Undies

I've started potty training him in earnest now. I've begun an incentive program involving a cookie or piece of candy for each pee or poop into either his frog potty or the "regular potty" as Stephen calls it. Stephen prefers the latter, which is unfortunate because this morning while I was nursing Rockam I heard Stephen sending out distress signals from the bathroom. He had fallen backward and couldn't get back up. Don't worry, Grammie and Nonna, he wasn't actually in the toilet, but I could see the potential hazards.

 So, today we three trekked to one of my least favorite places on earth, Wal-Mart, to buy some undies and a kiddie toilet seat. We bought a Pooh and Tigger potty seat, because it was the only one that wasn't overtly girlie. But the not-so-superstore was sold out of every package of 2-3T boys underwear. I have a bit of a bone to pick with stores in general for never carrying very many boys' clothing compared the the endless racks of pink and purple prints. But the underwear situation was ridiculous. In addition to not having what I needed, I noticed that boys underwear was on average 50 cents to a couple of dollars more expensive than the girlie counterparts. What is up with that?

We headed to Kmart next. Again, the boys briefs were understocked while the girl's stock was plentiful. I managed to find one pack of Thomas the Train undies in his size. It was about 6 bucks for 3 pairs, but I just swallowed hard and bought them so we could stop shopping and start pottying. Steve's main request was that he wanted red undies. I have no idea why, but that was his primary concern.

Here, he's admiring his new duds. I had to fold the elastic over once for a good fit, but I'm pleased with our (overpriced) purchase. And, I'm also pleased with my big boy, who has gone both No. 1 and No. 2 on the "regular potty" and even wiped and flushed himself.

He's napping now, on top of a mattress pad. I fully expect there to be a big puddle by the time he wakes up, but I couldn't convince him to trade Thomas for a diaper.

More smiles

sweet baby smile

Bribing Stephen

Steve doesn't do haircuts without a flailing, screaming, tearful fight... or without bribery.

Pacified

Playing dress-up

Until yesterday, Rockam has only worn "munchie-suits," that is, sleepers. I finally got up the nerve to pull some onesies over his head and see how he looked. He looked really cute. Unfortunately, he peed out his diaper shortly after these photos were taken.

Queue up "Kung Fu Fighting":

tummy time

Another difference between my two boys: tummy time temperment. Stephen hated to be on his belly. Rockam doesn't seem to mind. In fact, he looks downright comfortable in the second photo. He's pretty good at lifting his head and can turn it from right to left.

Sneegiberator in the Refrigerator

Stephen was talking about Noothgrushes and Nubbards today, so I couldn't help but think of Dr. Seuss when I took these shots this morning.

Don't worry, Stephen doesn't know how to open the fridge by himself. He snuck in there when I opened it to get him the slice of cheese.

Playtime

These photos give me dejavu ... to see what I mean, check out these photos of Stephen playing with some of the same toys.

Family Circus

Yesterday was a rough day for us.... I was sick with the flu and a 102 fever. It rained all day, including when I lugged both boys to the county clerks office to renew our car registrations and there were no close parking spaces and the ramp leading up to the building (I had Rockam in the stroller) had a virtual waterfall coming off the top of the courthouse onto it. We all got drenched and I was in a very, very bad mood.

But there was definitely a silver lining. In the evening, Joe took Stephen to the circus, something STephen has been looking forward to for weeks now. He even was in a good mood trudging through the rain to the courthouse because he thought we were going to the circus. Once in the crowded building, Stephen asks "Is this the CIRCUS?" "Yeah, it's a circus alright, but you'll go to the real circus with Daddy tonight."

Anyhow, Stephen enjoyed the circus so much that he had to tell me about it when he got home. "What did you see at teh circus, Stephen?" He responded in a whisper, "El-O-phants." "Clowns" "Ponies"--

Joe let him ride both the pony of his choosing and the elephant in this photo. Stephen is still talking about the circus this morning.