Brooklyn may not be trained, but...

her dolly might be.  We had another short-lived attempt at potty training.  I've heard that most kids learn much quicker after 2 1/2 yrs.  So, we're taking small steps for now.  We've had success in the mornings catching her first BM.  When I see her start to grunt or push, we make a mad dash for the potty, and usually we'll catch the last half of it, plus some pee.  She then is rewarded with her favorite snack, drinkable "Dora" yogurt.  On this particular day, we spent about an hour outside on the back patio.  I let her play with her toys, drink water, and eat watermelon.  I explained to the process and had her demonstrate it.  She seemed to understand the concept, and I even had her practice pulling down her own undies, which is difficult for her because she doesn't know how to reach around to the back to pull down, no matter how many times I remind her and show her.  Though she seemed to understand the procedure, she made 3 puddles.  Anticipating this, we were outside.  I just pointed out the puddle and said in a serious tone, "Uh-oh.  That's pee-pee.  Does (p) go on the floor?"  Brooklyn, "No." Me, "It goes in the potty.  This is where pee goes."  Then I would "quiz" her.  Does it go here? (no.)  Does it go in the potty? (yes.)  I also had her "teach" her dolly how to go.  She was a pretty good teacher/mother to her dolly, yet she's still not really got the grasp of it herself.  She also tried to feed her dolly some watermelon.  After her nap that afternoon, she continued to "mother" her baby by serving her up some more watermelon.  

Ouch!

At the end of our Sunday stroll, Brooklyn entertained herself with the two hairs she found just below Stephen's neck.

Another Rainy Day

These are pictures from our Sunday walk. The day vacillated between a light drizzle and a windy thunder-storm. Stephen may not have been dressed for the weather, but Brookie was.
She didn't pass up the opportunity to walk and splash around in all the massive puddles.
She couldn't get enough of the puddles! One time when I was checking my pictures on the camera and Stephen was closing up an umbrella, we turned around to find that Brooklyn had decided to begin lapping up puddle water. Ewe!

New Do

My mom and sister strongly encourage me to do Brooklyn's hair for SOME reason. Perhaps because it's pretty much outta control if left untouched. So this post is for them. Here it is - Brooklyn's first "whole pony." (With a little help from about 10 bendy clips.)
It makes her look so grown up. Below is a picture of her at "kids club" (the child care at the gym) with her friend Laurel. Laurel is sporting the huge bow to match her outfit just like every other little girl in our "neck of the woods" EXCEPT Brooklyn.

Easter

Hope you all had a happy Easter!  

More Fun with Grandparents

My parents visited three weeks ago today, to celebrate with us Brooklyn's 2nd b-day.  I already posted some of the Gator and Friends shots, so here are others from the same weekend.  

It snowed for the second time in the past 3 months here.  Not that great of a day to travel and tour around, but kind of fun that it was a rare occurrence and my parents were here to "enjoy" it with us.  Brooklyn has all the cute snow gear, while I think I probably ran out there in my robe-covered flannel p.j.'s, scarf-covered head, and boot-covered slipper-socks.  (I know I really didn't need to admit that, but hey - there's no picture to prove it!)

Later in the day (when I was actually dressed) we visited Stephen at work and had lunch in the cafeteria.  One of Stephen's favorite perks at Willis-Knighton is the "free lunch" with lots of choices.  Kind of like the freshman dorm cafeterias at BYU, but with a Southern/Cajun cuisine.   I somehow get the feeling my home-made dinners pale in comparison to Stephen's week-day lunches but oh well, who says I have to compete?  It is kind of funny though that his lunch meal is the fanciest and largest meal of the day while mine usually consists of a PB&J sandwich or 3-day repeat left-overs that Stephen didn't care for the first time around!  
We visited Sci-port, a children's museum in Shreveport.  Brooklyn really liked the water station with the colorful rubber duckies.

Cute and Tricky...

The big cheese!
Nothing like the fresh out-of-the-all-day-pony-tail hairdo! 

Caption for below, "Who, me?"
Nothing builds experience better than failed attempts, right?

My basic potty-training plan was to build-up the idea in her mind and present it as a special distinction of grown-ups that is now within her reach.  My preparation included picking up a musical potty at Walmart and acquiring way too many cute character panties including a 7-day pack of Elmos and a few adorable Dora's.  I promised that she could wear these if she uses the new potty.  I also promised to give her a cookie.  After she downed a cup of milk, juice, and water, and after keeping her little toosh on that potty for 30 - 40 minutes, I am still kicking myself for "breaking" for my own lunch.  My moment of weakness arrived when my empty stomach cried out at 2 in the afternoon.  Since breakfast at 7:30, I had gone to the gym, had a marathon shopping adventure at JoAnne's and Walmart, had lugged all my groceries and my 30-pound two-year old up the stairs, and had declared potty war for just too long now.  Only experienced trainers will know this is the dumbest thing I could have done - give up in a moment of weakness!  Next thing I know, she's heading out to the back patio.  'Fine!' I thought, ' the patio is safe and I need a break myself!'  No more than 2 minutes later, she comes in announcing "potty!" so I plopped her back on her very own "royal throne" only to see that she was pointing to the back patio showing me the wet spot.  NO!  Why was I so weak? Why did I give up only a moment too soon!  Aarg!  This is not for wimps.  I can't believe I was just duped by a two-year old!  She heard me warn her against dirtying the carpet, so she didn't do that, but aah!  I foolishly did not see that one coming.  After that, I hadn't the guts or the patience to try again.  Help!  I have been out-witted by a tw0-year-old!  My seemingly strong persistence was yet outlasted by my toddler's.  

If anyone has tried and true advice, or book recommendations, I welcome and obviously need them.  I've sort-of nixed the premise of "Potty-train your child in one day" because apparently it involves letting your child run nude all day.   This method doesn't seem effective when one needs to leave the house for any reason.   So tomorrow is library day, I'll be sure to check out some books and do some more internet research.  Beware new moms - nothing is impossible for a two-year old!

Below is just a funny picture of her.  She has always loved elevating her feet when she's relaxed, but this pose takes the cake.  Check the angle of her legs on the second shot.  I love checking in on her while she's sleeping at night.  It is then that she can do no wrong and no matter how challenging the day, suddenly she's a terrible two-year-old gone cherubim!