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GREAT Things Planned for His Future

I'm talking about Effy! Yes, great are the things he has planned.. or should I say I have planned!
Allow me to count the ways:

1. Moving into a BIG boy bed! (that started tonight!)
2. Potty training (we've successfully used the toilet right before a bath for 3 days now)
3. Cutting two year molars
4. Loosing that pacifier!

... and yes, in case you are wondering, my two year old is still using a pacifier at naps and bedtime.. though I have slacked a bit after naps due to his recent tantrums more than likely caused by the pain from teething.

This whole week Effy has non-stop taken his diaper off at every loose opportunity available! Since I had tried potty training him a few weeks ago with no positive outcome whatsoever, I really didn't think that he would be ready now. Though Keke did the same thing at the same age.. maybe younger actually. So this time around I'm a bit more realistic I guess at what he can and can not handle.. He CAN handle it! As long as I time things right, stay positive and focused, he CAN do it!

So as I said, tonight marked the first night in his BIG boy bed! At first I allowed him to get out of his room (2x). Then I put the child proof door knob cover on and sat in his room using "The Nanny" trick, meaning I sat there in the dark and waited for him to climb out of his bed, pick him up and put him back to bed. This went on only a few times, maybe 3 times. Then after.. ooo.. what seemed like FOREVER I got up and walked out. For sure he had fallen asleep.. if I had laid there I would be asleep! But NOPE! He waited a few seconds before attempting to open the door, discovered that he couldn't and started screaming/crying for me. I let it go on for 2 minutes, opened the door, picked him up and held him till he was completely calm. I then tried to set him back on his bed and he didn't want that, so I let him get down.. he sat on my lap.. I hugged him and kissed him, said "this is your big boy bed now and you need to go to sleep". I put him back on his bed, found his teddy, tucked him in and said goodnight.. and now.. it's still quiet!!! Someone pinch me (don't)!
Tomorrow, it's potty training time! Maybe seems like a lot for him.. but he CAN handle it!
While I will have Keke with me all day during this, she seems to be a big positive influence so I just need to direct that positive attitude towards Effy succeeding! Pray it goes well!

Ames Spring Vendor Fair

Effy at 26 Months Old

Effy surprises me everyday! He has been sneaking in little sentences and sayings, that unless you are listening closely you will miss it. A week ago he said "I want some of that," in reference to my cereal. Yes, my little boy is a major moocher! Last night I took him out on a small shopping trip and he said several little phrases. We were taking a look at fabric (go figure), when the sales lady was kind and gave him some chocolate, he said "thank you" and then.. "see you later"!!! On the way home we had a nice conversation in the car, he said "where's keke?" I thought he meant something else, till he said it again and I realized he meant his sister, awe.. just melted my heart that he was asking for her! They may argue at times but it's clear that they are the best of friends! When I said that she was at home he replied with "oh cool, I'm hungry!" I'm so proud of him!

He had his 24 month check up a few weeks ago and the boy is apparently tall for the typical 2 year old, he came in at 80%! His weight was at 50%, so as you probably know I have issues with finding pants that fit him, most of them are short and stay on or they are too big at the waist. Though he's not exactly "skinny" because he does have a healthy amount of fat on him, unlike Keke who comes in at only 15%, which is up from last year!

And wouldn't you know it, he's sick AGAIN! Yes 2 weeks ago the poor boy had major bronchial infections that took 2 rounds of antibiotics and this weekend he started coughing, runny a fever etc. He got so bad that he was hacking non stop for 2 hours and we tried taking him to the emergency room for hopefully some antibiotics again, but he was never seen because they were so busy. We took him home, gave him some cough medicine (highly UNrecommended), and sent him to bed. Managed to get him in to urgent care the next morning when they told us he has allergies.. NOOOOOOO! Seriously.. that's what they said. Today he's still has a fever and isn't symptom free at all, even after a dose of antihistamine! Doctors! Not really liking them too much!
So now he's back at the doctors again today, hopefully this time they will see something!

Effy's got a really big heart, he hardly ever complains about anything. He's patient about being poked and prodded. Even the doctor that saw him on Sunday said that he's never met a 2 year old that opens his mouth on command! Such a good boy! Oh I am a proud mommy! :D

*UPDATE:
Effy has Herpangina. (not allergies)
Definition: a viral infection of the back of the mouth.
Main symptoms include:

• sore throat and pain with swallowing
• fever for 2 to 3 days
• small ulcers surrounded by a red ring on the roof of the mouth and near the tonsils. There are no ulcers in the front of the mouth or the gums. The average child has 5 of these ulcers, though there can be more.

Sounds nice huh? Don't you want this?! He is on amoxicillin now, thankfully! and I am disinfecting every little thing that could have went in his mouth, even if he chewed on the chairs!

It's Easter

I am not a big fan of holidays like Halloween, Valentine's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving, etc. Partly because I don't remember doing much for fun on those days as a family. Maybe we did, but I don't recall it. What I do remember was the Christmas was the only day my Mum had off and was able to spend a nice day at home with us, most other holidays she was working and we were left alone or with a sitter. So it's not much of a suprise that I am not very keen on doing things. For one I am not a planner and usually save things to the last minute. Also when I became saved holidays took on a completely new meaning to me. I realized just how paganistic we are in our Christian holidays, not that everyone is a Christian, but our country was founded on Christian beliefs and traditions. Now that I have children of my own I have been dreading the thought of putting something together for them to teach them the importance of Christian holidays.. and seperate them from the pagan ideas. This is probably the first year I realize it's realy important because Keke is at the age she can understand things. One of her favorite lines is "FOREVER!", meaning anything she's excited about is.. well "forever", to which I have been replying "nothing is forever, only God!". Keke has finally caught onto that and so it's clear she understands that she has to be careful what she says and believes, just as it's important to me to teach her right from wrong, pagan vs Christian teaching..
So I have been doing a little research, late in my game as today is Good Friday, but non the less I want to teach her something. And since I didn't really have this teaching in my upbringing I found a really nice site that I would like to share. http://www.toddler-activities-at-home.com/christian-easter-crafts-for-kids.html I looked at the resurection cookies, so cool, but has nuts.. anyone else have a suggestion for that?

Carpet Cleaner??

After a week of puke, poop, milk, play dough and spit up stains I've had IT! ENOUGH of the madness! Stop ruining my beige carpet kids, seriously! Ok, seriously I know they can't help it.. but it's driving me nuts because I don't have a carpet shampooer or steamer and those are pricey to rent for just a day.. when you break down that at least everyday this week I've had a new mess on my carpet. I am at a major loss here and am comparing prices and reviews, what's in stores locally and what will last me more than 5 minutes to hopefully 5 years!! Any advice? Anyone bought a shampooer and had great result in getting puke or poo out of your carpet? Anyone, Bueler?
Just so you know, my price range would be under $150! ok.. thanks!