PEE-autiful Potty Training

We did it.

We took the plunge and said "no more diapers."

(What were we thinking???)

Friday night started out with brand spanking new Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck underwear, a trip to McDonalds for "big girl" chicken nuggets (accident number 1), and a trip to the toy store at the mall (accident number 2 & 3) to celebrate our "big girl."

Let's just say that we now know we were expecting WAY too much out of our little Marie. How could she think about her potty when she is surrounded by toys and french fries?

Lesson learned.

We headed back home and proceeded to discuss when we potty, how we potty, and why we potty in the toilet and not on the floor, kitchen chairs, or in our pretty new underwear. We have a few potty books explaining it all which have been so helpful. When the little girl has an accident in the book, Marie can relate and she tells her, "it's ok, you will pee in the potty next time."
We had a few successes on Friday night but we knew that we were in for a long and wet weekend.

Saturday morning started out with a success followed by lots and lots of carpet cleaning if you know what I mean. Andy & I were feeling defeated and we didn't know if this was going to work. Marie on the other hand didn't seem to mind the mess, but she was feeling a little out of control and we could tell that her mind was working and trying to make sense of it all...

On Saturday evening, Andy & I were having yet another potty brainstorming session. Suddenly, Marie galloped past us and into the bathroom. She sat on the potty chair and had success all by herself!

Needless to say we celebrated - danced, yelled, sang, and rewarded her with a treat from her "Potty Treat Bag."

Sunday was a great day. Things seemed to be clicking right along and we even made a trip to the store with no accidents. We had a few set backs in the evening, but she got right back on track before bedtime.
We didn't do a lot of running around this weekend of course because we were focused on Marie and training. However, it was a great weekend to just be at home as a family. Marie has been spending a lot of time outside with Charlie in the grass lately. He runs out to lay in the sun and chew a bone and Marie sits next to him and talks his ear off...what dog lets a little girl lay on him while he sleeps and chews a bone?

Our dog.

Marie is at school today with several extra sets of clothes for her accidents which we know she will have, but I am so proud of her for what she has accomplished so far. I am hoping that being around her potty-trained friends will make her even more aware of using the toilet.

And, I am so proud of her mom & dad for not completely freaking out and quitting on Saturday...believe me, it was tempting. We have a long road ahead of us but thankfully we have this initial training weekend behind us.

A Marvelous Mess

Lately, we have been busy scheduling interviews for Andy as he is applying to residency programs around the midwest. So far he has been invited to interview all over: Sioux City, Mason City, Lincoln, Des Moines, Mankato, and other places that I am forgetting.

Although this is a very exciting time for us, it is also stressful.

We want to make sure that we make the best decision for the whole family. There is so much to consider: my career, Marie's schooling, housing opportunities, daycare, our families, Charlie (yes...he is a factor for us to consider), and of course the best possible training for Andy for his 3 year residency in family medicine.

Des Moines has been an amazing home to us and we are very close to our friends and our connections here. Everything is set here...our home, school, job, daycare, and doctors.
We are comfortable.

On the other hand, a move could mean we are closer to our family, a different job opportunity for me, more rural training for Andy, closer to leisure activities we love to do (hunting), and closer to friends.

The past 3 years have flown by and we can't believe we are at this time in Andy's schooling. The thought of 4 years of medical school seemed unending to us when we moved to Des Moines in 2008.
Now here we are .
Honestly, it feels a bit like what Marie's hands look like in these pictures...messy.

We are starting interviews soon and would appreciate your thoughts and prayers as we make this decision.

In the end, we know we will be guided in the right direction.

Football Saturday

We had another beautiful tailgate Saturday, and this time we stuck around for the game. Andy's Uncle Tom and Aunt Mary were visiting from Michigan so they could see their Horns take on the Cyclones.

Marie was loving all the extra attention and even got to see Aunt Liz, Grammy, and Papa.

While at the game, Papa took Marie down on the field where she got an up close look at the band and the field. Although it was chilly, Marie stayed warm with plenty of cuddling and popcorn.

At one point Marie turned around to Grammy and said, "I like this!"

I guess this means more football games are in our future!

Looking Good!

After too many mornings dealing with snarls and tangles, I decided it was time to get Marie's hair cut for the first official time.
I have done a few snips here and there but she needed a good cut.
I knew she would be a little nervous, but after a sucker, balloon, bubbles, and finally sitting on daddy's lap, she calmed down and sat still the whole time.

The stylist cut over 2 inches off! This cut makes her look so much older!

In other news....Daddy is home! He has just completed his 4th and FINAL (yeah!!!) rotation away from us. Marie and I have been home alone in Des Moines for the month while Andy was in Sioux City and Charlie was in Spencer for three of the four weeks.

Andy had a great rotation in the family med program there. It is a possible residency site for us so it was a very important rotation for him. He really enjoyed it and got great hands-on experience delivering many babies. That being said, it's soooo good to be under one roof again.

interesting reading material

Andy has so many medical books lying around the house and Marie always finds them to be interesting.
She pages through and looks for her name.
(this means she looks for the letter "m")

Whether it is the newest Osteopathic Journal or medicine dosage pocket guide, she finds it fascinating. I can't even tell you how many times we will find her sitting down with a book in her hand making up stories and pretending to read the med jargon.
Meanwhile, all her books filled with beautiful pictures and silly story lines are ignored for the moment.
Who knows, maybe she will want to be a doctor someday...

home sweet home

This past weekend we got to go spend some time in Sheldon with my family. I don't know what it is about fall but I always get a touch homesick and I love going back home to spend time with my family during the crisp, cool weather. This weekend was just about perfect:
Comfort food, cool weather, bakery doughnuts, and pumpkin picking.
Marie loved playing with her cousins and their new puppy, Maggie. I couldn't believe how loud 3 little could be...shrieking, running, yelling, and eventually exhausted from all the playing.

Although not the best picture I have ever taken, I love this one. The girls were trying to pose with their kitten, Blackie, when Charlie came running through the shot. I guess he wanted to be involved in it all...very typical of Char. Charlie has been spending some time with Papa & Grammy this past month but he is home now. Papa was whipping him into shape as hunting season is right around the corner. It's great to have him back - the couch, Marie, Andy, & I were all getting lonely.

God Bless Tylenol

At 2:00 Saturday morning we were greeted by a sad little one with a fever of 102 degrees. Medicine was taken and Daddy proceeded to sleep in awkward positions on the Lay-Z-Boy with Marie. Fortunately we have our own doctor here who can look in ears and throats, listen to lungs, and reassure the nervous mom.

Saturday was full of drinking Gatorade, trying to bribe so Marie would take her meds, watching movies and cartoons over and over again, taking and retaking temps, and lying on the couch with a sick one...not how we anticipated on spending our Saturday.

Luckily, Marie finally took a good dose of meds at 7:00 p.m. and was eating mac 'n cheese and singing songs by 7:45...amazing what 1 tsp. of grape flavored meds can do!



Daddy was happy Marie was feeling well enough to watch the Huskers play. We've heard of an armchair quarterback, but here is our laundry basket quarterback.

Thankfully she is back to her old self again and ready for another busy week.