathroom.

Way to go Ben! I love you!

PS-I got him so boxer briefs, too cute!

Oops.

I posted the wrond video below. It is Ben clapping for himself. Hopefully the one this is the correct one!

Christmas Program

Last night was Ben's school Christmas Program. I thought he did a great job. During the first song he looked as if he had no idea what was going on. (The picture with his arms crossed). But by his second song at the end of the program he did the hand jestures and sang along. (The video). His teacher gave him a candy cane at the end and it totally made his night, thus the picture with the enormous smile. (I was holding the candy cane hostage until I got a good picture.) Unfortunatley John didn't get to be there due to work. (NFR for the next two weeks). And Grandma and Papa's car broke down on the way there. But he was rooted on by his Grammy, Nana, Peepa and of course Mommy.

-School is almost over for the semester, just a midciricular exam and my final. Hardest semester of my life. The reward, this time next year I will be a Registered Nurse.

-Ben had pnemonia. Poor guy. Luckily he wasn't hospitalized and I was able to use my nursing skills on him. To be diagnosed he had to have blood work drawn and have a chest x-ray. He was incredibley good for both. When they stuck him with the need he looked at her and said "THAT HURT!" During the x-ray the tech said he was the best two year old that she has ever given an xray. Yes, I am bragging. We go back Thursday for a follow up. I'm curious how he will be now that he is feeling better.

-Thanksgiving was good. My favorite part was black friday shopping with my sisters. Although I did complain a lot and at one point I think I may have cried.

-Next semester is labor and delivery and pediatrics. I am so excited!

-John is at the NFR for the next two weeks. Each year it is the longest two weeks.

-I started running in May. I began with a 20 minute mile and now I am to an 8.5 minute mile. Not an olympic time, but I still feel proud. Bonus, I've lost 22 pounds and have gone down 2 sizes.

-This summer I plan on starting to work as a nurse extern. Pray for me that an outstanding oppurtunity comes up.

-I love Christmas shopping!

Homeless Shelter

For my last 2 weeks of clinical we were at the homeless shelter. I don't think I will ever be able to express all the emotions I had or still have. I am not naive enough to say I didn't know there were homeless people, but that is how I always saw them, homeless people. These were just people. There were Mom's with children, vets in wheelchairs, so much mental illness it broke my heart, little old ladies, babies. It is so easy to stereotype someone into a box that makes it ok for us to neglect them.
On a posiitve note I absolutely love the group I worked with. I would love to work with any one of them in the hospital.

Ben's little sayings...

I've got to start writing these down before I forget them.

-Dayton ate his food too fast and threw it all up. Ben says, "I guess he didn't like it."

-Me, "What do you want for Christmas?" Ben, "a present." Me, "What kind?" Ben, "Papa in a present."

-After he throws up, "Yes!! I got it all up!"

-"I loves you."

-Abram and Ben talking. Ben, "Are you kidding me?" "Are you kidding me?" Are you kidding me?" Abram, "I AM NOT KIDDING YOU!" (Ben had a tendency to repeat himself.

Ben, "But I like to hit."

During his first football game, "You get to push?"

This semester had been a lot more time consuming than last. Some nights I've had up to 6 hours of homework to complete before the next day. The hardest part is finding things to keep Ben busy, but also to make him feel involved. So, I set Ben a work area up at the opposite end of the table as me. He colors, writes his B's and circles, and also makes stuff with his play-do. I also recently set him up on the computer on the Disney website. With the headphones on this keeps him quiet, busy, happy, and in eye shot for thirty mintues. Life saver. The only downfall. He just looks so cute I have a hard time getting anything done. Also, I threw in a picture of Ben's first day of school,

First Day of School

Thursday, Ben went to his first day of preschool. He did so well. We walked in, I found some trucks, showed them to Ben and he was good. He did not shed one single tear, kissed John and I goodbye, and said BYE! I almost made it completely out of the school before my tears came flowing. They were definetly not tears of sadness; I felt so proud of the little boy my baby has become.

Benjamin Age 2

At the begining of Benjamin's life I was able to write about his accomplishments and quirks at each month. For some reason or another I haven't kept up, so this post is all for Benjamin and all his accomplishments and quirks for age 2.

You sleep from 9:00 pm to 7:00 am and nap from 2:00 to 4:30 pm (give or take 30 minutes). You are still a great sleeper and rarely get out of your bed.

You moved to your big boy bed at 26 months. You did awesome. You got out of bed and I told you to get back in bed. You did and that was that. I wish you were this compliant about everything!

You test every boundary every day at least twice and act shocked when you get in trouble. "What?!? I can't throw yogurt on the walls? Well, I wish you would have told me!" (This happens at least once a week.)

You are a great eater. You will try anything. You response is either to continue eating or say, "I don't yike that. It nasty." Other famous quotes from the table, "This is incredible." "This is delicious." "MMMMM, mmm yummy in my tummy." "This is good stuff maynard."

Your talking, so articulate and such a large vocabulary, always suprises me.

You are so incredibly affectionate. I will never forget the night you layed next to me in bed, chatting up a storm about what had happened during the day, you stopped laid your head on my chest, and said, "Momma, I love you." Those moments make all the bad moments just disappear.

You are so bossy. "Come here." "Sit here, NO!, right here." "You stay right there." Your grandparents act as if you are the commander and chief and follow your every demand. We will see how this works for you in school.

You start preschool in two weeks. I get teary eyed just thinking about it. The hardest part for me being a parent is pushing back my urge to keep you all to myself. I want to protect you, do everything for you, to keep all hurt from you. But, this is a big but, I want you to be a strong independent man. With each little bit of the real world I let come in I have to remind myself, I am not raising a boy, I am raising a man.

When Animals Attack!

On my morning run a deer runs in front of me, maybe 12 feet. I am immediately petrified. Why? Because I watch too much "When Animals Attack" on TLC. I look to my left and see two baby deer. OH. MY. WORD. I am in between a mama deer and its babies, I am for sure a goner. (Maybe that's just bear and its babies, but hey, you can never be too safe.) First thought, the whistles people put on the front of their cars to scare deer away. Second thought, make yourself look bigger than what you really are. So I begin sprinting making the most annoying, highest pitch noise I have ever heard leave my body with my arms flailing in the air. I make it to the entrance of my edition. No way back except to cross the deer crossing AGAIN. So, I begin the the screeching, flailing of the arms and dead sprint. Only this time, I'm pretty sure I heard the deer laughing or perhaps it was my neighbors. Nevertheless, I'm pretty sure I doubled my normal calories burned.

PBR 2010

John, Ben, and I met two of our friends from Church at the PBR a few weeks ago and we had a blast. I had to apologize to John afterwards for complaining about having to go. Not that I didn't want to go, but anyone with a two year old knows that generally for the Mom, its not, well relaxing. Overall Ben was good. He loved watching the cowboys and proceeded to tell his Sunday School teachers all about the next day.

3 weeks until school starts. Summer flew by. I've been working on my summer homework for the past month. Its hard. Memorizing lab values, coming up with nursing diagnosis with symptoms listed, and knowing the consequences of low or high lab values. This semester they call the meat and potatoes, its going to be tough. (Not that last semester was easy!) To top is off my schedule will change 6 weeks, 6 weeks, 2 weeks, 2 weeks with different hours during clinicals, ranging from 0630-1530 to 1300-2300. I am a planner so this change is close to overwhelming. But I know the stress will be worth it ten fold. I can do this.

Get-away...don't even call it a vacation!

Wednesday: Met Jenny and the kids at the zoo. HOT! Ben didn't want to walk. Two sweaty bodies stuck together, had to rent a wagon.

Thursday: Ate breakfast with John, went to Wal-mart to get snacks for the hotel. John went to work, we went to Jenny's.

Friday: Ate breakfast at the hotel, then went to Chuck E. Cheeses. Had a blast. Ben loved it. Plenty of purel. John went to work, Ben and I went back to hotel, he took a 3 hour nap. Headed to Jenny's for dinner.

Saturday: John left at 7:00am and been woke up at 7:00am, ate breakfast at the hotel, went swimming at the hotel for 2 hours, then went out to eat. Ben scrapped his knee on the way to the car. Got to restaurant, Ben spilled his lemonade in open scrape. Very short lunch. Back to hotel for Ben's nap. Woke up went to Jenny's to stay the night and watch her kids so she and Brian could got on a date. All kids good and still alive.

Sunday: Burned out ready to go home. Realize I forgot pants for Church. My wonderful husband brings me ironed! pants. Nice! Went to Church, saw my sister throw a fit. Hilarious. Ate pizza (its Sunday people) and drove home. Awwwww, sweet home, even at 85 degrees.

Ben's first baseball game

We went to a Drillers game July 2 and we had a blast! We started at Spaghetti Warehouse, then walked to the ball park. (FYI: if you eat at Spaghetti Warehouse before the game you can park there free during the game.) The weather was absolutely spectacular. Ben lasted about 4 innings wathcing the game, then he and I walked around the park for two innings. This wore him out just enough to make it through the rest of the game. Then it started raining. Our seats were just far enough up that the balcony above us sheltered us from the rain. In the rain they shot off about 15 minutes worth of enormous fireworks.
At least once a week Benjamin ask, "we going to a baseball game?"

You are my SUNCHINE!

Here is Ben's translation of You are my Sunshine:

You are my sunchine, you make me happy when skies are gaway.
You neber know dee-yar, how much I nuv you.
Please don't take my Benjamin under way.

I use to sing Ben this song before he was born. It is so sweet to hear him sing it know.

Happy Birthday to ME!

Below is my blog from two years ago, right before I turned 26, in CAPS LOCK is my blog from one year ago when I turned 27, and in italics is for my 28th birthday and this years is in bold.


I see you 26
YOU ARE ALREADY HERE 27?
28, 29, 30...does it really matter?
29? I am 29 years old, when did that happen?

I am turning 26 this Sunday. I have never really thought about age before or getting older, until this year.
I TURNED 27 TODAY. I HAVE REVERTED BACK TO NOT THINKING ABOUT AGE ANYMORE, THERE IS JUST NOT ENOUGH TIME.
I still do not think about how old I am, now I think about how old my son is.
This is my last year to be twenty, how weird is that?

A few things I have noticed:

I wear clothes for comfort now.
I WEAR CLOTHES JUST TO COVER MY BARE SKIN.
I wear Mom clothes. Big underwear (I can't even call them panties).
I don't think I have one piece of clothing without some type of stain from Ben on it.

Elastic and I have become quite close.
ELASTIC HAS NOW BECOME EMBEDDED INTO MY SKIN.
I wear SPANX, so the elastic doesn't become embedded in my skin.
I wear elastic to work out in now, almost down to my wedding weight.

Once upon a time high heel shoes didn't hurt my feet.
ONCE UPON A TIME I WORE SHOES EVERYDAY...THAT MATCHED.
My feet have grown a size and a half, or I have realized, I am not really a 7.5.
I love high heel shoes, but now I am paranoid about bunions and foot deformities, I think I will stick to flip flops and tennis shoes.

I worry about my health and heart disease.
I WORRY ABOUT MY SON AND HAVE LITTLE TIME TO WORRY ABOUT MYSELF.
I am striving to live a healthy life so I can enjoy my grandchildren.
I am living a healthy life.

I read the contents in my food, ecpecially the fiber section.
I STILL READ THE CONTENTS OF MY FOOD AND MUST GET FIBER DAILY.
Only water soluble fiber
Lots of fruits and vegetables

I take much more time and money on my skin.
I USE BABY SOAP AND BABY LOTION ON MY FACE.
I love clinique, my skin has never looked better
Still loving clinique.

I tan much less and wear sunscreen and sometimes sunblock.
I HAVE NO TIME TO TAN.
I always wear sunscreen.
I burned on Memorial Day and was convinved I had just given myself skin cancer.

Bars seem really loud.
ITS BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE I HAVE GONE TO A BAR AND I DO NOT SEE GOING IN THE NEAR FUTURE OR EVEN THE DESIRE TO GO.
I go to Church now.
I enjoy going to Church and get more out if it than any bar.

I get in my pajamas much earlier now.
I NEVER GET OUT OF MY PAJAMAS.
I get out of my PJ's during Ben's first nap.
I get out of my PJ's right when I get up, throw on my workout cloths and go for a jog.

I haven't seen 2 AM, in probably a year...or 1 AM at that.
2PM, 2AM ALL THE SAME.
I go to bed at 11 PM, and rarely wake up before 8 AM.
11 PM? Who stays up till 11? That is just crazy talk!

I look forward to the news, and must watch the weather.
I GET TO WATCH THE NEWS SOMETIMES.
I watch the news, only when John is in town.
I watch the 5:00, 6:00, and 10:00 news, and occasionally the 9:00 news on FOX.

I have gotten much curvier, and not in a bad way.
EVEN CURVIER, BUT HAVE PASSED THE "NOT IN A BAD WAY".
John thinks my body is perfect, and that is all that matters.
I'm back to curvy in a good way and John still thinks my body is perfect.

My family has become my friends.
I LOVE MY FAMILY.
I still love my family.
Love my family and am making new friends.

I am pretty now and not cute.
JOHN IS LUCKY TO SEE ME PRETTY ONCE A WEEK.
I am a beautiful Mother.
I am a beautiful wife and mother.

I think about my future more, and how to better myself for the future.
I STILL THINK ABOUT THE FUTURE AND HOW TO BETTER MY FAMILY.
I now plan for the future.
I will be a nurse in the near future.

Life is good. Bring on 26.
MY LIFE IS BLESSED. HOW OLD AM I AGAIN?
What a great year, perhaps another baby at 28...maybe 29.
How about a baby at 30?

Semester in Review

Check mark, first semester of nursing school completed. It was hard and rewarding. It was a ton of information that was all very interesting. All of the test were hard. On nursing test all the answers are correct but one is the most correct. An example:
What color is the sky?

A. Blue
B. Sky Blue
C. Blue with white clouds
D. None of the above

The correct answer? You tell me. Other highlights throughout the semester.

-Pharmacology and dosage flew by. I was so nervous about this class. I finished it with a 96%.
-Head to toe examination. This had to be memorized. Do you know the questionare you fill out before seeing a doctor? I basically had to memorize this and be able to physical check each one.
-Clinicals. This was nerve racking for me and by far the hardest. I was actually their nurse. Everything we learned had to be applied.
-Finals. Comprehensive is all I need to say. Passed with a B.

I finished the semester with confidence and am ready for level 2. From what I hear its a booger!

As an assignment I had to write a reflective essay of time I spent at an adult day care center. I wanted to share with an exert from my paper.

"As I sat surrounded by the mentally challenged adults I started watching each one, trying to diagnose each. She has Down syndrome, he must have some type of autism, she seems to have a mild retardation and then a small-framed girl caught my eye. She sat quietly with a plastic something in her hand. She did not speak nor did she make eye contact. She sucked her thumb. The fact that she sucks her thumb may mean nothing to someone else, but when I saw her sucking her thumb I could feel the tears building up in my eyes. My son, Benjamin sucks his thumb. This is not just a mentally handicapped girl, this is someone else’s baby; this is someone else’s Benjamin.
The rest of the day is somewhat of a blur. I spent time speaking with the older adults who needed some assistance and also spent time with the elderly with advanced Alzheimer’s. Nothing compared to the moment I had when I looked at the girl who was sucking her thumb. I will not be nursing clients; I will be caring for someone else’s Benjamin."

EEK! I can see a light at the end of the tunnel...

I can't believe I only have 5 weeks left of school. Right now I am studying for my medications administration competency. My client happens to be on over 30 medications. Before I can give him any of his meds I have to know safe dosage, possible side effects, any special precautions, and of course what the medication does. I should have said have memorized instead of just knowing. In two weeks I preform my head to toe competency, which I am pretty nervous about. Everything is just so much memorization. I have two written tests left and of course my final. Other than those few things, I am home free! Until next semester.

Ben woke me up Monday morning at 1:00am to tell me he had a booboo in his ear. We scheduled an appointment to find out its not an ear infection, but that he has pressure in his ear from his forever long cold. Treatment: chew gum. That makes for one happy little boy!

Back to life, back to reality...

I can't remember who sings that song. Anyway, back to school tomorrow. The first few days out of school I really missed it, but that wore off quickly. My spring break consisted of:

-Ben's cousin Abram came and stayed with him Sunday.
-Monday we drove down to Blanchard to see my new niece and do what I could to help
my sister out around her house.
-Tuesday we drove back home in the afternoon and went to bed really early!
-Wednesday I went and got a hot rock pedicure (a gift from John) and went shopping! I really like to shop, but I must admit after having Ben shopping just isn't the same. Buying for myself isn't as enjoyable and my "Mom body" is sometimes hard to find clothes to fit. I did find John some new jeans, never an easy task, 36x36 are hard to find, and I was able to find some large tall shirts. I of course had to buy some new clothes for Ben too!
-Thursday we stayed at home. John grilled a pork loin and I cooked a potato casserole and green beans. It was delicious!
-Friday I took Ben to get his haircut, made a quick run to Walmart for Easter basket items, and headed off to John's work to meet him for lunch. From there I went to the eye doctor and Ben and John went to the park to enjoy the great weather. After the eye doc, I went to my hair appointment. The lady washed, cut, dried and styled my hair in 25 minutes. It was incredible. It usually takes over an hour.
-Saturday John left for Houston and the snow began. Snow is torture when you have a toddler. You feel like a prisoner.
I was able to squeeze in homework here and there, but really do not feel prepared for school to start. I did enjoy my break!

Cousin Abram

Ben's cousin Abram got to come down for a visit after my sister had her baby. I love watching he and Ben interact with each other. They really are friends. They play really well with each other and it almost seems easier to have two. ALMOST. Bath time, eating, and bedtime is double hard. Each day Ben ask at least once a day, "Where's Abram?"

Before and After

John and I decided to grow Ben's hair out, just to see what it looks like long. He has two crowns so if his hair is too short it looks like horns, so we would have to style it spikey daily or risk letting our child look like he has devil horns. The boy, not only has a lot of hair, it also has a lot of body. Its really great hair, but pretty high maintenance (I'll have a girl next who will be bald until she's ten). Friday morning he got up and he looked a little too much like Rod Stewart, so I thought it was time for a trim.

Ben's Quotes for the Week

"Momma, its time to pray to Jesus."

"Mom, I hold baby Jesus."

When our youth minister at church was taking in front of the church, "Mom, its Jesus!"

(He's really on a Jesus kick right now.)

While at Wal-Mart to a complete stranger, "HI! I'M POOPING!" Ben is so articulate it is impossibe to deny what he says.

Now that he has been moved to his big boy bed, he really know how to work his Momma. Each night that I have laid hime down he says, "Mom, one more kiss." "Momma, I need a kiss." "Oh, hug." "One more kiss." This last a few minutes. Seriously how can you turn down a kiss.

What, I have a blog, two blogs?

Ok, I am horrible about updating and attempting to do two blogs is just crazy. Now I not only get to neglect one blog, I have another to neglect too. So, I quit blog number two.
Benjamin update: He is a spirited little boy with a mouth that never stops. I have never heard someone talk so much. It is like he narrates his every move along with the entire populations every breath. We went to his two year well check up last week, one of my questions for the doctor if there is a way to teach a two year old how to be quiet. I really just want moments of quietness. I love his little personality and do appreciate how well and how much he talks, but seriously, my ears feel like they are bleeding at the end of the day. Oh, what did the doctor say? Nothing. He just laughed.
School update: Its hard, but I love it. We've had about 20 people drop the program so far. They say by the end of the program only half the class graduates. Clinicals are always strange to me. I almost feel like I am just pretending to be a nurse. I passed my Pharmacology/Dosage class with an A. It has been the easiest and I thought it would be the hardest. Still, very glad its over.
My sister had her baby yesterday. It was the smoothest delivery I have ever seen. I've only seen 2 others, but still, it was smooth. She was so small compared to Jenny's boys. She weighed almost 3 lbs less than Jenny's last baby. She looks like a little baby doll. Tons of jet black hair and long. It goes down her neck and over her ears. She has little facial features and beautiful skin. What? Me? A proud aunt? I miss her already.