Thursday, September 9, 2010

Little Details

I feel like I'm so busy doing nothing right now. And that's because this house has been potty training. Right now I am feeling something similar to what I felt right after the twins were born. That my life is over! Will I ever leave my house again? Have any normalcy back? Right now I'm certain that I'm stuck here in this house without a chance of leaving for at least a year (with a calendar of scheduled STUFF staring me in the face). I'm feeling negative about it and I'm only on day 3...with ONE of the two boys. Isn't there someone I can pay to take my place for a few weeks? Is that really too much to ask?

Alright, I know it could be worse. I need to give Carson a little more credit. He's doing well...I think. I guess I don't have much to compare him too (uh...except Cade who is being incredibly stubborn). I feel like I don't really know what I'm doing, but I'm doing what I think is best...even though I don't know what I'm doing. Wow. This REALLY feels like having newborns all over again. So, the details (I'll spare you the messy ones). Carson doesn't fight certain things. He is super obedient, especially at home. Get him out in the open and it's a different story. But at home, he always follows directions well. So getting him to sit on the potty all day long hasn't been too difficult. He's been in undies for almost 3 full days now, except for sleepy time. I'm proud of him. But we still have a long road ahead of us. Cade is more difficult and stubborn with stuff like this. It has to be his idea or nothin'. So, I'm hoping that he will naturally follow Carson on his own, and so far it looks promising. But since he hasn't really started in his journey, I see no end in sight. I'm serious about someone taking my place right now.

Next up: sleeping arrangements. Carson has been out of his crib for forever (just under a year) and he still won't really sleep in his bed. He sleeps in his room, just not his bed. His cuddle buddy is his door. Doesn't that sound nice & comfy? For some reason, that's where he choses to be. Maybe because it's the closest he can get to us...on the other side of the door? Who knows. But we move him to his bed every night, only to listen to him seconds later go back to his door and continue sleeping. No pillow. No blankets. Just Carson and his door. Maybe I should by a soft little doggy bed and put it by his door!!! Really though, I'm not sure what to do. I hate that he just lays there without blankets, but I also don't what to set up a little sleep station and encourage him to sleep there. I keep telling myself that he'll get over it sometime soon...but here we are a year later.
Cade is great at sleeping in his bed and staying in his room. He doesn't fight it at all. Could these two be any more different? Ha...probably! Anyway, he's a little champ when it comes to sleep and I'm trying to enjoy it while it lasts.

Fall seems to be in full swing (man it's cold today!). And with that comes the primary program. We have one more week of practice. This calling, primary chorister, is one of the most fun and most time consuming callings in the church, in my opinion. It requires lots of preparation time, massive amounts of energy on Sundays, and there is not one Sunday out of the year that you get a rest. Not one (not to mention how hard it is to find someone willing to sub for this)! But it's so fun and rewarding, and I just love it. We have been singing our hearts out all year long in preparation for the program. I'm feeling a little added stess as it looms ahead of me and am anxious to sigh that big sigh of relief that will come when I can cross it off my list. But one thing is for sure, there are few things that bring the Spirit quicker than singing primary songs. They are sweet and bear pure truth and testimony. I feel so grateful that I get to sing them every Sunday and then have them running through my head all week long.

Music makes me happy...and good thing since piano is back in full force. I had a small break over the summer, which was needed. I added three students, making 9 total. Just those few more makes a huge difference. I teach on Tuesday and Thursday evenings when Shane is home. And then he has Wednesday nights with the young men. So I feel like we are never really all together. We are trying to make the most out of Mondays and Fridays. It is a sacrifice, but I'm grateful that I am able to do it. It's a job, but it is very fulfulling. My love for piano and music in general has increased so much through teaching...and when I play, I feel like I'm a better pianist because of my experiences teaching. If only I could find a way to magically transfer that love & understanding of music to each one of my students!

Life is good. It will be better when both boys are fully doing their business in the big potty. But even still, life is good.

9 comments:

Unknown said...

I wish there were answers on the whole potty thing. Just when we think Chase has it down, I was sitting with him on the couch, and started feeling something wet and warm on my leg. Needless to say, I was not pleased. Good luck. They will get it eventually.

Stephanie said...

Life will be normal again! I promise. :) I agree with you on the whole love of music. Thanks for helping my son learn all those amazing primary songs. You do a fantastic job. And for the record, I would love to sub when you need a break!

Amber said...

oh man. good luck with the potty training. and sleep!!! we are struggling here. quinn WON'T sleep in her big girl bed and climbs out of her crib ALL night. (I think we got up to 14 times last night). it's frustrating and i can't wait until things are normal again :)

Janelle Dobson said...

In the words of my good friend, "If I knew how hard it was to potty train I would have reconsidered having children." Seriously, so hard. I feel like I'm a failure at it so from my mistakes I can tell you what NOT to do. Don't push it- let them be excited about it and lead the way. If it becomes a power struggle it takes a LOT longer and involves a lot more tears.
And when I was a little girl I used to sleep in my parent's bedroom doorway when I was scared. I didn't want to bother them, so that was as close as I dared go for comfort. Your post made me reminice and smile.

Brooke said...

I am totally with you on the potty training thing. You feel like you can never leave the house (I have a story I'll have to share later). I also feel the same way with primary; very rewarding, but very exhausting.

The McGary's said...

Oh gosh I just got done potty training and I can tell you this, it sounds like Cade and Hunter have the same personality. Hunter will be 3 next month and it is like one day it just clicked. I tried a couple times early on and we were getting absolutely no where so I just quit. I would still ask him often if he wanted to wear underwear or try going on the potty and every time it was NO!!! There was no changing his mind and I didn't force it I just always made it an option. Then one day his response changed and it was on his terms and he was ready to try. We had a couple accidents but as soon as he realized that the wet stuff running down his leg was pee and that is what it feels like to have to pee he hasn't had an accident since even at night. I am not saying it will go this way for everybody but my point is it really isn't worth the fight to force it if they aren't ready. But it sounds like you are doing everything perfectly for your little guys and your right maybe Cade will follow when Carson gets it. Good luck, I hope they catch on quick.

Kara and Kevin said...

Ahhh Potty Training is tough, and I hear its harder with boys. Mylee has been potty trained for a couple months, but yesterday and today she completely peed her pants! :( Anyways wish I had some awesome answers but with time they'll get it, hopefully sooner than later!

Justin and JoLyn said...

Potty training was a completely different experience with every one of my children. We started bribing Kyler with Thomas trains... but then later switched to Skittles when it started getting too expensive! They all had different hang-ups and problems with it... except my Carson. I thought he would be the hardest, but ended up being the easiest. Hang in there. Ky still wears pull-ups... yep. Hang in there.

Andrea said...

AHH potty training! Such a great time in life....not! Good luck, it will get better I promise, although with two it might take a little longer.