Ode to the potty.

For the past few months we have been introducing potty training to Bo.  We haven't been pushing him really that hard, but slowly easing our way into it.  I had originally bought just a seat that sits on top of the potty because I had refused to buy one that you actually have to clean out (gross).  But after Josh asking me several times to buy one I finally caved and got one.  They aren't nearly as gross as I had pictured and surprisingly Bo liked using that potty much better.  He does a very good job at going when we ask if he needs to go and on occassion lets us know when he needs to go.  Also, this is probably TMI, but he now refers to poop as "poo poo snakes" because when he goes in the potty it looks like a snake....that's my boy:).  He gets skittles everytime he goes to the potty, so they are a very special treat around our house.  After he goes, he will hop and and say, "Look at it, look what I did, I did it!!".  He is too cute. 

He's a quick learner.

 



Recent happenings...

I have not been up to par lately on my blog posts, but between travels back home, weekend trips to the park, and my new busy work schedule I have been slacking.  A small update on both kids.

Vallery:  She is walking all over the place and it is too funny to watch.  She still has thighs for days so she looks slighly bow legged and waddles a bit.  She is almost to the point where I would call it an attempt at a run.  She still eats so well.  She is not a fan of avacodos or tomatoes at this point, but seems to enjoy everything else.  She can say Bo, Dada, Mama (or Ma'ma, they sound similar:)), Papa, refers to Boston as (Bo-bo, pronounced Ba Ba), bye, and more.  She loves giving kisses and getting them.  She likes to pick on her brother and really nothing bothers her.  If Bo tells her no, she just goes right for it.  Vallery is also a shoe and accessories girl (uh-oh).  She loves to have her sunglasses with her at all times and puts them around her neck while doing everything.  She constantly wants her shoes on and seems to gravitate toward the sparkly ones.  She is also starting to play with her hair a lot more, which clearly is still long as ever. :)  She is still our little sweetie pie and laughs at everything her brother does.

Bo:  He can speak so well and clear.  It amazes me how well he picks up on everything.  She says complete sentences, can count to 20, loves to sing songs, and play with his farm animals.  His new obsession is Toy Story.  He has had the Buzz Lightyear since his 2nd birthday and we eventually got him a Woody in a Spring, but the most recent purchases have been a Dinosaur and Mr. Potato Head.  I did learn at school he plays with his Mr. Potato Head all the time.  Dinner time is somewhat of a challenge depending on the night, however, he has taken an interest in cooking and loves to sit on the counter and help.  He could also eat plain butter and salt all the time (totally unhealthy, but I did the same thing as a child).  Bo is still a complete outside boy and could stay there forever.  He still gives the best hugs and kisses.  He is also becoming Mr. Independent and wants to everything himself; getting out of the car, getting into his car seat, climbing onto the counter.  And the boy loves to climb, he climbs every fence he can find and loves the monkey bars and ladders are the park.

We also traveled back home a time or two, I had a bachelorette party and Bo got in some swim and buttercup time.

Happy Anniversary to Us! [5 years]

I am so grateful to have married my best friend.  He challenges me everyday, keeps me on my toes, and still gives me butterflies.  One thing that is always a misconception is that marriage is easy.  It definitely is not easy, but loving one another unconditionally allows us to make it through everything together and I couldn't ask for a better man to be by my side to do this.  You have given me two beautiful children and I can't express what an amazing father he is.  He is so hands on with both of our children and has been from the start.  We are a team.  We conquer everything together.  Thank you so much for choosing me.  It has been a wonderful 5 years of marriage and I am so happy to have spent almost 9 years with you. 

As a celebration we decided to play a round of golf before heading back home for the County Fair and dinner with the fam.  Golf has always been a hobby of Josh's, but its something that I have recently taken an interest in, so its nice to share this with him. 

After golf, we got Vallery and headed back to Villisca that evening (Gramma came up a day early to get Bo so he could go to the sheep show).

fishing before bed.

 On Friday we got up and went to the Page County Fair in Clarinda to watch the Hog and Horse Show. I have so many memories from the fair. That was a very exciting time around our house growing up, so I was glad to share it with Josh, Bo and Vallery.

That evening Josh and I, along with Nick, my Mom and Dad, went to J Bruners to eat to celebrate our 5th anniversary and my parents 33rd anniversary.  Good food, good conversation (or typically at our family dinners its more of a debate:))