• Sep. 16, 2008 ~ LucyLillie is potty-training

This was posted at Mommy's blog on September 8th.

LucyLillie is potty-training. Is that exciting or what? She is 17m old (yesterday), and goes potty all day and wakes up dry. We have been training her for the few past months. Caleb was potty-trained last January and February when he was so sick and all I could do to make him comfortable was give him something to drink and take him potty. That was a constant thing, so he got potty-trained pretty quick.

I am enjoying training Lucy and sitting her on her little potty seat on the big toilet. It has been rather cute. She loves to go on the potty. We give her just enough praise, and she thinks it is great and can even make herself go. If I wake up in the middle of the night for any reason, I go ahead and take her potty too, and she has been dry at night while wearing underwear alone! I am so happy!

You might think that after having 8 children, I would be an expert potty-trainer. Alas, it is not so. Partly due to the fact that I already am potty-trained, and I am really the only one I can absolutely, for-sure control the potty-training with. We do currently have 2 in night diapers, but recently, Caleb and LucyLillie are NOT in nighttime diapers.

Caleb is now a big boy who goes in all by himself and goes potty like a big boy. I do still remind the Littles to go potty whenever they are outside playing or doing something that takes their attention.

Tips to Potty-Training:

Take them potty. It’s not brain surgery. If I want them to pee on the potty, instead of in their underwear, I need to be on top of it and be the parent and take them potty. PLEASE don’t expect a child who is not potty-trained to know they have to tell you they need to go potty at first. They have to learn to recognize that they have to go, regardless of their age.

Take them potty first thing in the morning. I forgot to take LL potty this morning, and I had to clean up a little mess about 20m later. I won’t forget tomorrow!

Take them potty on a schedule. In the past I have used a few different ways to remind myself to take my children potty. A couple of ways I have used a schedule are to take them in every time I go potty, set a timer for various amounts of time, from 20m to 60m, and I have even had them go in with a sibling. Amanda was good at taking a younger sibling into the potty with her.

Take the diaper off. We put Caleb and LL in underwear.We had to go into town for a day this week, and I didn’t want to put her into a diaper, but there would be nowhere to rush her to go potty or change her clothes, etc, and I hated to do it, but we did. If they are in a diaper, they WILL use it. If they are in underwear, they are less likely to just pee in it.

Do not load them up on drinks besides water. Children will drink as much water as they need, but if they are offered sugary drinks, such as soda pop or juices, or even milk, they will drink and drink and drink. Giving them a bottle or a sippy cup for them to be in charge of also adds to their drinking more than they likely need to and more accidents in their undies.

Before bedtime take them potty and make sure they do not have an abundance of liquids before they go down for a nap or bedtime.

Now is a great time to get them into the habit of washing their hands after going to the toilet too!

I am actually considering putting the next two older children who are in night diapers into underwear and waking them up at 2-4hour intervals and see if they can get their bodies to recognize when they need to wake up and go on the potty only. They have both woke up to dry diapers. I think it is a matter of having a schedule and a method and sticking to it.

I am thankful for the Lord’s patience and joy during times like this. I used to sweat it. It used to be a big deal to me, but I have learned to look for limitations and reality in times like these. Now, I count it a joy and a time I will look back on and remember when they are older and grown with children of their own. And, oh how time flies. I don’t want to miss it because I am flustered and wishing it over.

James 4:14
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.“

blessings!

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• Jun. 8, 2008 ~ CONGRATULATIONS MY BROTHER

Happy Birthday to you!!!!
Happy Birthday to you!!!!
Happy Birthday Dear Eric!!!
Happy Birthday to you!!!!

Happy birthday big brother. You're my big 11th brother I played with you today when I woke up. I had fun playing with you!!! You're my sweetest brother I ever had and I am glad you're 11???

The barn chores, cleaning up a room you didn’t mess up. Holding your tongue when you want to let it go. Reading everything you can get your hands on!

This picture you took when you taking them to Mommy




Love you Eric my big brother
    Love Hannah

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• May. 17, 2008 ~ I'm Feeling Much Better!

LucyLillie here. I am doing a lot better. I went to the Dr.'s office to get me checked out because I was feeling very miserable and I was starting to get a rash on my neck and back. The Dr. checked me out and looked in my ears. He said there was a little redness in there, and thought there might be an ear infection.

He gave Mommy some medicine to help it go away. So I am back to normal. Back to everything: cuteness, cuddliness, crawling, walking, talking, hugging and kissing  all my de-ar fam-ily. They all love me so much.

Well, that is all for now. I gotta get off the computer. They say I am taking way to long to write this up. But what can you expect from a 1-year-old in April? I'm doing pretty good, don't you think? :D

Love, RASPBERRY

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• May. 14, 2008 ~ My Poor Luli Is Not Feeling Very Well...

My poor baby girl, Luli, is not feeling well. She needs some prayers... We are not sure what is the matter, maybe she is cutting a new tooth, but we know she is not feeling well. She is feeling a lot better today tho. Please pray for her anyways.

With much love for my baby,
   Rachel
The Milk & Honey TeaRoom

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• May. 7, 2008 ~ You Are My Sunshine - My favorite song!

This is my favorite "sing-to-me" song. Amanda got me hooked on it when she brought home the flower-person, who sings the song. I love joining in on singing it too. I love it when all of my family starts out in a chorus. So, I hope you like it too!

I also like playing Patty Cake with my sisters and brothers. I am learning how to do the "pat" sign, but can clap and roll my hands! Maybe I will post a picture sometime. How would you like that? :)

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• Apr. 7, 2008 ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCYLILLIE!!

Today, our Little sweetheart is a year old!! We are all in shock. Truly!! This year has really blown by! God is so good in placing this little sweetie in our home.

Lucy, we all hope you have the best birthday today! You are such a joy in our lives.

There will be several tributes to our Little Girlie for her special day, so we will be linking them as they are posted! We will also be adding pictures too!

Happy Birthday Loolie. We are all so proud of you!!

From Mommy:

Wow. It has been a year. A year. And I love you more now than I did then, though I don't know how that is possible. It is 3 am here now, on the 7th. Last year at this time, I was just starting to have the hard contractions. I woke up after a bit of rest and woke up the midwife. It was time.    

29 minutes later, we met you for the first time. Our little girl. Jocelyn and I knew you were going to be a girl. We were ready for one. You were so tiny. And content. You nursed well and were so sweet. The next weeks were full of joy and trying desperately to figure out a name for you!!

And now, a year later, you are still so sweet and content. I cannot believe a year has passed.

 

 

You are such a little baby doll still. So smart and loving.

You let Caleb grab you around the neck and give you all the hugs he wants, and you hardly make a peep.

I love your little delicate fingers and the way you sing with me, reaching the right pitches and stopping and holding the words you can't even speak yet. Your words are only understood by us, but I know you understand so much more than you can tell us yet! We love your aaaah when you say yes and the way you have started shaking your head yes and no.

 

Had we ever put you down sooner, I am sure you would be running around by now, but we all want to hold you, so it is a small sacrifice.

Besides, to see you stand from crouching is so fun, and you do it so well now. We are anticipating those first real steps.

But don't expect to be put down too much just because you start walking. We will still be holding you all the time!

I cannot even say how you have captured your Daddy's heart. To see his eyes light up and a huge smile on his face each time he sees you and the way he just watches you is priceless.

You simply light up the room, my little darling!

You remind me of each of your brothers and sisters, and it is a joy to have you.

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• Mar. 8, 2008 ~ My First Taste of Bananas

November 20, 2007
Hannah wrote this up for me to remember the first day I ate solid foods.



Miss Lillie eats banana and apples and carrots and peas. She likes them a lot. She would like me to mash her some banana so I love to do that. Rachel mashes her some up too. Everyone likes to do that.

Eric's holding Lucy. Mommy fed her it, but Lucy got all messy. She had a bib on so her shirt didn’t get food on it. 

These are pictures of Eric holding Lucy and Mommy feeding her.

Mommy asked me to take the picture.  I took the picture. I was glad to do that.

Lucy is my favorite Baby Sister. I had to post on my blog. Do you think it is a fun thing to post pictures about your little baby sister. I think it is a good thing to love your baby sister.

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• Dec. 11, 2007 ~ A Poem for Me

I have so many people who love me and will teach me as I grow!

LucyLillie Avigail:

Pure Light; Father's Delight

 

Love so pure;

Unblemished heart,

Clear and bright,

Yes, at the start!

Light shines down

In heavenly bliss,

Lord of Love;

Life’s first kiss!

In just a moment

Each silent prayer…

 

Answered truly in

Victories shared!

In awe a family

Gathers ‘round,

Announcing joy

In softest sound!

Little Baby,

 

Dear, sweet treasure,

Into this world with

eXtreme pleasure!

Open eyes to purest light,

Newest darling, Father’s delight!

 

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• Dec. 8, 2007 ~ I Am Eight Months Old and Standing

I stood up today. All by myself. Oh, and I also turned 8 months old. I can't even count that high. Mom cannot believe it. When I stood up in my crib, I wasn't sure if she was going to cheer or cry. I think she was going to cry. She told me I could not, in any uncertain terms, stand up yet. After all, I am the Baby.

But, I pulled myself up all the same. I even did it twice. I think Mom got over the shock of it now, and I will be able to do it more often without totally freaking her out.

I will have some more pictures of myself real soon. Mom and my brothers and sisters take pictures of me all the time, but I can't put them on Photobucket, so I am kind of at the mercy of their time. I have learned how to smile and blink at the camera. I know what it means when they point it at me, and I can make a really cute smile!

Oh, and Mommy wants me to tell you that I am a good sleeper. I sleep almost all night. I only wake up once, but I sleep with Mommy, so it's ok. I also do real well in my crib when I take naps.

Love, Raspberry

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• Dec. 3, 2007 ~ Vote for Me - Best New Blog 2007

I was nominated in the Homeschool Blog Awards for The Best New Homeschool Blog 2007. You can vote for me from now until Dec. 15th. I know I win some prizes if I win my category. I don't know if there will be any fun baby toys though.

Please vote for me anyway.

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