It All Started with a Little Skittle...

We started potty training two weeks ago.  I gave Gabby a week to get used to the idea by wearing Pull Ups, but trying to use the potty each time.  Within a day or two she started staying dry most of the day with only one or two accidents, but every other day she would not make it to the potty at all.  By the second week I put her in "real" panties and although she isn't completely potty trained, she only has one accident a day! Hopefully the next will be even more promising and she will start telling me when she needs to go to the restroom.  Life is so much better and potty training is so much easier when they are READY to learn! We tried in November and it was torture and she never made it to this potty.  Not that it was a walk in the park, but she has felt far more successful and is doing amazing. I am so proud of her.  We promised when she was fully potty trained that she could begin Ballet classes.  Who knows, maybe by her birthday she will be en...

Gabby has been sick for two weeks with a cough.  She wakes up in the middle of the night due to violent coughing.  Some nights she ends up in bed with me and other nights she needs a drink of water and more medicine to subside the coughing.  Last night around 4:00 a.m., she woke up whining, which I ignored, because she'll usually go back to sleep.  Instead her anxiousness quickly increased to crying, then yelling, "mommy," and finally screaming at the top of her lungs like someone was hurting her.  This all happened in the time it took me to open my eyes, pop out of bed, and stumble into her room still half asleep.  I quickly scooped her up and started hugging her while asking what is wrong.  Finally she told me there were monsters in her room and she wanted them to leave her room.  Luckily she understands the word "pretend" so I explained to her it was a bad dream or pretend.  I wanted to give her a few minutes to feel safe again so I took h...

On a whim we decided to go to my parent's lake house. When we got there it was late at night, but Nanny and Uncle Patrick arrived early the next morning. While the guys worked in the yard, Gabby had a blast playing in the great outdoors. She fished for the usual, boots and branches. Then she had fun swinging on the old swing. Something about being in the wilderness brings out the best in her. She was in a great mood entertaining herself simply climbing up and down the stairs and following family members around.  It was a nice get a way and some relaxation I think we all appreciated, getting away from every day life stresses. That night we cooked delicious steaks for dinner, but Gabby was whiny and refused to eat anything and cried until she got her "get get," warm milk, and watched a Barbie movie.  We all sat around in the living room (since it was too cold to be outside) visiting and enjoying Gabby's silliness.  Since she was sleepy I gave her a bath early so she c...