Potty Training 101

I've posted how successful and easy potty training my son was and after recently having success doing the same method with my daughter I was questioned on "how to" by 2 friends so here's an easier to follow post...GOOD LUCK!!!

Supplies:

1. 1 poster board (I cut mine into 4 smaller boards)
2. markers
3. variety of stickers for your little munchkin (I suggest getting about 5 different kinds so they don't get sick of picking the same stickers over and over. The party isle is great for different character!)
4. prizes- character cups, books, movies from the $5 Wal Mart bin, coloring books, etc! Keep it cheap!
5. M&M's

Instructions:

1. Cut your poster into 4 smaller squares. (you'll probably only use 2 of them!)
2. Pick one of the poster squares and with your markers make your chart. Mine usually have 6-8 squares going across. If you're an anal mom you might want to use a ruler, as for me I don't mind having uneven lines, ha! Don't forget to make room at the top for your title!
3. Fill in your prizes...if it's your child's first board I suggest putting a prize on every 5th or so square, if it's their second board then I would put prizes on every 10th square! Prizes consist of anything you've bought but also use free things like the park, play at McDonalds, mall play area, etc. Our BIG prize at the end is always Chuck E Cheese!!! =)
4. Let the potty training begin!!

Rules:

1. Every time they pee in the potty they get 1 M&M and they choose 1 sticker to put on their board.
2. Whenever they poop in the potty they get 2 M&M's and they choose 2 stickers to put on their board.
3. I don't suggest using pull ups because they know they can go in them if they want to. I would use big underwear all the time except for naps and nighttime! Once there pull ups start staying dry during naps then let them sleep in underwear! Why keep paying for pull ups if you don't need them!
4. Once they reach a prize give it to them immediately or if it's an "outing" prize then try to go as soon as you can!
5. Don't be a sucker! Stick to the 1-2 M&M plan and if they have an accident then NO PRIZE! Accidents will happen so don't make them feel bad for that but they need to know they wont be getting an M&M or sticker when they do that.

I think the number one tip is to make sure they're ready! If they're not ready then it's going to be so much work on you! If they're ready then this should work and by the time you're done with the second board they're potty trained!! Don't get discouraged...there will be some accidents but that's OK, it shows them how awful it feels!

GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!

Almost 36 Weeks!

So I have been a HORRIBLE blogger!

My pregnancy is almost OVER...CRAY-Z!!!!!

I'm feeling great! This has been another easy pregnancy! I'm not miserable where I just want her out right now like some people get...but I am super super excited to meet her and just hold her and have someone around the house that small again! =)

Keaton is really excited for her and I know he'll do great! Karter just LOVES babies so I have a feeling she's going to be all over her! It will be cute but hopefully she wont also be jealous and want mommy to hold her all the time instead! That can be really hard/annoying when you're trying to nurse an upset baby! We'll all get used to her though, Im just so freaking excited! =)

The ridiculous swelling in my legs and feet hasn't started yet but no doubt it's right around the corner! I do have major heartburn every evening but besides that things are pretty normal! I love feeling her move all around in my belly, it's so amazing!! Keaton loves feeling her move too and he'll sit and watch TV with me with his hands on my belly...so sweet! If you ask Karter where Kambry or Sissy is she'll lift up my shirt and say, " belly!" Even if I'm wearing a dress she tries to lift it up to see the belly, for some reason pointing to it from the outside apparently just isn't good enough for her! =)

Right now we're in the process of decorating Karter a new "big girl" room and moving Kambry's newborn stuff right into Karter's old nursery. I figured we already have a girl baby room ready so why get anything new?? Karter's room is coming along and is going to look so cute! Pictures will for sure be posted once it's done! My uber talented friend JoDee is making her bedding and it looks AMAZING!!! She is so good at sewing and it is something that will be so special and Karter can use from childhood into her teenage years! Yes Karter, this furniture and bedding is yours until you're married...ENJOY! =)

I'm still nervous about removing Karter from her crib...I fear that naps will be finished after that but we'll see! Maybe the transition will be great, I'd just prefer to wait until she were 2.5 or so but 22 months will have to do! I'll let you know how it goes, wish us luck!!

Lil' Reader

Keaton LOVES to read books! He will pick out a book and bring it to me or Kyle and plop down in our lap ready for the story! If all his books are out he'll bring one after another! His favorite is Brown Bear, Brown Bear which can really drive you crazy when read repeatedly! =) But, I love our reading time together! He now knows his animals! I can do them in any order and he'll point to the right one. I'm a proud momma! =)