Thursday, July 31, 2008

*The Big P-T*


So, I'm considering starting potty training Emyri and I'm realizing this is another one of those "I have no idea what I'm doing as a parent" types of thing. And although I have had plenty of these dumb founded situations, believe you me, they still always seem to jump out of the bushes of nowhere and leave me stumbling around blind for a good week.

So I've heard, "Wait until their ready", which I totally agree with; there's nothing more humiliating than being forced to control your bodily functions when you're bodily functions have no intention of being controlled.....we'll I'm assuming.

I've also heard "Wait until they show interest" which makes sense.

Then in talking with one of my fellow softball teammates, mother of five successfully potty trained girls, she said that with her girls there seemed to be a window of opportunity when they were really interested and if she waited too long or until she was ready to take the task head on, she found it was almost always too late, and the process was a lot longer and harder.

Great!

So I guess what I'm trying to say is I'm feeling the pressure of this small window of opportunity that may or may not have already passed and wondering how you really know if you're child is truly ready for and truly interested in the big "plunge"; pun intended. Emyri showed interest in pottying a long time ago, but at the time I was thinking she was way too young for the real thing. Now, I'm sitting here asking the girl if she wants to potty as she's telling me "No, I'm fine" and wondering if her toilet attraction has long been gone and if she's going to end up at her Jr. Prom sporting a fashionable dress, jewelry to kill, and.......a pull-up.

Okay, so I know it's not that bad....and honestly, despite my continual dazed and confused parenting states Emyri has survived and even thrived in her two years of life. I know in the end we'll master this phase as well, but I guess I just need some help to know where to even start.

Do I just keep asking her all day if she needs to potty? Do I periodically put her on the john throughout the day to see how it goes? Should I just straight up get her pumped about big girl panties and let her pick her own out and go cold turkey with the diapers? Are pull-ups better? Should I use behavior-mod and give her potty treats? Is she really ready or should I just bag the whole thing and wait another six months?

What have you experts found to work best for you? Any advice would be greatly appreciated: )

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

The "10 Second Interview"


Man...I've been busy and absent. Sorry, but here's a little "10 second Interview" I enjoyed from my friend Kevin's facebook, so I decided to give it a whirl: ) Here goes....

When was the last time you gave your parents a call?
Actually this morning I called mom....really though, she's much better at calling me.
What snack food can you scarf down a whole bag in one sitting?
Most definitely a Rolo candy bar and possibly some Italian flavored Gardetto's
I'm afraid of...
I recently discovered that one of my sad and pathetic fears is the fear of rejection and the fear of disappointing others. It was an Ah-hah moment while trying to help a girl at the Juvenile Correction Center with her own problems....I thought to myself, "Vandi, this sounds a lot like you too"; followed by some introspection. I'm also scared of being alone at night too. That and plumbers cracks: )
In 20 years, I will be...
hopefully a better version of myself; more experienced, more light, more me.
Would you rather meet your future inlaws naked or in bondage gear?
okay, honestly I don't know what kind of question that is and I almost threw it out; but then I realized how funny and odd it was to contemplate as a reader of the interview, so I'll just leave it as is...enjoy: )
What talk show would you like to be a guest on?
I think Ellen Degeneres is pretty cool, plus she dances at the beginning of each show which is fun for all.
What was the best movie this year?
Man, I seriously loved StarDust
Cake or Pie?
Cake, light on the frosting, heavy on the glass of milk : )
Do you like your peanut butter crunchy or smooth?
ooohh, ever since I sang this childhood "Peanut Butter" song one too many times, which happened to involve eating a spoonful of peanut butter while singing it, I haven't been the biggest fan of the stuff. I'd have to go with crunchy however.
If there's another book, it should be called "Harry Potter and The ..."
"bag-o-sulfuric acid" (It's an SNL joke my brothers and I always thought was funny)
What's the most recent dream you remember having?
just today, during a power nap I had a vivid dream of being by these beautiful trees and a flowing river, looking into the water and thinking how odd it was that the fish I saw had legs and a tale like a dog and barked when it popped it's head out of the water....man that was a wierdy.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don't be so hard on yourself, everything is going to work out. And by the way...things get infinitely better once you become your own best friend and learn how to trust God more completely. Good things are on the way. Cherish every moment you have, especially with the ones you love, because you will look back and love and long for all of the amazing moments you have experienced in your life.
My super power would be...
the ability to travel through time
If you were a candy bar, which would you be?
Carmello
Pop Tarts or Toaster Strudle?
toaster strudle
Would you rather listen to the same song or eat the same meal for the rest of your life?
wow, that's a rough one....probably listen to the same song; it better be an insanely awesome one though: )
What's the sexiest accent?
it's gotta be either Irish or Australian
I feel naked without my...
clothes on : ) that or without my wedding ring on.
What's your favorite book?
This question rekindles my desire to read more....I keep telling myself I'll read all of these cool books after I graduate. But honestly, thinking back some of my favorites have been "Arianna"; "Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry"; "A Walk to Remember"; "Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon"; "To Kill a Mocking Bird"
What's the dumbest excuse you've used to break up with someone?
Sorry, I can't go out with you anymore, I have to spend all of my free time watching Harry Potter and the bag-o-sulfuric acid. j/k
When was the last time you cried?
"At Trevor's funeral.
What should you really be doing right now?
writing a stinkin' paper....thanks for reminding me: )
Twizzlers or Red Vines?
most definitely Twizzlers though I have been surprised by the number of people who prefer Red Vines....strange.
What's your favorite color of Crayola crayon?
macaroni and cheese (and I didn't just misread the question, I have actually seen that color in a box before....sweet huh)
Women are...
amazing and complicated and beautiful
Luke Skywalker or Han Solo?
who is Hans Solo again?
What famous person, living or dead, would you like to interview?
Thomas S. Monson
The last time I actually cooked something, I made...
crepes...crepes has become one of my staple foods, though I might add I think my taste buds and tummy may be finally tiring of them for a while.
What movie could you watch over and over again?
EverAfter and Almost Heroes
Quick! Make up a first name:
Hans Solo...wait a second, why does that sound so familiar......and why I do I think that's so hilarious that I just put "Hans Solo"? Seriously it must be getting late, because I just had a good laugh over that. whew.
Hello, Hi, or Hey?
hey (with a variation in tone throughout the word included)

There you have it: )