Potty Training Adventures

I know every mom has been through this, or will go through this, and I have been finding it quite the little adventure. Gracie is about 2 1/2 and has so far not really been interested in "the potty". We have tried on and off for awhile, but with a big move across the country and the arrival of her new sister, we figured that she would be fine with waiting a little while. This week she has decided that she is ready, (I hear my debit card yelling "yay!" at the thought of not having to purchase 2 sets of diapers anymore!!!!!) and we have obliged her whole-heartily. She has new Mickey and Minnie undies and that means she is ready to go! She proudly announces when she has to go, and then likes to show off the end result of course. But her most favorite part is the "treat" that she gets. She loves her treats so much that she tried to potty about 4 times in 5 minutes yesterday. Naturally she was a little dismayed when she realized no more "potty" would come out and she could not have yet ANOTHER treat. But it was all in all a very successful day yesterday and I was a proud mommy! Throughout this experience we have also learned that she is quite the little intelligent schemer too. Lately we have been just giving her the dinner that we are eating as well (if you know Gracie then you know she is the pickiest eater EVER!) and if she does not eat it she gets no "dessert" after and that is that. Well the other night she would not eat, and was told about the no dessert clause, and I saw the little light go on upstairs. All of a sudden she announces, "I have to potty!", she runs to go potty and then after announcing that she was successful she demands her "treat". Therefore, getting her dessert anyway. Smart little booger...
Each day of potty training brings about new adventures and of course many uncertainties. But I have learned that with little ones like Gracie, they will only do it when they are ready. And when they are ready, WOW, they just do it with style:) In some ways it is awesome, and in others it is just yet another reminder of how fast they grow up. My little baby has turned into a wonderful little girl. What a blessing.

Not Enough Time...

Wow. It has been a little while, or a long while, since I posted. It's not that I don't think about posting daily, but to actually be able to sit down and get it done has become a little issue. For one, I just recently began teaching again and my time has just diminished. I begin my days with feeding Stella and Gracie, getting in the shower, completing my make up while eating my breakfast, etc. The usual "mom" issues. Then I travel to my new job as a high school teacher; usually half dazed and somewhat confused (Did I turn the coffee off? Did I put on deodorant? Is that spit up on my shirt? Did I have a meeting this morning, or is that tomorrow?). Truthfully, God has blessed me with a terrific job and it is really all of the blessings in my life that are keeping me busy. There are days though where I feel as though I am just a character in a movie that is "about" my life and I am not actually able to enjoy it or live it.
I have been thinking about this issue lately; and I am vowing not to be overwhelmed with the demands of life. I have decided that some things CAN wait until tomorrow, and sometimes it really IS more important for me to have a phone conversation with my two and a half year old daughter that makes absolutely no sense and completely wastes valuable time. This school year, I am going to really try to have a healthy balance between work and play, and make sure that my family knows that I value them.
I may be sleep deprived and I may need ample amounts of coffee and exercise to keep me going, but I know this time will pass all too quickly. For the moment, I am going to savor the sweetness of being a "young mom", and all that entails.