So, we've started the....what attempt are we on now? I've lost count. We're trying to do some potty training with A.
This is the second week.
He's not getting it. He will sit on the potty for 10 minutes, we'll pull up his pants (he still needs help with that) and then he'll run straight to the corner and pee in his undies. Doesn't faze him, but it sure rattles us. Thank God for Pergo flooring. We've tried rerouting him back to the potty, but he just holds it. I've tried taking him every half hour, every 20 minutes, and every 15 minutes. Doesn't matter. We even put the cotton briefs on him, figuring that maybe the pullups were wicking enough moisture away that it was still comfy even if he'd peed himself. He's gone in the potty all of 3 times in the last 2 weeks, and I've done everything short of standing on my head to praise him and act excited when he's actually done so.
He doesn't get the reward system of M&Ms/whatever (I've heard one for pee and two for the other) or stickers that get put on a sheet, whether for the sheer joy of sticking something on something else or for the cumulative effect (if you get 5 stickers, you'll get [insert object here]). Nor does sitting vs. standing have any effect. Although he will try to reach in after Cheerios to eat them. Toilet paper just sinks and dissolves.
Any suggestions? Anyone?
Any one? We'll try just about anything, as long as it's not harmful to him. Would he still be able to walk if we duct-taped his heinie to the potty? Just (mostly) kidding...
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Monday, June 18, 2007
Adventures in Chicagoland
I had a terrific time two weeks ago in Chicago. I was able to witness (and take part in) nearly every form of art imaginable ~ including painting. The conference center we were at was doing a project for people in the Dominican Republic and wanted the attendees to paint a picture or abstraction of "hope" to send to them. All week, people added to the ginormous canvases that were prominently displayed in the main walkways.
I was able to meet people from 4 other countries (21 were represented, as well as all 50 U.S. states), and enjoyed seminars on everything from vocal artistry to dramatic arts. I also had a fantastic time listening to Dewitt Jones, who spent years as a photographer for National Geographic magazine, and also does work for private companies' advertising departments. It really struck me, while watching his pictures on the screen slide past my vision, that God has really blessed us. He is kind; as a creative God, he allowed this part of Himself to be included in us when we were formed in His image. He apparently felt that this was important enough to add to our beauty ~ I just wish that everyone understood the importance of arts. Since the age of enlightenment, when we (as humans) try to explain everything logically and scientifically, artists capture the mystery that is around us every day, often in surprising ways.
I am refueled and already working on 5 abstract designs for 5 different sets on a current dilemma, am writing some music that will be performed shortly, and am working on a theatrical program set for production at Christmas involving both adults and children. And in my spare time, collaging and scrapbooking ~ but not in the traditional way. See my link to Ali Edwards for the style I like. I haven't actually set scissor to photo since I've been back, with everything else going on.
Which reminds me:
Sorry it took so long to post, but we had to take Aunt H back to the airport, Z's mom has a heart condition that was very serious, and between therapies and K's MRI on Friday, and a music writing session with our group on Sunday I just haven't had much extra time to myself. Kids are in bed now, so I can finish this (I started to write this on the 18th, and today is the 26th....). I know; *wah*, right? ;) More to follow soon.
I was able to meet people from 4 other countries (21 were represented, as well as all 50 U.S. states), and enjoyed seminars on everything from vocal artistry to dramatic arts. I also had a fantastic time listening to Dewitt Jones, who spent years as a photographer for National Geographic magazine, and also does work for private companies' advertising departments. It really struck me, while watching his pictures on the screen slide past my vision, that God has really blessed us. He is kind; as a creative God, he allowed this part of Himself to be included in us when we were formed in His image. He apparently felt that this was important enough to add to our beauty ~ I just wish that everyone understood the importance of arts. Since the age of enlightenment, when we (as humans) try to explain everything logically and scientifically, artists capture the mystery that is around us every day, often in surprising ways.
I am refueled and already working on 5 abstract designs for 5 different sets on a current dilemma, am writing some music that will be performed shortly, and am working on a theatrical program set for production at Christmas involving both adults and children. And in my spare time, collaging and scrapbooking ~ but not in the traditional way. See my link to Ali Edwards for the style I like. I haven't actually set scissor to photo since I've been back, with everything else going on.
Which reminds me:
Sorry it took so long to post, but we had to take Aunt H back to the airport, Z's mom has a heart condition that was very serious, and between therapies and K's MRI on Friday, and a music writing session with our group on Sunday I just haven't had much extra time to myself. Kids are in bed now, so I can finish this (I started to write this on the 18th, and today is the 26th....). I know; *wah*, right? ;) More to follow soon.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Motormouth
A continues to surprise us. Today, at his occupational therapy session, he randomly started saying, "Cow. Milk. Chicken. Egg." This was not related to the activity at hand, which was a car puzzle. He asked for help today several times, at appropriate times. His therapist made sure to look away if he was having trouble, so he would ask for help ~ and he surely did, every time. A also, in the middle of his session, looked straight at Miss Brigid and said, "I'm having fun."
*
She was telling me this in the lobby of her office, and after the shock wore off, I asked A if he had fun today. All he did was smile and go back to playing with a toy car. He apparently also said his sister's actual name today (instead of his usual mis-pronounced word) when she told him they were going to see mommy and sister out in the lobby.
He's turning into a veritable chatterbox. Good.
*
She was telling me this in the lobby of her office, and after the shock wore off, I asked A if he had fun today. All he did was smile and go back to playing with a toy car. He apparently also said his sister's actual name today (instead of his usual mis-pronounced word) when she told him they were going to see mommy and sister out in the lobby.
He's turning into a veritable chatterbox. Good.
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
Lost in Translation
A lot of what A says is prompted. "Say, 'thank you!'"; "Say,'bye'." (Most parents know the drill. "Say, 'please'?"; "What's this?").
Still, he's been volunteering some words lately (like aiggs and bawberries). He also spits out random quotes from movies or kids' shows at equally random times. Right now he's stuck on the end sequence for Bear in the Big Blue House. (We're pushing the Potty Time one right now). "Thank you bear. You're welcome. Good night. Good night. Friends bye. See you soon. Good night. Bear, moon, big blue house. Come and play." A will repeat this ~ in order ~ over and over and over....and say it in the car, outside, at bedtime (well, I guess that's kind of appropriate), at the grocery store.
Today at lunch, he kept saying, "gotta go fast" and drumming his hands on the table. Then he'd stop, laugh, and do it again.
He is attempting to identify new things, though, which is tremendously exciting and frustrating for both A and Z and I. He knows what the object is, but in addition to not being overly verbal, he also has some speech impediments that make translation difficult. He gets frustrated with us for not understanding him and making him repeat it a few times, and we get frustrated with not being able to "get it". It took us forever to figure out that "tornado" is actually "tomato". And "traimamamama" is "train".
One thing that is easily understood is when he goes "Oooeee sinky oooeeee sinky" whenever we change his diaper. It doesn't matter if it's just pee, he'll still say it. Neither Z nor I are entirely sure where he picked this up, but we're guessing it's from school. Despite saying this when we change his drawers, however, he still doesn't seem to equate going to the bathroom with his statement. It's just what you say when your pants are changed.
We are getting fewer "digga digga digga"s and other gibberish in conversation lately, too. As his vocabulary increases, there is a proportional decrease in that activity. Indicating that he was, in fact, trying to communicate and not just tuning us out ~ he just didn't know how to do so in a way that made sense to him. We still get the garbled chatter, especially when he's tired or super excited about something, but it is on a general decline.
Every day is a new adventure.
Speaking of adventures, on a completely unrelated topic, A was terrorizing our fish yesterday with his Buzz Lightyear and Woody the Cowboy figures from Toy Story. He was stalking the fish by chasing them with a character on each side, and then sandwiching the fish between Buzz and Woody. All on the outside of the glass, of course; neither Buzz nor Woody had any deep sea adventures during the course of the...game? The fish didn't seem to notice any of the ongoing terrors, except when A slammed Buzz into the glass (mean mommy put and end to that real quick). I figured if the fish weren't having palpitations, then we were OK. They actually swam over a few times, curiously, to look at the goings-on. No doubt they were wondering if the spaceman or cowboy had any food to offer. I didn't understand the game, but then again, I don't have to. He was entertaining himself, and actually playing instead of sitting in one place, motionless, for hours. How far we've come, in just a year!
Still, he's been volunteering some words lately (like aiggs and bawberries). He also spits out random quotes from movies or kids' shows at equally random times. Right now he's stuck on the end sequence for Bear in the Big Blue House. (We're pushing the Potty Time one right now). "Thank you bear. You're welcome. Good night. Good night. Friends bye. See you soon. Good night. Bear, moon, big blue house. Come and play." A will repeat this ~ in order ~ over and over and over....and say it in the car, outside, at bedtime (well, I guess that's kind of appropriate), at the grocery store.
Today at lunch, he kept saying, "gotta go fast" and drumming his hands on the table. Then he'd stop, laugh, and do it again.
He is attempting to identify new things, though, which is tremendously exciting and frustrating for both A and Z and I. He knows what the object is, but in addition to not being overly verbal, he also has some speech impediments that make translation difficult. He gets frustrated with us for not understanding him and making him repeat it a few times, and we get frustrated with not being able to "get it". It took us forever to figure out that "tornado" is actually "tomato". And "traimamamama" is "train".
One thing that is easily understood is when he goes "Oooeee sinky oooeeee sinky" whenever we change his diaper. It doesn't matter if it's just pee, he'll still say it. Neither Z nor I are entirely sure where he picked this up, but we're guessing it's from school. Despite saying this when we change his drawers, however, he still doesn't seem to equate going to the bathroom with his statement. It's just what you say when your pants are changed.
We are getting fewer "digga digga digga"s and other gibberish in conversation lately, too. As his vocabulary increases, there is a proportional decrease in that activity. Indicating that he was, in fact, trying to communicate and not just tuning us out ~ he just didn't know how to do so in a way that made sense to him. We still get the garbled chatter, especially when he's tired or super excited about something, but it is on a general decline.
Every day is a new adventure.
Speaking of adventures, on a completely unrelated topic, A was terrorizing our fish yesterday with his Buzz Lightyear and Woody the Cowboy figures from Toy Story. He was stalking the fish by chasing them with a character on each side, and then sandwiching the fish between Buzz and Woody. All on the outside of the glass, of course; neither Buzz nor Woody had any deep sea adventures during the course of the...game? The fish didn't seem to notice any of the ongoing terrors, except when A slammed Buzz into the glass (mean mommy put and end to that real quick). I figured if the fish weren't having palpitations, then we were OK. They actually swam over a few times, curiously, to look at the goings-on. No doubt they were wondering if the spaceman or cowboy had any food to offer. I didn't understand the game, but then again, I don't have to. He was entertaining himself, and actually playing instead of sitting in one place, motionless, for hours. How far we've come, in just a year!
Thursday, May 31, 2007
And In This Corner...
As A's vocabulary increases, he is also behaving more and more like a 3-yr old big brother.
For example, his ABA therapist is working with verbs right now. He can label things just fine, so this is the next step. Today they talked about "licking", like ice cream cones or stamps for a letter, or how dogs give kisses. Sure enough, he comes out of Miss Jennifer's room and out into the lobby. Makes a beeline for his sister. Starts to lick K all over her head. A fight ensues.
Watching my kids fight is actually quite funny, since neither one of them can really say much at this point. One will grunt or growl in frustration, and the other one will growl louder, so the first one does it even louder....interspersed with the word "NEMO!" being yelled.
Apparently, both my kids use this word when they're really upset and angry. Why it's "nemo" I have no idea, but I am super glad they haven't picked up any of the words the neighbors' kids say. We do live on a military base, and not everyone chooses to parent in the way that Z and I do, so this provides some interesting encounters. Like the four-yr-old that lives behind us blessing out her bike after she fell off of it. But I digress.
It's really hard not to laugh when your kids are grunting and screaming "Nemo!" at each other for a minute or two. They will just have to learn to work it out, as long as it doesn't come to pushing or blows. Right now they just stand and glower at each other, unless they're wrestling for a toy. Z and I step in when it gets physical, but pretty much let them try to figure it out for now. *sigh* I guess we should enjoy it for now, because I know it will cease to be amusing in a year or two...
For example, his ABA therapist is working with verbs right now. He can label things just fine, so this is the next step. Today they talked about "licking", like ice cream cones or stamps for a letter, or how dogs give kisses. Sure enough, he comes out of Miss Jennifer's room and out into the lobby. Makes a beeline for his sister. Starts to lick K all over her head. A fight ensues.
Watching my kids fight is actually quite funny, since neither one of them can really say much at this point. One will grunt or growl in frustration, and the other one will growl louder, so the first one does it even louder....interspersed with the word "NEMO!" being yelled.
Apparently, both my kids use this word when they're really upset and angry. Why it's "nemo" I have no idea, but I am super glad they haven't picked up any of the words the neighbors' kids say. We do live on a military base, and not everyone chooses to parent in the way that Z and I do, so this provides some interesting encounters. Like the four-yr-old that lives behind us blessing out her bike after she fell off of it. But I digress.
It's really hard not to laugh when your kids are grunting and screaming "Nemo!" at each other for a minute or two. They will just have to learn to work it out, as long as it doesn't come to pushing or blows. Right now they just stand and glower at each other, unless they're wrestling for a toy. Z and I step in when it gets physical, but pretty much let them try to figure it out for now. *sigh* I guess we should enjoy it for now, because I know it will cease to be amusing in a year or two...
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Aiggs and Bawberries
This morning, A surprised us by asking his daddy, "Want some....want..." (gets plastic food from toy bin) "aiggs 'n' bawberries?" Z said, "Eggs and Strawberries? Is that what you want for breakfast?" A said, "Ok ok ok" and went and sat at the table.
! !
So we're making him scrambled eggs, and a little pancake to put strawberries on. I don't imagine eggs and strawberries together would normally be a good thing, so we added pancakes to the menu.
Wow, it makes it so much easier when they can communicate clearly! My daughter is getting there too. Yesterday she handed me her cup, asked, "More milk?" and when I took her cup she said, "Thank you". She turned 14 months on Tuesday. She is our blessing, because she prompts A to up the ante as far as communication goes.
Happy Memorial Day weekend! My husband will actually be home and not working through Monday this year (yay).
! !
So we're making him scrambled eggs, and a little pancake to put strawberries on. I don't imagine eggs and strawberries together would normally be a good thing, so we added pancakes to the menu.
Wow, it makes it so much easier when they can communicate clearly! My daughter is getting there too. Yesterday she handed me her cup, asked, "More milk?" and when I took her cup she said, "Thank you". She turned 14 months on Tuesday. She is our blessing, because she prompts A to up the ante as far as communication goes.
Happy Memorial Day weekend! My husband will actually be home and not working through Monday this year (yay).
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