Everyone Poops

Okay potty training has ended up being way too easy! Is saying this going to come back and bite me in the butt, well yes, but I have to admit Abe is taking it very well. Ala TV show, "Jon and Kate Plus 8", I decided to give Abe one M&M when he goes potty and two when he goes poop. This combined with our potty dance has made him ecstatic to try and go. Well he had been talking about two M&M's all week, and he just kept repeating poop...two, poop...two. Then today at dinner he said, "poop...go!". So we went and he pooped in the potty, just like that!

I feel way too lucky, potty training shouldn't be this easy. Maybe Rose is going to be difficult, and God is giving me a break now. All though I must say, cleaning out a potty is way more disgusting than changing diapers.

I am very proud of my little Abe man, he is growing up so fast.

Finding a Pediatrician

Since moving to Iowa, we've taken the kids in to the doctor several times for viruses, etc. They've been sick quite a bit for us only living here a month, but it seems to have settled down for now.

I don't particularly like the pediatrician that we are going to currently, and so I have been on the lookout and doing interviews trying to find the right doctor for us.

What am I looking for...male, older, conservative, a grand-father, not afraid to tell me what I am doing wrong, and intelligent. Yes, call me chauvinist, but those are all of the things I am looking for in a doctor.

So far, the search hasn't been going well.

1. The first doctor wore hemp sandals and had curly hair that looked like it hadn't been brushed in days. Do I need to say anymore than the word sandals? Not professional!

2. The second doctor was shorter than me. The only person I trust shorter than me is my grandma, other than that, it is just too weird. Also, she speaks to children in a voice so high pitched, only they can hear it.

3. This doctor, when I asked him to tell me his philosophy on pediatrics, said the word stuff three times. Does he not know his own field well enough to have an answer on the tip of his tongue? I would think this is the kind of question you get asked quite often. Also he informed me that he would never tell me what to do...ummm isn't that why I'm going to the doctor in the first place?

Am I being too picky, maybe, but seriously. Is it too much to ask that a doctor wear wingtips, is of normal stature, and can speak properly?

Potty-Training

Wow! I didn't expect it to be here so soon!

We have had the potty for a couple of months now, and ocassionaly Abe will sit on it with his clothes on and read books. But then, on Sunday, Abe sat on the potty before his bath and went! We of course celebrated and I was very proud. Then Monday, Abe used the potty three times. Today, he used the potty this morning, and before that his diaper was dry.

He is a pro already and we are only on day 3. I feel lucky that he is so excited about it, but I'm just in shock. I hope that the newness of the potty doesn't wear off and that he sticks to it. 

I feel like I have no idea what I am doing. I am not the kind of person to just jump into something. So today we are headed off to the library to see if Mommy can find some resources on potty training. Then we probably need to make a trip to Target and find some pull-ups and underwear. I'm sure that we will find some really cool undies with cars or trains or something on them.

But now, we have one more item to tote with us everywhere. I have to figure out how to take him potty in public places, and still keep track of Rose. Hmm....this sounds like another adventure in the life of Abe!

Eric's First Day of School

So Eric is finally a member of the working class! Here is Eric's first day of school picture. He had his first day at Drake today, and Abe, Rose, and I tried to make his day as special as possible. We made him monkey bread for breakfast that was super yummy. It was an Archer Farms mix, Target store brand rocks!

Of course we had to write him a special note for his lunch box.

Then during the day, Abe and Rose and I took a field trip. We went to a home brew store and scoped out the selection of beers. We came home with a dozen new beers that Eric had never tried. If a liquor store has 12 beers that Eric hasn't had, believe me, it is a good store! Anyway, we were excited for Daddy to have a beer with dinner.

Then for dinner we bought Daddy Alaskan King Crab legs. Eric loves crab legs, but I was a little apprehensive about cooking them. I used one of Emeril's recipes, Drunken King Crab Legs, and Eric said they were delicious! I even made the drawn butter for dipping! Finally we made Eric a cake for dessert. Abe was most excited about this. It was a yummy Chocolate Cherry Cake, which was so easy. This cake is awesome, because it has very few ingredients. The frosting is homemade, and the best part about it is you frost the cake while it is still warm, so it doesn't take forever to make this cake.

All in all, I think Eric had a great start to his new career. Yeah Eric, we are so proud of you!

My new favorite recipe...

Black Bean Mango Rice Salad

When I made it, I used mandarin oranges instead of mango...because I don't like mango. But this rice salad was absolutely delicious and refreshing. I ate it for luch, and I'm going to eat it again for dinner. It is great served with grilled chicken!

Getting Her Back Cracked

Rosie has been a very fussy baby these days. More so than just the normal I need to eat/sleep/poop cries. After talking to my doctors and trying different sleep positions, exercises, bottles, formula, etc. I was feeling like there was nothing to do. My mom suggested taking Rose to the chiropractor...hmmm I was skeptical to say the least.

Begrudgingly, I thought why not try it? It can't hurt. The only pain is in the wallet, as insurance doesn't cover children going to the chiropractor. But, I knew her crying wasn't normal. So I took her in.

She has been adjusted twice now by a chiropractor who specializes in pediatrics. And, all of the sudden momma has a new baby. In only a few hours the changes were noticeable. She is happy, she smiles and coos, she can play on the floor by herself, and she eats and poops better too. I was skeptical, but I don't care what it takes to make my babies feel better, I'm going to do it. And anyway, look how happy she is!

Cooking with the Abe Man

Recently, I've had to keep Abe entertained somehow, whenever I need to make a meal. So, naturally I've started to let him cook. He actually does a really good job of helping. He likes to pour things into bowls and shake any kind of spice, which are all called "pepper". He likes to stir and stick his fingers in just to see if mommy is watching.

I didn't realize it, but every time we put in a new ingredient I say, "noooow we need...", (you can imagine the inflection). Because of this, every time Abe puts something in the bowl he says "now". So the conversation in the kitchen has become quite limited, I talk to him and he says, "now, now, now, now". I must admit, it is pretty cute!