Potty training update (journal entry)

A quick note on our potty training lack of progress. We're back in diapers. After 2+ weeks of no pee-pee accidents (let's not even get started on bowel control) Isabel decided she preferred to be lazy and had 3 straight days of 3+ pee-pee accidents a day. So we went back to diapers. She just didn't care anymore if she had an accident. Isabel would simply yell out, "Elmo is sad!" (referring to her Elmo underwear) "Why?" "He's all wet!" And la-dee-da, life continued for her without any remorse or shame. Not that I want her to be ashamed or sad about accidents per se, but it was helping prevent more accidents!

Now that she doesn't care, I decided to just go back to diapers (thank you Mom for reminding me that diapers really weren't the worst thing in the world!) and wait until after our Utah trip to try one more time. If not then, we'll wait until things settle down with Elliot. In the meantime, our reward system still stands (1 jelly bean or skittle for a successful potty experience, 5 for #2 in the potty) and she gets about 2-3 treats a day, and goes through 2-3 diapers as well. I don't ask her anymore, she has to tell us that she needs to go potty to get the treat and I'm hoping this way she'll retain her bladder control (even if she's still lazy about it for now) and it won't be difficult to try again in a month. :)

In defense...

Please don't think me crazy...I promise I don't think you are crazy for all the challenges you take on in your life, so let's extend the same courtesy to me. :) I'm talking about un-epiduralized childbirth (I won't say "natural" because that implies all other forms of birth are unnatural = bad, and I won't say "un-medicated" because I'm thinking I might need the narcotics to get through like I did with Isabel...) I've had a lot of friends/family who have been forced to go unepiduralized simply because their labors progressed too quickly, so that's another factor in my decision...I want to be prepared for the worst case scenario!

Yes, I'm strongly considering trying to have this baby without an epidural. It has absolutely nothing to do with all the myths surrounding epidurals (i.e. prevents proper bonding, delays breastfeeding, lengthen labors and increase the chances of c-section, that if you are a true mother you wouldn't overmedicate your newborn, etc.) These silly ideas aren't even a factor in my decision...

I was trying to explain WHY I want to do this to Matt the other night (who, for the record, DOES think me crazy and isn't super excited about this...especially since I told him no TV will be allowed during labor since last time the TV during contractions really annoyed me with Isabel). I came up with the perfect example (and gave myself a confidence boost in the process): WHY do people run marathons? Climb Mt. Everest? Compete in triathlons? An Ironman for goodness sake? For the challenge of it! For the thrill of victory and exhilaration in setting a goal, working HARD to reach it, and then reaching it! All of those things are physically demanding and even painful (my sister-in-law recently ran a 1/2-marathon and got bloody toes from all the downhill parts...yet, she loved the experience) and many of us are driven to achieve the near impossible. THAT'S why I want to attempt this.

I'm being realistic about it. I've given myself a 12 hour time-limit. If I'm not already pushing or dilated past 8 cm by 12 hours, bring on the epidural! I had 14 hours of painful back labor with Isabel before receiving the epidural so I know I can make it 12 hours. :) I also will not feel as though I failed if I get the epidural because, face it, epidurals are GREAT! I was able to relax with Isabel, my labor progressed faster because I was resting and I barely had to push because Isabel descended so far on her own, all pain free. I loved every minute of it...but I still want to try it without this time around.

I had to record this for my journal so I can remember my goal and then I'll probably laugh at how naive I was when I have an excruciating labor that may or may not end in an epidural...so there you have it. I'm scared to death of the idea, but I'm also excited to prepare and work towards something...here's wishing me luck!!!!!!!

A video update

A while ago we got some video of Isabel singing. This first video shows her singing Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes all the way through, complete with actions (she's the nursery music leader's dream!) and most of Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree. The video below shows how our 5 other attempts went...just a lot of distractions that slowed down the singing progress. It reminds me of a video my parents have of me, 4 years old, saying a prayer and rolling around on the ground, eyes closed, all simultaneously. I still find it hilarious, so hopefully Isabel will be glad we have these moments recorded as well.

Last but not least, here is Isabel on her tricycle! She finally got the leg strength and coordination to do it on her own...next step is a big girl bike! I'm seriously debating about getting her a tiny bicycle with training wheels this summer because if we wait until Christmas or she turns 3 (our big gift giving opportunities), it'll be in the dead of winter and she won't get to ride it for months and months (literally!) So I checked out some at Wal-mart and it's on my radar for future garage sales!

Hide and Seek take 2

Isabel is getting a LOT better at playing hide-and-seek. She came up with this hiding place all by herself and she now knows to stay still and quiet until we actually find her. Granted, she still also sits on the couch looking at the ceiling and thinks it's a great hiding place, but every once in awhile she surprises us...like crawling under her new toddler bed...
As all little kids, she is fascinated with playing dress-up and getting in Mommy and Daddy's shoes.
Isabel decided one day she wanted to get on our shoulders. I had to do my turn sitting down, but she thought it was pretty fun doing it in the rocking chair...quite the ride up there!
My resident "Monster."

You REALLY want these weights!

As seen on craigslist.org when Matt was looking into weight sets:

220lbs of iron plates (4x25lbs, 8x10bls, 4x5bls and 4x2.5lbs) for two dumbells (included) and an adjustable bench (new, incline, decline and horizantal).

If you are unsure whether or not you want to purchase these weights please read below.

Gentlemen, statistics show that 340% of women agree, men with a RIPPLING back, chest, abs and shoulders along with JACKED UP biceps, triceps and forearms are 709% more likely to turn their heads, sweep them off their feet and Rock. Their .world.

Still not sure if you want these weights…

Scientific studies show that the only way to twist steal and add sex appeal is to apply IRON tools ie. these weights. Think about it, most men today are flabby little sissies. However, during the IRON age men were ripped masters of their domain. Why, because they used IRON tools. Who can sell you these primitive tools. ME. That’s who.

You might be saying to yourself, I wouldn’t even know what to do with all that IRON. Guess what, you’re a man, be a man , figure it out. No instructions are necessary. Once you get a hold of this IRON you will know what to do, if you know what I mean. Still not sure what I mean. Your gonna get JACKED UP. That’s what your gonna do.

I know what your thinking, I want a women that wants me for me. Well I have news for you buddy, your a flabby little sissy. Your not that cool. Your personality sucks and the only way to pick up chicks is to become a CHICK MAGNET. What are magnets made of . IRON. Where can you get IRON. From ME. That’s where.


Ask yourself, when was the last time you watch a Schwartenegger movie and said to yourself, I never would want to look as RIPPED and JACKED UP as him. Never. That’s when.

So lets recap. Why do you need to purchase my IRON. Because as you stand right now you are; flabby, probably ugly, not cool, your personality sucks and your only chance of talking to the women that you meet at what ever loser event for flabby, ugly, uncool, sissy men who are not JACKED UP and RIPPED is to chisel your granite, buff your marble, twist your steel and increase your sex appeal. That’s Why.

But seriously I would like to sell you these weights because I have now where to use them in my apartment. I now have a gym membership. Also my shoulders got so JACKED UP, and my Lats so SPREAD WIDE that I cant fit through the tiny doors in my apartment. I have also recently gotten engaged due to my RIPPLING body any no longer need to be so JACKED UP. I also keep braking my fiances drinking glasses with my MASSIVE forearms and I don’t want to piss her off. Im scared of her.

Softball, Picnic and Baseball

I just love her face in these pictures!
Matt would spin the hula hoop around her and then hop out of the way for the picture.
Isabel's face just says it all!
At our Branch picnic they had a pinata and let the littlest kids go first. They chose Isabel to go very first which was a mistake because she was so confused and didn't understand it. So there she is with everyone (kids and adults) yelling, "Hit it! Go on, hit is hard, Isabel! You can do it!"
Well, Isabel knows she isn't supposed to hit things and gets in trouble for it, so she just stood there super concerned and ready to burst into tears. I ran in to help her and we tapped it a few times and were done. Later that day Isabel came up and shyly confessed, "I hit it, Mommy." And waited for the consequences. :) It was so funny to try and reassure her that it was okay just this one time during this special game to hit it and she didn't need to go to timeout!
Matt played in one of the softball games of the "Thriller at Miller" series, MCW vs. Marquette Dental. MCW won all 3 of the games! So now the overall series is 2-1, MCW for the past 3 years. I think this picture is pretty sweet of Matt hitting a double.
Here's the little field inside the parking lot of Miller Park (where the Milwaukee Brewers play) where they played. If you click on the picture you can see Matt is actually connecting the bat and ball! Pretty sweet sports photography! That evening we took Isabel to the Brewers game and she lasted all 9 innings...that's a first. Thanks to our neighbors who sat behind us and helped keep Isabel entertained, she was a dream and didn't even whine the entire game!

4th of July

For journaling purposes I better chronicle what we did on the 4th, despite not having any pictures. Isabel had a fun time at the celebration at the park across the street. She got a flag tattoo on her arm (and couldn't stop talking about it all day!), played with the parachute with other kids and loved watching the firehose spray water 70-80 feet up in the air and letting it all rain down.

Then we hopped in the car and went to visit Matt's aunt in Sycamore, IL. The rain kept us inside until 6 pm, but then we were able to go enjoy some time at the county park. They had a really fun big band playing patriotic songs for the hour leading up to the fireworks, then as background music to all the booming. Isabel was scared at first, but as long as we kept her ears plugged, she would watch the fireworks in awe. Then we drove home (bad idea, it was late and we had to take some detours and got home a lot later than we planned) and went to bed. :)

Circus Day!

Okay, this wasn't a circus picture, but it definitely shows our little clown! Isabel was playing with the waterpaints...just so you know, they aren't washable. I learned that the hard way when she dripped a bunch on the carpet and her dress...and it still hasn't come out despite multiple cleanings. Oh well, she had fun (of course she would never get her hands in the actual washable finger paints, but will do it in the watercolors...)
Milwaukee is hosting a big Circus Parade on Sunday and all the wagons are downtown for display. About 2 hours west of Milwaukee in Baraboo, WI is one of the largest circus museums in the world. It's where Ringling Bros. Circus used to spend the winters and is kind of a mecca for all things circus. The parade hasn't happened for 6 years, but they bring all their stuff to Milwaukee and put on a grand parade like they used to do in their heyday. Look how extravagant the wagons are! Definitely drawing attention to the fact that the Circus was in town!
Isabel playing on the Cat.
A little fire truck.
Isabel and Matt in the BIG firetruck.
The big top. Unfortunately the circus was sold out for that show, and it was 3 hours until the next...so we didn't get to actually see the circus (and I'm not up to braving the crowds again). But it was really fun to look around and see the elephants, camels, kangaroos, ponies, etc.
I got quite interested in vintage circus stuff after reading "Water for Elephants" about a man who runs away and joins the circus in the 1920s or so. These wagons are exactly as I imagined them to be in the book!
Matt thought it was silly to take a picture of this, but I had never seen a baby llama before...it was so cute! So I captured it on camera. :)

Apostle Islands Day 3 (Copper Falls State Park)

Our last full day we ventured to the south and hiked around Copper Falls State Park. After we were finished there, we went to a nearby hotel and used their Splashland waterpark (kiddie pool, regular pool, 2 bigger slides and a small indoor playground) for a few hours. It was perfect to wear Isabel out before our last night in the tent! She loved the slides (sorry, no pictures) so much that we mostly took turns taking her on them while the other parent relaxed in the hot tub (just the legs for me, too bad). Anyway, here are some pictures of the State Park.The observation tower in Copper Falls State Park. We hiked all the way up this tower and the stairs below and we got to see...trees. Not the best observational tower!
Isabel actually walked up ALL these stairs and came back down by herself! We held her hand, but that was it! Trooper!
The trees on the top of the tower.

Isabel loved this little hike...very easy to walk by herself, lots of bridges, and fun things to look at.
Some of the lesser waterfalls along the hike (there were 3 total).

Ironically it isn't copper that makes the water a yellow-ish color...some other mineral does it. However, they tried mining for copper in the area and that is what gave the falls their name.

Enjoying a brief moment of sunshine in a nearby playground to our campsite. Isabel's first time on a tire swing (I didn't think they made these anymore! There were also a lot of teeter-totters in the area...haven't seen those in a long time either!)Of course we spent most of the time on the swings. Isabel is addicted and can't get enough!
On the way home Isabel really cried most of the way, slept for only 30 minutes the entire 7 hour trip and was finally happy only when she destroyed a marshmellow and was all sticky...

Apostle Islands Day 2

Right next to our campground was this cool rock. I thought it looked like a pirate ship, so we found a path that took us closer for some good pictures.

Sunday morning we went to Church at a tiny little branch in Ashland, WI. I knew exactly how they felt seeing new people walk into the chapel because we do the same thing in the City Branch...run up to them, introduce ourselves and ask if they are moving into the boundaries. :) Unfortunately for them, we were just visiting. It was interesting how small the Branch was (there were maybe 50 people there) but they were mostly large families...very different from our inner city Branch made up of young student couples and older single adults. As always, it was nice to know the Church was functioning just the same there as everywhere else and Isabel enjoyed nursery...success!
After Church and lunch we took a hike to see some more sea caves via land. The jogging stroller made it about half-way, and then Matt ended up carrying Isabel nearly a mile to the destination, then back! What a trooper! I loved all these ferns that we were walking through, although they were hard to enjoy because I was scared of getting a tick...the ranger warned us that ticks were prevalent in the area. Fortunately, we all got out of there without one!
I loved the contrast between the dark water, green trees and pretty red sandstone alone the shore.
The beginnings of a new cave...you can see the waves crashing up against it and slowly carving out an opening.



A deep gorge that you could look down into and see some caves.

Apostle Islands Dos and Don'ts... (a.k.a. Day 1)

We went to the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (part of the National Park Service) that is up near the Upper Peninsula of Wisconsin, right near the Michigan border on Lake Superior. I'll blog it day by day and here are a few things we learned along the way:
Do:
1. Take a 2 year-old who wakes up every morning saying, "I love camping, Mommy!"
2. Bring a 2 year-old who sleeps better in the tent than she does at home.
3. Have a wonderful and relaxing vacation for the first time in months!
4. Sight-see as much as possible and take advantage of every opportunity within your budget.
5. Bring a really big and effective water-proof tent that fits a queen air mattress!
6. Avoid getting a speeding ticket despite accidentally going 13 mph over the limit (see below.)
7. Go to an indoor waterpark your last day to get cleaned off and get out of the cold!
8. Take the Grand Tour Cruise to be able to get glimpses of all the islands...a steep price, but the sea caves were worth it!

Don't:
1. Get pulled over by the police for speeding on your way to the Apostle Islands. You have to drive exactly the speed limit the entire rest of the trip (adding on nearly an hour to our drive home...)
2. Bother going so far from home without having your own boat or kayak to see the islands on your own. Water taxis cost $100-150 an hour! Everything else we did, while fun, we could have done while closer to home...
3. Don't go on a rainy, drizzly weekend that lasts a lot longer than the weather channel originally predicted.
4. Teach your 2 year old the meaning of the word "park" because then instead of seeing new things, you'll end up returning to the same playgrounds over and over and over the entire trip.
5. Hope that quick catnaps in the car will substitute for a regular nap in the long run. It worked until the last day...then it was trouble.
6. Blame the 2 year old for having tantrums the entire 7 hours home...come on, it was a long trip!
Our lovely little campsite. We decided to upgrade our tent and camp all 4 days instead of paying $100+ a night...and we still came out ahead! :) We stayed in a little town called Washburn, about 10 miles outside of the Apostle Islands. It was a good choice, with hot shower, flushing toilets, shady trees and a cute small-town atmosphere.
Our "cruise" ship that took us to see all the islands, albeit only seen from the boat, but still...it was a good way to get introduced to the entire area.
Isabel spent part of the cruise like this (fortunately...it was 3 hours long!)...
And part of the cruise like this...
A view of the coastline of one of the islands (there are 21...so I can't remember which one this is as they all started to look the same.)
The sea caves on Devil's Island are amazing. We were really glad that the ship got us so close and we were able to see them well. If we didn't have young children, it would have been a blast to do an all-day kayaking adventure where you come all the way out to this island on kayaks and are able to go in and out of the actual caves all afternoon.
More sea cave views.
The lighthouse on Devil's Island.
The lighthouse in Strawberry Island. As you can tell it was a very overcast day and so many of our picture are quite gray and dull...too bad, because it was beautiful!

Taking a look at all the sailboats out in Bayfield, WI Bay. I saw this picture and asked Matt, "Do I really look that pregnant all the time?" I just haven't seen a picture of myself in a long time!


Playing in Lake Superior. Too cold for me, but just right for Isabel's toes...

Getting braver and braver each time she went to throw a pebble in the water, she'd walk a little farther until she finally got into the water.Where are we going? Canada? Mexico? Maybe I should drive next time...