undies for our big boy

A month into moving in to our new apartment, we decided to start potty training Lincoln. Even better, he decided he wanted to use the toilet on his own. A few days prior, we all went to the store together and I decided to buy the kids their own fun underwear. I was a little hesitant to start especially since Chris works literally all day every day! But one Sunday after church Lincoln told me that he wanted to wear underwear... Ok then, we were on. And I knew the second I put on his undies there was no going back. No night time or nap time diapers, no pull-ups or trainers, just underwear from here on out. 

I am amazed at how easy it was to potty train him! Which makes me happy to know that he really was ready to be a "big boy" no more diapers for my little Lincoln. 

It was a bit frustrating at first, but I had already prepared myself for the worst. I didn't push him at all. I didn't time him every time he took a sip of something. I didn't sit him on the toilet forever waiting for something to happen. I just let him be. I wanted him to feel for himself and understand his what his body was telling him. 

Let me just say, I did a lot of laundry! He played all day in his undies and he'd pee his pants often. I cleaned up after him and reminded him to run to the toilet when he had that feeling to go and there was lots of praising for when he did go in the toilet. Fortunately, I knew exactly when he pooped so we didn't have any of those messes to clean. He wet his bed only a couple of times. I really don't know how many accidents he had and I didn't care to keep track of it...that would just discourage me and add more work for me. 

One day it just clicked for him! I remember it took exactly 7 days and he was completely potty trained! It didn't feel stressful for either of us and he has not had any accidents since then! He's great in public, he wakes up dry, and he goes all by himself! (He does usually inform us that he needs to go, and we just give him the ok and he runs off to the bathroom). 

All in all, I am so proud of my Linc-a-dink and the big boy he's become!

say 'cheese'

today Lincoln and Ella had their first dentist appt. I wasn't planning on doing a blog post on their visit but I am just so proud of how cooperative they were and how stinkin' cute they looked that I just have to post these pictures!   first up was Lincoln! He was so attentive as the nurse was explaining how we were going to take pictures (x-rays) of his teeth.

 

next was Ella, and after seeing big brother go, she was eager for her turn.

 

and they got to pic out a new tooth bush

  I think playing doctor/dentist with them every night really paid off... I'm one happy mama right now!  

"happy dreams"

I titled this post "happy dreams" because every night the kids and I say our good night prayers and ask to have happy dreams...

 

Yesterday morning at 6am, Lincoln ran into my room with the biggest smile on his face. There was no hiding how happy he was. He started telling me that he saw daddy in his room. Lincoln said he was scared and that daddy put his hand on his cheek and said, "you're okay." It was the sweetest thing hearing Lincoln explain his comforting encounter with daddy. he even demonstrated by softly putting his hand on his own cheek the way daddy did.

 

After he told me his whole experience, I got up to check his room and the house to make sure there wasn't some creep-o acting as his dad. there wasn't anyone of course and I know Lincoln knows his dad better than that, but I just had to make sure. Once confirmed there was no one there, I called Chris... because part of me wanted to make sure he was still alive and it wasn't his spirit visiting Lincoln. Chris is alive and well. It was just so interesting for me to here this from my little 2 1/2 year old in such detail. and although I understand most of his toddler language, there are still some things that are hard to understand or have clarified.

 

Lincoln was simply dreaming - but I don't think it was just some random dream. I truly believe Heavenly Father specially sent him that dream to comfort our sweet little Lincoln. Lincoln has been having a  really hard time with Chris being away. He brings him up often and its usually in a sad way. He'll say things like "I want daddy" or "I miss him" and he'll tell people randomly "daddy at work." Every time I end a call with Chris Lincoln starts crying or gets mad.

 

it is so incredibly hard for all of us to be apart and its just so obvious that families aren't meant to be separated for this long of a stretch. I try to be strong but it just breaks my heart to see my babies in pain from missing their father.

 

One thing that keeps me going is having the Lord by my side. I couldn't imagine going through this without the fullness of the gospel in my life. I thank Heavenly Father every day for the precious family he has blessed me with and the fact that we will be together throughout all eternity.

 

gettin' his fitness on

Every morning Lincoln and Ella see their uncle Andrew, Grandma and Grandpa Seymore working out in the garage. So the kids will go out and join them every so often - lifting weights, doing push ups, using the elliptical... What a great example they are to them because they aren't learning this from me! You should see Lincoln flex! He's got big muscles like his daddy!

 

 

*music by RUN-D.M.C.

 

My Little Terrors {3rd edition}

I wonder what's going through their head when they do these crazy things...

 

"these toys are way better!"

"perfect hiding spot for my marine"

"church is the perfect place for a wrestling match!"

"what are these plastic bags doing here!?"

"look mom! we decorated that boring wall!"

Lincoln - "success! I carried it out of the dish washer all by myself!"
Ella - "ooh. this looks fun."

"we play like rock stars!"

"let's mix the rice and oatmeal together to make it easier for mom next time she cooks it."

"what is this thing for anyway?!"

Ella - "how did he do that?!"

"I just need a spot to rest for a minute before i destroy something else."

"I'm just sharing with my cars"

   

these are just some of the things that keep me busy during the day, every day...

  

learning to count

 

Lights and Sirens

 

"that's crazy man!"

just a cute little video of Lincoln jammin' in the car. "that's crazy man!"

 

the Latest on Lincoln {2 years}

 

Lincoln's 24 month well baby visit height - 36.5" tall (95%) weight - 26.5 pounds (40%) Well, my Lincoln is long and lean. According to the doctor, he'll probably grow to be around 6 feet tall (I guess they just double their height at age 2 - we'll see just how accurate this is in about 19 years).  

• Lincoln is still in mostly size 18-24 mo clothes.
• he just grew out of his size 7 shoes.
• he hasn't been using a pacifier since May. (He used to call it "ta-ta" for some reason).
• Still sleeping though the night! 
• his 2 year molars just came in. 
• He's a very social little guy. He always looks forward to going to nursery at church every Sunday and the nursery at the place I work out at so that he can "tay" (play).
• He still loves animals so much! and right now his favorites are dinosaurs! (He always wants to watch the cartoon Dinosaur Train. He'll sing the opening song to me, "ah-twain...ah-twain...")
• he says prayer with us and he always includes himself, "Ging-kin" (Lincoln) ha ha
• Lincoln still loves music and he's added some new dance moves to the mix.
• He has become a much better eater (still super picky, but better than it used to be!) His favorites usually include: chocolate sandwiches (a.k.a. Nutella on bread), yogurt, oatmeal, bananas, chicken (depending on how its prepared), broccoli, apples...keep in mind all of these are hit-or-miss, I guess it depends on his mood. but his all time favorite without a doubt is PIZZA! If he sees the box, he right away will start chanting "Pita! Pita! Pita!"
• Lincoln is such a sweet big brother to Ella. He's always sharing with her or trading toys with her if he wants what she has.
• He sings the ABC's but only repeating the letter 'A' and the way he counts "tooh, twee, nie, tah-teen" (two, three, nine, thirteen)
• Right now we're learning colors and every color he sees is automatically yellow!
• he learned how to climb in and out of his crib! and he is doing really well sleeping in his new toddler bed.
• in stead of saying 'yes' or 'yeah' to things, he always says 'okay.' he'll ask for a banana in his own dialect and I'll confirm, "you want a banana?" and he'll reply "okay..."
• He recently started calling Chris and I, Mom and Dad, he really is growing up way too fast!

      The absolute sweetest thing is when he tells us "ay yah yoo" translation: I love you.  

I just found these pics of him taken back in April or May



his big scary smile!



he read the word shoe. He also recognizes the word zebra!



this is where he prefers to sit

...and like this

it was a long week without daddy



feeding himself yogurt

These are more recent pictures...




coloring for our FHE activity



look!



helping out with the car





what a strong little guy




he learned how to climb in...




...and out of his crib!




big boy in his toddler bed!

he LOVES cars!



eating his favorite food...PIZZA!

someone grew out of their pj's. His feet are so big I had to cut them to fit! LOL

...and that is Mr.Bear! He sleeps with him ever night :)