Playing Catch-up

So I'm perpetually playing catch-up these days. For example - I'm suppose to be studying right now - but instead I'm updating you all on our lives. So that's totally my choice - I know this. I'm really digging into the psychology behind my procrastination lately - not that it's helping me but I'm getting to know it really well.

Anyway - onto our lives. Not much really new. I'm working more hours at work than I have since CIGTP, the job I had about 4 years ago. Even thought I'm working long hours I'm loving my job. Big change of pace (residential substance & gambling treatment when I used to be at out-patient where about 20% of the clients didn't show). And school is challenging but with help and support from my family I was able to get 100% on my midterm exam in Social Work Policy & Practice! That was a big boost that I needed as I just don't think I do well in that class. A lot of governmental & legislative stuff - and that's just tough for me to grasp - but apparently I'm getting some of it.

William is doing well. Here he is in his bibs from Grandma Karyn - and I'll be darned if I could get him to stand with his back to the cupboards - he had to stand like this - as if he were modeling. It was hilarious and adorable!

Next poster child for Calvin Klein.

So WD is pretty-much potty trained! I say this as we had an accident today - but they are getting fewer and farther between. He still wears a diaper to nap and sleep in, but other than that - he likes being "a big boy" and using "the big boy potty". His language skills are flourishing as well. He tells us all sorts of stuff that shocks us almost daily. Most are good (he has his own knock-knock joke but it's not really a joke) and some make me cringe (Mama you shut upa you mouth). Guess parenthood is taking the good with the bad.

Dave is doing well too. He is still working from home, and does SO MUCH to help with WD so that I can work and go to class. He's a total blessing in our lives! He recently had a birthday as you can hopefully see in the video below. (If no video to watch - I didn't have luck uploading it - sorry.)

Recently, while on a play date at Bass Pro Shop with WD (so that I could study), Dave treated himself to a new toy with his birthday money. I knew they weren't just going there so WD could "see the fish" and that Dave wouldn't be coming home empty handed. He purchased a new shotgun. He said his old one was in bad shape. So now I'm trying to get him out of the house on occasion to play with this new toy. Anyone interested in getting out with him, just call him!

PS - he also has a compound bow and target he doesn't get to play with much if you'd prefer to get together for that.

Our Number 1 did a Number 2

Yesterday 11/15/09 WD saw me going the bathroom, so in trying to get him to talk I said "Mommy's going potty on the potty." At this WD patted his bottom so having time to spare I took his pants and diaper off and put him up on the toilet. He promptly started grimacing and his face turned beet-read. He then cocked an eye-brow up and then smiled. He must have watched his daddy as he sure didn't learn those things from his mommy. :-) And sure-enough he went #2 (if I have my numbers right) in the potty! This is the first attempt at potty training since the last entry. WD couldn't communicate when he needed to go, and we couldn't just ask every 30 seconds, so that first attempt didn't make it past that weekend. Maybe we'll start back up now.

Updates for WD

As I had previously mentioned had is 19 month check-up last month and forgot to tell you all that our slim guy is 26.6#. So he pails in comparison to some of his peers (Cousin-Caeden, Friend-Chas, BFF-Kaden, etc), but he's just right to us. :-)

We also had our first AEA Early Access evaluation at home for his speech. They will come a 2nd time (all for free) in November. The 2 women said that he was a very bright, cute and charming kid (of course), but that he was falling just a little below average for his speech skills. They gave us a booklet to help coach us in how to coach him to talk. Turns out we are already doing many of those things, but this will help us keep doing them. That same day (Monday 10/12) WD had a hearing check which came out fine. We didn't think his hearing was the issue w/ his speech but it needed ruled out. His tympanogram (ear drum pressure test) said he was congested but no fluid showed in either ears. Well after 3 very rough days we got into the pediatrician on Thursday (10/15) and he had a pretty bad ear infection in his left ear and he got amoxicillin for it. Here WD has on his new bibs and boots, both of which are a little big. He's not very happy as this is Thursday morning - so we're lacking sleep and not feeling well and Mama has the camera and won't give it to him. She's so mean!!!

A happier moment with Mama Thursday morning.

Our Adventures in Potty Training are on hold as well. With WD not feeling well and being very crabby, and us being in the same boat, it just hasn't happened. He hasn't shown much interest in it either since last weekend. Hoping to try and pick it back up in a couple weeks again. Guess it's really all up to him, not me. Not sure I can get used to that idea, but then again I don't have much choice do I? :-)

EVENTFUL DAY!

We had an eventful day today. Don & Caroline spent the night so we had a nice evening out, and this morning we woke up to SNOW!!! It was coming down pretty good and we ended up with about 1 inch accumulation (except none on the roads) but then it all melted away by the afternoon.

While it was yucky outisde, WD and I ventured out anyway. While we were gone, Dave installed our new toilet (we just upgraded to a more efficient one). While at the mall, WD and I made a pit stop at a family restroom which had a regular toilet and sink, and a little toilet, and little sink. I sat down, and WD sat down, but he quickly noticed that he had pants on and tried to take them off. After a little assistance he sat back on the little toilet and proceeded to pee!!! We have not worked on this at all at home, so this was a great surprise! We went home and got the potty chair out (that I'd gotten at a garage sale about 2 mos ago) and he went potty at home 2 more times today. Not that they were substantial amounts, but we're still pretty pumped that he has connected the dots. The biggest issue now is how WD is going to tell us he needs to go since he's not talking yet. Our AEA (speech pathologist assessment) appointment is Monday so they might give us some ideas, but I can also look up sign language as well.

Now the fun really begins. We'll keep you posted.