clubhouse

Friday morning Caleb, Jack and his bible study friends all got together and played at the "Clubhouse". It is this very cool indoor play area. It's got jolly jump, slides, toy houses, train tables, toy cars, all kinds of stuff. It has an area to eat lunch and purchase snacks! It also has computers so parents can check email while the kids play. Most of us were far too excited to play with our kids then to go online but it's nice to have the option!

jack was pretty zoned out by the end of the trip!

Potty Training day#3

Today was awesome! Caleb had one mistake right before we left for our bible study this morning but by the end of the day he was coming up to me and letting me know he needs to go! I am ecstatic! He called me from his nap to let me know he needed to go #2 and did his business all on his own. I just can't believe what a big boy he is!!! First AWANA's now potty training...it feels like his little life is flying by way too fast...it makes me want to have anoth...jk.
Caleb's quote of the day...." Mommy, I am so proud of you!!" They repeat everything we say :)

Potty Training day #2 continued....

Caleb woke up from his nap DRY AGAIN! So exciting, he went the rest of the day peeing and we even went up to the church for dinner and he told us he had to go so I took him to the bathroom there but he is still a little freaked by big potties so daddy walked him home and he held it the whole time! Tonight he told me he felt poo poo coming so I let him sit on the potty by himself. He does better when I am not in the room. He came back to me and said, "uh oh" I didn't know what to think. I ran to the potty and boy did I find a treat. I was just so grateful I didn't have to change it in a diaper, although there was some cleanup :)
I blurred it out for those who can't handle it :)
Sorry I am gross but I got really excited that he did it all by himself!

 

 

little tight!

 

 

 

 

So last night Caleb really wanted to go outside to see our neighbors chickens. We can always hear them but this was the first time we got to see them out and walking around in the backyard. He was so excited but I told him he had to find a jacket and shoes. He came out of his room with a 6month size jacket and his rain boots...I wasn't gonna argue!

Potty Training Day #2

So yesterday afternoon was pretty good. Caleb woke up from his nap completely DRY!! I asked him to sit on the potty when he got up but he was insistent that he didn't have to go so we went in his room to play. 10 minutes later I hear a funny noise. I ask him what it is and he looks down. He decided to pee on his rug in his room! I acted very sad and said, "OH NO Caleb you pee pee'd in your pants and acted like I was gonna cry" He began to cry which wasn't my intention but I think it sunk in! The rest of the night was great. Last night I kept him in his undies but I put a diaper on top. I knew he was gonna pee a lot at night but I wanted him to feel the wetness!

This morning was good for the most part...he has been going but only when i ask him. I decided to see what would happen if I didn't remind him and sure enough...he came up to me when Jack and I were eating lunch and said "mommy I need to go pee pee" I got so excited I jumped up then he said, "I need a towel" that's when I knew he had pee'd his pants. We cleaned it up and he sat on the potty for a while. They are both in bed and I am anticipating a cry "mommy I need to poo poo" very soon!
I am very proud of him though. I expected to be sitting on the toilet a lot more and dealing with a lot more pee pee but he holds it for quite a while. He is doing a lot better then I anticipated. I was afraid of a power struggle and a lot more tears but so far he has really enjoyed it , which was my hope!

Potty Training Day #1

John and I have been discussing potty training Caleb (above:that's not Caleb :) for a while but we have always wanted to wait until Caleb was really ready, that moment of "mommy, I need to go pee pee" well recently we have both realized that that day might not ever happen for Caleb. Caleb is a VERY CAUTIOUS kid and he can become very fearful of some of the littlest things (that is why he is still in a crib, he has never tried to crawl out!) So I realized that it is gonna take some serious nudging from momma to get him excited about the idea. I borrowed a book from my friend Kelly (called potty training in a day)to get some helpful tips and hints. I in No WAY followed the rules because frankly I don't care if he is potty trained in a day or a week I just want him to want to use the potty. I want it to be an experience that we all enjoy and that brings him pride and independence. I want it to be an experience that we remember as a time of joy and laughter, dancing, singing, lots of treats and lots of hugs and kisses. So today was the day, I knew I didn't have a lot to do the rest of the week so I thought...let's give it a shot! we got up had breakfast and drank a glass of OJ we got a baby doll (and some water and raisins) Caleb taught the baby to pull down his pants sit on the potty and sing some songs...as Caleb was distracted I poured water and dropped some raisins in there and we all cheered as the dolly went poopoo and peepee in the potty! We gave the baby a treat, took the stuff to the toilet and flushed. Then I put Caleb in WALL E undies! I gave him lots of juice and lots of dry cereal, crackers and cookies to keep him thirsty. We would sit on the potty for about ten mintues we would read books and sing songs. Then got up and played for fifteen and so on... (the book says no toys, books or distractions but that is not how I roll) About 3 juice boxes and one cup of water -2 HOURS and 15 MINUTES LATER HE PEE PEED TREAT= sugar free snack pack !The second time he just ran in there by himself and then came and got me to tell me that he went! We were both so excited I pulled out the "Once upon a Potty" video and that was his reward! By noon we were gonna go with John's mom to run an errand to Babies R Us, thinking I had help I told Caleb we were gonna go bye bye in Nemo (the name of the mini van) well John's mom got sick and so we ventured out the 3 of us to Oxnard (30 to 40 minute drive). Caleb fell alseep on the way there so I thought for sure he was gonna pee his pants. We got there and he was dry. We went to the potty in the bathroom and we sat for about 10 minutes and nothing. We shopped for about 30 minutes got in the van, sat in the potty in the back for 30 minutes (while drinking strawberry milk) and nothing. We drove all the way home and as soon as he sat down he pee'd! YAHOO! That kid has a serious bladder! It was nap time so I pulled off his sheets laid a towel down and told him he was not to pee or poop in his undies (he always poops during his nap) I told him to call me if he needed to poop. well sure enough 5 minutes later he is calling me in and we rushed to the potty and he pooped! They are both in bed right now sleeping so we will see how the rest of the day goes (please pray for us) but so far, WAY BETTER THEN I EXPECTED!

California Adventure

John and I got a chance to use our 2fer pass yesterday and go to California Adventure just the two of us. thanks to Auntie Coco we were able to go to an amusement park all by ourselves. We have never been just the two of us. There isn't A TON to do there but the rides they did have were really fun, except for that stupid Tower of Terror, you basically fall to your death (I am terrified of heights and falling and that is all it did, I did it for you john)! I took lots of pictures and took lots of video to bring home to Caleb. They had an entire Pixar Parade (every movie he loves) so I taped quite a bit of it so he could have video. I figure if I show it to him on video then maybe the next time we take him he won't totally freak out. We were both pretty tired near the end. In fact John fell asleep while we waited for the Aladin show to start. Hopefully I will get some pics from auntie Coco soon that shows the boys fun filled day with her and Milton! Thanks Corban it was such a good day :)

 

 

 

 

For you ...Our little Jack Jack!

awana

I cannot believe that Caleb is old enough to attend awana's but he has been going for the last 3 weeks up here in Ojai at Ojai Valley Baptist and he is doing very well. Apparently he used a pair of scissors (never done that with mommy) and he loves the "Cubby Bear"! I am just so proud of him and listening to him quote scripture is the most beautiful sound. I am so grateful that he gets this chance to learn and meet new friends :)

The Bachelor .

So some friends of mine and I were completely hooked on the show The Bachelor (I know, I know...so many out there are judging me right now, but I don't care) :)
The finale was Monday night so we had a party at our friend Kristen's house. Jodi brought red roses for each of us, hershey kisses (cause there is far too much kissing on the show), and we drank Hansens out of champagne glasses. It was so fun to be around people who (although a meaningless show) love watching and discussing it. We all sat around all night (3 hour show)trying to figure out what was going to happen, who was he to choose, why will there be a traumatic, shocking, ending?? etc..
Well we all walked away a little depressed (for those of you who don't know...this guys ends up kind of a jerk face surprise surprise) but we all thought he was a nice guy. Anyhoo...really fun night, good friends, good food,good times! P.S. Cassie if you read this...you are Molly!

Micah's 9th Bday!

Yesterday we had the privilege of going to see our good friends the Marshalls! John has grown up with Don since he was 9 and Don and his wife Chelsea have two little boys Joe and Micah. Joe is 6 months older then Caleb and Micah just turned 9 months yesterday. It has been a while since we have seen them :( due to the fact that the boys have had colds for the past 2 months and we never wanted to get Micah sick. Their little one Micah was diagnosed with SMA SPINAL MUSCULAR ATROPHY. He was diagnosed in November and Chelsea has been taking very good care of Micah at home for the past couple months. He has a feeding tube, a breathing machine and other tools that Chelsea uses to take care of him. She has become such a hero of mine. Her faith and strength is something I truly desire and her trust and hope humbles me. I love this family and I ask that all of you pray for them diligently!! I also ask that you sign this petition on their behalf http://www.petitiontocuresma.com. to help find a cure for SMA. If you would like to follow the marshalls journey through this season in their life you can check out her blog http://micahpaulmarshall.blogspot.com. We love you Marshall family and we can't wait to sit at your feet one day and just learn from all God has shown and taught you! You are truly part of a Beautiful "Bigger Picture" and God has some amazing things in store for all of you!

how does time goes so fast?

so it's been a while since I have posted anything but time just seems to get away from me and I can't seem to catch up! Family is doing great! Boys are growing all the time, caleb has officially turned 3! I cannot believe the things he says and how quickly he is learning... he is so fun to be around and I love how much he wants to spend time with me and john.

John's job is going great! God continues to provide for us! And as we begin to discuss and pray what God has for our future we trust that He is Good and that as long as we give Him all the glory and honor, we will be walking in His light.

We have been able to spend a lot of time with family and friends! we had the privilege of going to a Chris Tomlin concert (thank you lawheads), had friends over for dinner (went for a joy ride in our carseats), I was able to have a slumber party with some 16 year old friends of mine (hey, I'll take what I can get), and lots of playdates and trips to the Library.




we were able to take a family hike this saturday, which I think we will be planning on doing once a month. It was so nice to be out together and praising God for all He has made!


we have had lots of silly moments these past couple weeks....



and also some really beautiful moments that makes us stop, take a breathe and praise our Heavenly Father for His many blessings!