Thursday, June 29, 2006
Getting There...
We bought Micah his very own potty a few weeks ago. He was starting to show interest in the activity so we thought we'd at least let him get used to the idea of having a potty around. He likes it and enjoys sitting on it on occasion (fully clothed) but we have yet to have success with any real action actually taking place.
The other night I was on the computer when I heard him fumbling around with the toilet in the bathroom - usually that's a big "no no" with all the yucky germs, etc. So, I ran in to stop him and I found him trying to put his potty on the toilet (we have one that fits right on top of the seat) and making his "pooping" sound (a series of grunts). Sometimes he says "poop" (which sounds more like "pope") and other times he just grunts. Anyway, I was excited that he might be telling me something so I quickly took off his diaper to find that he had already gone! But, at least he seemed to understand that the action of pooping and the potty seat were somehow connected. So, we'll keep trying and get there eventually. I'm not pushing anything yet at 18.5 months, but it sure would be nice if he could be trained before baby #2 comes in November... Am I being completely unrealistic?
In other news, Micah saw the Dr. again on Monday and we got a stronger prescription for his eczema. It did the trick right away and it's so amazing to have a baby with baby-soft skin again! But, he also caught some sort of virus this week and was spiking fevers on and off from Tuesday night until yesterday. Last night was his first fever-free night, so we think it's probably over but it's always a little scary when you don't know what's wrong.
This weekend will be full again, likely. White Rock tonight with some friends, Canada Day tomorrow and Erik's 26th birthday on Sunday!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Vote for Greg
This is Greg Neufeld from Abbotsford. He goes to our church (South Abbotsford) and Erik's brother Nathan played in his band last year - they were really good! We knew when he auditioned that he would do well, and we were right. It's not just exciting that he's someone we know, but he's genuinely GOOD at singing, too!
So, us Toews siblings have committed to watching him perform every week and voting for him. I've never voted for anyone on these shows before, but last night we had 4 phones and we made over 600 votes! So, You all need to tune in next week (I think Monday night again) to watch Greg - and get your dialing finger ready to vote!
Monday, June 26, 2006
Half-Baked
Since we don’t have our camera right now (sigh) I couldn’t post a new picture of my belly, but I dug up this picture from 2 years ago when I was about 20 weeks preggo with Micah. When I look at this picture my first thought is, wow, I was still so tiny! I feel like I’ve definitely “blossomed” earlier this time around. I sure hope the growth doesn’t continue at this rate! I feel like I’m at the perfect size right now – big enough to be noticeably pregnant and wear the cute maternity clothes, yet not too uncomfortable or “dinosaur-ish” yet. (Yes Doug, that last bit was for you – no more dinosaur comments in the 9th month this time around…)
Speaking of being “baked”, it seems the hot weather has finally found us out here in BC. We just had a scorching weekend and it looks like this coming week will be offering us little relief. Funny how we wait for this weather all year long and then when it comes, it feels a little unbearable. I definitely love the “summer” feeling – especially the warm evenings – but it’s hard keeping Micah cool. He has been dealing with a bad case of eczema for about a month and a half now and the heat from the last couple of days is making it much worse. We’re frustrated with waiting for doctor’s appointments and trying creams that don’t seem to be helping, but we’re praying something will do the trick soon!
Yesterday we took advantage of the weather and spent a few hours at Harrison Lake. What a perfect day for the beach! Micah loved the water - especially floating with me on the tube. He also enjoyed digging in the sand and helping Daddy and Auntie Rosanna bury Uncle Nathan in it :)
(Once again, wishing I had some pictures...)
Saturday, June 24, 2006
Withdrawal
I guess I'll just have to get a little bit more creative.
Thursday, June 22, 2006
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
A little help?
Any advice from those who are more blog-savvy than I?
My Little Chef
Monday, June 19, 2006
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Big Boy
He's starting to enjoy drinking his juice directly out of a cup. But, he definitely has not mastered this skill yet - hence the reason for this activity taking place outside :)
(Rosanna, I know you'll like these ones!) Micah likes to climb up on our kitchen chairs now and eat his snack at the table like a big kid. Here he is hanging out and doing some math equations on Daddy's calculator.
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Oops
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
18 Weeks & 18 Months
Here I am yesterday before I left for my 18-week ultrasound. It went really well and it was so amazing to see the baby (yes, there's just one!) When we saw Micah on the ultrasound, he was in a weird position and it was hard to see everything, but this baby turned into a perfect position and we saw a cute little profile! We were hoping that the ultrasound tech could see the gender. We wouldn't have been able to find out yesterday anyway (here in the lower mainland they wait until you're 20 weeks to release any gender info) but the tech told us that the baby had its legs crossed the whole time and she couldn't get a good view, so I guess this one will be another surprise. I will post the ultrasound pics as soon as we get them. They were having some computer problems yesterday and couldn't print them off, but hopefully we'll get them soon!
Monday, June 12, 2006
Hicks Lake
Over the weekend, the Toews family took a camping trip to Hicks Lake (in Sasquatch Provincial Park near Harrison Hot Springs). It's beautiful up there and the lake water is a lot warmer than most mountain lakes. It still wasn't a hot weekend though. We had a bit of rain mixed in with some sun, but we were all warm and dry under our tarps. Elissa, Rosanna, Micah & I went up early on Friday morning to ensure that we got a spot. It was a good thing we did, too, since there wasn't much left. We were pretty proud of ourselves for setting up all the tents and having a blazing fire going when the boys arrived after work.
Here's Micah eating his beans. The best things I could've brought on the camping trip were this little highchair to contain Micah while he ate and his rubber boots - I discovered that my little boy LOVES mud puddles!
Daddy came up with a great invention for Micah's soother using a piece of string. I realized this weekend how dependent he is on his "nukie". So, as of today we are officially starting to wean him off of it. I'm trying to explain that soothers are only for sleeping. He doesn't seem to like the idea, so any suggestions re: soother-weaning would be appreciated!
On Saturday we spent some time down by the lake. Micah enjoyed throwing handfuls of sand into the water and attracted this whole family of geese who thought he was throwing food. I'm surprised how close they came!
Micah was venturing closer and closer into the water and so we ended up taking off his pants and boots. He didn't seem to mind the cold water at all.
This was Sunday afternoon just before we headed home. Another cool day, but Micah loved the beach nonetheless. I can't wait to take him again when we've got some really hot weather.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Summer's Almost Here!
Yesterday we had a really fun afternoon. It was a beautiful day, so after Micah's nap, we went with Auntie Elissa & Auntie Rosanna to Mill Lake for a picnic.
Well, this isn't the greatest picture of me, but doesn't Micah look cute? :) By the way, for those of you who have requested, I promise there will be some belly pictures on the way soon...
I think Micah's Aunties had more fun at the park than he did!
By the time Micah and I got home we were both really hot, so Micah took his first dip in his new pool. He loved it and I'm sure he will spend quite a bit more time in there in the weeks to come.
Monday, June 05, 2006
Micah's New Baby
I'm so excited for Micah to be a big brother! In preparation for the new baby that will be joining our family in about 5 and a half months, I bought Micah his very own dolly. Erik thinks she's freaky-looking, but I think she's cute. I think she's a cabbage patch, but I'm not sure. She was a Value Village special.
Anyway, Micah has actually been quite interested in her, and surprisingly gentle considering he's big on toy-throwing! I've taught him how to hold the baby and burp the baby and put the baby to bed, and he's even willing to share his soother with her on occasion.
The other morning I was in the bathroom when I heard Micah saying "Ock-a, Ock-a". This is usually the sound he makes when he rocks in his own toddler-size rocking chair at Grandma's house, but when I found him in the living room he was holding his baby and gently rocking her back and forth. So cute!!
Saturday, June 03, 2006
Saturday
Signs & Sounds
Before he turned 1 we started introducing a bit of sign language. I didn't know how interested he would be, but now at almost 18 months, Micah's learned about 25 different signs - some of them are actual American Sign Language, while a lot of them are just made up hand gestures that seem to get the point across.
This is the sign for "more". It was the first sign Micah learned at about 11 months.
"Sorry" - We just learned this one last week. We seem to need it a lot lately - especially when the boys that I babysit come over. Toddlers sure don't like sharing.
"Cold" - Micah made this one up himself. It started with Grandma putting his hand up against the cold window in the winter and touching it to his face. He's also added the effect of intensely shaking his head while he does the sign :)