DAY 1 = STRESSFUL

I have been dreading this day for the past year when I started thinking about it, buying books, reading articles, and asking advice. I knew that this day was inevitable, so I decided to make sure we were 100% before baby #3 arrives.

And so today was Day #1 of Potty Training. 

Total accidents: 14 (Arlo-10, Josiah-4)
Successful pee pees in potty: 6 (Arlo-1, Josiah-5)

I am using the "3 day potty training" method which was recommended by several people. The boys spent the day in underwear and a pajama shirt. LOTS of accidents were to be expected today, but the idea is that they learn the muscles to control their bladder, rather than coincidentally peeing while sitting on the potty. So, each day SHOULD get a little easier. 
 The boys both took naps and woke up dry.....AWESOME. (We'll see what happens overnight!) Part of my struggle with the boys is that they BOTH want to sit on the big toilet with ring, rather than the little potty that sits on the floor. We had 2 accidents IN THE BATHROOM just because they were fighting over who gets to sit on the "big" potty!!! (If only I could install 2 toilets in one room, right?!)

Wish me luck for Day #2!!!

Christmas 2011 in Photos

My FAVORITE Christmas decoration is my nativity. It may not be a big wreath or flashy lights, but I feel like it represents the humble reason forth our celebrations.

Arlo enjoyed sitting with Santa this year, but Josiah still couldn't handle the idea.

 

A new Christmas Eve tradition: "Home Alone" time!!! (And the stockings we got this year)

Christmas MORNING!! The boys enjoying some of their new Christmas gifts (including suckers from their stockings!)

We didn't go anywhere for the holidays and we didn't have anyone come visit. I had to work Christmas Eve and the morning after Christmas, but we were able to have a FABULOUS Christmas weekend. We created a few new traditions for our family which included lots of eating. Overall, it was a relaxing, peaceful and perfect Christmas!

21 weeks

So, I am officially 21 weeks pregnant today. I had an OBGYN appointment this week and all  looks good. This pregnancy seems to be harder than when I was carrying the twins, but our circumstances are different now - for example, when I was carrying the twins I could come home from work & loaf on the couch all evening, or sleep in late each morning. Now I come home from work & have 2 cute toddlers that need my every moment's attention devoted only to their care. Since moving into the house their naps have gotten shorter & their sleep at night hasn't been as smooth as usual. Other than being tired, it's been another great pregnancy!!!

And did I mention how my belly has totally POPPED OUT for this pregnancy? I guess I don't have those strong ab muscles keeping my belly tight!!!

The twins seem to understand that there is a baby in my belly & they like to give baby brother (aka, my belly) lots of kisses. I think that they will both be excellent big brothers and I look forward to meeting the newest little Thompson boy.......

.....if he's anything like the other Thompson boys it'll be love at first sight.

Cowboys & Puppy dogs

Have you seen my cute little trick or treaters??? 

We had a GREAT Halloween!!!

 

My standard costume....a cat....7 years and going

TREADMILL

See this treadmill? For weeks I begged Jason to let me buy this. We bought it 2 months ago & guess how many times I have used it so far???

ZERO!!

So, I am committing to the world right now that I will use this treadmill 15 times during the month of December. It only counts if I stay on the treadmill for at least 30 minutes each time.

WILL SOMEONE PLEASE HOLD ME ACCOUNTABLE TO THIS COMMITMENT!!????

I think I can, I think I can, I think I can....

I shed a tear at the DMV....

I finally got a Texas driver's license today but I had to surrender my Virginia license. The nice lady took my license and gave me this paper instead.  I nearly broke down crying. Virginia, you'll always have my heart.
(BTW Texas - You need to proofread your forms - or at least use your spell check, duh.)

Trip to Florida!!!

The week before Halloween we took a spontaneous family trip to Florida for a few days to visit Jason's parents. It was a LONG drive there & back, but the boys did great & we all had lots of fun there. We hadn't seen Jason's parents for almost 2 years so the boys were able to really get to know Grandma & Grandpa Thompson. We mostly just hung out at the house, fed the ducks & turtles at the lake, visited with Aunt Jen & cousin Brooke & took a trip to the pumpkin patch. Let's hope that our next visit won't be another 2 years from now. We love you Grandma & Grandpa!

With cousin Brookie!!!

7 days of blogging...

Well folks, it's been OVER 2 months since I last posted on my blog or even read other people's blogs. It's not that I haven't considered all the possible subjects to post about, but I just haven't been feeling great about myself lately. Don't worry I'm over it, but to make up for my slack, I promised myself to blog once a day for this entire week.

For nearly 2 months I have been in a state of self pity. I would go to work everyday and cry on the phone to Jason about how miserable I was there. Then I would go home in the evening, too exhausted to play with my boys and barely make a half fast dinner for everyone. My pregnancy has been a little tougher than when I had the twins & my body just wasn't keeping up with the things I wanted to do. Oh, and poor Jason - I was the grumpiest wife EVER. I complained about everything! I pitied myself for not having the time, energy, motivation or money to do all the millions of things I imagined in my head.


About 2 weeks ago, something snapped & I realized that I AM SO BLESSED!!! DUH, Dana. I have the best life any girl could ever ask for and I was being so ungrateful. For the past 2 weeks I've been reflecting on the amazing blessings in my life, so here are a few of the big blessings I thought to share with you (in no particular order).

• My perfect husband - He works SO hard to provide for our family and give me all the wants in life. He spends so much time with our children; he is never too busy to stop & give them love. He is so careful with our finances & I appreciate his responsibility in saving for our family. He's becoming quite the Mr. Fix-it since we got the house. He has a thirst for learning that I really admire.
• My perfect children. When the day hasn't been so great, my husband and children make me forget any flaws in the day. PERFECT.
• The healthy baby boy in my belly. I've started to feel him kicking & it's amazing!
• My family & friends. They support me no matter what I do.
• The Gospel of Jesus Christ. My knowledge & testimony of eternity makes me the person I am.
• Pflugerville Ward. From week 1 of moving into our home, I have been getting multiple emails a week with women I've never met inviting me to movie nights, baby showers, play groups, lunch groups, etc etc....I have met so many wonderful and welcoming friends here. I have visiting teachers & a calling already!
• My job. It may not be my dream job right now, but BB&B has been SO good to me. It has allowed our family stability as we'ved moved all over the country & it provides excellent health benefits.
• My home. It's beautiful and perfect and I love everything about it.
• My food storage & 72 hour kits. It's definitely a work in progress, but I feel comforted in knowing that I am prepared to provide for my family if something unexpected were to happen.

October 2011. Biloxi, Mississippi.Visiting Beauvoir, the home of President Jefferson Davis. (Yes, I'm a proud southerner =)