gross

It has come to my attention that I wrote a post about food in between two stories about potty training. Thanks for keepin’ me aware, Katelyn!

j potty update

The other day when I was watching J and C, a new development in the J vs. Sawa war on potty unfolded. Here’s how it went down.  I had just positioned myself on the brown sofa, baby in arms, to deliver a much desired bottle to C. He was getting a little on the fussy side (a rarity for him) so I knew it was time to feed.  He took the bottle like a champ.  I was in the middle of patting his sweet, round back in hopes of a burp when suddenly he spit up all over the front of my shirt.  Great.  Oh well…at least infant vomit doesn’t have an odor.

I was still in shock of the spit up when notice J across the room.  He had been stationed at the dining room table (pre feed) to enjoy a snack of “peanut butter crackers” and sliced pears before I sat down to feed C.  I find this an effective sitting technique: feed both children at once, that way I can see the antsy 3 year old while I hold baby C in bottle position on the couch.  It tends to work out for me.

At first, I couldn’t even be sure that I had heard J say something, but the look on his face told me he had made an announcement.  I said, “What J?  I couldn’t hear you.”

The slightest, breathiest whisper escaped his lips: “I don’t have to go.”  Then his face went into number two production mode.  I knew it was on, and it was up to me to race him to the training toilet downstairs. Swiftly, I set C in his swing (didn’t have time to strap him in….don’t call CPS on me por favor) and ran to the table.  J let out a telling grunt as I plucked him from his seat and flew to the bathroom, toddler in hands.  As quickly as possible, I unbuttoned his pants to sit him on the pot.

The stench that escaped his batman underwear told me that I was too late.  To late to intercept the load.  I was bummed, but threw him in the shower for a quick spray down and gave him a fresh pair of underwear and shorts to put on.  Not wanting to appear disappointed or upset with the young boy, I lied through my smile  as I redressed him, “It’s totally ok J.  You’re doing great.  We’ll get it next time.” And miracle of miracles, we did get it next time.  But only because of my boss negotiation skills.  Yesterday, number two was safely deposited in the mini-john.  Hooray!

I do have to give it to the kid.  He sticks to his convictions.  Some may label it “denial” because he said he didn’t have to go poo when he was on the verge of doin’ the doody in his trousers.  But I prefer to call it conviction.  This little dude has learned the American way: stick it to the man, no matter what situation you’re in.  Maybe he’ll learn wisdom and honesty someday.  We can only hope.

big fat experiment

Got this recipe from my mom’s cookbook, entitled Big Fat Cookies.  Tried the “Butterscotch Blondie Marble Cookies” for the first time today.  They were a little bigger and a little fatter than I anticipated. Voila, the result:

 

I’ll proportion them better next time.  They still taste pretty darn good.  Stay tuned to see what I do with the loads of free time I have on my hands these days.

deep seeded fear

I have been blessed with a wonderful baby sitting job for a family here in SLO.  They have two young boys. J just turned three, and is so much fun.  He loves building forts, play dough, and ghost pirates.  C is almost 12 weeks, takes a bottle like a champ, and loves to have dance parties with his older bro.  Needless to say I stinking love them.  They are the best.  Save for one catch.

J, being 3, has naturally reached the threshold for potty training.  His mom reminds him each day as she leaves the house, “J, who are you gonna tell if you have to go potty?”  To which he replies, “Sawa.”  That’s me. 

Turns out that he never actually tells Sawa if he needs to go.  So the responsibility lies with me to constantly ask, “J, do you need to go potty?”  To which the response is infallibly a whiney “I don’t wanna go!”  But at least once I trudge him downstairs to the little, er I mean, “big boy” potty and let him try to go.  I mean, he loses nothing for trying.  He even gets a Pez candy just for squatting on the pot.  Win-win, I say.  He doesn’t think so, though.  

He usually stands, stiff-legged in front of his tiny potty and squeals “NOOOOOOOO.” As I try to calmly coax him into sitting down and just giving a little push.  I kid you not: he is deathly afraid of doo doo.  I have no clue why, but the kid will go days without a #2 sighting and give himself a huge stomach ache.  His mom assures me that this is totally normal for kids his age, but I still have my doubts.  I just feel like a villain each time I have to march him downstairs to give it a try.  Hopefully this phobia subsides soon!

most wonderful time of the year

For some reason, I love June 2. Call me crazy, but I think its one of the best days of the year, and I have absolutely no idea why. Here’s a few of my theories why this random date might be significant to me…

1. When I was graduating the 6th grade, I remember that our celebration/graduation party to move up into Jr. High youth group was on June 2.  I have no idea why I remember this, except that I thought I was the epitome of cool to be in Jr. High. Maybe I’ve learned some things since then.  Also significant about this day…I stepped on a bee in Westdale Park and my foot swelled up so big it couldn’t fit in my shoe.
2. My dear neighbors back home in Bako had their second daughter on June 2, 1998.  I was almost ten, and got to go to the hospital to visit the mama, daddy, and new baby. It was incredible.  I have never seen a baby so new or so perfect. She turned 11 today.  Time flies.
3. I just found out (thank you facebook) that my pastor’s b-day is today…Happy Birthday Bryan!
4. For most of my life, I’ve either been just beginning summer break or so close I can taste it on this date. Its a wonderful feeling to be almost there.  The anticipation is building, and the boredom of summer hasn’t set in yet.
5. It’s my blog’s 1 year anniversary!

And that’s all I can think of for now.  I just love June 2nd.