It's been a month

Friday, May 22, 2009

It has been a month since we started potty training. I have to say I didn't think I was going to make it passed the first 3 days, but every day gets better and better. She is getting so good at telling when she has to go potty. We took our first trip last week out of town and she did great. I didn't know what to expect flying on a the plan, but she did great. She is having night time training, but I know it's getting better because she is crying out at night and that's her way of saying "hey I need to potty". She has at least one pee pee accident at night. That's better than three.
Yes, Melissa still has some accidents during the day, but I know that is normal for a 23 month old. It's not going to be 100 % everyday.

Hanging out at DD's House

Friday, May 22, 2009

Last Tuesday, May 12, 2009 Melissa and I headed to West Texas to visit my mom and other family and friends. We also went for the Great Strides Walk. During our visit we went to the park a lot, feed the ducks and even was chased by a goose. Melissa and I went to visit my sister Peyton one day. I took Melissa out to DD's work and she had a blast seeing all the big trucks. My Grandmother and Melissa Great Grandmother came over to visit us and for the day. Melissa has her Great Grandmother wrapped around her finger. Melissa went to her first College Graduation. My dear friend Sara who I call my little sister graduated from Junior College. Melissa did well through out the Graduation. She like hearing the band playing.
Most off all Melissa had fun playing at DD's house. DD had a baby doll bed that was hers when she was a little girl and I also played with it. Melissa thought it was fun putting her babies to sleep in their own bed. She would even tell them "No pee in the bed."
She also loved playing the piano. You can see in the video how serious she was playing the piano. I have seen over the last year how much Melissa loves music. She can hear a song one time and be singing it or she will just start dancing to the music.


Another Great Stirdes Walk: Lubbock Texas

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

On Saturday, May 16, 2009 Melissa, Paul and I walked in the Lubbock Texas Great Strides Walk. This was our 2nd year to walk in Lubbock. Melissa's Crew had 15 walkers this year! The weather was cold and raniey, but that didn't stop the walk.
Paul and I were so happy to see this many turn out for Melissa. I had a big smile on my face the whole day. We had close friends and family walking with us and also a lot of my moms (DD) co-workers. My Uncle Sherwood drove all the way from Dallas to Lubbock just to walk for his Great niece. He could not be at the walk in Plano this year. We thank all of those who came out to walk with us at the Lubbock walk. Also thank you DD for getting a team together again this year and raising money to find a Cure.


Hanging out with my Cousins

Friday, May 15, 2009
Last week our sister in-law Jackie and our nieces Sydney (10) and Jordan (4) came to visit for three days. Melissa had a blast playing with her cousins.

On Wednesday, May 6, 2009 Jackie, Sydney, Jordan and I went to the Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs while Paul and Melissa stayed home and played.

Tutankhamun and the Golden age of Pharaohs" explores the figures who guided ancient Egypt more than 3,000 years ago. The exhibition focuses on the 18th Dynasty, a 100-year period when Egypt was at the height of its power and the "golden age" of Egyptian artistry. This was the era when Tutankhamun and his ancestors reigned. The extensive array of more than 130 extraordinary artifacts from the tomb of Tutankhamun and other ancient Egyptian sites features 50 of Tutankhamun's burial objects, including his royal diadem and one of the four gold and precious stone inlaid canopic coffinettes that contained his mummified internal organs.
I really enjoyed it, I like doing things like this now that I'm older and wiser. Sydney and Jordan didn't want to be there, but one day they will like things like this.


That night Jackie and the girls stayed and had dinner with us. Melissa loved playing with Sydney and Jordan.



On Thursday, May 7, 2009 Sydney and Jordan spent the night with us. Melissa didn't know that they had stayed over. The next morning she was up and ready to go by 7:30am. Sydney and Jordan had stayed up late watching TV so I was doing everything I could to keep Melissa out of the living room. She found her way to the living room and found her cousins sleeping on the floor. She wanted to get on the air mattress and wake them up.

The girls stayed with me all day on Friday while Jackie ran some errands that day. We went to the park and once again Melissa loved having her cousins playing with her at the park. You could tell she was eating it up.


The Early Show on CBS News to Feature Great Strides

The Early Show on CBS News to feature GREAT STRIDES and CFF Volunteers!
On Saturday, May 16 from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., hundreds of GREAT STRIDES walkers will line the sidewalks on the set of The Early Show and be “chatted up” by weathercaster Lonnie Quinn. Families will carry banners and cheer for GREAT STRIDES on national television. Don't forget to tune in!

Texas Legislature to Fund CF Newborn Screening

Texas Legislature to Fund CF Newborn Screening – All 50 States Soon to be Screening for CF
May 11, 2009
The Texas Legislature has approved legislation that includes full funding for newborn screening for cystic fibrosis. Once passed, the legislation will provide funds to ensure that every infant born in the state is checked for CF at birth.
Texas was the last state to adopt a full newborn screening program. The state will determine an exact start date for the program shortly.
Babies that are screened are more likely to be diagnosed earlier, which means that they can start treatment sooner. Early treatment for babies with CF can lead to better health, fewer hospitalizations and longer lives.
Legislators in Texas supported newborn screening funding after hearing from CF Advocates about the importance of the program. CF Advocates have been instrumental in bringing about newborn screening successes. Since 2005, Advocates have helped convince forty five states to require that all newborns be screened for cystic fibrosis.
You can speak out to your elected officials on behalf of people with cystic fibrosis.

2009 Collin County Great Strides Walk

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

On May 2, 2009 we walked in the Collin County Great Strides Walk. We had a good turn out at the walk. Our team was small this year because of the date, but Melissa's Crew raised $2, 795. We still have some more fundraiser coming. Enjoy the video and watch the end with Melissa dancing.


7 years ago

Monday, May 11, 2009

Seven years ago Paul and I said "I do" to each other. Wow has it really been seven years? I know for those who have been married longer than me you are thinking oh that's nothing. I'm just amazed how fast time has gone. Marriage has been good to us. We are still in love and look forward to many many more years. Life has changed since Melissa has joined our family, but it has been worth it. I love you Paul and Thank You for being a great husband to me.


Mother's Day

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Today has been a great Mother's Day, I'm so blessed to be Melissa's mom. She has changed my life for the better. Melissa and Paul gave me a pretty Willow Tree Angel and some pretty cards. Paul made dinner for me and even cleaned the kitchen up.

What we have been up to other than potty training

Saturday, May 9, 2009

About three weeks ago my Aunt came to see us. She hasn't met Melissa and was in the DFW area for the weekend. This would be Melissa Great Aunt. It was nice to see her. This was right after I started potty training so I was stressed out.



Also the same day my mom (DD) as Melissa calls her came in and stayed 9 days with us. I tell you my mom (DD) was a big help to me while Paul was gone on a business trip. DD helped me with Melissa's potty training and also I got to get out of the house and run errands with out Melissa. I even took time to go to the dentist. Melissa loved having DD giving her all her attention.

Potty Training update

Saturday, May 9, 2009
I just thought I would share that Melissa has been accident free during the day for 2 weeks. She is even doing so well going to the bathroom in public places. I can't tell you how proud I am of her.
Nighttime potty training isn't going that well. Last weekend she went two nights with out an accident, but then that stopped. She did have one dry night this past week and then this morning she woke up dry. I think this is going to take a little longer. I'm really tired getting up two or three times at night checking on her and taking her to the potty. I feel like I did when she was a newborn not sleep all night. Melissa is doing great going back to sleep.

Traci

A new job and going to preschool

Monday, May 4, 2009

At the beginning of April, I applied for part time job at our Church preschool. I thought this would be a good thing for Melissa and I. I would get out of the house for two days a week and earn some money. Also Melissa will get to go to the preschool as a student. Last Monday I was offered the job. Melissa and I will be starting school in the fall. I know we both will enjoy it.

Q&A on potty training

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Here are the the questions I got.

Like I said on my first post about potty training my friend told me about the 3 day potting training. I believe it helps to stick to one program. You also have to have Love, Consistency, Patience, Dedication, Positive Reinforcement and Focus. Here is the link to the 3 day potty training http://www.3daypottytraining.com

Question #1
Does she still sleep in a crib? That's got to be a pain changing sheets if she does.
Yes, Melissa is still in her crib. We don't have any reason to move Melissa in to a big bed yet. She still sleeps well in her bed and loves it. It was a pain to change, but it has all been worth it.

Question #2
I've been thinking of training Lil' Chris to sleep in his toddler bed first before I start potty training him. What do you think?
Well this is your personal choice. Is Lil' Chris climbing out of bed? Do you need him out of the crib? Are you seeing any signs of Lil' Chris ready for potty training? I really don't know how to answer this one. Just know that both are going to take time! I will need help when we do move Melissa in to a big bed.

Question #3
Do you use a training potty or the or the big potty?
I used the little seat on the big potty. I saw how Melissa was interested in the big potty that I thought she would do better on it. I also didn't want to have to retrain her to sit on the big potty. The little potty that goes on the big potty has handles and it has her favorite on it ELMO!

Question #4
What kind of potty seat do you have in the car?
I just bought a cheap potty chair from Target. I let Melissa know that it's in the car and if she needs to go potty not to potty in the carseat. This is also in the 3 day potty training program. The potty chair came in handy yesterday at the Great Strides Walk.

Question #5
How many pairs of underwear did you buy?
I had on hand at least 20 pairs. I'm so glad I bought that many because the first three days we went through a lot.

I hope those who are welling to give this a try have a positive experience. Please let me know if you do end up using the 3 day potty training program.

Traci


It clicked!!!

Saturday, May 2, 2009

I'm having computer problems so I'm using Paul's laptop to write this post.
On Tuesday it clicked, Melissa was holding it and telling my mom and I she had to go potty. She had one small accident that day. On Wednesday she did good until we went out to eat with family. She had a pee pee accident in the car seat. I wasn't up set, but did tell her we don't pee pee in the car seat. After changing her and getting cleaned up we went out to eat. This was our first time going out to eat since we started potty training. Melissa did great, she told me she had to go potty. Yes had to go and went in the restaurant restroom. I was so proud of her. Also on Wednesday afternoon Melissa woke up from her nap with a dry bed. She had had a dry bed the last three afternoons. Melissa will tell us "No pee pee in bed"! She is so proud off herself. On Thursday Melissa didn't have one accident the whole day. She stayed in the same pair of panties all day. Same thing on Friday and today accident free!
The best news of all is that Melissa didn't wet her bed at all last night. My mom got her up around 11:30pm and she was dry, but she still put her on the potty just in case. Melissa didn't need to pee pee so back to bed. Around 3:00am I went in to check on her and her bed was still dry. I got her up to potty and she went. She told me "No pee pee in bed"! I told her I was proud of her and back to bed she went. I had to get her up early today for her Great Strides walk and her bed was still dry. She went all night with out peeing in her bed! I know it was only one night, but I'm so proud of her.

Today at the Great Strides Walk I didn't know how it would go with us walking 3 miles, but Melissa did great. She held it until we finished the walk. I took her to the SUV to the car potty and she went. That was her first time to pee in the car potty. Melissa is learning to control her bladder.

Since my computer isn't working, I will try my best to do the Q&A tomorrow! I just wanted to share with you all that it took a week for her to get the potty training down.