I have officially decided that potty training is not fun.  Especially with a non-willing participant named Harry.  I'm not sure what the deal is.  I think he conceptually gets the idea of what he should be doing, he doesn't like having a dirty diaper or the sensation of having wet clothes, and he knows that he will be rewarded if and when he goes in the potty (because he talks about it all. the. time!).  It also doesn't help that I am not a very patient person and I think--all right, I KNOW my expectations of him tend to run on the high side.  It's just that when the frequent trips to the potty end up with screaming and fights and tears, I'm sure it makes us both want to give up.  We are on the second day of trying to go with just undies except at naptime and bedtime (he calls them Wendy's!  ha ha!) to see if that will speed the process up a bit.  The first evening didn't go well considering we had about 4 accidents in roughly 2 hours, but I am not going to give up on him just yet.  I refuse to believe that he is not ready...he is almost 3!!  Unfortunately, he is every bit as stubborn (or strong-willed as they are calling it these days!) as I am so I'm anticipating a long stand off!!

You don't REALLY believe my Mommy, do you??? 

The stomach flu thankfully exited our home last week, but not without claiming another victim first...me.  It was awful.  Last Thursday was one of the worst I have had as a parentn.  The kids were totally healed which I was grateful for, but that also meant they were at full speed while I was crashing and burning.  I was alone with them from 8 am until 7 pm not able to keep anything down and barely able to be upright.  A couple of times throughout the day I had to take them to the playroom and I sprawled out across the doorway so I could rest and also so I could tell if they got out of the room.  It was utterly pathetic.  Travis's car was in the shop that day getting new brakes and tires, so he didn't have a way to come home and help and I was so weak I was afraid to drive them to Katrina's.  The second Travis got home, he got the kids and I went to bed.  He took them to Katrina's on Friday so I could try to recooperate.  All of this adds up to the World's Most Lame Valentine's Day ever!!  We had already planned on having some friends over before I got sick, and poor Travis got stuck with doing most of the cleaning and cooking for that night, and I definitely wasn't a very good hostess.  I think everyone still had a good time, and I eventually started to feel better by Monday, just in time to pull off a 12 hr shift at work on Tuesday!

Not to leave little Ellie out, but the little guy is just so darn easy!  Other than the few frustrations of him being my constant little shadow, he is still our sweet, cuddly little fella.  We are starting to plan his first birthday party here in a few weeks which is freaking me out a little.  One year old??  Seriously??!!  It hardly seems possible.  Here are the list of words he is saying so far:  Dada, dog, clap, tickle, and Oscar (said Oker).  Yes, that is right.  My child who I love more than anything said our dog's name before he could squeak out a Mama!  I am his favorite person in the world and look at the treatment I get!  Everytime I try to get him to say it, he says baba.  Sigh.  I still love you, sweet boy!

Since I have been seriously slacking in the picture department, here are some peace offerings!

Don't let your brother see you with his letters!!

Sharing (for once!) a Cheerio snack

How on Earth do his eyes stay so blue??

Still totally in love with numbers and letters...I hope that never changes!!