Hello Hello Everyone! (for those who remember us!

[Staci]

Hey all! I haven't posted here in a long, LONG time...but now the two older kiddos are in school, and Dec, the baby, sleeping...I actually am feeling like I have a free moment or two. WHEW!

Aidan is in 2nd grade! Can you believe that?? Almost 8 years old and soooo cute and funny. He still isn't talking much and we just received an augmentive device for him to use between home and school. He's taken to it quite nicely! Caught on very quickly. Little cutie. I feel bad for the poor sweetie, though...between Declan and Parker...I feel like he's being overpowered by them. We're having trouble potty training! Any advice on going number 2 in the potty very much appreciated! He doesn't seem to want to even try...and will go off and hide to do his business. It's been very frustrating. Number 1 is good...he goes on his own much of the time, but I don't leave just undies on him, and he's in a pull up much of the day, because I'm so sick of poo it's not even funny I need HELP in this department! Augh! It wouldn't be so bad if he didn't try to "change" himself, which tells me he does KNOW better...and he will drag the poo along with him through the HOUSE! ARGH! I'm frustrated with this pottying thing. But other than that, he's doing great. He went to a day camp this summer, though the month of July, and LOVED every minute of it! His aide at camp talked me into starting a program with him called "Weekend Home" and he'll be going with her to a house in a nearby city to learn "life skills" with other kids (and he'll have his one on one aide with him ALL of the time). Life skills...at 8 years old? That's what I thought, anyway...but once I learned more about it, and since it's only once every 3 months (and sometimes more often)...and since his aide is a co-worker of my moms who is fluent in sign language and loves Aidan to death...I figured we go for it. So once every month to once every 3 months...he'll be leaving me for a weekend! *sniff sniff*. I think it'll be good for him. I really do. I was skeptical at first, but we'll see how it all works out. I think he'll be running out the door...trying to get away from his little stinker of a brother! haha

Parker is FIVE and just started kindergarten! Yowza! Thus why I am sad and lonely and have free time now haha My little chatterbox was a little nervous about school, but she's doing just fine, making new friends and loves her teacher. YEY! She is way into ballet and starts lessons again in a couple of weeks. She's also a little stinker, but gotta love 'em, huh?

Declan, the baby, is 19 months old and a complete BUSY BEE! Oh my! I can't keep up with him. He's SO different than my other 2 and I just can't keep UP! Yesterday, he CLIMBED a ladder to the ROOF of our house! I kid you not...thankfully, dad was up there and I climbed up to get him. But...no more ladders. He teaches me new things every DAY! And he WEARS this mama out! haha He's cute as a bug, though...just like his big brother! The boys are slowly getting used to each other...and will now actually play together. It took a while, but all is well now. I think. I hope

As for me, I haven't been doing anything exciting, just trying to keep up with these three and their busy schedules! Between the three of them, they keep me hoppin'! Just wanted to check in, show off some pics, and ask for HELP! about the pottying thing regarding Aidan!

I am going to check in more around here. I miss you people! Hope everyone is doing GREAT!

(((HUGS))) to all!

Staci

OK, now some pictures...

A portrait of the 3 I had done just a few weeks ago...



Aidan, being a punk Such a sweetie!



Parker modeling for me...this girl just LOVES the camera!



And her at ballet...



This is my fave school picture of Aidan!


And the Decanator again, destroying my house and lovin' every minute of it! haha


OK, yeah yeah...I'm DONE!

Now...I need updates from everyone! I've been SO out of the loop for TOO long now!

Thanks, y'all!

Staci

[momofrussell]

HEEEYYYYY!!!! Where have you been???

Your kids are SOOOOOO gorgeous!!!!! I love the pics!!! Glad you came by and updated!!! I've missed you!

A.

[Chris too]

Cute pics of cuter kids!

I may be able to help with the number two potty trouble because my first son had the same trouble. I had him in regular underwear because he did very well with the pee. He would come to me to ask for a pull-up when he needed to poop, and then he'd go hide to do his stinky work There was nothing I could do to convince him to do this on the potty - I think he was scared for some unknown reason. So I went to drgreen (there's a link on the resources thread) & here's what we did:
First step is to always go in the bathroom. So when he came to me for the pull-up, I said "Okay, but you have to stay in the bathroom until you are finished." No problem. I'd change him in the bathroom & leave. He'd take care of business and let me know when he was finished. I'd clean him up, change him back to underwear and away he'd go.
Once this is no problem, the next step is to sit down (wearing pull-up) while pooping. So I'd go through his choices: "you can sit on a chair, or on a stool, or on a potty seat on the floor, or on a potty seat on the potty, or on a pillow, or on the floor. Where are you going to sit while you poop?" He had to choose and sit before I'd leave. This took longer for us to master. But we finally got to the point where this was just fine with him. So we moved to the next step.
Next step is to sit on the potty or the potty seat when pooping with the pull-up on. Of course if he'd chosen the potty seat in the second step, we could have skipped this step This took a day for us. No trouble, he sat on the potty seat placed on the potty (skipped one step anyway) with pull-up on in the bathroom to poop.
The next series of steps depends on your kid a great deal. The idea is to remove sections of the pull-up in increments not too big for your kiddo to stand. So first you see if he is willing to just go without the pull-up, or if he would rather just cut a hole in the seat (so the poop falls into the potty). As the child adjusts to the hole, it gets bigger until only the waistband is left, if needed. My little guy had a hole once, then just went without from then on, but Dr. Greene said that he heard about one boy who kept the waistband for quite awhile before finally going without
And that completes the whole business.

I hope that this works for you too!

Welcome back to Uno!

[Cathy]

Staci... How are things in OZ?

I cannot believe how big the kids have gotten! They are absolutely Beautiful. I am sorry, But Aiden Cannot be in 2nd grade. Where has the time gone?

I was happy to get the update... hope you post more often.

Hugs from the UP

Cathy and Katie

[Emilysmom]

Staci,
Of course we remember you! It's great to hear from you. The kids are really growing!!!!!!!

And they are all 3 just adorable! Parker loves the camera, and the camera sure loves her! She is one VERY pretty girl!

Please post when you can.

Susan

[damarasmom]

You have such beautiful children. Thanks for sharing....

[danikins]

What a beautifu family.

I have joined, forgotten my addy and rejoined about 3 or 4 times, but I think I remember you.

Welcome back.

Kim

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

Yep, cute kiddos Hi!!

[mollysmomma]

hmmmmmmmmmmm staci salmon cakes?

:-)

molly is in grade 2 TOO!! YAYYYYYYYYYYYY and i'm on vacation, or i may have missed you..... BOO!

the kids are GORGEOUS and way too big! what are ya feeding
them, magic beans???


we're still fighting the #2 TOO!
I'm thinking of redoing the bathroom in 100% auto=wash tile..and then just leaving her in there for a year or so! EEK!


SO GOOD to see you and the little yous!!



e & molly kate

[Staci]

Hey A!! I've missed you as well! I miss your advice and our little chats! We might have to do that again someday. How are your kiddos doing?? I bet they're getting SO big!

Susan, I bet your kiddos are, too! How is Emily?

And Kathy...WHY in the world would you call your Princess "The Neck"? LOL You're funny, girl. Oh, and...I've moved out of Oz, btw! haha Tornadoes still on the rampage, though...we had a doozie of one this spring. Yikes!

E! Every time I make salmon cakes, I think of you haha That's so funny that you remember! I can't believe Miss Molly is in 2nd, too! And I'm thankful that I'm not alone in this number 2 business. What are you doing with Molly during the day? Undies, pull-ups, both, etc? We do it all. If I get tired of the messes, I stick him in a pull-up. Augh! What a nightmare. I think I may be with you on the bathroom remodel. YUCK! So tired of poo!

Chris Too...thank you for your advice on the potty situation! I need all I can get.

I look foward to getting reaquinted with y'all! I will definitely be around more! Look out! haha

Staci

[faithhope]

What gorgeous children, thanks for sharing. I am sort of new here so I don't think we met. I have an 8 month old son, Noah, with ds and we are expecting baby #2!
Jessika