Alphabet Soup

Two weekends ago I picked up an alphabet puzzle for Gusley for a buck at a yard sale. It is in perfect condition and under each letter is picture of something that starts with that letter. To say that he LOVES the puzzle is an understatement! He is obsessed with the puzzle. Each night he has to complete the puzzle before bed and the other night we could not find "D" and "L". I guess they were on the DownLow!!! Anyway, we searched and we searched, upstairs, downstairs, under the furniture, EVERYWHERE. As Jake and I combed the house Gus walked around carrying the puzzle with a perplexed look on his face saying, "hummm, hummm" over and over and over until we finally located "D" and "L"! This was very cute and it has since become a game...Alphabet Soup!

He has gotten really good with his letters and it may take him a few tries but he manages to get all the pieces in the correct spot with a little help from Jake and I. So far he for sure recognizes and says the following letters: A, E, G, M, O, S, T, W, Y.

The other night when we were putting him to bed he looked at the clock and said "E" and I looked over at it and the time was 8:30. He can recognize a backwards "E"!!!! We went to Target the other night and he pointed out and said "O' for the o on the stop sign and while we were in the store he pointed out and said "E" for the emergency exit sign! We are having so much fun with Gus at this age! He is such a little sponge and is always eager to learn and sometimes try something new!

He has added a few more words to his vocabulary such as shoes, boots, keys, oh no, my momma, uice = juice, Maw, Gee, Paw, bu-boo = bubbles, goos = glasses/goggles!!!

Getting closer....

I am not sure if there is any cause and effect relationship between me washing my hair and Gusley have to make #2 on the potty, but it sure seems that there is a pattern. (See previous post) Today we went for our walk and I planned to take a quick shower while he brushed his teeth and washed his hands (usually a 5-10 minute process). As I was rinsing my shampoo I see a little head peeking through the curtain saying "poo poo poo" and pointing to his bottom. I check his pants...all clean. I immediately get his shoes, pants and diaper off and place him on the potty. I am thankful for our clear shower curtain because I was able to keep an eye on him (on the toilet) and finish my shower. Multitasking at its finest. As I watch through the curtain he pee-peed then he did #2 just like he told me!!!!! Again, the clean up of the soap, suds and lots of water was so worth it!!!! Go Gusley!!! I am so amazed at the leaps and bounds he has taken in the last month! Look for more updates........

Update...

We are still pee-peeing in the potty 3-5 times a day and sometimes on the floor just after he gets off the potty!!! That is a-okay with me. It is all progress! Not much to report just keeping a log for myself!

The weather is beautiful. Every window in the house is open. The wind is blowing. Not one light is on in the house and it is very bright! Gus is napping. I am having to stop myself from eating an entire bag of animal crackers! Buttercup is laid out in the sun. Looking forward to a nice walk, workout and a big tall glass of wine!!

I just came across the above pictures and am daydreaming of life living in one of them!!!! It would be so serene and peaceful in the PINK one and very fun and bright in the ORANGE one! On my bucket list is to live in a thatch roof and a vibrant colored house! For now...back to day dreaming!

Potty Progress!!!!

I am proud to say that we have turned the corner and are on our way to being diaper free! Fingers crossed! There is no pressure for Gus to use the potty, but if he tells us "pee" or "poo poo" we bring him to the toilet. He was only pee peeing on the potty, but last night he did both!!!! He was in the bathroom with me while I was washing my hair (hanging over the side of the tub) and he was telling me "poo poo poo" so with a head full of shampoo, dripping water and suds all over, I took off his pants and diaper and put him on the potty and he did just what he was telling me he had to do!!!!!! It made the clean up of the water and suds SO WORTH IT!!!

I am proud to say that he did the same thing this morning and it was a total success (#1 and #2)! He wore cloth training underwear all day today and did have 2 accidents, but that is to be expected and they are rather funny. He just stands there frozen saying "uh oh"! Overall today he managed to poop in the potty once and pee pee in the potty at least 6-7 times! GO GUSLEY!!! Mommy and Daddy are so very proud of you and your eagerness to learn and do new things.

Since this is a blog to keep family updated, but also to log milestones, I would like to make note that he brought this phase of potty training upon himself. We have been reading potty books and letting him flush the toilet and wash his hands and he is the one that initiated him sitting on the big potty! What a big boy! This should make our trips in the very near future very interesting! I think I will be putting a large glass jar in the car in the event of an emergency pee pee!!

I am sorry if I overload with potty updates, but this is how I log Gusley's milestones so bear with me! And for those of you that are wondering, but don't want to pry, eventually we MAY want another child, but the following must be met before we can even think about that. (1) Gusley is potty trained; (2) Gusley sleeps in his own bed (we still co-sleep and honestly, I don't think we would have it any other way!); and (3) Gusley is completely weened from nursing (he is still a night nurser). Again this is for my own records (so that I can remember what to do IF that second one should ever come along!) Toodles!!

The potty training movement....

Let me bring everyone up to speed on the topic at hand: POTTY TRAINING!

On Easter Sunday after a long day of eating candy, bouncing in the bounce house, wagon rides, eating eggs, blowing bubbles, sweating, a cat nap and some more candy Gus decided he was ready to pee-pee on the potty like a big boy and that is just what he did!! We were getting him ready for his bath and I asked him if he needed to pee-pee and he climbed up on the toilet and sat for a moment and then went!

I did not want to force the issue, but just let him decide and so the next night he did it again!! Two nights in a row! We would talk about it during the day, but he would tell me "NO" if I asked him. I left it alone.

And on the third day.............he pee-pee'd in the potty again!!! Way to go Gusley! Mommy and daddy are so proud of you and we know that with time and lots of practice you will have this down in no time!

This brings me to today, 04.23.10. The past two nights he has pee-pee'd in the potty for Jake before bath time and today he went for me after nap time!! He certainly knows when he has to go it is just a matter of him telling us/us asking him without over doing it that will get us to the finish line!

We have been letting him play in big boy undies and hanging out without a diaper after bath and he really seems to like the undies. When we put them on he is all smiles and walks around the house checking himself out in the mirrors!!

Slow and steady wins the race so our mantra for potty training is this: Slow and steady, steady and slow that's the way we always go! We will keep y'all updated as we progress. Wish us luck and any tips/tricks/suggestions are welcomed!! We will accept unsolicited advice on this topic!!

Earth Day 2010

Today is Earth Day! What did you do to help our Earth? We turned off the A/C, opened all the windows and did not turn on any lights until it was almost dark out. This is something that we pretty much already do on a daily basis because our house has awesome natural light at all times of the day! We really enjoy having all the windows open hearing the birds chirping and the wind rustling through the bushes. The sounds of Spring bring a smile to my face and peace in the air! We did go on a walk and planted some more wildflowers. Not to mention I did not wash one single batch of laundry today. I think overall we had a really good Earth Day and we treated Mother Nature pretty darn good on her day! If you are interested in ways to protect our Earth and promote Green Peace you can sign up for emails from Greenpeace.org and they will keep you in the know!!

PEACE, LOVE AND BE GREEN!!!

Safety first

The item of the day....bike helmet!! If we would want him to wear it we would get a very matter of fact "NO". He wore it from the time he woke up until nap time. Even on our walk! Gusley, thank you for making my days so bright. I love you so much and you are just so darn cute!! Nah,nah....







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Pool, Gate, Tree - in that order!

For as long as I can remember every time we drive past or into mom and dad's neighborhood we always tell Gus there is the pool, and the gate and then the trees going up the hill. This used to be part of our discussion when we lived there and would walk everyday. Seems as though it has sunk in! He has been saying "Pooo-ol" and "Gea-te" but yesterday he added the "TEEE, TEEE, TEEE"!! He points to the pool and says pool, then when we turn in he points to the gate and says gate and trees line the boulevard so he is having to say tree a number of times!! Needless to say we are so proud of him!!

This evening he and I were at mom and dad's for a visit and we walked around the entire block and he touch each and every mailbox that we passed and after each touch he would look up at me and say "Nahh". I think that is a combination of night (for night, night) or now - either way it is appropriate. Also on our walk he took on the role of Mr. Recycle. He picked up all the newspapers in the driveways of the houses that are for sale (and no one lives in them) and brought them home to the recycle bins! I guess all this talk of Earth Day coming up has made an impact on him at the age of 2! AWESOME!! Keep up the good work Gusley! Mommy really enjoyed our walk this afternoon and I think Buttercup had a swell time as well! It certainly wore you out as you have been fast asleep since 9 o'clock on the dot! Nah, Nah!!

Maw and Dee

Slowly but surely Gusley's vocabulary is expanding! Jake and I just love his little sweet voice. The later it gets the more raspy his voice gets and it is just too cute! Tonight we were talking about going to Louisiana and seeing all of his Maw-Maw's and he looked to Jake and I and said "MAW"! We were tickled!

Saturday evening we met Endi and her parents at the park and had dinner together at their house after. After the park we went pick up supper and we passed up Endi's house to get to the restaurant and Gus lost it - crying hysterically and between breaths he would shout "DEEE" "DEEE". As soon as we got back their house all was well!! Dee, Gus loves you oh so very much!!

Conductor G

It's that time of year again.....YARD SALES!! Oh how I love them so!! It always amazes me at what people are selling and how much they are asking. $875 for a very used oversized chair and ottoman OR $40 for an almost new train table and ALL accessories! That my friends this is a deal/steal however you want to look at it! Not to mention the smile on Gus' face when he saw what it was....priceless!

Mom, thanks for getting up early and braving all the sales with me!! It was fun and can't wait to do it again! Jake, thanks for giving me the morning off to go peruse through other peoples stuff looking for some good deals! I hope you enjoy your canoe trip!! Love y'all!

Here is Conductor G with Pinki. He immediately got on his table and laid down. I think it is time to convert the baby bed to a toddler bed!




This is almost like Christmas morning!




So sweet and innocent!



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Mailbox injury #2

So we drove up at the house after a fun evening at the park. Jake tells me to look at our mailbox. I look and it is hanging on it's side. It looked like someone would have punched it. Jake was able to get it back on it's axis and as he was walking back to the house I could see a shimmer in the grass. I walked over to the shimmer and it was a side mirror to a car. The idiot that hit our mailbox did not bother to stop and recover his or her mirror. Funtimes over here!!! That was the most excitement for this Thursday!

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The REAL Slim Shady

Mission accomplished!!!

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Sleepy bones

Can't get much more comfortable than this!!!

3 hour nap as a result of the comfort level? YES!!


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Sleepy bones

Can't get much more comfortable than this!!!

3 hour nap as a result of the comfort level? YES!!


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Slim Shady

Almost has them where they should be!! We are working on the point of sunshades!!!


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$4.00 will get you this....

So Gus and I went for a walk and we saw this in pieces at someones trash pile. I was not sure exactly what it was at the time, but I saw Little Tikes and it was in awesome condition. I put the chair under the stroller and headed home to get the wagon. I kept Gus in the stroller and pulled the wagon behind me. We got to the house loaded all the parts into the wagon and were on our way. Once I assembled it I was very please with my find! The only thing missing were the bolts to hold it together so Jake headed over to Lowe's, paid $4.00 for 4 bolts and Wha-la! I am a firm believer of one man's junk is another man's treasure and this is proof!!

It has already been used as a desk, dirt digging area, water table and I am sure we will find many more purposes for it!

One man's junk

Is another man's treasure!!




Gus and I have been finding great loot that folks are getting rid of. Last Saturday I found Gus a nice plastic writing/painting desk on someones trash pile and yesterday we found these chairs. I plan to spray the chairs in a nice bright summer color and call it success!! Our process is simple. We start off on our walk and if we see something worthwhile we finish the walk. And stop at the house and I push Gus in the stroller and pull the wagon. Load up our new treasures and head to the house to admire what we got for FREE!!!! It's the simply things in life that matter most to me and the memories we are creating. Don't worry, I am not a dumpster diver. Well, at least not yet! Just kidding ;-)!!


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A day at the farm!!

Today Amanda and I took the little ones out to the farm for a "tour". Let's just say it was a hit and we will be going back in the near future. Gus got the biggest kick out of giving La Bamba carrots.....he would do his infectious belly laugh then we were all in stitches!! Nanny rode La Bamba and when she asked if he would like to ride he answered with a very matter of fact NO! At least he is honest, right? We rode all over the farm on the EZGo and the kids LOVED it (I think the momma's did to!!). There are two very friendly cats, Fiona and Marilyn. Endi took to Fiona and Gus took to Marilyn and the cats took to them! The two of them were fast asleep within 10 minutes of leaving the farm! I think it is safe to say that they had a fun but rough day at the farm!!!! Thanks again, Nanny for taking time to show everyone around and we will be back for another picinic!!

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To Aunt Sarah.....

Because we know how much you love tulips!!! Have a great weekend!!!











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Oh What a Night!

Danny and Bridgette and their children came to visit over Easter holidays. We had a wonderful visit with them and did not want to see them go home! Their one request was that we had to eat at the old spaghetti factory. We figured Good Friday would be the best day. Jake and I got off around 2 or 3pm and we met D & B in downtown Nashville. We were a little early so we took Gus to the playground at Centennial Park. He had a blast! Once they got there, we parked and all walked around the pond to the Parthenon. Everyone was very impressed and we had worked up an appetite so we agreed to have an early dinner.

We got to the restaurant, waited about 10 minutes and we were at our table. Here is where the fun began. These will be short concise sentences. The waiter was AWFUL. He talked to himself. It was HOT as Haiti in the restaurant. I was sweating, Gus was sweating, Jake was sweating. Gus was a wiggle worm. He did not want anything to eat. Somehow the waiter got the orders almost completely right. He withheld giving us seconds, thirds, etc of the yummy bread. I ordered Gus milk. When the milk didn't work, I asked for his scoop of spumoni ice cream. Bad move, very bad move. Jake inhaled his food. I got mine to-go. D & B's kids ate everything on their plates. Bridgette was in heaven with the mizithra cheese. So was I. I think we all were!! Jake takes Gus for a walk outside while waiting for our check. They come back with a flower for me. As soon as Jake's butt hits the chair Gus begins to spew. The entire place is looking at us like we have 17 heads and like they have never seen a little person vomit. Funtimes. My poor child looked so pitiful. Jake takes him back outside with Evan and Lucas (who starts to gag!). I clean the vomit as the bus boy proceeds to tell me how he watched it all go down and how gross it was. I KNOW it is gross. Shut up and get me more towels, pronto. Who in their right mind thinks there is anything great about vomit, I do not know. Gus sleeps the entire ride home. Enjoys a bath and little down time with his cousins and he is off to dream land. This my friends, is by far the worst restaurant experience we have had as parents.

Gus had a runny nose a few days before and I should have known that vomit was on the horizon. The mucus just gets the best of him and he has to get it out. That dear readers, was how our Good Friday went down!

Daddy and Gus on the steps of the Parthenon!

Danny, Bridgette, Evan, Lucas and Vivian ready to eat mizithra cheese. Pre-vomit!

Spumoni.....not a good idea. Nope, not at all!

Toys R Us Birthday

Today we finally got to Toys R Us for Gus to spend his birthday gift cards from Geoffrey the giraffe! We are only 2 months behind, but we had fun. He got a crown, a balloon and they wished him a very happy birthday over the speakers in the store!!! We finally found a bookshelf that we have been looking for.



After all was said and done this is what we were left with.....one pooped baby boy!!!!!



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2 year well baby visit

Gus is almost a square!! 36 inches tall and 35 pounds! We went for his well baby 2 year visit today and the doctor said all looks wonderful and to keep up the good job mom and dad! Gus was a little apprehensive of the doctor at first, then he warmed up to him, but when it came time to undress and let the doctor give him a clean bill of health he lost it! In the doctor's words, "Mom, he is strong as an ox. He is 1 of 2 of my patients this age that is THIS strong. Mom, no need to workout?" There you have it folks, the boy is strong as an ox. Anyone up for a wrestling match??!!

Here is Gus in the morning before we headed out for his appointment. It is precious how he gets a book off the bookshelf and takes it to the bathroom and gets on the potty and proceeds to "read" the book!

And here he is after his wrestling match with the doctor!!!

Day 3 of potty...

And on the third day he pee-peed in the potty again!

Potty in the toilet #2

So after he pee-peed in the potty yesterday, he did it again today!! It is amazing that it all of a sudden it clicked and he made the move to start the process on his own! What a big boy!

1 pee-pee in the potty!!!

Easter Sunday 2010 is one to remember! Gus pee-peed in the potty for the first time! Jake was not there to witness, but Pinki and I were and we cheered him on! Keep it up Gus!!

Going on a Egg Hunt

Gus and his two little gal pals had an Easter egg hunt at Endi's house the other day. The girls were very into gathering the eggs and putting them in the basket. Gus had other plans. Other plans that included Jake and I taking him around the yard on the tricycle to collect his eggs! That little monkey! I tell ya, sometimes he just surprises the heck out of us, but we love him oh so much and always seem to crack up at the end of each day when we are recapping the high points of the day!

A few eggs in the basket! Eventually he did get off and collect a few on foot. AFTER he realized they were filled with CANDY! Smarty pants!

I just can't go anymore

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