Potty Trained... By Thanksgiving.

Okay, so this is a little, or a lot late in coming...

After the pee-standing-up diabolical of the summer, potty training has been a bit challenging.  J has wanted to run the show, and mom has had other ideas.

Finally, in a moment of accepting that our child is a strong-willed product of two very strong-willed parents...  I offered J a deal...

He could pee standing up, as long as he did all his potty business in the potty.

He self day trained that day.  With, knock on wood, no accidents.  We are now starting to night train over this Holiday break. 

I'll have to let you know how it goes...

A little Sunday fun...

 While Daddy was watching football...

 Although, he was stressed over missing the Bears.

 Mr McQueen, did help distract pretty effectively...

Best part... He sleeps so well after all this fun!

Adding New Traditions

On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the first day after our tree was up, J woke to find a new visitor in our home.

One that is yet.to.be.named, but very close to Santa.

One that has been used to remind J that he better be more nice than naughty.

One who brings note to whisper in Mommy & Daddy's ear that a certain long-awaited potty-training toy was deserved, or a special movie to be shared on the big TV as a family.

One who, until he has his name, has been limited in his activities around the house, but I really want J to be apart of naming our Elf, so that will be my goal over the next summer is to talk about Mr. Elf & help J come up with the right name for him.

Until, then, we just say a proper "Thank You Mr. Elf", whenever he graces us with a special treat.

And to what did his sleep filled eyes appear?

But a mostly decorated Christmas tree.

Growing up, we always went to pick our Christmas tree on the day after Thanksgiving.  We'd let the snow melt off of it in the garage overnight, and then my dad would trim it & place it in the stand the next morning.  We'd have a delightful breakfast together by the warmth of our fireplace & decorate the tree.

Obviously, this is a memory I treasure.  Even as we traded real for fake. 

And hearty breakfast went the way of Mt. Dew (then later Diet Dew), decorating our tree on the day after Thanksgiving was a moment to be treasured.

By high school, it was my job & my job alone.  So it was no surprise, that the year I was pregnant - we had no tree.

Or that the following year, we had a lit tree with no ornaments.

However, last year, I caught the bug again.  How could I not, with the spirit of a child guiding my way?

And this year, I passed it on, as I revived the P family tradition.  Which was so totally awesome, as J was in awe of the tree.  He was so excited, as he rubbed his sleep filled eyes (as I possibly used nap time to set it up) almost like he was trying to make sure what he was seeing was real, pointed & said "Christmas Mommy!  Christmas!"

He was such a great helper to decorate the tree!  Okay, to finish decorating the tree...

However, trying to get a nice picture to share with family....

Not so cooperative.

Barney... Live... Birthday Bash...

Sorry for the craptastic quality, but these were taken with my phone, since I didn't think I could take my camera.

I was wrong... I could have used the better quality camera... Oh well... Lesson learned...

J's face.  Priceless...

Thanksgiving 2010

We joyfully shared our Thanksgiving dinner with the M side of the family.  J loves the attention & doting he always receives there.

This year was extra special, as he attended it his big boy underwear.  Happily he dropped his pants to show everyone his Mickey underwear.

And he was old enough to participate in preschool crafts & display them.

And when he wasn't the center of a specific person's world, he entertained himself with his newest learning development toy.  Alphie.

But mostly... He giggled...

Additional Shots...

We went to Portrait Innnovations & they did their typical good job.  Mr. M commented that none knocked his socks off, but J takes great pictures...

We wanted to use a private photagrapher, but I wanted to long to book the appointment.  Lesson learned, must book by October.  Yes, October...