Monday, November 9, 2009

Going Out - Don't Forget It List

I have found forgetfullness in motherhood and a hard time asking for help when it would simply take longer to explain than it would for me to just do myself. In order to combat these motherly features, I have decided to post a list of items needed for our standard outings on the inside of a cabinet door closest to our main entrance/exit.

This has been very helpful to a loving Daddy when Mama may be running around chasing kids with toothbrushes, hair brushes, pants and shoes.

Another bonus to this list is when Grandma comes to town and wants to offer her love and support by jumping in when needed. The list is a great reference to direct her to.

Family Events List

Event: Grocery Shopping
  • Recycled Bags
  • Coupons
  • List
  • Phone
  • Wallet

Event: Play date or event w/ Lunch

  • Milk in "to go" cups for car ride
  • Diaper Bag *
  • Water & Lunch Bag *
  • Snacks
  • Stroller

Event: Play date or event w/out Lunch

  • Milk in to go cups for car ride
  • Diaper Bag *
  • Water Snacks

Event: Sunday Mass

  • Milk in "to go" cups for car ride
  • Diaper Bag *
  • Mass Bag (books)
  • Water
  • Raisins
  • Fruit snacks
  • Pretzel type food
  • After mass food or coupons
  • Bible w/ mass readings

Event: Daily Mass

  • Milk in "to go" cups for car ride
  • Diaper Bag *
  • Mass Bag (books)
  • Water
  • Snack

Diaper Bag

  • Underwear & Pants
  • Wipes
  • Wallet
  • Phone
  • Chapstick

Lunch Bag

  • Sandwiches or main course
  • Fruit
  • Water or Juice Boxes
  • Granola Bar, Pretzels, Crackers OR Cereal
  • Treat if around

The events are presented first, and the items that may entail a separate list of items to include (Diaper Bag or Lunch Bag) are listed below. There is an asterisks next to each of these items within an event list to note they are special additions.

Feel free to use mine or make one that is well suited to your own family.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Potty Training - Step 2 POTTY DAY!

Today is POTTY DAY!
She had 2 presents to wake up to, including balloons taped to her chair and a big sign with "Happy Potty Day" - on the back, instructions for RockStar Daddy. (I had to leave for the morning, so he gets all of the credit for day 1 - and BRAVO!)
The presents were underwear, and donuts. Anything they have to unwrap makes it extra special. We really built up Potty day talking about it the night before and when we woke up prior to coming downstairs. There was a potty video on that was playing a potty song. We did pictures, and video. We even put a candle in a donut and sang "Happy Potty Day to you!" She could really tell it was something special.

Here is a picture of our setup. When she is taken into a public place, we will simply bring along the foldup seat so she has something familiar to have with her, and we will bring post it papers to cover any sensor potties, otherwise the flush may scare her from public potties. It sure did frighten her brother. That was a great lesson learned!

Today's instructions for daddy ...
  • Enjoy this opportunity

  • Have her sit on the potty every 1/2 hour (very important. If she makes a mess, it is most likely because you didn't remember to have her sit)

  • She will be embarrassed if she makes a mess. Comfort her and encourage her to try again.

  • She gets one MnM if she pees.

  • Keep the bowl of assorted candy nearby that if she goes to poop and gets scared, you can deter her with the fun of a bowl of candy, where she can pick out a piece if she goes poo poo!

  • Enjoy this opportunity

  • At nap time, she gets "nap time underwear" after a trip to the potty - A pull up that she takes off right after nap. Discuss with her before nap that she can go pee pee if she would like a treat when she gets up.

  • Lots of hugs and kisses especially for successes

  • Encourage brother to join in praise whenever possible

  • Enjoy this opportunity, it all goes by so quickly.
First Day - She seemed to do a wonderful job. They went to the park without an accident!
The having her sit on the potty will ease away as I can tell she is getting the feeling of when she has to go. I will continue to tell her to share with mama when she has to go pee pee. The diligent reminders should only take a few days at most.
Pull ups at nap time and bedtime will be used until she is dry when she wakes. For brother it only took a few days. Who knows what this experience will hold.
First Week - Went well, but as expected she had some accidents. Most of the accidents were because I relied on her to tell me when she had to go. The novelty of every half hour gets old for these little ones, so I am realizing that I will have to keep a mental note of her fluid intake and decide when to prep her for a trip to the potty until I am confident that she will let me know when it is time.
Second Week - Going into the second week I am realizing that since she is not in a big girl bed yet, the sheets are much easier to change for an accident then big girl bed bedding so she is going into nap time without "nap time underwear". She seems to be getting it, but I can tell that she will not be ready to go all night based on the weight of her diapers in the morning. We are still having accidents. Maybe one a day, two if I am not on it.
To be continued.....