Costume party

As I was getting Gracyn ready for School this morning I asked her what shoes she wanted to wear. I told her she could pick a pair from her closet. Of course, she selected her pink sparkle shoes. Then she told me she wanted to have a costume party and starts pulling out her halloween costume. Trying to avoid a meltdown I told her we could do that after school. The following conversation occurred.

Gracyn: i have a bumble bee party
Me: oh! that will be fun
G: with cake and balloons
Me: Who will you invite?
G: mommy, daddy, bedda and bumblebees
Me: fun!
G: I wear ears and show my friends!

Oh she's too funny!

Did someone say terrible twos?

Common phrases we hear these days:

"No, Mommy. No help"

"No, Daddy."

"I do it."

"Do it myself."

"Gracyn do it."

"Gracyn help."

And if we don't oblige, then...

Fort Fisher Aquarium

The NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher is the perfect way to spend a few hours. It's just big enough to manage in a morning or afternoon. Both times we've gone on Saturday morning and by the time we head out for lunch it's filling up. They have a lot of areas to explore. The Cape Fear Region, home to the Albino Alligator, the touch & feel area, shark tank and lots of little tanks with various local and exotic fish. After we went to the Fort Fisher park for a picnic lunch and to blow off some energy. Something that Gracyn never lacks, energy! Girl is busy, busy!



2010 and 2011 by the alligator. Obviously the alligator doesn't move, just Gracyn. Child never. stops.

Potty Training

Gracyn is currently potty training. This is cra-zay to type or say out loud...such a big milestone.

I would say it officially began Wed, Dec. 28 when we tossed the diapers in the trash. {Not all of them, there's still a bag full in the garage that I need to do something with.} We put on big girl panties and never looked back. Lee has been working with her for a while before this day. Sitting on the potty before bath, talking about 'pee' and 'poop', things like that, and she was also letting us know when she needed a 'diaper change'.

This is mostly for me to remember this milestone than anything. So, my apologies to anyone who's still reading.

We we're all-in on this one, with me leading the charge. We used the 3-day bootcamp method. I just knew Gracyn was ready and the biggest motivator for me was that she would moving into the classroom with a potty. So, it made sense.

Of course the night before our 'big day' I lost all nerve and panicked, big time! Over the next 48 hours it went something like this....Lee encouraged me, I encouraged Gracyn and Gracyn was completely freaked out!

Looking back it wasn't horrible at all, but in the middle of cleaning up lots of pee...it's was a challenge. I'm pretty impressed though, she really picked it up quickly. Here's a summary:

Off we go with our Dora seat & Minnie Mouse

Day 1: Diapers off and into the trash. Gracyn did the honors. Straight to the bathroom to review the set-up. Minnie Mouse panties. Check. Dora potty seat. Check. Stepstool. Check. Wide-eyed toddler. Check. Wide-eyed Momma. Check. Not 15 minutes in and we had pee. Everywhere.

So Minnie didn't make it dry long. New panties and we got set-up to do some play-doh. More pee. Now, at this point Gracyn is like "Diaper Mommy?" And I remind her she's a big girl. Poor thing clings to me like glue, like that's going to keep the pee in. Not so much.

She finally goes in the potty and we have a HUGE celebration. HUGE. M&Ms and dancing and singing and clapping, lots o' clapping. Meanwhile, Bella is hiding from us crazy gals.

Gracyn is super clinging for the rest of the day. I'm finally able to get her to nap laying beside me on the bed. While I pray that she doesn't pee because I went into this without a pull-up in sight. Lee's at work and arrives with toys & pull-ups because I'm realizing we're not going to make it through the night without them.

Minnie's turn!

Day 2: Gracyn sleeps like a champ and we both face Day 2 with positive attitudes. At this point we're 4 for 4. Now, we've just to poop on the potty. Again, sorry for those still reading. Lee shows up at lunch time with high-protein items. Edamame, Apples, whole wheat anything he can find. :) No accidents so far, but we are constantly reminding her to "Tell Mommy/Daddy when you have to potty." If I had a dollar for every time I've said those words.

At this point she's doing great, just a little damp when we make it to the potty. But that's a sign to me that she's controlling the urge. And we go poop in the potty! Whoohooo. Now this was a GIANT celebration.

Day 3: I'm confident we're on track. Girl has 'got this'. Now, I'm just trying to think who's house we can go hang out at while we wait for her to use a 'strange' potty. And, I finally leave the house after 48 hours.

Day 4-6: We're accident free and get to the park, and the park, and the park. Yeah, we went a few times. And the neighbors house too.

Now, Lee and I just need to get over public restrooms. Ick.