Progress Report

Today went splendidly in potty training world. Only one accident today because we haven't much had the opportunity to learn poop yet. But we were thrilled that we did manage to get one poop in the potty! First time for that, and we are so proud!

We went and got a second pack of big man underwear, so our collection now includes Sesame Street and Mickey Mouse Club. We also got some Pull Ups for while we're out and about. As of now, DT is still in a diaper while sleeping. Pretty soon, we'll have to pick up even more pee pee treats, because Dane is sure going through them!

He still mostly whines when he has to pee, and I'll ask him if he needs to go potty and he runs to it. He'll occasionally sign for it. But he's getting the concept down for sure!

This is without question the most intense pride we have experienced with our little guy so far. We're lucky and thankful that it's been smooth sailing so far. =)

Wish Us Luck!

Dane Thomas, our itty bitty tiny little baby, is (deep breath)... potty training. Yes, potty training! Here's the info...

We have two potty chairs and a potty ring that fits over the toilet. DT has acquainted himself with the potties, sitting on them while reading and playing. They have been a novelty. He'd peed in them a couple of times, but never showed interest or readiness for potty training. Recently though, he has been tugging on his diaper when it needed to be changed. He has long understood the concept of changing diapers and understands the words poop, pee, diaper, potty. When we decided he might be ready to train, we began putting him on the potty somewhat regularly, and lo and behold, he began to pee in it somewhat regularly.

We bought him "big man underwear". He isn't really as excited as you might imagine a three year old to be. He didn't pick them out because he didn't much recognize any of the characters to choose from, and they really aren't special to him. The smallest size I could find was 2T-3T. Dane is a tall, thin 19 month old. Needless to say they are a little big. But believe me, they are adorable. We also replenished our stock of what has become exclusively reserved for "peepee treats", Dane Thomas' very favorite flavored mini marshmallows.

DT still says very little, but he quickly picked up the sign for potty adapting it as he has every other sign, to make it his own.

For the past two days, except for nap time and night night, DT has been wearing his big man underwear. And in two days he has had one accident! Our biggest victory was at dinner tonight. We met Gramps at a restaurant and DT signed numerous times that he had to go potty. He trickled drops until he could hold the rest and then said he was all done, but the final time he really let go and peed for the first time in a public bathroom! So big!

So that made it official for us - We're potty training! Wish us luck and we'll keep you posted. Join us as we settle in for this fun journey. One baby step-- I mean, toddler step, at a time.

Finally Forward Facing!

At DT's 18 month appointment, I drilled the doctor with questions. He laughed and replied to each of my "Okay, one more thing..."s with "You said one more thing three things ago!", but put on a happy face and was super polite, answering in detail each inquiry with kindness and professionalism.
Something I was very curious about his opinion of was rear-facing versus forward-facing car seats for toddlers Dane's age. After discussing the statistics and weighing the pros and cons, we came to the decision to finally flip DT's car seat to the forward-facing position. We knew it would be more pleasant for all of us - Dane Thomas would be able to see us, it would be easier to get him in and out of the car, etc. and there was very little surprise to the whole ordeal.
Nonetheless, it was an exciting transition for Mommy. =) Of course, pictures were taken to commemorate the milestone. Here's our prince in his forward facing throne.

Spotlight On: Signing

Dane speaks Whinese. We are not happy to hear moaning and groaning whenever Dane's sippy is empty or he needs help. We have been working with Dane since he was about 6 months old with sign language. We do not know sign language, but we have a cool book with tips and flashcards and a signing dictionary for the most common words that will help you communicate with your toddler. Dane Thomas first signed around 9 months, and his very first sign was - surprise, surprise - eat.
Dane isn't saying much yet. Still the babytalk: Mama, Dada, Boo (Blue), Duhguh (Dingo), and many many animal sounds (a post all in its own!). But Dane signs all the time, all day.
So here's a list of the signs that Dane Thomas has so far mastered: eat, more, all done, drink, please, car, no, stop. Again and help are the signs we're working on now.
This is such a great time to be working with him because he is so open to learning. So many opportunities come up daily to learn new signs, and Dane is quite receptive. He totally understands the concept and he is doing great. It's really helping us communicate with him and we are sooo proud of him!

Monkey Man

For Halloween this year Dane dressed up as a monkey. Jackie sewed the costume herself, which may be why we felt the need to take and share so very many pictures. We took Dane trick-or-treating around the cul-de-sac to show him off and meet the neighbors. Dane was more occupied with his raisins (which you will find in many pictures) than with the candy. He didn't fully grasp the concept of TOTing, and he would try to take the candy he got from one house and GIVE IT to the people at the next house. He did love ringing the doorbells though. He did a great job and we all had a lot of fun. Here's a collection of our favorite pictures of our little monkey man!

Snip-Its

Dane recently got his first haircut! We went to Snip-Its in Birkdale Village in Huntersville. We were lured there by a half off coupon, and I am glad we were. We got the traditional first haircut certificate with a "snip-it" of Dane's hair attached. The place is decked out in cartoonized furniture, playground type fixtures, and smiling faces. Your child can eat suckers or animal crackers while he's being done, and watch his own personal tv. We had to give Dane keys to steady his uneasiness, but he did such a great job and came out so handsome! He definitely looks more like a "kid" than a "baby" now. The stylist, LaMonica, did a fantastic job and we will surely be seeing her again.

You got a sample in PotW, but I did want to share a few more photos with you.

Picture of the Week

Dane recently got his first haircut! I'll tell you more about it later with more pictures, but I HAD to choose a shot for this edition of PotW. Here he is being cut in the chair. Even with that silly face, our little guy makes such a handsome man!

Apple Picking Pictures

Here's some proof of the fun we had at the apple orchard last weekend. Again, on the trip was Ben, Granny K, Dane, Daniel, and Jackie.The boys size up the pumpkins.Daddy and Dane.

Dane and Our Apples.Hussafuss.No Caption Needed.

Fun feeding Mommy!Busted! Dane steals a picked apple!

Moseying along...

Dane actually picked this apple off the tree!

The boys enjoying the fruits of their labor!

Dane's thiiiis tall!

Men Who Stare At Goats.

Easy. Eeeeeasy....