this moment

Usually our house is noisy and hectic, someone is usually crying and someone is usually laughing 80% of the time. Toys are always about and laundry always needs folding, but the moments where I can sit back and relax come (just not always as quick as I want them too). 

This moment when a dirty mess deemed bath time imminent a grouchy Mama took her wee one up all the way to Mommy and Daddy's tub and with just a bit of water and a few bubbles this little girl lit up reminding me that although some days are long and stressful the tiny short moments of peaceful blissness make me ache for nothing less then a whole lot more of this Mama's life. 

Littlest Christmas Tree

When we first got married we got our very first Christmas tree a little 3 footer artificial one. And here we are years later with the very same tree. This will probably be our last year with our little tree, because we all would like something bigger and realer:)

While watching Polar Express they decorated the tree and the kids loved doing it all themselves!

The night after our tree was decorated I found the kids hand in hand singing "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" it is Connor's favorite Christmas song.

We all enjoyed having our Christmas tree in our home, it just isn't Christmas without twinkling lights and a tree. Although this year every time we went over to someone else's house and saw their tree, or when someone would mention something about Christmas tree's or just randomly, Connor would ask "Is your Christmas tree real? Because ours is fake! And little!"
I think we will all give in and get a "big" real tree next year. But this year we sure loved our  little one.

a walk through a cave

Luray Caverns 
Luray, Virginia

"Cold air rushing out of a limestone sinkhole atop a big hill west of Luray, Virginia, blew out a candle held by Andrew Campbell, the town tinsmith, on the morning of August 13, 1878. So began the discovery of Luray Caverns. 
Campbell, three other men, and his 13-year-old nephew, Quint, were exploring the area, looking for a cave. With the help of local photographer Benton Stebbins, the men dug away loose rocks for four hours before, candle in hand, Campbell and Quint slid down a rope into the cave. They could scarcely believe what they saw. The party had discovered the largest series of caverns in the East, an eerie world of stalactites and stalagmites seen by the light of a candle." (http://luraycaverns.com/discover/caverns)

The Baby Carrier, Uncle Ryan

"The Great Stalacpipe Organ is the world's largest musical instrument. It literally makes stalactites sing by gently tapping them throughout three acres of the caverns. It's a musical masterpiece that can't be found anywhere else in the world ... or under it."


The Organ was very interesting and really cool to hear play.

Penny Wishing

Being brave and strong, in the scary caves.

"Bella the Brave"

My most favorite nickname Shea gave our Bella.

Bella would giggle and then point to a "monster"!

Happy day, exploring caves.

I'm A Big Girl Now

Bella is potty trained!

I knew after our first attempt I was waiting till 3 years old before starting potty training. And it wasn't as easy as Connor but she did pretty darn good. She still has accidents off and on but she hasn't worn diapers since. She wears undies around the clock, day or night unless were not in our own bed then she has a pull-up. She is so proud! And so are we!

In terms of the process I did a similar potty day as I have done in the past with lots of liquids and potty shows. She wasn't too excited. And asked for her diaper a lot, but I repeatedly told her she was a big girl and used the potty now. I did give her a Princess Potty Chart that she got to add stickers too, which she loved and helped increase her excitement. She also loved singing like Daniel Tiger all day "sitting on the potty sitting on the potty", "flush and wash and be on your way". Although there were a few tears and a few outbursts and of course a few accidents, all in all she had figured it out and we were never going back. The next days she struggled with the number 2 of potty training which she is pretty good at now.

She filled up her potty chart with stickers and got to go to the store and pick out her very own toy! It took her forever she is SOSOSO picky! But I was determined to let her pick till I finally gave up and took her to the $5 bin and picked two winners out, which she finally was happy with.

For the first week she went to bed with a pull up, but woke dry every night. So she rarely every uses pull ups now.

For a couple weeks I had to be in potty mode 24/7. I had to ask and put her on the potty for her to go. Or else she would hold it in till she had to go, go, go - which usually resulted in a big accident. 

Now she tells me when she has to go. Or whines till I ask her if she needs to go. She doesn't go very often, so I worry a little but I think it is just her body. She does have a couple accidents a week but usually it is because we forget to have her go before bed or she can't get to the potty in time. One thing I was worried about was outside our home, but she goes when we are out, in public restrooms. I still have to stay on the look out for the poop stance, but for the most part those accidents are very rare now.

If there is anything I am certain of it is that potty training at 3 is my thing.

Oh and I am pretty sure this big girls favorite part about potty training is washing her hands all on her own, over and over again!