Potty Training

Last Wednesday, John David and I were hanging out in the living room when Khloe came running in from her bedroom with a diaper. She handed it to me and laid down in front of me. A little shocked, I pulled her diaper off and as I slid the new one under she peed all over me. John David thought it was the funniest thing and said “Well! She tried to tell you she needed to go!”

About a week before, I unpacked her new little potty chair (that Auntie Tooty bought for her bday) and put it in the guest bathroom next to the toilet. I don’t know about your kiddos, but this child follows me EVERY where I go. I decided to sit her on it every time I went to the bathroom. It didn’t take but one time of sitting her there that she would follow me and sit on it by herself.

After the peeing on my hand incident, we decided she must be trying to tell us she’s ready for potty training! Later that night, Jd left for a work meeting and I stuck Khloe in the bath. As I pulled her out of the tub, on a whim, I picked up her naked little body and sat her on the toilet (the big one). Much to my surprise, she immediately started straining and within seconds she had her first poo-poo in the big girl potty. I tried so hard not to laugh, but my giggles made it that much more fun for her. All smiles, she strained until she raised her arms in the air and said "Awww donne" :) Yep, I videoed the entire thing on my phone, and yes, I called all of my family in utter excitement….. and I may have even updated my facebook status  about my kid pooping. LOL!

The next morning we got up really early and headed to Memphis. An hour away from home, I stopped at my Mother-in-laws to pick up a few things. I didn’t think much would come from it, but since she did so good the night before, I decided to make it a habit of sticking her on the toilet. In a total new environment and house, she immediately went #2  as soon as I put her on it! Again, I was in total disbelief.

Later that day at my Grandmas, the story continued. She didn’t have an “accident” all day. The best part was when she came and grabbed my hand and walked me to the bathroom and reached for me to put her on the toilet to again use the bathroom. The entire family was there to witness it and everyone was going crazy!

After a few days of being out of town, we are back at home, and I am happy to report she is still going! Much to my surprise, she really won’t go in the little potty chair, which can be good and bad. Good because it’s much easier to clean by a simple flush. Bad because it’s not something she can do by herself.

She is still having a few accidents, and it’s mostly because I forget to make her go often enough. I’ve come to realize that potty training is not just for the baby, but also training for the momma!  I’m not at all expecting perfection and no accidents from my 15 month old, but I think this is a HUGE start and advantage to the process!

*You know you’re a Mom when you write a blog about exciting new bathroom activities!*

Thanks for reading!

-Heather

Happy 12 Months Khloe!

(Khloe's birthday is actually tomorrow, but since her BIG bday celebration is tomorrow, I'm posting one day early :)

Dear Khloe Brooke,

One year ago at 9:33 p.m., you were taken from my belly and placed in my arms. At 5 pounds and four ounces, you were the tiniest, most adorable, John David-looking, sweeeeeeeeeeeetest baby I have ever laid eyes on. Friday, October 1, 2010 my heart quadrupled in size when you made me the proudest new Mommy in this whole world!

Every day you learn and you do, and your Momma doesn’t miss a minute! You are one year old today and your Mommy & Daddy are absolutely stunned by how much you have grown and have become such a “big girl!”

The basics:

- Weight: about 20lbs

- Size: 4 diapers, 6-9 shirts, 9 month pants, some 12 month outfits. 4W shoes.

- Teeth: 6 total. Top two side teeth just broke through a few days ago.  

- Food: She had her first sips of cow’s milk on 9/18. I’m introducing it slowly, but excited to wean her from the $20 a week formula!!! She’s eating more and more table foods, but I’m still taking it slow on how much we give her. A few of her new fav foods this month are yogurt, granola bars, and bread.

A few fun things she’s learned in the past few months:

-Points to nose, foot and mouth

-Marches in place

-Makes high pitch shrills when asked “what does Bella say?” (umph umph!)
-Climbs on top of EVERYTHING

-Sits on her Dora couch and reads books constantly

-Dances non-stop

-Carries her baby around and kisses (licks!) her face

-Does sign language for “eat”

-Started playing in her room by herself

-Runs to the bathroom {super excited} when it’s bath time

-Regularly calls Daddy on her phone (hand) throughout the day, especially if she gets mad at me!
-Loves playing with Bella (Deh-Deh, as she calls her). I’ve caught her a few times trying to give her kisses.. eewww!

-Blows kisses

-Plays peek-a-boo
-Gives "high fives"
-Tries to put shoes on her feet

John David and I are absolutely smitten by this little girl. We’ve been spending a lot of “floor time” this month. We sit...she performs. The more we laugh, the harder she works for it. We can’t get enough of it.

I can’t believe it’s been one year. Honestly. It seems like it was just yesterday she made her dramatic entrance into our world. I can’t imagine where my life would be without her.

Happy Twelve months my precious Khloe Brooke. You make life so much more fun and worth-while. I hope you never forget how much your Mommy & Daddy love you! I can’t wait to see how much you grow and learn in the next year. Have no fear, Momma will be there.. camera in hand, blogging about it! ; )

Love always, Mommy

P.S. The CIRCUS is in town!! Khloe’s First Bday pictures coming soon to a city near you! Get your tickets now! ; )

Happy 10 months Khloe!

• I think she weighs about 20 pounds (checkup is scheduled for the 15th)
  
• Wearing size 3 diapers and 6-9 and 9 month clothes.
  
• Two bottom teeth and I can feel at least one on top trying to break through. Have I mentioned how horrible teething is? Poor baby (and mommy!)
  
• Upgraded to the non-silicone spout on sippy cups. I can’t believe how easy the transition from bottle to cup was!
  
• Walking more and more! She knows she can get where she wants faster by crawling, but I am noticing she prefers to walk a little more every day.

 (it's harder and harder to get her to SIT while taking these monthly pics!!) 

• She is into everrrrrrything! She discovered how to open and close cabinet doors last week while at my Gmas. Oh joy!!
  
• Did I mention she is CLIMBING? On anything and everything she can get her foot on. I really have to keep an eye on her to keep the number of “flip overs” to a minimum!
  
• Babbles non stop but she will NOT say Momma! Every time I ask her to say it she says Dada! Couple of new words this month: Toooodee (for Tooty!) and Gi (for Gigi). 

 (look at how thick her hair is getting!! I LOVE it!)

• Napping at least twice a day and still sleeps all night.
  
• LOVES music! She bounces and claps her hands as says DANCE "deeh, deeh deeh" as soon as she hears music! So cute!
  
• She has finally warmed up to the idea of letting strangers hold her. I was amazed at Tooty’s wedding how she let girls pass her around before the ceremony started.

Let the party planning begin! Khloe’s 1^st birthday is less than two months away! {tear} And yes, it’s true; I’ve been planning for this party since she was 4 months old! Would you expect any less from me?? :)-

Save the date! Khloe’s First Birthday Celebration October 1^st in Olive Branch, MS.  Time and location TBA.

Happy 9 Months Khloe

I'm not gonna lie, I didn't REALLY want to title this blog "HAPPY 9 months." This momma is sad at how fast her little love bug is growing up! It is so fun to watch your tiny little creation develop her own little personality. 

This has been a very fun month with all the new things she's doing!  Plus I'm so thankful those terrible teething crankiness has subsided, at least for now.. 

• Weighs about 18 pounds
• Wearing 6-9 month clothes and is in between a size 2 and 3 shoe. Size 3 diapers. 
• Napping 3 times a day and 12 hours at night. Still prefers to sleep on her belly, but she has started sleeping on her sides a lot more this month.
• Has TWO teeth! 
• Officially weaned from a bottle as of four weeks ago. She thinks she is such a big girl when she gets to sip from an open cup during meals and drink through a straw when we are at restaurants. 
• She is great eater but does NOT like puffs. At. All. She does like the Baby Mum-Mums.
• Walking! Walking! Walking! And it is A-DOR-ABLE!!!
• Climbing on EVERYTHING. I have to keep my eyes on her at all times or she is likely to come crashing down from whatever she is trying to get on top of.
• The girl LOVES dancing. The minute she hears music she starts jumping up and down and clapping her hands.
• Waves her hand for hi and bye bye, mimics people snapping, claps on cue for patty cake and loves playing peek-a-boo! She's also discovered how to smack her lips together to make kissy sounds. This week she has started bumping heads (It's all fun and games until the day Momma gets a busted lip! ha)
• New words she's saying: DaDa, buh-bye, k, hey and hi. Still won't say Ma-ma :(
• Still loves bath time and being outside
• Hair is getting so full and thick! She really likes "petting" my hair and surprisingly she does it as gentle as she can. She's learned that she has to be gentle with Bella so I think that helps. She is much harder to keep a bow on these days. As soon as she feels it on her head, she rips it off. I'm TRYYYYYING to break that habit.

Notice her pulling her headband off above? Not ok Khloe Brooke. Not ok! 

This was the only picture I was able to get her to actually smile while looking at the camera. She's at the age that it is nearly impossible to keep her still enough to catch a good pic.

 Case in point, she was smiling so big until I snapped the picture above. Ahh.

 

Happy 9 months sweet baby girl!

Happy 8 Months Khloe!

Can you believe how big she is getting!?!

The thoughts of my 8 month old: 

"Hmmm..." that looks like something I could have fun with!"

 

"First I will touch it..."

 

"Next, I will kick it"

"Maybe I will crawl on it"

"It would be better if I could stand on it"

  

"Shoot.. mom is saying sit down"

"Better smile so I don't get in as much trouble"

Eight months … and counting.

I know I say it every month, but I just can’t believe it’s been eight months, especially because that makes it only FOUR months until she is a year old. She is just getting so big and developing such a personality! I still gaze at her in utter amazement that she is MY creation.

A few of the basics:

• Weighs about 16-17 pounds
• Height was 26.5’ at 6 month checkup
• Wearing size 3 diapers and 3-6 & 6-9 month clothes
• Eating 3 solid meals a day, as of Monday
• Sleeping 12 hours at night, and napping at least 3 times a day
• Bottom left tooth finally broke through

She has really learned a lot this month. It’s been really cute to watch the fun side of her personality begin to shine through. I think the cutest thing is watching her “flirt”. This is especially true with John David. She will smile, laugh, and make all kind of sounds until he looks at her and then she just squeals. She’s making a bunch of new facial expressions and laughing so loud. She learned how to fake cough and will do it for as long as you laugh at her. She plays patty cake and peekaboo and has began saying “DA” for Dada. 

 A few of her new video below. Click to watch. 

 

 

I thought I would have to buy the monkey a helmet when she first started pulling herself up, but over the past month her balance has improved so much. She rarely ever falls these days, and when she does fall she can usually catch herself without bumping her head. She’s taken a few more steps, but not many. She definitely could walk if she wanted to but for whatever reason she just won’t.

 (you know that shirt is the cutest thing ever) ha

Confessions from her momma:

While seven months was a fun month and she learned a bunch, I am a teeny bit (ok, a LOT a bit) happy to approach month eight. Though I knew she would have a hard time with separation anxiety, I wasn’t ready. Last week she would not let me leave her sight without going into a full blown emotional breakdown.

I don’t know about you guys, but for me, when it rains on my life … it freakin’ floods. I’m pretty sure that poor Khloe’s anxiety would not have been so bad (on me) if it would have happened ANY other month than May. I think it was the worst month I’ve had since September of 2010.

Though I knew it was going to happen, and it was completely normal for Khloe to feel this kind of anxiety, I wasn’t in the best mindset to emotionally handle it.

Confession #1: A couple times as I was leaving a room, I let out a few tears as she would begin to scream.

Confession #2: For the first time, I had the “I need a break from her” moment.

Confession #3: I would sneak in and watch her sleeping like an angel and cry that I let myself get upset that she was having a bad day. I tortured myself by thinking about how I cried every month that I had a “negative” pregnancy test when I was trying for her. 

Confession #4: The dishes piled, the laundry baskets were overflowing, the mail sat in the mailbox, and I didn’t get dressed for a solid week.

The truth is being a Mommy is hard. It changes everything you have ever known about a “normal” life. There are bad days, but there are good days too. Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I don’t do the dishes (or brush my hair) for five or six days, but the truth is that those things would happen every now and then with or without my Khloe Brooke. The truth is, being a Momma is the very best thing that has ever happened to me. Though I often hope tomorrow will be better, no matter how bad the day may be, I absolutely can not imagine my life without her. I am so thankful God gave her to me.

I love you baby girl! Happy Eight Months!

…. And for the perfect ending, I walked to the kitchen and came back to find that Khloe finished the blog for me. Enjoy:

Nnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn

xzcxxwssss

Happy 7 Months Khloe!

(or seven and a HALF...)

I thought things would slow down just a tad when May rolled around, but of course, it didn't. I know, I know.. I'm two and a half weeks late on this post, but better late than never, right? :)  

Within a two week period, Khloe mastered sitting up, crawling, AND pulling up on anything and everything she can find. She took her very first step last Monday while at my Grandma's. It was so unexpected that there was no time to get it on video. She can stand on her own for about a minute, but her balance is getting better every day.

At her 6 month checkup (at the end of April), she weighed 15.8 lbs. She is in size 3 diapers and still wearing most 3-6 month clothes.

We started her on solids about a month ago and she loves it! So far, her menu consists of: avacodo, asparagus, apples, bannas, butternut squash, carrots, green peas, sweet potatoes, pears, oatmeal, wheat, and mixed grains. Next up: mangoes. I really want Khloe to take after her Daddy when it comes to eating. I’m way too picky when it comes to food and I really hate that about myself.

 Still trying to figure out the sippy cup. The nubby cups with the silicone nipple seems to be the best so far. : )

Another thing she gets from Daddy is her love for sleep. I thought for sure by now that she would not take as many naps, but most days she is still taking 4 naps.  She still puts herself to sleep. Her immediate position upon laying in her bed is thumb to the mouth and eyes closed. It’s too sweet. Bedtime is around 7-7:30 and she sleeps, without waking, until 8-9 am. (Amazing, right!?!)

I think she feels like she is too “grown up” for the exaucer these days. Last month, it was her favorite activity. This month, she throws a royal fit when put inside. She would much rather play with her toys and freely roam the living room. She is very curious and way too confident in her ability to stand. Apparently, she thinks she can just walk around once she gets her self standing. She lets go of whatever she’s holding onto and quickly comes crashing down. Brave little monkey gets right up and does it all over again. At this rate, it’s only going to be another couple weeks before she really starts taking steps.

And so the toys begin. Just a few toys wasn't enough, she had to dump the whole basket out to be satisfied.

Her crib has officially moved to the lowest setting. It’s only a matter of days before she figures out how to stand on the bumper and I have to remove it. Makes me so sad! I LOVE that bumper and Stacy Gwin worked SO hard on it for me. We have to find another use for it!! Suggestions? : )

She has two teeth on the bottom that are SO close to breaking through. You’ve probably noticed in most pictures a wet shirt. She is still a drooler and she still puts everything (including her toes) in her mouth!

I absolutely adore her laugh and giggle. She hasn’t started saying any words yet, but we practice DA-DA, MA-MA, and BEL-LA everyday.

I can’t believe she’s already seven months! Time puh-lease slow down!!

 Now that you have seen the perfect "7 month picture," let's recap on what it took to get to this point. 

"Hmm... that looks like something mommy wouldn't want me to touch..."

"Khloe.... No, no"

"Now, what Mom?"

"Ok, for real, Khloe!" 

"Hey, I'm bored..."

Little monkey!!

Happy 6 months Khloe!

Diapers $276

Formula $600

Baby wipes $180

One smile from the most beautiful baby girl in the whole wide world: PRICELESS!

For everything else, there’s Daddy’s mastercard.

Can you believe she is already 6 months? I can’t. While reading one of my baby books I came to the “6 month” chapter and the very first sentence was, “time to baby-proof the house.” I’m not gonna lie; I went into a slight panic. It’s true though. Everyday she’s becoming more and more mobile.

She is getting closer and closer to sitting up. She attempted to crawl, for the first time, the night before her 6 month birthday (watch the video here). She love love LOVES standing up. If she could just hold her body up, I’m pretty sure she would skip the crawling process and take off walking.

She reaches for EVERYTHING. If she is able to grab it, the first place it is going to go is in her mouth! She has actually been sucking a passy lately (I know! I can't believe it either). She will rarely take it when we are home, but if we are out running errands she likes it.

I think she's probably around 16 pounds. We'll find out for sure at her 6 month checkup, which is in a couple weeks.

She is still sleeping great. We put her down around 8-9 and she sleeps until at least 7am, most of the time 9ish. It's still amazes me how fast she falls asleep when we lay her down for naps and bedtime. There's no rocking, no patting of the back, no singing- JUST sleeping.

{doesn't she look like she's just talking away in this pic?
That's because she was. baa ba da bada}

(If you haven't seen the video of her talking, click here)

So, the homemade baby food adventure is going great. She's eating solids twice a day, that usually  consists of carrots, sweet potato, pears or avocados. She loves it all {yay mommy!} She gets so impatient and frustrated when she sees me put it in the microwave. When the spoon is entering her face she opens her mouth really wide and reaches for the spoon. She also had a "baby mum-mum" for the first time last week for the first time.

See that smirk? See that bossy hand telling me to give her a minute? It's true. She is the boss around this house! How can you resist? She's just too cute!

She's still in 3-6 month clothes and almost to size 3 diapers. Her little belly is really starting to round out... and those legs- chunky monkey!!! I can't wait to put her in the itty bitty bikins we have for summer and put her in the pool. Since she absolutely LOVES the bath. (watch here) I just know she is going to love the pool.

At the end of the day, we walk in her bedroom to see this little heart shaped booty sticking up in the air, and this overwhelming sense of pride and joy fills my heart. My how just six months of being with this precious little girl has forever changed my life.

I often daydream about what this post will look like in six years. Ballerina tutus, messy pony tails, soccer cleats, pom-poms, mud pies, barbie dolls, chocolate milk, and maybe Cinderella dress-up clothes. Who will her "BFFS" be? What will her laugh sound like? What will her pretend teacher name be when she "plays school." {My sister and I FOUGHT everyday over who would get to be called "Mrs. Love" when we played!!!}

Until then, I cherish each and every moment we experience with her. I just still can't believe it's been SIX months. Here's a few of the 6 month pics. Enjoy! :)