Bye Bye, Diapers!

Well it has been a very interesting week to say the least!  As I wrote last week, Mason was showing many signs that he was ready to potty train...so we took the plunge!  My philosophy on potty training is all or nothing...so we said bye-bye to diapers and hello to underwear!

Tonight I got my camera out...and only had THREE PICTURES...all of Mason in the same pose!  Bad week for pictures I guess!  This week began with 80 degree temps, and as I'm typing this post, it's snowing!  Unreal!  So since I didn't have many pictures to choose from, I found some on Jo's website that I hadn't posed yet.  This post is heavy on Mason pictures...had to take the one of Zane tonight so he could be included as well!

"Mickey Mason" at Braeden's birthday party

Mason in his element...on the tractor!

Blowing bubbles!

Ryan's "faux" birthday party...his birthday is in July so we always celebrate with him early!

"Mama, I wear your glasses so I can see."

So back to the potty-training...Thursday we started because Mason REFUSED to let me put a diaper on him before going to Jo's.  Right away we learned that he would get ANNOYED at us for asking him if he needed to go to the bathroom.  We'd ask about every 30 minutes...that's what we knew from training Zaner, and he'd get so frustrated and say "No!  It's all gone!"  After awhile, he'd run into the bathroom and go all by himself!  It's so cute because when you go in to check on him he'll give you a big smile and say "I peed!  I get candy now!"  That's been the deal, one piece of candy for pee, two for poop...

And so poop continued to be our issue...he knew when he needed to go...but was scared to sit on the toilet to go...Jo has him figured out, so she's been trying to get him to go at her house.  Friday at work I got an amazing email from Jo with this picture:

Mom...I pooped at Jo's...I got to eat a BIG candy bar that she bought me!

I was so happy and excited...once we got over this hurdle with Zane it was smooth sailing, so it was a big step!  That night, we were sitting at home when Mason ran to the bathroom saying "I've got to poop!"  He ran right in and sure enough he went!  I almost hate to put this in print...but this has been SO MUCH EASIER than I thought...guess he really truly was "ready!"  I always wondered when people will say "you'll know when they are ready," but now I believe it!  Mason's been so proud of himself this week, telling everyone who will listen that he is wearing underwear and that he has peed and pooped!  He likes to go in with us when we go to the bathroom too...he even claps for us!  It's the simple things...

And so as to not forget Zane in this post...

He still loves Lion!

Zane-isms

• I forgot to post this last week...the 2nd day of potty training, we were at Pizza Shoppe for supper.  Mason hadn't gone to the bathroom for probably 3 hours and we were getting nervous (this was before we had figured out he could make it a long time and to just leave him alone).  So we kept taking him in the bathroom and NOTHING!  Finally, after about a million and a half tries, he went!  Zane came out of the bathroom (all 3 boys were in there together), ran up to me, and said, "Mom, it's a miracle!  Mason peed!"  We're ALL in this together...so much that every time Mason gets candy...Zane says he does too!  Working the system!

Mason's Marvels

• Tonight as Matt was making supper, Mason ran up to him, hugged his legs, and said, "Dad!  You're here!"

Surprise! Happy 60th Birthday Mom!

Why do short work weeks seem longer than full work weeks?  It doesn't make sense, but happens EVER time I have a short week!  We had Monday and Tuesday off for spring break, so returned to work and our normal schedules Wednesday.  I had all but decided to wait until this summer to potty train Mason...and then Jo emailed me on Wednesday asking about it, so I took that as my final sign that he was probably ready!  We were going to start Monday, but Thursday morning Mason refused to let me put a diaper on him, so we just took the leap!  He did pretty well that day, and has honestly done very well so far these first few days.  He seems to not have to go very often...and I can see that #2 will be our biggest hurdle to overcome.  He wants to be a "big boy" like Dad and Zane, and naturally does not need out help and wants to go by himself.  He's already beginning to tell us when he needs to go and tonight even went in the bathroom all on his own and took care of business!  My baby is growing up too fast!

This weekend we celebrated mom's 60th birthday.  Mom and Dad were down here for the hardware show, and they were planning on coming to stay with us Saturday night.  Little did Mom know that Dad had called Aaron and Adam to come also.  Mom even called Adam to ask him to come down, and he told her he had a concert to go to!  Aaron and Adam were here, hiding in our bedroom, when Mom and Dad arrived.  We were sitting there chatting when the boys walked downstairs.  Mom was surprised!  We had a good night...Matt cooked some amazing prime rib, then we just hung out at the house.  Sunday we went to church, out to dinner, then enjoyed some sunshine before they headed home.

Mason giving Papa a ride

Doesn't he look so grown up?

Soaking in the sun!

A great sign...when I can wear flip flops!

We also played some baseball...all of us!  Zane's getting excited for t-ball and I am too...it means summer!

Waiting for a good pitch...

Matt's turn!

Zane trying to "coach" Mason

The boys saying good-bye

Zane racing Papa...a family tradition when anyone leaves...

I hate to admit that most of our day Sunday was spent napping...but it's true!  Zane had slept with us the night before and he is NOT fun to sleep with!  He hogs the bed, kicks, lays on top of you...and he was coughing a lot also!  So Matt and I were exhausted!  So when everyone left, we all hit the pillows!  After we woke up, we headed to the park for some exercise!

Drink break!

Zane posing by the "5."  Soon he'll be 6!

Mason's been wanting Zane to read to him and put him to bed at night, so I caught them reading together on camera.  It was too cute to hear Zane talking to him, saying, "come here buddy."  He also tried remembering the story and saying it "just right" to Mason!  These are the times I adore!

Spring Break Surprise!

And the cupcake obsession continues...at school I was once again involved in the Biggest Loser competition...this week was the last week and I ended up losing 11 pounds overall, still with some to go, but you know me...I made cookies and cupcakes to celebrate that it was over!  This week I tried an actual recipe...a doctored box mix, for Snickers Cupcakes.  I didn't try them, but also didn't take any home, so they must have been okay!

Friday marked the beginning of spring break!  We slept in, Zane and Matt went to "work" and Mason and I did some running around.  Matt came home from work early and we loaded up the car and headed to Iowa.  The boys stayed on the farm while we went and had supper with Hogans, Grays, and my parents.  It was nice to catch up...we haven't seen them in quite awhile!!!

Saturday we had a baby shower for Kaitlin and Chris' expected arrival...due soon!  That night we went to mom and dad's for pizza and then off to the carnival.  The boys had SO much fun!  Thanks to both Grandma/Papas for going with us!  The carnival is the exact same way it used to be when I was a kid...only it seemed to be a lot more fun then...and a lot more work now...



Fishin for prizes...

Anything biting?

Aargh!

Spinning the wheel and waiting to see where it lands...

Good cupcake Mason?

Zane wanted to go in jail...so put himself in...then said "Mom, take my picture like this..."

I sure hope this is the ONLY time I see him in jail!

Mason's most prized prize...a red ball!

Sunday we headed to Grandma Beggs' for dinner...yum I've missed that (but my waistline hasn't) and to celebrate Jake's birthday.  We left pretty quickly after dinner because we had a little surprise in store for the boys!



Grandma and Mason picking out some food to order from Celine...

So since it's spring break, we wanted to do something special and fun...so we rented a room at the Ramada in St. Joe...it also has an indoor waterpark!  Matt thought it would be fun to "pretend" that our car broke down so we would have to stop and stay at the hotel.  Well...of course it didn't go exactly as we'd planned because both boys were asleep and didn't quite "get it."  We walked in, looked at the water park, and still Zane was pouting.  Then I said something about spending the night and going to the park...and he perked right up!  Zane's favorite part was the big slide...he did that over and over...and Mason finally warmed up after awhile and loved going down the little slide with Zane.  They had a ton of fun and we decided we may have to make a few day trips there soon!  After swimming we had supper and hung out in the room...the boys were exhausted and crabby...so we didn't do much else!



Zane...where are we?

Ready to swim!

My boys in the pool!

Monkey Cove

The big slide that goes outside!

They did this SO MANY TIMES!

Fun times!

Mini-me!

Such fun!

They adored the bunk beds!  We may have to get some!

Zane took a picture of us...after swimming so don't mind the hair...

Saturday morning we slept in so long that we accidentally missed breakfast at the hotel...whoops!  But I knew there was a Dunkin Donuts down the road...so we went there!  Since my mom is turning the same age as Dunkin Donuts...tomorrow...I saw this sign and had to take a picture of it...happy birthday Mom and Dunkin Donuts! 

Zane enjoying chocolate frosting with sprinkles

Mason enjoying donut holes

After breakfast we headed back to KC...can you believe it snowed overnight?  Seriously...this is spring break!  It's nice today, but it's going to be the nicest when we have to go back to work tomorrow...go figure!  Oh well, it was nice to have an extra long weekend...

I'd like to also wish Marcy and Mattaya a happy belated birthday!!  Hope your special day was everything you wished for and more!

Last night Mason pooped on the toilet...yea!  He seems to be really "in tune" to his toileting...his diapers have to be on "just so," he always wants to change himself, or brings you a diaper and asks you to change him, especially after pooping, hides to poop, etc...so after pooping in the toilet, he got up and said, "where's my underwear?"  We took that as a little sign, so headed out to get some.  We got 3 different ones...Spongebob, Thomas, and Cars...and some pull-ups.  When we put a pull-up on him last night, he said "this is for swimming..." cause they're like his swim diapers.  This morning he was dry, so we put underwear on him to try it out...and he peed down his leg twice.  Since I have to go to work tomorrow and don't have more time off, I decided even though he's showing some signs, we aren't going to push the issue right now.  He cried when I took him in to try each time, that's not worth it to me!  I have all summer...  Nonetheless, here's a video of him telling me about his "big poop" in the toilet, and him shopping for his underwear!



Where are we going Mason?



Decisions, decisions!



Zane-isms

• Matt and Zane were driving and noticed a police car had stopped someone.  Of course...Zane had questions.  It went something like this:

Z:  Why are the police stopping him?

              

M:  Because he was speeding.

              

Z:  Why can't you speed?

            

M:  Because there is a speed limit and if you go too fast they will give you a ticket.

            

Z:  Well what if the cops don't see you speeding?  Do you just call them and tell them you were speeding so they can give you a ticket?

            

M:  Well, no, then you don't get a ticket.

My honest little man!



Mason's Marvels

• We have a game called UNO Moo...it has a carrying case that looks similar to a lunch box.  Mason grabbed it, went to the door, and said "Bye, I'm going to town!"  Sorry buddy, you don't "go to town" in the city!
• A new favorite saying..."I got an idea..." as he puts his finger in the air...
• The other day Mason looked at Matt and said, "Hey big guy!"

Sicky Boy...and Kindergarten Orientation!

Well the week began with stitches...and didn't slow down from there!  Monday during the day, Jo emailed me to say that Mason had a couple of questionable diapers (some of the other daycare kids...and Jo...had a little bug the week/weekend before).  So I went ahead and got a sub for Tuesday and stayed home with Mason.  Although he was eating, drinking, sleeping, and playing like normal, he was having icky diapers!  So Matt stayed home with him Wednesday.  He had another bad diaper, which then required me to stay home on Thursday.  Thankfully for us, Papa was already coming down Friday because Jo was closed...so we were both at work Friday.  Mason didn't have a "normal" diaper until Sunday!  Poor kid!

Like father...like son!

Watching a movie

They are nice to one another sometimes...

This week was Dr. Seuss week, so Zane had a veriety of dress up days at school.  On Monday it was favorite character day. so he dressed as Thing 1.  He also had silly hat, crazy sock, and pajama days. 



Thing 1!

Through another blogging friend, I was put in touch with a very talented individual who uses screen (like you find in screen doors or windows) and makes them into designs that you can hang on your door!  I ordered a leprechaun and bunny and am in love with them!  I can't wait to order more and have one for every month!  Take a look at how cute the leprechaun is!! 

Mason on his first day home with me...he told me he was going to work...

Thursday night we had kindergarten orientation at Zane's new school.  What a completely different view I had...on the parent side of things!  I'm used to being the presenter at those things!  I would be lying if I said that I wasn't a little emotional sitting there thinking about Zaner starting elementary school.  I can remember so vividly the day he was born, and now we're preparing to take him to kindergarten  My oh my how time flies!

Coloring fun



Stay in the lines Mason

The focus...the concentration...

My latest obsession...cupcakes!  They are small, they seem so simple, but they can be so much fun...and addictive!  I've always adored cupcakes by my adoration has stopped at consuming them.  Recently I thought it would be fun to play around with decorating them, so I got some tips and supplies...and now I want to bake cupcakes every day!  It's a sickness!  Let's just say my friends and co-workers are getting their fill of cupcakes...cause if I don't give them away then we eat them ALL!!!  Here are my latest...nowhere near perfect but I'm having fun learning!!!



 

Zane-isms

• Zane is really into reading lately...it is surreal to listen to him reading to me...this is what I work to teach my students each day, and I am sitting at home listening to my own child learning the same things...I LOVE IT!  I am so proud of him and it's fun to help him with a few reading strategies along the way!

Mason's Marvels

• I think we're getting closer to potty training...Mason is really tuned into his diapering...one night he was crying and saying, "My peeper is not good."  He also tells us as soon as he poops.  He'll say "Mom, I pooped again"...and he'll usually go get a diaper, the wipes, and lay on the floor and say  "Change me."  When Matt changes him, he'll say, "This is not right, you need to do it better Dad."  Picky picky! 
• One morning when I went in to get Mason out of his bed, he looked up at me and said, "Good morning!"
• As I was checking my email, Mason climbed up on my lap and said, "What are you working on Mom?"
• When I was cooking supper, Mason crawled up onto a barstool and said, "What are you cooking Mom?"
• I dropped something on the floor and Mason looked at me and said, "It be okay!"
• Matt and Mason stopped to see me at school the other day and Mason saw a student walk by Matt.  He ran up to Matt, hugged his leg, and said, "My Daddy!"
• Mason's getting really good at stalling before bedtime at night...sometimes he'll say "My tummy hurts.  I need to barf.  Get me the bucket."  The other night we heard him screaming for Matt.  When we went into his room, he was saying, "I can't see!"  Hia night light had burned out!
• We have an I Spy Christmas book that Mason has latched onto lately.  He likes to "find Santa."  On one page you can see Santa in the sky...but there's a deer on the ground.  Mason pointed to the deer and said, "Oh no, they forgot him!"  I asked what we should do and he said "We have to figure something out!"  his solution was to cover the deer up with his blankie!