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!!

Quick Trip to the Big Apple

I don't write much about work on here, but as most of you know I work for a large financial institution.

I work in their TV/Internal Communications department and have for 9-years.

I feel super lucky to have such a great job after 10+ years in TV news where the compensation and work/life balance SUCK!

Anyhow, every now and then I get to travel for my job to do shows/broadcasts in other cities.

This week happened to be one, and I traveled to New York City for one whole day.

Our offices are near Times Square so that's where I booked a hotel.

In advance of my trip I contacted an old/former business partner/friend of mine from the bank who happens to live in the city.

She moved there several years ago and I have only been hoping that I would be sent there on business!!!

Lynsley, who also has a blog which you can find here, lives in a cute little place right near where I was staying and it had a fabulous rooftop!

We had dinner reservations but enjoyed a quick adult bevie up there before heading out.

Afterwards we made our way over to the Village and enjoyed a delicious dinner at Morandi.

It was so fun catching up with an old friend and exchanging stories.

We haven't seen each other in probably 3-years!

She was so nice to show me around her old neighborhood and all her old watering holes, shops, favorites restaurants, etc.

One of them happened to be this place called The PLACE! 

HA!!

We enjoyed a refreshing glass of Rose'.

Perfect dessert for me.

We walked by all sorts of fun shops.....but....

the highlight of the evening was a stop at Magnolia Bakery then a stroll along the Hudson.

I SO wish I had brought my nice camera!

The view of the new World Trade Center was breathtaking!!

Especially at night!

I can't wait to go back and tour the new museum.

It was a great end to a wonderful night.

You must go and read Lynsley's blog, she is must more adventurous than me and an EXCELLENT writer!!

This morning, I woke up and walked into work, bypassing GMA and all the other NYC hotspots.

Tonight, I'm home and in my own bed.

BLISS!!

Next stop?

BEACH!!

1day away!!

Musings

We had a positively uneventful, boring weekend.

We originally talked about camping, but the weather forecast looked awful and it was.

It has done nothing but rain here this weekend.

The weekend was good for getting some things done around the house though and ready for our trip to the beach come Thursday.

We did a lot of grocery shopping and just 'stuff' shopping.

Shelby spent a lot of time like this over the weekend.

 Brad caught up with an old friend and had a few beers Saturday evening so I took advantage of the girl time and called up my friend Tamera.

Shelby and I went over there and she was so nice to gift Shelby with a few new toys that her children once enjoyed.

This is the favorite so far.

 It is a close tie with this tricycle!

Shelby's first one!

She hasn't quite mastered it yet, her legs are too short.

 This morning we did meet some friends for brunch at one of our favorites here in town, The Cajun Queen.

 We are so excited for Katie and Josh who are expecting baby boy Jack in October!

Last but not least.....

We woke up to find that our neighborhood mailbox was taken out last night by a drunk driver.

Why no one called the police, I don't know.

We know who did it too....

Dude was so wasted at 6:30pm, that he came charging through the hood and took out the mailbox, hit a trash can and kept going with a recycle bin stuck underneath his SUV.

HAPPY SUNDAY!

Headed to NYC tomorrow for work!

Learning Tower

Back in 2009 when I first started blogging I saw a blogger out of Texas post about a 'Learning Tower' for her children.

Kids were not even a thought at the time giving I was not even engaged, but I thought to myself, what a GREAT idea! And, I bookmarked it.

Now that I have a toddler, I had eyed a few towers online, but most of them run about $200.

I sorta put the idea on the backburner.

That is, until Rachel @erchla on Instagram, posted about how her husband made one for less than $25!

I immediatley showed Brad and challenged him to do the same!

Rachel sent us the plans, which can be found here and Brad went to work when we were in Arkansas this past weekend.

 

You might be asking, what's so cool about a tower like this?

What's the purpose?

 

Well, basically, since Shelby started crawling and/or walking she wants to be wherever we are.

Most of the time, that's in the kitchen.

Especially, when we get home from work and school.

In the past year I've had to deal with trying to cook dinner with a sobbing toddler grabbing at my leg and begging to either be picked up, or more recently, to help.

 

This week??

I've put her in the tower and either let her color on the counter next to me, or yesterday I set her up with her own little dishes and toys, to play.

I even put an apron on her yesterday to make her feel like 'Mommy'.

Granted, we have a pretty big kitchen with two big countertops.



Our stove and oven are on the other counter, adjacent to this one, but there's a large area of counter space away from the stove where she can be busy doing her thing.

Maybe it's because it's still new, but last night she was having such a great time, she didn't even want to get out to eat dinner!

So, if you or your husband are handy and you have toddler consider making one of these.

You can adjust depending on the height of your child and as they grow.

Happy Learning Tower!

I know it's been a game changer so far in our house!

Hot Dog! Hot Diggity Dog!

Shelby has really gotten into Minnie and Mickey Mouse!

It really makes both me and Brad smile ear to ear.

(no pun intended)

She has 2 different Minnie dolls and loves to carry both of them everywhere.

But, this my friends, is the best!

I know, I post quite a few videos but this one really is the cutest in a while.

Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Hot Dog Dance!!

19-months old and getting cuter every single day!

Arkansas Trip Part 2

The 2nd and final recap to our Arkansas recap was a trip back to the Bates family original homestead near Lake Quachita.

My grandfather purchased this land way before the lake was ever built, and actually helped in developing the lake.

After he reached a certain age he was ready to pass it on.

He left it to my Mother and her 5-siblings.

No one was interested in living 30-minutes outside 'town' in the country except my Uncle Gary.

So, he bought everyone out and developed the land into a beautiful homeplace where my younger cousin now lives.

They have added a screened in trampoline to the backyard and it was Shelby's first time to experience one.

She LOVED jumping around with her cousins!

 Just check it out!

 I was so excited for Shelby to meet her cousins Scout, Jayden and baby Jax.

Baby Jax is only a few months younger than Shelby and already has a baby brother on the way!

 After playing outside and inside Jayden's room filled with toys, we headed up to the lake for lunch with a bunch of other family.

15 adults in all and 5 kids!

 After lunch we hit the kiddie pool, the main pool, then Lake Quachita!!!

 What a GREAT family day with all my cousins and their children.

 We stopped at an island on the lake and swam around.

Lake Quachita is National Forest land and no one is allowed to build on it.

 A great way to end a wonderful family trip!

 I'm almost considering making this an annual trip for Shelby and I.

An awesome way for her to get to know her cousins!