Speaking Up

As I was in the waiting room scoping out the magazine selection, a beautiful family walked in. Mom (at least 7 1/2 months pg), her husband and their 2 year old daughter AND their infant in a carrier. REALLY GOD? It's like she was showing off how good at making babies she is! Of course this is all in my head, but I couldn't stop staring at them. Two Beautiful blonde children that look just like both of them. As I sat there waiting my turn all I could think about were my two beautiful kids and how the world needs educated about adoption!

Then it was my turn...

Thankfully the shot was easy again, but the scale not so forgiving this time! WOW, either it's way off or I've gained a lot of weight in a month! I'm thinking it's me. Anyway, still no negative side effects from the shot! WOOHOO!!!

So, as I was checking out I asked the nurse who decides what magazines they provide in the waiting room. She just looked at me, I think she thought I was going to try to sell her something. Not so much. She looked at the other nurse and said, "do you know how we choose them"? Then the Nurse Practitioner chimed into the conversation telling me they put out whatever magazine is sent them free through promotions, then got the same puzzled/questioning look on her face as the other two woman sitting there. I casually said, "I'm an adoptive mom and Pregnancy Magazine advertising breast pumps and stretch mark cream don't pertain to me and I can't imagine I'm the only patient that has never been pregnant". The nurse to my right said, "Do they even make an adoption magazine"? "YES!! Adoptive Families Magazine", I excitedly replied. The Nurse Practitioner said she thinks it would be great to have that magazine available for the women they serve and she wonders if they would provide them a free subscription?

SO.... guess what's next on my to-do list!?!

"I Potty Training"

"I potty training" is Aliya's new phrase! She uses it at least 5 times a day while we are going potty. It really is cute! She woke up dry from her nap yesterday and dry this morning!!! WOOHOO!!

Now, since this is my first time doing this, I'm asking experienced moms out there if this is normal: Yesterday and this morning Aliya has asked for a diaper, I guess I shouldn't say asked, more like pouted and cried about it. I kindly remind her she's a big girl and offered her "new" panties. This seems to do the trick, but is this normal? To go from one day adamant that she is not wearing a diaper, to crying for one the next?

She did it again!

She went #2 on the potty again (same song and dance between the two potties, but no asking for pull ups this time) AND she was dry all day (except nap of course). WOOOHOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!

#2 on the lue!!

So Aliya went #2 tonight on the potty!! She hadn't gone #2 in 3 days and I was staring to get worried, she has really routine bowls and her not going is not usual. The last time she had a BM she went in her panties and it was a bit of a mess, so I had to wonder if her being in panties all day was "forcing" her to hold it in fear of going in her panties again? I had planned to put her in a diaper when we got home this evening in hopes that she would feel like going. But when we got home, she refused to put a diaper on. So I reminded her that if she had to go poopy, she needed to sit on the potty. About 20 minutes later she got "the look" in her eye. She quickly started up the stair and I reminded her not to poop in her panties. She went straight for her pull ups. I told her pull ups were too messy for poopy and pulled out a diaper. She looked at me and said, "no mommy potty training"! It was so cute I had to cover my face to hide my chuckles. She went from the bathroom (on her Dora potty seat on the toilet) to her little potty in our bedroom, back to her Dora seat, back to her little potty. She knew she had to go, she just didn't know what to do. I could see the fear in her eyes, she had no idea what to do. I again asked her if she wanted a diaper "no mommy". Then with one final sit on the little potty she white knuckled the sides and curled her little toes and the next thing I know I hear "plop". She stands up and looks in the little hole and turns to me and says, "I did it mommy, big poop!". We did the BIGGEST potty dance ever!!!! I was so proud!

I have to say, our little Aliya is such a potty rock star! I can't believe how well she is doing! (I knock on wood as I type this)

What a great day!

Not only is it Mother's Day, but I also got to see my little sister graduate from college today!!! It's been a great day filled with laughter and tissues (I'm still sick). But I wouldn't have missed today for anything! I am so proud of you Sheri!!! Love you girl!

Oh man!

This weekend isn't starting out as planned, I can tell you that! I went to bed Thursday night with a sore throat and woke up miserable. My check engine light came on in the van earlier in the week, Jon took it to Auto Zone for them to run a free diagnostic check on it for me. Some valve needs replaced, nice. When I woke up this morning my throat was feeling a little better, but not soon after I was fully awake it got worse again and my chest started tightening up. My Uncle Keith has a contact at a local garage and came over this morning to take me to get my van checked out. Thankfully there is nothing wrong with my van!! Apparently (or so they think) a piece of carbon got stuck in the valve, causing the light to go on, but has worked its way out and now the van is fine!! Thank God! We really don't have the money right now to pay on the van! I received my bill for my surgery this week, thankfully the doctor and hospital were kind enough to work out a payment plan for me.

BUT on a positive note, my little sister (Sheri) is graduating from Miami University tomorrow with a double major in Finance and Business (I think). We are super excited to head down to Oxford tomorrow after church to be with her!!

Potty training is going well. Aliya is amazing me! I pray it continues to be this easy!!!

Doing the potty dance!!

Aliya went on the potty again tonight!!! (this was after she went #2 in her panties earlier in the evening :( ) She was SO excited to on the potty!! She does this cute little dance after she goes! I hope to record it and post it, it really is cute!! Our little girl growing up! Now if we can get her to go on the potty during the day!

Game Ball!!!

What a great night with family! Joel had a game tonight at 6pm, his team FINALLY won! And to top the night off, Joel got the game ball!! He pitched one inning and did amazing and he had 3 really great hits!! (two were foul, but were great hits) He really needed tonight! He's proven to be a great defensive player so far this season, but batting has always been his strong point and he has really struggled these past few games, until tonight!!! I am so proud of him!! Way to go Joel!!


(ps, his little sister went pee pee on the potty tonight!!)