orange

Orange is her new favorite.

yellow bed

This is how she sleeps.  Pillow facing up, always.  Hands tucked under her cheeks.  Like an angel baby.  I love sneaking into her room and catching her in dreamland.  Such a big girl in her yellow bed.  She left her crib over a month ago and amazed us by actually staying in her big girl bed when we put her down (unlike her older sisters who were notorious for coming out dozens of times a night).  She would still call for me to come get her in the morning and after naps.  Until this week. When we heard the familiar squeaking door and little pitter-patter of feet.  She knows how to get out, and she knows she can get out.  Yet another sign our baby is not a baby anymore.

Life with Leighton

My days are so different with the older girls gone at school.

So mellow.

Slow.

Quiet.

I've never had this time alone with Leighton before.

And I love it.

And she loves it too.  

She's only asked once in almost 2 weeks where they are. 

She's always been a mommy hog.

And I'll hog up every minute I can get with her as well.

Come ride the potty train...

aside from the absurd mouse tail, could these pull-ups be cuter?

I finally bit the bullet and started potty training Leighton last week.  And despite the fact that it had been years since my last potty training experience, the "I think I'm going to completely loose my mind here" moments were still very clear in my memory (think 12 pairs of wet panties by 10:00am).  Which is why it has taken me so long to start with Leighton.  And of course it was perfect timing to start on the hottest week of the year, as well as Ellie's first week of kindergarten (which has required me to make 4-5 trips to school each day).  Add a bit more chaos to the mix I guess.

I am no expert on potty training.  I haven't written any potty books or produced any potty videos, but I have discovered several truths that have helped me make it though this final round of it.  So for all my friends with soon to be trained toddlers of their own, I hope this helps.

Truth #1 You have to do what works for your child and for you. 
Every mom has their fool proof method...pull ups, definitely no pull ups, panties, training pants, diapers, cloth diapers, and completely bunsie (our term for naked around here), pump the liquids, restrict the liquids, give candy rewards, use sticker charts, sit on the pot every 15 minutes, sit on the pot all day, never leave the house, bring your port-a-potty with you wherever you go...and on and on. Everyone will give you their two cents.  But the truth is, every child is different and you have to do what works for your child and for you.  

Truth #2 At first, you are not potty training your child.  You are potty training yourself.  
It takes a good while before they actually tell you they need to go.  For weeks its you telling them, "Its time to go".  Not "Do you have to go potty?" or "Do you want to go potty?"  Because 99% off the time they will answer these questions with a big fat NO!  But its not up to them yet, its up to you  (I'm realizing this idea goes way beyond potty training and is a major parenting theme here...)

Truth #3 You have to be consistent.
The biggest part of this "self potty training" for me is consistency (like taking her to the potty every 30 minutes) which means I can't get distracted and let too much time go by, or run long errands without taking her to the bathroom.  It has to be on the forefront of my mind all day (thank God for naps when I can escape potty on the brain!).  And I can't let the fact that she doesn't feel like going and may make a fuss keep me from being consistent.   Sometimes its going to be a battle.  I've had to strong arm a "stiff as a board" child into a sitting position on the potty many a time.

Truth #4 You can potty train with diapers.
For me,  the accidents have a tendency to put me over the edge (especially on carpet and furniture).  So I've been using diapers for the last week.  I know if I'm lazy with her and let her go potty in her diaper, it will just take me that much longer to train her.  And she doesn't seem to have a preference for diapers, pullups, or panties at this point.  She will pee in them all if I let her.  Since pullups are more expensive and I've got a truckload of leftover diapers, we are using those for now.  After several days of being dry all day (or when my diaper supply starts to run low), I'll just put her in a diaper when we are out or for sleeping, and brave the panties at home.

Truth #5 Liquids are scary but necessary.
Leighton is the queen of the sipee so she is drinking 6+ cups of water/juice/milk a day. This allows her to pee every time she sits on the potty.  We don't have long sessions of waiting on the potty because she constantly has a full bladder.  Giving your child tons of liquids may seem like its going to make more work for you (and it may at first), but I think they need to have lots of opportunities to go before they can understand what's going on.

 Truth # 6 Number two is a whole different game.
Please note I am just talking about peeing here.  Number two is a different ball game.  She still is pooping in her diaper (or the floor!) if I let her out of my sight. The only thing I can do is watch her like a hawk and as soon as I see her starting to grunt it out, run her to the potty.  Number two does have warning signals.  It's the least it can do.

Truth #7  Potty training really is easier when they are "ready"
So far this time around, we've had a lot of success.  Leighton is staying dry all day (after 1 week) and waking up from bed and naps dry too.  I think a lot of it has to do with the fact that she was physically and mentally ready for it (she is 2 1/2  years old).  I feel like I tried too early with Brooklyn (thus the 12 pairs of wet panties) and had to give it another go a few months later (with more success).  There is a physiological element to being able to hold your bladder as well as a behavioral maturity factor that make a big difference.  I'm sure this is proven in science somewhere.

And lastly, it's okay if you take the slow road at this.  Its okay to quit and plan to start at it again later.  Its okay if all your friends' kids are potty experts before yours.  Its okay if it takes 10,000 pullups to do the job.  Its okay if you set the potty chair in the middle of the living room in front of the TV.  Its okay if your child pees in the cart every time you go to Target.  Its okay.  You will get there, and so will they.

Sunbeam

So I got this new and amazing camera. Total surprise from my thoughtful husband.  Still trying to get acquainted with it.  One of the best things about it is it takes video as well as photos.  Check out this adorable cutie pie.  Many, many more to follow...

Little Mommy

 Meet Ka-tie and Mikaela.

Leighton's babies.

She named them completely on her own.

She pays with plenty of other dolls, but these are the two privileged enough to be named.

They must each have a bottle, blankie, passie, and a rattle. 

She takes them on walks in her stroller, 

carries them on her back,

 or ties them around her waist with an apron.

She washes their faces with a q-tip.

But never dresses them.

Today she told me, "When I grow up I want to be a mommy."  

I asked her, "How many babies do you want to have Leighton?"

She said, "Twelve.  I want to have a whole bunch."

playmates

I love to watch these two together.  Most of the time they are just doing their own thing side by side, but when they get going, they love to play together. Babies is their number one choice, followed by doctor.

Ellie has a particular voice she talks to Leighton in.  Its super enthusiastic, crouched down in her face.  Always increasing in enthusiasm and ending with an exclamation point.  She loves her baby sister incredibly.  Not that she won't raise her voice to her every now and then..."Leighton Olivia!"- again with an exclamation point.

Leighton also is becoming known for a particular voice...the scream. Instead of coming to find someone to help her, she screams at the top of her lungs until she gets assistance.  My baby is stuck, I need my blankie, I want juice in my baba, I want to watch a movie...all at extreme decibel levels.  She must know you have to be loud to be heard when you're the littlest sister.

Woods

 

The other day I overheard a conversation between Leighton and Woody.  

It went something like this...

"Rise and shine Woods! We've got a big day ahead of us!"

I adore her enthusiasm, imagination, and ability to abreev.

Leighton in Big Bear

Leighton...

loved spotting ice and pine cones...

was the only child who wanted to walk on the hike...

was constantly afraid of falling and would freeze and yell, "Mommy I'm falling!' on the slightest incline...

slept with her big sisters for the first time...

held her own with Jeremiah (we're expecting another 4 years for them to become friends too)...

Leighton's "fings"

Leighton is going through a major stuffed animal/character phase right now.  She refers to them as her "stuff" or her "fings" (things).  They must all be with her at nap time and bedtime and then carried downstairs when she wakes up (quite a handful let me tell you).  They currently include a stuffed Woody, Buzz Lightyear, cheetah beanie baby, Snoopy, soft baby, baby doll, and Molly Dolly.   I have no idea what caused her to adopt these particular things out of the basket of dozens, but they are obviously near and dear to her little heart.  Of course she loves all her "fings" the same (like all good mommies do) but her special favorite today is her "baby sister Woody". 

Leighton paints

 I could stare at these little hands forever.  

Watch how they delicately hold the paintbrush.  

Predict which color they will  move to next.  

What pattern they will make on the paper.  

Wondering...

what goes on in that little mind of hers,

what she sees herself creating, 

what prompts her color choices,

and how she decides what shape to make next. 

She is a work of art.

little feet

 

I don't want these size sixers to ever get bigger.  I looooooove these stage of the game with Leighton.  Now, ask me how much I love it when we are in the full throngs of potty training next week (or maybe the next) and my answer may be a bit different.  But if I could freeze her in time and have her forever be 25 months, I think I would.  

She is a major copy cat...words (even naughy-potty ones), actions, mannerisms... and her favorite person to emulate...big sister Ellie. 

She adores playing babies (especially with Daddy) and must give each baby the essentials...baba, passie, blanket, rattle.  You're just not a baby if you don't have those four things.

She poops on the potty for jelly bellies.  She'll do her duty for just one of those little guys (which obviously seem a lot bigger to her than they do to me).  

She screeches with delight when Save the Baby Gecko comes on Wonderpets.

Has an incredible vocabulary and will repeat anything with perfect annunciation...including prophylaxis 

She's quite a puzzle worker and has far surpassed my puzzling abilities.

She loves dancing to music but has firm opinions on which songs she does and doesn't like.

She likes to read to herself and finishes every story with, "The end.  Did you like that story?" 

after naps

after nap routine...

mommy cuddles

rosy nap cheeks

wild nap curls

milk please

Wonderpets on

two at the zoo

I love throwing birthday parties for my girls.  And typically I go all out.  My mother-in-law still teases me about Brooklyn's first birthday party and how the live ladybugs got loose in my trunk.  It was a ladybug party...you obviously have to have live ladybugs  for a ladybug hunt right?  Themes are my thing.  Handmade invitations, unique decor, hand cut banners, coordinating paper goods, homemade cakes and cupcakes, crafted party favors, (hours on pinterest)... you get the idea.

But I really reigned myself in this time. Simplified.  And it was totally great.  For Leighton's second birthday party, we had a two at the zoo party.  Just family, smuggled picnic lunch, and simple (and somewhat smashed) funfetti cupcakes.

 Did she feel ripped off, neglected, or overlooked?  Not for a second.  She loved it.  

two

Happy Birthday Little Leighton...

Oh, how I love you so.

Leighton loves...

hiding

doggies and kitties

playing  babies

having everything her big sisters have

waking up Daddy

babas and blankies

riding in her "seat car"

going to the park

lollies

socks and shoes on

lip gloss and fingernail polish

giving hugs and kisses

under cover baby

It has been suggested we start calling her Blanket (like the famous Jackson baby).  

I guess this is the only way to get a little alone time around here.  

You may find me under my blankie soon...

Dear Andy,

assuming

Never assume the lid is on tight enough...especially when she's wearing a new shirt for the first time...

Leighton-isms

It is absolutely amazing to watch this little one's personality develop.  She is such a unique individual already.

She is the only one in the family who calls Ellie "Ellison", and its always in a very loud voice followed by... "Where are you?"

She has no fight or flight instincts.  When she gets scared, she simply hits the deck.  And has been known to lie down flat on her face in the middle of a playground if a loud plane or mower passes by.

She could live on a diet of milk and fruit snacks.  And Barney.

We call her a little parrot because she repeats the last 2 or 3 words of literally everything we say.

She definitely inherited the Spross trait of proper annunciation (that is if you don't count her singing Happy Death Day to you...)

She has really taken to hiding and has outsmarted Mommy several times (she is a silent statue behind the curtains I tell you)

Her favorite thing to say is "Awkward"

She always knows when she's had enough of something and immediately says, "I'm done, put it away."  And it must go back exactly where it belongs too.

20 months?

No... you can't be 20 months.  Because that would mean in only 4 months you will be 2 years old.  And that just can't be.  Because 2 is a toddler, and not a baby.  And you are my baby.  The baby that always wants mommy.  The baby that wants to be held more than let down.  The baby that hides behind my legs.  The baby that cuddles with her milk and blankie.  The baby that still goes in the nursery at church.  The baby I don't mind changing...even the stinkers.