Toddler directed - parents stunted, potty training

Remember this?

Since a newborn Hannah has proven to be a determined little girl. Always trying to learn something new and do more. 

I did not intend on really potty training until she was closer to 2, but at just before 18 months she was taking great interest in the potty, so I decided why not get her a seat and let her get used to sitting on it. My thought was that I may as well get her to want to learn how to use the potty so when she really was ready to go on the toilet it would be something she enjoyed or at least was comfortable with. Before bed and in the morning we would get her to sit on it if she wanted to and that was it. 

But then she did it! She started actually using the toilet! 

Since that first time she has probably peed on the toilet almost 10 times more and get this - she's pooped twice! 

The first time she told me she had to poo she was actually in the process of pooing, so only half made it in the toilet. Today however she said "poo" I asked her if she was going poo, she said "no". I asked if she wanted to try to go on the toilet she said, "yes". So off we rushed. 

She then proceeded to pee and then do a big poo in the toilet! 

She could not be prouder of herself and we are quite impressed too! 

The thing is that since she started using the toilet we have not been consistent at all! We have been travelling the whole time, so it has often meant late nights out and rushing to bed = skipping potty time, or just basically us as parents not thinking about it. I just wonder if with us in our unintention and inconsistency Hannah has done so well and totally gets the idea of using the potty, how would it be if we had been better at it? Would she be fully potty trained by now? 

Not sure. 

But what I do know is that once we get home I vow to be a better help to Hannah in this potty training experience! 

Oh Glorious Sun!

Below is a post I forgot to publish from a few weeks ago. With preparing to leave tomorrow I was having flash backs to these days of rain and no sun, with fear that Hannah may not make it in the pool again, but here it is...

The sun has come out again!

(The old post)

Just let me first say that I actually do like rainy days. I like the different type of day they bring with  more reading and colouring than usually. I love looking out at the rain watching it pour down and I love jumping in the puddles. And let's be honest we all know the importance of rain for those beautiful trees and flowers and plants to grow flourish!

But...

I do not love rain 5 days in a row resulting in us being stuck in side most of the time in a hotel suite! Due to Tropical storm Debby I have realized that I would not enjoy living somewhere where it rains all the time. No where that rains more than Halifax, that's my max.

By day 3 Hannah was also getting sick and tired of being stuck outside. At breakfast (the breakfast room looks out at the pool) she would stare longingly at the pool and just keep saying "oh rain...oh rain..."

Clearly she wanted to swim since one time while I was doing the dishes she got into our stash of some swim diapers and to put it on!

(sorry the blog is turning my pictures again and I can not turn them back!)

(earrings from stickers...totally Hannah's idea!)

We did manage to have some creative fun indoors from, taking her baby for a tour around the hotel in her baby carrier, play dough, crafts, races in the halls (I don't think we bothered anyone...), going up and down and up and down the stairs, to becoming beautiful with turning stickers into earrings (Hannah's idea!).

But...

Today is clear blue skies, sun and a day we are loving so far as we swim and play outside as much as possible (except for naps and meals).

I must say I love God's creation. I love seeing different parts of it here in Florida. I do love the rain (in smaller amounts), but most of all today I love the sun! The sun just has a way of uplifting people's spirits and helping us see the bright side of life!

The High Low Project

I must say I have thoroughly enjoyed the time we have had cable here in Orlando. Simply so I can watch HGTV again. It is the perfect way to unwind after a long day and just let your mind get creative without exerting any energy!

My new favourite show - The High Low Project.

High Dining Room: $27 000

Low Dining Room: $3 500

Can you spot the differences?!

That's over $23 000 saved for a just as beautiful dining room as the expensive one! Amazing! 

I totally go for the old saying "save a penny, earn a penny". You can easily get expensive things or with a little searching, a little creativity and determination you can save/earn a lot of money on anything you do! 

Every time I watched this show my mind would just get going on how I could save even more - so fun! 

It makes me even more excited to go home and finish our kitchen and basement and get started on our other to do list projects! 

A company we are proud to support

I do not like to spend money. 


I thrive off of getting a deal because it means saving money. Although, I do love to buy things for others, for the most part I'd rather save than spend. 


That said, if its for a good cause or a business or person to support I am happy to cut back other ways and support away. 


The other night we went out to Chick Fil A, a fast food chicken place in the States that I am proud to support. 


Their original company purpose is "To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A." = awesome! 


In fact, since 1960 when it began they have stuck to their beliefs and are not open on Sundays anywhere! 


This is what Mr. Cathy said,  "I was not so committed to financial success that I was willing to abandon my principles and priorities. One of the most visible examples of this is our decision to close on Sunday. Our decision to close on Sunday was our way of honoring God and of directing our attention to things that mattered more than our business" = double awesome. (what great challenge for us all to stick to!) 


The thing is that some people can see that committing to something like that keeps them behind the times and the business would suffer. Not so. They are the second largest chicken chain in America! 


Values aside, the food is great and Hannah had a wonderful time playing in the play place! 

Best part is that Hannah's fun did not end at the restaurant. She got to take a balloon home that she was given by one of the staff members and her "toy" from her (first ever!) kids meal was an awesome Little Critters book! Inside the book is a note from the owner stating his value in family and kids growing up right = awesome! 

If you are ever in the States try Chick Fil A, support a great company and get great food! 

http://www.chick-fil-a.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chick-fil-A

Counting the good instead of just the bad

Here is the thing. For some reason, for most of us the bad things seem to count more than the good things in our days. You may have had 3 things go wrong in a day, maybe even 10, and it feels like the worst day ever. Thing is, you may  have also had 27 good things happen in the day, but those you glaze over, take for granted and do not give them the value they deserve.

I have been caught in that too many times.

So in recognizing once again how easy it is to count the bad instead of all the good as well, my goal is to count the good. Not only count the good, but appreciate it more.

Today I am blessed to have....

1. a beautiful sunny morning to enjoy with Hannah outside (even though the weather called for showers all day)
2. a safe place for us to stay while we are in Florida that really does feel like a home away from home
3. wonderful staff here at our hotel that simply adore Hannah 
4. Hannah did so many adorable little things 
5. hugs and kisses from Hannah
6. a wonderful husband 
7. a chance to go out this evening and have some fun family time
8. a chance to talk to my family over skype
9. a chance to get a lot of reading done for work
10. an awesome deal - a whole adorable outfit for Hannah on clearance for $2.99

And the list could just go on! 

Sure there were some not so bright things that happened today, but all in all today has been a good day and that I count as wonderful! 

Does that not just warm your heart? Hannahs second cousin, Ethan holding Hannahs hand as he shows her around the zoo! 

No Fear?

I do not know anyone in this world that honestly has no fears. We are all afraid of something. 

But...

One of the goals I had in raising my kids is helping them be excited by Gods creation instead of fearful of things - especially different animals (not to say that if you are afraid of a certain animal you do not appreciate Gods creation). 

I would never force my children to touch an animal they were scared of or do anything they were scared to do, but from introducing them to all kinds of animals from a young age, having an animal ourselves at home and being excited to learn about new animals (like spiders and bugs) could help them to see the wonder of creation, while still teaching them what is safe and what is not. 

Honestly, there have been days that going for a walk we see some flowers on the side of the road, stop to smell every single one, and then notice a bug and sit there for a very long time learning all about them! 

Hannahs latest love is definitely the geckos down here. Going down to the pool area (where you can often find them) Hannah will just start calling out "Gakco! Gakco!" She searches, she finds some, she crouches down to see them, says hi, waves at them and then says bye and blows them a tonne of kisses goodbye! It is so cute!

At the petting zoo at the Bravard Zoo in Florida

The hello...

The learning - just look at that tounge!

Becoming friends!

Hannah does have some animals she is more hesitant of and that is okay. I also know that all kids are different, so the same strategy may not work at all for our next child. That said I still hold to exposure early on is a good thing. 

What have you done to help your kids understand and be excited about things instead of afraid or what did your parents do to help you growing up?

Happy Canada Day!

Celebrating Canada Day in the States isn't quite the same, but we still tried to make it special and take time to celebrate.

Hannah managed to be the most festive of us all.

It all started with me asking Hannah to say "cheese" so I could get a picture of her for Canada Day...

And it turned into a photo shoot where Hannah would not stop posing and saying "cheese"!

Gone is the season when she wouldn't smile for the camera! 

 Just a little attitude...

(don't know why this one isn't coming up the right way...

It is the right way saved on my computer...)

Even getting changed for bed she wouldn't stop saying "cheese" until I took a picture! She was excited!

Happy Canada Everyone!