Just in case

Monkey with her "just in case" bag and her new hulk!

Potty training continued....

This monkey is amazing! When your child is ready, they're ready!

I'd say the biggest thing is reward and act like u dnt care.

Day 1: She had lots of accidents but it was because she had another kid around n was busy playing. But once her buddy left, she went #1- #2 by herself. No prompting.

I rewarded her each time she went on the potty and didn't make a big deal about when she didn't. Don't show how bad YOU want it. They'll rebel!

Bedtime... I was so nervous to put her down without a diaper but she insisted!
I got up at 3am and woke her up to potty. Needless to say, she was NOT pleased. She hadn't wet herself and didn't use the potty.

I was sure she would pee herself while she slept. She did not.

Day 2: Woke up dry!! Used the potty!
I needed to go to target and the grocery store. I packed a change of pants and panties in a zip lock for her "just in case."

No accidents!
Then I had to drive an hour n a half to pick up a friend from the airport. No accidents in the car. She used the restroom at the airport once we got there. Then made is another hour and a half home.

Bedtime... Panties again!
No accidents all day!

Day 3:
With my friend and her pup here, I think my Lil monkey got a bit excited. We ended up having 2 accidents today.
The first one she ran to the bathroom and it was too late. She cried and cried and cried. :(
The 2nd time was the same story but she wasn't as hard on herself.
She did a #2 all on her own again. I think she really needs privacy for that one.

Day 4: We went to church and I had her bring her "just in case" bag and she got a cool sticker that said "I'm potty training."
No accidents!
After church we went straight to Nashville which is approximately an hour drive. We went to the grand ole opry and walked around for about an hour, even by some waterfalls. She did great!  No accidents. So we went to opry mills next door and had some lunch in the aquarium restaurant. I offered her a potty break everywhere we went. After a couple hours of walking around opry mills we went to a friends house about another 45 mins away and it was there that she helped herself to the bathroom. I guess she felt more comfortable there. After dinner there we drove the approx hour and a half back home.
All day no accidents!!

Day 5:
Woke up dry.
I didn't prompt her at all today. She did her business when she needed to and washed her hands after.
This evening, I took her to the store to pick out a new big girl toy for being officially diaper free!
She grabbed herself the hulk she's been eyeing every time we're there. :)

I know every child is different... But I really feel that kids give clues for when they're ready to get rid of diapers. Don't spend the money on pull ups. Just go all or nothing. Be ready for accidents. Don't make a big deal if they don't make it. And have a grab bag of goodies (I got a bunch of $1 toys. Dinosaurs, matchbox cars, bubbles, stickers, doll clothes, coloring books....) For when they make it to the potty.

You got this.

Potty training...

I guess its true what they say, kids really do let you know when they're ready to potty train. My 2 year old has been ultimately potty training herself. During our move she would take her clothes off and just take herself to the potty. Usually if I was in there. Or she would bring me a clean diaper as soon as she'd ... Well you know.

I kept saying "this is the last box of diapers." But then we moved and my husband deployed and it just fell to the back burner. So last weekend I took her to the store to pick out her own big girl panties. She got some Dora and some plane ones that were colorful. Monday and Tuesday I had appointments so most of the day was spent in diapers, running around town.

Yesterday (Wednesday) I went ahead and kept her in panties most of the day. I watched my friends kid while she was at the Dr and of course my monkey wanted NOTHING to do with the potty cuz she was playing!! 4 accidents later, my friend came to pick up her son. By the end of the evening my monkey took herself to the bathroom and did her business... #1 & #2!
Uh-mazing.
Before bed, I put a diaper back on her. Well this morning, I got up before her and took her straight to the potty. She was dry and didn't want to use it. I didn't push it. It snowed all night so everything was closed. My monster didn't have school so I made pancakes. Just about the time we sat down, monkey got panicky and said "mommy pee pee" and grabbed herself. So I picked her up and ran to the potty... She made it!! Her and her sister went n played in the snow. She stayed dry. She took a nap in panties... And stayed dry. Today was an accident free day! She's been trying to tell me she's been ready for this for a while and I ignored her. :/
Tonight, she went potty before bed and insisted on wearing her panties to sleep.

I guess we'll see what the morning holds for us, but I'm pretty freakin stoked! :)

How were your kiddos with potty training? What worked for you? What didn't? Were boys more challenging? Share in the comments below, I'd love to hear your story :)

Another deployment

Warning .. Sappy post ahead.

Please hug your spouses, children and best friends tight today. I forget about all the little things. I know its only a year and I know that the beginning is the worst part but I miss my Mr and the girls miss their daddy. We miss our buddy. The first few days were just unbearable. I don't know what it is... Maybe some of you can relate... But pulling up to an empty house, knowing he isn't coming home that night or for the next year. Every deployment, its always the same that first few days. I just can't take it. So me and the kids just stayed in, watched Netflix and cuddled. We slept on the couch cuddled up for the first few days. Then that weekend we left for a friends house a couple hours away. I knew we needed to get out of the house but even the thought of the drive and staying the weekend was sad since we always go as a family. It was refreshing to be out of the house and around friend. Oh and did I mention Saturday was valentines. Sucker Punch to the gut. But to be honest... It wasn't that bad. My friend and I had picked up some valentines for the girls, she even surprised me with a box of chocolates :') and her husband made some delicious waffles. Then Sunday came and we had to head home and try to get there before an impending winter storm. We made it home just as the snow started and once again, pulling up to the empty house had me in tears. :/ the storm hit pretty hard. Snow and ice. My kiddos and I were stuck in the house for a week and a half. It was kind of nice to have that time to veg and spend time together.

We're approximately 3 weeks in now. My oldest is registered for another season of soccer and we are doing much better. Obviously there are still crappy days but just like previous deployments... We will be fine!
Keeping busy is key! Stay tuned for more deployment related posts. I.e. care package ideas ;)

Vegan eggnog!!

For all my vegan friends!

I haven't tried it yet but its on my to do list... Here's the recipe a friend of mine sent me from vitamix!

Yields 4

Prep Time
5 min

Ingredients
1. 2 Cups Almond Milk
2. 1/4 Tsp Ground Cloves
3. 1/4 Tsp Ground Nutmeg
4. 1/2 Tsp Ground Cinnamon
5. 1/3 Cup Brandy (Optional)
6. 2 1/2 Tbs Maple Syrup
Instructions
1. Place all ingredients into your blender.
2. Start on low and slowly increase to high.
3. Blend for 15-30 seconds so that you can create a nice foam.
4. Serve over ice.
5. Enjoy!