Potty Training Update

Shelby will be 20-months old in a couple of weeks.

What the WHAT??

At her 18-month doctor well check I was directed to start the potty training process.

It was that week me and my Mom went and picked out a potty, and a little book, and decided to start 'encouraging'.

 

Shelby's teachers at school have been telling us for weeks that she is ready but I am really taking the approach more of 'awareness'.

 

Well, she's gotten off to a good start!

The first night she tinkled in the Minnie Mouse potty.

Of course we've been out of town quite a bit and I don't travel with the potty so we haven't been consistent, but when we're home about 3/4's of the time she tinkles in her potty.

 

Well, last week, while I was working in NYC, I got a text from Brad:

'Shelby woke up with a dry diaper and I got worried that she was sick! Then I went and sat her on the potty and she took a MONSTER pee!'

 

He including the following photos with his text.

Now the big kicker is...

Even if we get her super use to using the potty, they don't do potty time with them at her school until they turn 2-years old and move to the next class.

 

I'm sorta like, what's the point of us doing this then??

But, then part of me tells myself that it will make for a smoother transition when it does comes time.

And, holy moly...

We're only 4-months away from her turning 2!!!

Where does time go!??



Trip to Holden Beach, NC

 We just got home this evening from an awesome few days at the beach with one of Brad's oldest friends.

We literally would have loved to have stayed longer and probably should have planned better, but we had no idea just how much FUN the beach would be this year with a toddler.

Holden Beach is a quaint, quiet little beach town only about 3 and 1/2 hours from Charlotte.

We arrived Thursday afternoon but didn't hit the beach until Friday morning due to storms.

We went for a little walk and Shelby got scared of the waves when picking up shells.

We were optimistic that her fear would subside once we got her use to it.

But, nonetheless, we took several people's advice and brought a baby pool to the beach later on in the day.

Take 2 on venturing into the ocean.

Not happy, totally scared on the waves.

But after a little time building sandcastles and enjoying the beach, we took her back out together and held each of her hands.

And, it was a SUCCESS!

She realized that there was nothing to be scared and almost like that, she was a HUGE fan of the ocean waves!!

I sorta gave myself a break this family vacation and didn't take nearly the pictures I generally do.

The above picture is the only family photo we got, but I happen to think it's perfect.

All smiles!!!

After the beach we got cleaned up and went out to dinner on the island.

Not before enjoying a little time on the Lilliard family porch.

We are so lucky and feel honored to be able to visit and stay in this home every year.

2 blocks off the beach, it's perfect for families.

Dinner consisted of all sorts of seafood at Mermaids on the island.

Shelby enjoyed herself immensely too!

The next day, more beach time and Shelbster was on FIRE!

Such a great extended weekend.

And, the baby pool was the best $12 ever spent for a beach trip!

Even Brad took advantage of it!

Thanks to Eric and his family for opening their home up to us yet once again!

Eric and Brad have been friends since around Shelby's age.

Before heading home this afternoon I let Brad sleep in and I took Shelby down to the beach for an hour or so by myself.

She was really having a big time!

Brad joined us later on and got this one picture.

We both agreed we're going to have to make another trip to the coast before Summer is over because the whole way home Shelby kept repeating, 'BEACH! OCEAN! BEACH!'

Trip=SUCCESS!!

Potty Time!

We had a jam packed weekend and there's a lot to tell, I'll be recapping as the week progresses.

For today though, I want to hear from you guys about potting training.

 

Shelby is almost 19-months and her doctor said now is a good time to start 'awareness'.

We bought a Minnie Mouse potty over the weekend and after the 4th of July I plan to really hit the ground running.

She's been showing interest by letting the teachers at school know when she's dirty and she has even started taking her own diaper off.

So, since I'm totally clueless, tell me how you got started and what your best methods were/are.

Thanks!!!

Shelby's First Tube Ride on the Lake!

It's not a big secret that Brad and I are big lake people.

He grew up going to the lake and I grew up part of my life living on the lake in Arkansas.

 

Getting Shelby acclimated to being on the water has and is a big priority for both of us.

Last year at 7, 8 and 9-months old she did pretty well but this year we both knew we wanted to get her more use to it.

 

His parents have a tube that pulls behind the boat that allows to people to sit inside and Saturday we decided to take it for a whirl.

 

She did awesome!!

No tears or fear for this little girl who will be 18-months this week.

She got right in like it was no big deal.

Off we went!

I had my hand on her life jacket the entire time.

She really is fearless.

She kept trying to climb on the back of the tube to touch the water in the back.



My FIL pulled us on their pontoon.
I know I post a lot of videos on here of Shelby, but this one really does deserve. 

Pretty impressive for 18-months especially giving just a few weeks ago she freaked out over Winnie the Pooh!!
Check it out, and here's to more lake days and riding in a tube!

Shelby's First Trip to Disney!

Disney...

Disney.....

Oh, how I love THEE!

The second day of our trip down south to Orlando we decided to do a day at Disney's Magic Kingdom.

Ya'll, I was so freaking excited!!

My last visit to Disney was 8-years ago and having done a college internship there, I'm a Disney nerd.

Taking Shelby for her visit was a VERY big deal for me, even though, she is still a tad young to enjoy it all.

 

Our friends Emily and Andrew and their family have season passes and are true Disney experts so we literally closed our eyes and let them lead the way.

I have to say, being the primary planner on everything, this was really nice.

I didn't have to think a whole lot.

Just GO!!

 

We got to the park around 10:15am and it was already hot.

We decided to take family pictures early so we looked halfway decent and not a sweaty mess.

Our friend Emily mentioned that she didn't think I look that excited when we crossed through the gates at Disney.

I told her it was because I thought I was going to cry and I just knew Brad would think I was a psycho, so I was trying to keep it together. 

HAHA!

And, yes.. I'm not kidding.

This place is so magical.

I know it's not every ones thing, but it's just special and I couldn't wait to see Shelby's reaction to everything!

I lugged my big camera in and tried to take as many pictures as I could along with wrangling a toddler, but as expected, it wasn't easy.

There was a show taking place on Main Street when we walked in but I was determined to get a professional picture with one of the photographers so I made a bee-line for them instead of stopping to take pictures.

 

Our first stop was the Aladdin Carpet Ride.

The crowds really weren't that bad.

Shelby did really well staying in line and cooperating.

We held her a lot too, but for the most part she was really good!

Andrew was nice enough to take our camera and snap a few photos of us.

She loved it!

(as did we)



Next stop, Pirates of the Caribbean.



We were happy that the Que was in an air conditioned environment.

Shelby ate a snack and proceeded to get it all over her and her Daddy.

She was great on this ride and a lot of the other ones even though they were very dark with explosions.

After a few more rides, we decided to head towards the castle and catch the last part of a stage show before lunch.

It was really hot, but we all managed.

Shelby literally probably drank 10-cups of cold water through the day.





Emily had booked a character lunch for all of us at the Crystal Palace MONTHS in advance.

Lucky us!

This was my very first character meal in all my trips and time at Disney.

We walked in and immediately saw Eeyore!

The lunch was all the characters from Winnie the Pooh.

Grace and Laura were thrilled but Shelby freaked out!

I kinda thought that might happen giving her reaction to the Easter bunny, but the bunny was freaky looking.

So, we decided to give Pooh a try!

He's one of the nicest characters.

Right??

Ummmmmm.

NO!

She wanted NOTHING to do with him.

Death grip people.

She had a death grip on us anytime a character came to visit.

So, I just decided to get my picture with Pooh!

When Tigger came around we didn't even attempt to try to get her to say hi.

BUT, Grace and Laura were again, stoked!

One last attempt before heading back out into the park.

Piglet.

Ummmm.

NO, again.

Now, here's the funny part.

We left Pooh and all his friends for the Pooh ride.

We all LOVED it!

At one point you even enter Pooh's dream.

It's super cute!

Of course, at the end of the ride you're dropped off into the Pooh gift shop.

Girlfriend went nuts!

The minute she saw the stuffed Pooh she went, 'AWWWWWWW!!'

Just look at that face!

Nothing to do with the life size Pooh but girlfriend loved her the stuffed version.

We did just about everything in the park you could do with children at this age.

The obligatory Mad Tea Party ride that we all remember as children.

Dumbo.

Dumbo and it's 'que' have had a face lift.

There's an entire air conditioned indoor play area where you wait with a pager until your turn to ride.

Disney certainly knows how to do it right.

Since I was at the MK last time, the entire Fantasy land has had an entire makeover.

There's even a giant gift shop in the middle.

That's where I picked up Shelby's 1st pair of Mouse Ears!

I may have them on display in her nursery now!

It was 2o'clock at this point and she was dunzo.

She snoozed hard for an hour, even through the Little Mermaid ride.

In the meantime, we continued to shop...

And stop for a cold beverage at Gaston's Tavern.

These frozen apple slushies were delicious!

Grace thought so too!

Outside Gaston was posing for pictures and signing autographs.

There were characters everywhere.



We wrapped up our day with a few more rides then dinner.

In the end, I have to say that the Tiki Room and It's a Small World were Shelby's favorites.

In a Small World she was waving to all the characters and saying hi!

LOL

I actually took a video but it's too dark to make out.

My favorite was Peter Pan and Brad's was Buzz Lightyear.



What a great day!

We got into Cosmic Ray's for dinner around 6:30pm, just as a HUGE storm rolled in.

We thought about waiting it out but after about an hour we made a run for it.

We got home and all the kiddos in bed by 9:30pm.

After that, we had a few cocktails and cake to celebrate Andrew's 36th birthday that day!

Oh, and a game of backgammon too.

Perfect day with the perfect people.

Emily, Andrew and their family and a whole HOST of our favorite characters!

Shelby's first trip of Disney is complete!!

We were worn out the next day but I can't wait to go back!!