Update On Aly P.T.

Success!!!! and failure. I gave up (at least for over the holidays) for about a dozen reasons, most of which are sitting, soaking in the laundry room sink. She never did have luck with #2 but Nathan comes home and in less than 24 hours he's helped Aly conquer this challenge on the first try- where as I had been sitting 45 min+ in the bathroom reading books etc with no luck. So when the unexpected happened tonight before bed we threw an absolute party- all of us crowded in the bathroom afterwards and Kennedy, Kohen, Nathan and I were cheering, clapping and chanting, "ALY! ALY! ALY!" The girl was absolutely intoxicated on all of the positive attention (stark contrast from the negative kind she got when we were rushing to get out the door to a Christmas party tonight and find Aly had rubbed A LOT of conditioner all over her head and shirt...I performed the fastest re-bath/dress/hair you've ever seen, it was like I was working the Pit in a car race 'vvvvt', one pig tail in, 'vvvvvt' 2nd one in...).
I had promised Aly a surprise for when this big moment occurred so I gave her this most adorable clock that is a replica of the one I had and loved as a child. I found it on clearance one day at, yep, Target. It was well received as you can see. At any rate- can you tell why I wanted Nathan's help for this stuff?!

T.M.I. im"PLY"ed (Pun intended)

I just want to say for the record: I had a plan. I had a well timed and thought out plan but apparently Aly couldn't wait another 2 1/2 weeks. She just had to exert her agency at the most inconvenient time you could conceive to try and potty train.

In mother's circles everywhere when the dreaded and feared topic comes up an oft repeated phrase is, "YOU have to be ready," implying the mother. Having done this song and dance twice before I know these words to be ones steeped in wisdom. That would be why I haven't really tried to P.T. Aly. Sure she may be 'ready' but she is also smart as a whip and strong willed- like most 2 year olds- and I had a sneaking suspicion she may try to teach me a few new lessons. So Nathan and I devised a plan. He would be home for a stretch after Christmas, we would be through traveling for a bit and as a team we would put Operation P.T. Aly into effect.
So this last week with Nathan out of town we were watching one of Aly's friends from church who is newly P.T. When this little girl went potty Aly wanted to go too and I thought nothing of it since she will go before bath and bed, etc. What I wasn't expecting was the absolute meltdown she was threatening when I tried to put her diaper back on. Aly was NOT having it. I kind of sat there stupidly on the floor of the bathroom trying to mentally digest what was going down. At 6pm on a Thurs. night with Nathan a world away and we are leaving for my Mom's newly re-carpeted house in a week- Aly wanted to start wearing panties. Insert mental swear word here. Totally begrudgingly I got the girl a pair of panties and she had success for a couple of hours before bed- which was just long enough to remind me of how exhausting the vigilance of potty training can be. Friday morning I totally woke up with a P.T. hangover. Yeah, I didn't know there was such a thing either but apparently I had worried and fretted and dreamt about it all night. I laid there in bed trying to ignore the headache I could feel coming on, cursing my daughter for her desire to be self-sufficient and independent and trying to focus my positive thoughts on getting her to wear a diaper that morning when I went in to get her. What? That was my plan okay? Pretend the whole thing never happened. It was a solid plan I felt. Then we could do a re-do after Christmas on my terms. But it didn't go down how I'd visualized (proving the "Secret" is a joke) because Aly took one look at me casually holding a diaper and said, "I want pan-ees. I not wear diaper." Mental swear word again. There's been a lot of that going on the last few days.
Anyway, she has had some success but she is still having lot's of 'spills' as she calls them and (and she is still holding #2) it made our already difficult weekend considerably worse. I.e. our Ward Christmas party was largely spent running back and forth to the RR. Maybe I'm just not remembering accurately how the other two did but I know Kohen only really had one day with accidents and that was it. That and the time he peed in my mouth...At least Aly hasn't done that, though there's always tomorrow. It takes 'em a while to get the hang of it right? I really just can't remember. Just picture yourself trying to do all the seasonal and Christmas-y stuff this time of year is stuffed with, while trying to P.T.- and please pity me...

Santa 2008

I don't know if you remember last years post with Santa but Aly was not all about sitting on Santa's lap. So I didn't force her this year because I don't want to permanently traumatize her...though she kind of seems to already be. Check her face out in the picture (try double clicking on the pic to make it big). And that was as close as she was gonna go. period. Kennedy was thrilled that Santa told her he 'knew' she'd been good, which in her mind confirms she is getting her "Molly" doll. And Kohen explained what he would like and then was sure to tell Santa he would be in Boise. He is super concerned Santa won't know where he is. The aftermath of Aly's brief Santa meeting is that now Aly repeats over and over, "I not like Santa" all the time. She says it with such sincerity I do believe she is telling the truth. I wonder if a present from him would help :)

Almost Didn't Happen This Year

You know, the whole 'Oh Christmas tree' or 'boughs of holly' evening where you put up your tree. It almost didn't happen. I put up a little tree for the kids to put little ornaments on but only being home 2 1/2 weeks before we left again for the holidays and Nathan being gone over half of that- didn't bode well for the big tree. Last minute we gathered around- I handed out ornaments as fast as I could to 3 eager little children and Nathan helped them hang a few higher up and kept Aly from poking her eye out. I so wasn't looking forward to this job this year (as told by the neglected branches sporting the "just outta the box look" and the haphazard sprinkling of ornaments) but I am still surprised how much fun we had and I am so glad we did it.

I got out my Barbie ornaments this year. I am sentimental about these little things. Growing up my Dad gave me (and I believe his mother) a collectible Barbie ornament each year for, well 6 years. I don't think it was meant to be that big of a deal but hey- you give a girl a pretty present...I think it had to do with being the only one to receive a special gift each year. I really did feel special. I doubt my Dad meant it to be anything remarkable but each year when I see these pretty ornaments I can't help but feel that way.

Care To Listen?

I would like to request permission for a mini-vent. I don't know if anyone is still reading at this point but I am going to assume permission granted. There is a day every month nearing a certain time of month when I get ridiculously emotional. Three months in a row now I have actually cried on this day. I hate that. It is so stupid. I know why it is happening and I think that annoys me even more to think that the reason I am crying (something I rarely do, minus this day) is because of dang hormones. I mean, so what does that even mean? Does that mean my feelings aren't real? Kind of I think.
Take today. I woke up on a Sat. morning and bounced happily out of bed. Let's stop right there. See that? Bouncing out of bed? That is not normal. For several hours as we did Saturday morning chores together as a fam I practically whistled around the house. That's not normal either. Then around noon the clouds rolled in. I read something online and totally got my feelings hurt (and no, it was not you). I stood there in the kitchen and totally wanted to cry. I mean really wanted to. But then a light bulb went on and I realized it was hormone induced and that was it. I told myself 'Stiff Upper Lip' (not to be confused with "Stick Up Your Lip" like Kennedy thought the saying was) and refused to cry. I am not going to let some breaking dam of hormones make me cry over stupid stuff anymore. It is stupid. Now the uncontrollable laughing that happens sometimes, that can stay...

On a brighter note. This is my favorite picture of the month. Nathan was playing "Oh Holy Night", our favorite Christmas song and the kids were dancing. If I could choose one thing to be amazing at it would be singing. I love, love, love to sing but it isn't anything that anyone would love, love, love to hear. I'm best in a choir if you know what I mean. I once dated a guy who was an amazing singer. I couldn't sing around him. It would be like me showing up to the Indie 500 in a Dune Buggy. Comical. Anyway- I have a point, I swear- I married Nathan obviously, and I am free to sing to my heart's content and believe you me, I do. I never feel judged or inadequate, in fact I think Nathan might actually be hard of hearing. Here's why. He really. Really. loves me to sing. Especially when he plays our afore mentioned favorite Christmas song. I am blushing even writing this because I know who reads this and you are probably scrolling to the top to make sure it is me writing it. But Nathan will insist and even coax the kids into coming and and asking me with big doe like eyes if I will come sing the song. It makes me feel good. Even if Nathan is the only one in the world who enjoys it -and he very well may be- I love him for allowing me the freedom to sing without shame in our home.
And I am posting the picture a second time because I really love it that much.

Gingerbread Cookies

I was grateful when I got a call from a friend to come let Kohen and Aly decorate some gingerbread cookies with their little friends. Anything to avoid household chores, right? So Kohen was the oldest one there and probably the only one who was interested in decorating AND eating the cookies. I always love his little creations.

After the decorating the 3 little girls and Kohen went off to play while the mom's got to talking when Kohen rang the Aly Alarm. He is so helpful like that. It happens probably several times an hour Kohen will start shouting, "ALY'S INTO TROUBLE! ALY'S INTO TROUBLE!" And off I will go to find whatever mischief she has gotten into. Anyway, I was more than a little concerned to hear Kohen say that when we were at someone else's house. I discovered Aly applying butt balm to her lips/face and she had also wiped it all over a book case.

After the clean up the girls were all playing princess and it was Kohen's job to come wake them all...Had to include it because of where Aly's finger was.

Thanksgiving Day

~Kohen got up early and went Turkey Hunting~

His quote of the day came as he watched my mom rinsing the turkey and the turkey's 'cavity' *yucky shiver*...she was filling up the turkey with water and Kohen was like, "Why are you putting water in there? Does he need a drink?"

Kennedy and Aly with their favorite Uncle Shayn. Poor Shayn, he brings out the rowdy in my kids...and then is too nice to make 'em settle down.

Aunt Ashley with Kohen- Ash made a ton of yummy food which of course solidifies her place in Kohen's heart- which is obviously, found through his stomach.

After dinner we headed to Jeremy and Polly's house to hang out and play with all the Jensens' and let the kids run wild with their cousins. And of course, eat some more :)