Potty training day 1-3

I knew potty training would be a challenge but for some reason I was excited about it.  I imagined that we would put Thomas in his pants and of course there would be the occasional accident but he would take to it like a duck to water and tell me if he felt that he might need a wee or poo.

This is why on day one of potty training I felt like I had been dragged through a hedge backwards, been running around like a headless chicken and chasing Thomas around with a potty asking gently if he needed the loo and trying not to lose my temper when he did “have an accident” because I had just asked him if he needed the loo and he had categorically said no.

So day 2 I decided to take another approach.  From looking into this I should take him to the loo rather than asking if he needs the loo.  So day 2 was spent taking Thomas to the loo every half an hour and getting very excited when he did manage to have a wee on the loo.  He wasn’t quite there with the number “2’s” but I felt like we had a breakthrough as he had been weeing on the loo.  

Day 3 I thought we would have cracked it after the wees the on day 2.  I kept asking if he needed the loo to which he replied, in a please stop asking me you are driving me crazy kind of way, No!  After he had been playing in his play house for a while I thought it was a bit quiet and found he had had another ”accident”,  although that was disappointing I still had high hopes.  This must be just a minor setback.  But just shortly after cleaning up there was another one.  Since then everything has happened on the loo but I feel drained and quite anxious about the next few days.  

The emphasis has always been on the pregnancy, birth, feeding, weaning but I have never thought “potty training” is a big deal, but actually it is.  I feel it is a very stressful, delicate time of a toddler and their parents which I certainly have not thought would be such a hard time.

Fishy facts

From our day at the Sealife Centre - Brighton Sealife Centre Brighton Link

Daddy and Thomas

Octo"Mummy"

Fishy

My first taste of whitebait

Launderette Virgin

So Lucas has had a bug and was unwell on our king size duvet.  I thought that I could pop the duvet in our washing machine.  I pushed and shoved but the duvet would not get in.  Then it was stuck so after a tug of war with the washing machine I eventually got the duvet out. 

The only thing for it was a trip to the Launderette.  The only thing I knew about the launderette was what I had seen on Eastenders and unfortunately when I went in there was no Dot Cotton.  I was just faced with lots of machines.








I had no idea what machine to use, some looked like normal size washing machines, some looked very big but I thought they could be driers so after trying to look cool (I understand that I most probably didn't look cool) I just had to give in and ask for help.  So there I was looking like a lost sheep in the launderette and just said aloud to anyone who would listen "I need help"  there were 2 people there and neither spoke so I said "I have a duvet to wash" and luckily someone came to my rescue and said which machine I should use.  So I put the duvet in there.  Then I realised I didn't have enough change (I am not silly, I did take change, I just didn't expect it to cost £5.40!)  So I had to ask if anyone had change - luckily someone did.  Then I had to ask if I could put the liquid and fabric softener in the machine or if I had to use the lid.  The lady said I just use it like a normal washing machine.  After asking how long it would take I decided to pop out to get a magazine and cool down from my stressful, slightly embarrassing encounter at the launderette.

At least I learnt something.  How to use a launderette (and that they don't have instructions, change machines or heating). 

Clean washing?

Typical!

Thomas talk - Mummy's Boobies

Whilst generally chatting with Nanny, Thomas told her that Lucas had drunk all Mummy's boobies!  How charming (although you can't blame him for noticing that since breastfeeding there is not much there)

Easter card

Thomas showing off his Easter card from Grandma

Happy Easter

I hope you have a wonderful, happy easter

Garfield

Sitting round the table I said to Thomas he likes like his Daddy. Phil (Daddy) said he thinks Thomas looks like grandad. Thomas replied to Phil, you look like nanny, and laughed.

Phil asked who mummy looks like. Thomas started giggling and said mummy looks like Garfield the cat.

Healthy dinner

Had a delicious healthy dinner cooked for me by my friend. Sausages and roasted veg. Look how neat the veg looks

Little dinners

Mini nachos and couscous with grated cheese.

JoJo Maman Bebe - Outlet

Very excited about the new JoJo Maman Bebe online outlet store!  They have so many cute things and now you can shop online and get even better prices I am happy :-)

Have a look JoJo Maman Bebe Outlet

Malteaster

So good! Infact so good I couldn't wait to take the photo before I opened the packet and ate it :-)

Clapping Lucas

Lucas has really got the hang of waving. As soon as someone says hello or Goodbye he sees that as his cue to wave. Even if it's happening on the TV. (I remember Thomas did the same at his age. When prince William and Kate got married he was waving at them when they waved at the crowd)

Now Lucas has started clapping his hands too. Especially if he is excited. Or if his brother is entertaining him. It is very cute.

Thomas talk

Talking to his Daddy

"i'm going to get Mummy, chuck her in the bin, cover her in custard then put her in the oven until she turns into a cake"

Not sure if I should be worried?

Play time

The boys having some play time with Aunty Nic.

Little dinners

Thomas likes couscous and I had a bit of Lucas's pouch of baby food left over, Moroccan lamb with raisins and apricot. So I put it together with some sour cream for a quick, tasty, healthy dinner which also used up food.

And he loved it which is a bonus.

Careful Daddy

Thomas was extremely happy with his souvenir from Granddads trip to New York.  He got a piggy bank and was very excited to put some of his coins in it. 

Phil said he would take it upstairs for him at bedtime.  Thomas said to him "be careful Daddy, don't break it. I will be very upset if you break it!"

Dad Hearts New York

So My Dad has always loved new experiences and doing new things and since his retirement he has made the most of having the spare time by doing things he has always wanted to do.  From taking a bus to Chichester (which wasn't his favourite thing as it took over 2 hours) to booking a last minute holiday to Mauritius for a relaxing break.

So when he told me he was going to New York I was extremely happy for him (truthfully I was slightly jealous but put on my happy face)  I said I expect Mum will be excited too.  No...Mum wasn't going.  Mum is a bit of a home bird at heart and even though she loves spending time with my Dad she quite often gets taken (dragged as she puts it) to places when she would rather be curled up on the sofa with a glass of Chardonnay watching Emmerdale.  

So the adventure began.  The flight was Tuesday.  A day in early March which had been forecast snow.  Not so great.  Then Monday the snow came.  Then it settled.  Then roads were closed.  So Dad decided to set off on his adventure 8 hours early to make sure he got there in time for the flight.  Unfortunately due to the adverse weather conditions all roads out of Worthing were closed or at a standstill.  I know what you are thinking.  I got a bit panicky too that I was stuck in Worthing with no way of getting out.  So he left it an hour and tried again and this time was more successful.  It did take a while but he got out of Worthing and started his journey to Heathrow.  7 hours early he was on his way. 

4 hours later he arrived at Heathrow, 6 hours before his flight. 

So Dad had a wonderful time in New York.  Did lots of sightseeing, went to a Broadway show, walked around Central Park and despite the stressful start to his break he had a ball!

I have suggested they look after the boys so Phil and I can visit New York.  He agreed but he might have been a big jet lagged/ sarcastic/ tipsy.  But I am not going to let it go!

My boys

Sleepy rabbit

So glad I saw that and didn't give it a quick glance. I think it would have made me jump if I had. Very realistic rabbit.

Perfect potato

How good does this potato with cheese and beans look.
I could eat this every day.

Banana muffins

I noticed a banana which had gone back and forth to Phils work so was a bit battered and I hate throwing food away so thought I'd give banana muffins a try.
Lucas was asleep so took the opportunity to spend some quality time with Thomas and he was extremely excited about helping me.


See what I mean about the banana!

St Patricks Day

Happy Saint Patricks Day

Saint Patrick is the patron saint of Ireland and is celebrated on 17th March.  Also known as the Feast of Saint Patrick.   

I hope you are all enjoying it with parades, festivals and time with loved ones. 

St patricks day

Cake

Gorgeous French fancy style cake my sister kindly bought for me today. Yummy

Caring Thomas

On the way to school today I told Thomas it was icy and I had better be careful so I didn't slip over.  He said "don't worry Mummy I will look after you, if you fall I will grab your hand and catch you and pull you back up"

Then as we approached an icy bit of pavement he insisted on holding my hand even though he was sitting in the push chair in case I fell over.  So sweet!

Steps

Now Lucas is getting confident in standing up, today he began to take steps.  Only little ones when holding onto the walker or your hands but trying to walk all the same.  I don't think it will be long until he is on his way :-)

Bad bread and butter pudding

I'm sure I followed the instructions right. Thomas got excited thinking there were blueberries on it. Then I told him they are actually burnt raisins, he wasn't impressed.
It ended up going in the bin.

Cosy cosy

I vaguely remember being in a pushchair all cosy when the weather was bad. I think he looks so snug and warm in there, lucky thing.

Snow things

I was impressed with our snowman. Although shortly after this photo was taken his nose fell off, then one of his eyes. Then later that day his other eye. He still seems happy enough though.

Fun painting

Finally Thomas let me paint his face. This was my first attempt at a bee and I thought it wasn't too bad. Especially considering i'm rubbish at drawing.

I did offer to paint Phils face too. You can imagine how that went down! I think I'd have more chance painting Mistys face.

Caring Thomas

I picked Thomas up from Nanny's today and we were chatting when he said "how has your day been at work Mummy?" How sweet is that?

I just wish he was always that nice to his Mummy

Standing

I was making the boys dinner today and they were playing when Thomas called to me. He said "Mummy, Lucas is standing up on his own" I ran in and Lucas had pulled himself up on his walker. He looked so pleased for himself. He stood for ages. It was me who sat him down because I was worried he'd fall.

Then because I was so happy Thomas was happy and laughing to. A great moment.

Cooking

Made a batch of lasagne for the boys today.
After I'd made it I thought I should have used wheat free pasta so I could eat it. I don't know why I make lovely, healthy dinners for the boys but not Phil and I? They eat better than us.

Chocs

What woman doesn't like chocolates?

Video of Lucas laughing

Laughing Lucas

Hands

Granddad and Thomas's hands. Cute!

Crawling

The past few weeks Lucas has been commando crawling to get to things but he is really starting to crawl now.  It is so exciting watching him trying to get to things and crawling. 

Although I imagine the excitement will be short lived once he gets going and I have to chase him around the house and watch him all the time.

Mothers Day

 So Today is Mothers day and I have had a lovely weekend. 

It started yesterday when we took the boys to Chichester. 
It was nice to go somewhere different and it had lots of little boutiques.  We stopped for a coffee (diet coke and a cake)  and to feed Lucas.  I even got Thomas saying "let's Mooch" around the shops. 

We then had lunch in a cafe and because it was sunny we sat outside.  It reminded me of being on holiday, sitting outside eating lunch, somewhere different. 

Then we had dinner at my parents last night and this morning I got a lie in.  That might not sound very exciting but it was the best present I could have asked for.  OK I must admit the box of chocolates and wine came a very close second!  The boys came in for their milk and then their Daddy got them dressed and took them downstairs for breakfast while I laid in bed and relaxed.  Then I was brought breakfast in bed.  A toasted bacon sandwich.  That made me feel better.  I felt slightly jaded after the dinner at my parents last night. Can't think why???

Thomas had made another card at Grandmas house.  I really love getting home made things from the boys. I love that they have taken the time to sit down and think about doing something for me.  It makes me feel special :-)

I also got a plant from my Mother in law.  It is so pretty. I am going to try really hard with this one.  I am not the best at keeping plants, but practice makes perfect.

Now we are just waiting for a take away and I am having a well deserved Mothers day glass of wine.