The Toddler Has Called It

This week was a lesson in being careful what you say around a two year old.  Luckily, it was nothing bad, but it easily could have been (and has been in the past, as evidenced by the colorful vocabulary I’m trying to break).

We’re on our way to the sitter’s, and I hear, “Barack Omama” coming from the backseat.  Over and over and over again.  It would have been annoying if not so cute.  It took me a moment, and a quick listen to the radio to figure out what she was saying.  The host was talking about the Pennsylvania primary and K hear them talking about Barack Obama.  She has no clue that it’s a name, she just knows it’s fun to say.

That night, her phrase of the day evolved.  Apparently, Barack is a verb in her mind.  Now, we hear, “Barack Omama” and “Barack Odaddy” quite a bit.  It’s cute and she loves it because we laugh every time.

Friday, I had her say it for my dad.  Apparently he’s a Barack supporter, because he immediately taught her to say, “Next president.”  Now, she’s spent the entire weekend telling the world, “Barack Omama, next president.”  Only a little over six months to see if she’s right!

Potty Training Thoughts

When you decide to start potty training, there’s a plethora of information at your fingertips.  There are ebooks you can buy, pretty potty inserts, toddler toilets with bells and whistles, pull ups that have disappearing images or change temperature, cloth trainers, etc.  I think we’ve tried them all.  As we near potty training success, here’s my thoughts on what has or has not worked for us.

ebooks – You know all of the “Get Rich in a Week” books and tapes?  This is kind of like that.  “Potty train in only 3 days” screams at you when you go to the websites.  A friend of mine bought an ebook, let me look at it before I decided whether or not to make the investment.  Maybe if I was at home and had nothing to do but potty train, it may have worked.  If you have to work, clean, have other kids, etc, I’m not sure it’s worth it.

Elmo’s Potty Time – Very entertaining DVD, did nothing for our potty training efforts.  I still recommend getting this, simply because it has some good lessons in it.  One of the best is Grover talking about accidents.

Cloth Trainers – If you’re looking for them, they’re with the baby layette items, nowhere near the diapers.  They do hold in some of the accident, but you’re still going to have to clean up the toddler and the floor.  There are covers for them, but they can be hard to find.

Pull-ups – After debating myself on whether or not to attempt Pull-ups, I broke down and bought them.  I was set against them, they were another item on my “I’ll never” list.  I went so far as to buy the cool effect ones that were supposed to get cold when wet.  My justification for spending more money was that if they worked, we’d need to buy fewer packs, therefore making them a bargain.  I didn’t notice a difference.  The ones that had hearts that would disappear when wet helped me know when she had an accident but she certainly didn’t watch the hearts to see if they were still there.

Toilet insert vs. Toddler Potty – Being on this side of potty training, I’d say skip the fancy potty and get an insert.  After our sitter started having more success than we did, I looked in her bathroom.  She didn’t have a special potty, just an insert.  I was worried that it would be too big for Khaila, but she loves it!  She likes feeling like a big person.

A Year in the “Big Girl Bed” Already?

Who’s Training Who?

It seems that my daughter has everyone in her life trained.  If we ask her, she will use the potty without fail.  We’ve even had days with no accidents.  Unfortunately, she won’t tell us when she has to go.  She’s really good at telling us as soon as she does it though!

Yes, I think it’s turning into adult training.  Once addicted to my morning cup of coffee, I now get up and race her into the bathroom.  Then, we become parrots, knowing that she won’t tell us.  I really hope we can get past this phase!

The Saga of the Potty

This week, Khaila did pretty well at Millie’s house.  Early in the week, she’d have one accident a day and then do fine.  Wednesday, she was with my mom.  Another excellent report, no accidents.  So WHY wouldn’t she go for me?  I was firmly convinced that she just doesn’t want to give up the control or something equally stubborn (after all, she is my child) and that she’d be wearing diapers at home until she goes to school.

This morning, I noticed something I’ve never seen before.  A dry diaper!  Yes, my little girl, my baby, woke up dry!  Knowing she would have to go, I took off her diaper and put her on the potty.  At first, she wasn’t sure about this.  We have a good routine going.  She gets up, comes in to our room where I’m usually watching the news, we turn on “Super Why” and cuddle.  Her routine doesn’t include a pit stop.

After about a minute, I heard the wonderful sound of a big girl!  Yes, my little girl started out the day with celebration.  She also got fruit snacks before breakfast.  Millie gives her a Tootsie Roll (must remember they’re for Khaila, NOT for me to eat) but I figured I’d try something a touch healthier at 7am!

I’m hoping we’ll continue this progress.  I almost feel bad for the run down that the hubby is going to get in the morning.  I want to make sure he knows EXACTLY what we’ve been doing to work with her so he can keep it up while I’m stuck slinging pizzas for 10 hours.

Cinnamon Mints in the Nose

This is the lesson we learned today.  If a two year old shoves a cinnamon mint up her nose, it will dissolve.  It’s pitiful to deal with in the mean time, but as the saying goes, “This too shall pass.”

This morning, on the way to the sitter’s house, I popped an Eclipse mint in my mouth.  Khaila wanted one too.  I’ve given her mints before with no problems.  We got to Millie’s and she kept pointing to her nose.  By the time we got inside, she kept saying, “Mommy, nose,” as she tried to put my finger in her nose.  Her right eye starts watering.  Nose is running, cinnamon pink snot trickling onto her upper lip.

I call the nurse line to see if I need to take her in.  While we’re waiting, Millie gets the flashlight and I lay Khaila on the kitchen table.  Look up the squirming toddler’s nostril, don’t see anything.  After about 20 minutes, I can’t wait for the nurse to call, I have to work.  I get Khaila’s coat on, walk to the car.  I’m figuring that if I show up at the clinic with a child obviously uncomfortable, obviously with something foreign shoved up her nose, maybe I’ll get better results than calling had gotten.

Right as I pick up Khaila to get her in the car seat, she sneezes.  It’s not a pretty sight, but there, right on her upper lip, sits a small oval mint.  I take Khaila back inside, tell the sitter the issue is resolved, and we both laugh.

Seriously, most parents I know have dealt with this.  On one hand, it was a mint, something small, no intervention required.  On the other hand, it was a mint, it had to burn!  The mommy in me is hoping she learned a lesson and will no longer feel the need to shove things up her nose.

Changing Menus

Last week, I talked about Khaila and how much she wanted to cook.  It seems that wasn’t a passing phase, or if it was, it’s exceeding the standard two year old attention span of 13 minutes.  Because of that, I’ve found myself trying to adapt our weekly menu.  I want her to be able to help me, but there are some things she just can’t.

Last night, she got her first shot at meatloaf.  I’m not sure she enjoyed it as much as using the spoon to stir.  Unlike stirring, this was cold, messy, icky.  Sure, she likes getting messy as much as the next kid, but she’s not a fan of the cold/icky combination.

Every Friday, I’m going to post a kid-friendly meal, in terms of both preparing and eating.

Barbecue Cheeseburger Meatloaf

2lb ground beef (also good if you use 1lb ground turkey and 1lb ground turkey sausage
1 packet onion soup mix
1 egg
1 slice of bread, torn in pieces
worcestershire sauce (to taste)
garlic powder (to taste)
1/2 cup barbecue sauce (split)
1/2 cup shredded cheese

Mix all ingredients by hand.  Save 1/4 cup of barbecue sauce for top.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes.

A Seriously Amazing Mommy Site!

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Tantrums and Society

Monday night, I had the opportunity to catch Oprah when it re-aired.  Jamie Lee Curtis was one of the guests.  I could go on and on about how much I love this woman.  I love the fact that in a world of pumped up, sucked out, nipped, tucked, and dyed women, she has chosen to remain true to herself.  She looked amazing with her gray, super short hair and trendy glasses.  I would have been happy to listen to her speak about being content with the body you’ve been given.

That night, she caught my eye when she started talking about kids.  She talked about representing a game company and talking to them about her favorite game.  She never mentioned the company or the game, but she gave enough hints to let everyone know what it was.  She said one premise of the game was that you could get just about to the end and be sent down this “thing” to the beginning.  From the clues, I think she’s talking about Chutes and Ladders.

Even if she wasn’t, what struck me was what she said next.  She said she was told that they were thinking of changing the game because the moms in their focus groups didn’t like the tantrums that were created by the setbacks.  She went on to talk about the lesson that is teaching our kids.  Rather than use the game as a teaching tool, showing kids that life isn’t always roses, the company was going to change the game.  Moms won’t have the tantrums to deal with.

Then I thought about my own parenting.  There are many times when I give in to Khaila so I won’t have to deal with her bull-headed tantrums.  After working all day, I’m tired and wish for nothing more than peace at home.  When she starts screaming because she can’t have her way, I get sick of it and depending on the day, I give in.

I know this isn’t the right thing to do.  I watch “Supernanny” and see the number of parents who have out of control children and they say it’s because of this very reaction.  Kids aren’t stupid.  They know how to wear us down.  I know this.  So why do I give in?  Maybe a better question is, “How can I change my reaction to her tantrums?” or “How should I be reacting to get her to stop this behavior?”

Being a first time mom, there are things I still feel so clueless about, even after almost three years.

Mmmmm, Coffee!