So Much Fun!!

Connor is almost 20 months old now. He is so much fun and has such a cute little personality. He is beginning to "venture out" some ... which is a good thing for me because as he plays in his room, I can get things done around the house. I still have to check on him occasionally, just to make sure he isn't getting in to something since I found him standing in the toilet last week!! :) Now, I lock all the bathroom doors and let him go at it!! Connor has definitely began to show interest in the potty!! After reading the chapter on potty training in John Rosemond's book How to Make the Terrible Two's Terrific and talking to lots of mommies, I've learned not to push the issue. They will let you know when they're ready. So I bought a potty and put it beside the "big potty" and left it alone. Occasionally when I have to use the restroom, I say to Connor, "Connor, mommy has to "go potty". Do you want to "go potty" with mommy?" He immediately takes off to the restroom. While I'm sitting, he sits too, on his potty. Last Monday, I wondered what would happen if I took his diaper off while he sat ... so I tried it. The next thing I knew, he was tt'ing in the potty!! I couldn't believe it!! I was so proud of him!! For now, I plan to continue this. I'm not going to pressure him, but I'm thinking if I do this several times throughout the day, maybe he'll begin to understand that he's supposed to TT in the potty. If any of you have any suggestions as to what I should do now, please let me know!! I'm new to this and am open to suggestions!! :) Speaking of How to Make the Terrible Twos Terrific, I want y'all to know that this is the absolute BEST book I have ever read on raising children around Connor's age. I am so glad that Dr. Davis recommended it to me. I learned so much about WHY children act like they do around this age ... and it ALL makes so much sense now!! He also gave lots of great advice and offered suggestions for discipline. I recommend it to everyone who has a one year old!! Don't wait until they turn 2 since many children start the "terrible twos" long before they reach the age of 2 (including my own!!) Connor has added lots of new words to his vocabulary, as well as sign language for a few words ... thanks to those awesome Baby Einstein DVD's!! A few of his new words are clock, book, cracker, blocks, toothbrush and bath. Of course he doesn't pronounce some of these "properly" yet, but we can understand what he's trying to say. "Ba-Ba" - while pointing at the tub means "bath." :) So, he's getting there!! :) Connor enjoys being outdoors, playing with bubbles, swinging on his new swingset that his daddy and granddaddy built for him, pushing his lawn mower (which makes bubbles!!), and of course, his all-time favorite ... running through, sitting and splashing in mud puddles!! He doesn't miss a single one!! Thank goodness for TIDE detergent ... it washes the mud out everytime!! Guess this is what little boys are all about!! As for Lee, he is staying super-busy with work. It's unfortunate that his busiest season at work is my summer break!! It's hard for him to take-off for a vacation, but we manage to "go and do" on the weekends ... after he gets off work Saturday afternoon. He also enjoys working on the farm with his dad. He could spend DAYS on the farm, plowing, planting and working on tractors!! He absolutely LOVES it!! Guess that's a "country thing" ... something I'll never understand!! And as for myself, I'm enjoying every minute of my summer break!! It's so nice being able to spend so much time with Connor. I can't help but to feel like I miss SO MUCH during the school year!! During the summer, I do send him to his sitter occasionally so that he won't get out of that habit, but I try to keep him with me most of the time so I won't miss these moments. I've also been staying busy with Shrimp and Grits Kids - an adorable line of low-country themed children's clothing. The fall season is just around the corner so I've been busy preparing for my shows. I'm the rep for my area as well as the Aiken area and love every minute of it!! It's so much fun going out and meeting lots of mommies at trunk shows. I also enjoy occasional TNO's (teachers night out) as well. Other than that, I've just been cleaning/organizing my house and enjoying spending time with Lee and Connor. It's hard to believe that Connor will be 2 in just a few months!! He has been such a blessing to our lives and we continue to thank God daily for our precious gift from above!!