Branson Flea Market

I almost forgot about my exciting flea market find while we were in Branson, MO last weekend!

They had several flea markets that I could have spent a whole day in, maybe even two. I had to apply some self discipline and just keep walking past, only gawking from the window {your welcome, hubby!} But the one we did go in I enjoyed browsing and could have easily picked up junk treasures I was sure I needed.

But I was willing to give it all up when I found this baby doll high chair for Little Lady!!!

I was thrilled because we had already discussed getting her an American Bitty Baby Doll for Christmas. But I knew I'd have to find accessories for the doll else where, because lets just say they are highly over priced at the American Doll store. 

But upon further investigation we figured out it's a Melissa & Doug high chair! They retail at about $70.00! Of course this one needs a little work and I plan on painting it all white {I think} and I'm still undecided on any detail to decorate it or just leave it plain. 

So, I bet you are wondering how much I found this steal of a deal for???

$9.50! 

Can't wait to give this to Little Lady at Christmas!

Potty Training {Day 2}

Praising the Lord tonight for answered prayers, today was even more progress than yesterday!! I think Little Lady actually gets it, at least as far as going pee. She tells us when she needs to go and we take her to the potty {we don't have a bathroom on our main level} and she makes it with undies still dry.

Last night wasn't perfect but it wasn't as bad as it could have been! I woke up to her stirring in her crib over the monitor and went in to check on her around midnight. She was wet but still sound asleep. I woke her up and got her all clean and back to a fresh bed and she woke up at 5:30a {my kids are early risers...} and she was DRY! If that's the only hurdle we have in the night, we can handle that. I'm going to try something different tonight and hopefully we can get her to make it through the night.

*TMI ALERT


She also experienced going #2 today and it wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it might be. She just didn't make it to the potty in time but we caught it right away so there wasn't really a mess. I think she just needs to keep trying to make it to the potty in time, she doesn't seem afraid of it. That's a relief.

I must say this potty training business is a lot more draining for me than I anticipated. I kind of had some emotional times this afternoon and I realized that I'm just dealing with the fact that my baby girl is becoming a big girl! I'm so proud of her and know that she is so smart for her age. But I feel like she was just my little newborn and we were bringing her home from the hospital. How can she be done with diapers?!

I'm sure my currant state of pregnancy matched with the fact that this method we are using requires us to stay home and one of us be with Little Lady at all times so we can pick up her signals and always catch her accidents in the act and make it to the potty before she is done has a lot to do with it. It's just physically and mentally draining. But she is so worth the sacrafice. All three of my littles are.

Potty Training {Day 1}

Our first day went well, I'd even say it went better than I anticipated. But my perfectionistic tendencies had me stressed out and wanting to be successful right off the bat. My common sense kept reminding me that just isn't likely, or fair to our Little Lady for that matter.

We started out with a few accidents but after just 3.5 hours into it we had our first success on the big potty! She was on a roll for several more times! Then came nap time. I was anxious. Mostly I worried about how she would handle waking up wet, but I tried to prep my self for the probibility. Nearly two hours later and she woke up DRY! I was very proud of her and made sure she knew it.

Only one more accident and the rest of the afternoon was right on track! She let us know when she needed to go and we rushed her in just in time. I'm hoping that our second and third day are just as successful as the first day!

As for the night, we will see. I'm mentally prepared for waking up to change clothes and sheets but that's ok! It's all part of the learning process. We also haven't had to deal with 'number 2' business yet, not sure what to expect from her with that. But the bottom line is we will take it as it comes and help her figure it out. Our Little Lady is one smart cookie and I don't even doubt that she will get it and be successfully potty trained in the 3 days or less!!

As for me, I'm wiped out! I'm going to need 3 days just to recoup from this.

*We are using the 3 Day Potty Training method.

Tomorrow.

New little girl undies are washed and stacked high...

Crib sheets are clean and in easy reach...

Reward charts are printed and the stickers are ready...

Potty seat and step stool are in place...

Tomorrow starts a whole new way of life for us... 

*3 Day Potty Training

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I have so much on my mind and on my heart right now. It's hard to say how much of it is due to the pregnancy hormones and the fact that just about anything can make me feel emotional. Does any one else find that they have an extra soft heart while pregnant? What ever it is that's responsible, I'm not really complaining. I like having meaningful thought processes regularly, reflecting on things that normally would just rush past my harder less noticing, non-pregnant heart. Any way, there are so many exciting things going on and I want to write and record all these thoughts that come through and take residence in my brain. But the reality is that there is just no time for that usually, not being a wife, a mom, and all the other hats we women often wear. I hope I can just get a few sentences down with each meaningful milestone and event. Until I then I'm going to spend time with my hubby, now that our bags are unpacked and the littles are tucked in tight.



p.s. Tomorrow is the last day our baby girl will be in diapers. As much as this is great news I'm going to savor every single diaper change all day. :)

While we were on our trip...

... we found out what gender our Itty Bitty is!! And the littles wanted to be the ones to tell...

We are so excited!!

Branson Trip: Silver Dollar City

We've been enjoying some time away as a family {+ Nana!} in Branson, MO. Our experience here has made us fall in love with the 'South'. We didn't even realize we've been missing hospitable, kind hearted, friendly people until we encountered them at every possible turn. In general, the people here seem to still care about ... well, people. It's hard explain really, it's just a feeling of family that you get and it's been refreshing!

Besides all that, we are enjoying some fall-ish weather, good company and tasty food. Our first full day spent here was at Silver Dollar City. Such a fun place to go with the family! {Note to self: wear walking shoes, it's hilly.} The landscape is gorgeous, trees every where. In a couple of weeks all the leaves will be changing color and I'm trying to figure out a way to transport myself so I can see it! I love fall time of the year!

Even though we didn't get to experience the colorful leaves on the trees, they are having their Harvest Festival at Silver Dollar City and the decorations made me crave hot apple cider somethin' fierce! They had scarecrows and pumpkins on display. And so much more. We really enjoyed just being there. We love that it's a family friendly place and they aren't ashamed of their faith in Jesus! That goes for most of Branson as well.

Here are some pictures from our day at Silver Dollar City with explanations below.

{From left to right}

1. Little Lady posing with a scarecrow. Her adorable piggy tails rarely last long...

2. Little Lady and Nana rode the carousel. Little Lady named her bear 'Go fast' but he didn't listen, apparently.

3. Little Lady waiting at the train depot to ride the choo choo. We are really into choo choos right now. Really into them.

4. Little Dude with daddy. He is Little Dude's preferred person at the moment. All day long he says 'Daddy' and it's really pretty cute how much he loves his daddy. :)

5. Little Lady covered in sticky, gooey mess but loving every second of her 'ya-yee pop!'

6. The littles having a rare moment of sharing something good time on the ladybug!

7. I might be slightly obsessed with little wooden rocking chairs and would desperately love to find one at a steal of a good price!

8. Some people just can't follow the rules and must pay the consequences... but not these two, they're just having fun! :)

9. Can't resist a good photo-op with my three four favorite people!! {Thanks Nana}

We can't wait to bring our littles back to Silver Dollar City someday!!