Thursday, June 30, 2011

UTMB Graduation 2011

It's that time of year again... GRADUATION! Thanks to my mom being in town- we had a built in baby sitter for the celebration weekend for Dr. David Baker.
We had a great time at a dinner hosted honor of those graduating this year- it is crazy to think that in one year- that will be KEN!
Today marks the 1st day of Ken's "chief" year! The girls and I are so proud of what he has become- I am in awe of the things you can do- he has literally given babies smiles!! God has truly given these guys a gift. I can't wait to see what the future brings throughout this year and the years to come!
Happy 1st day of your 4th year- Dr. Haynes!!
xoxo,

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

I am PROUD to say...

WE are POTTY TRAINED- for about 2 weeks now!!! Wahoo!!! BEST birthday gift for Mommy ever!
It was great and because so many of you have asked here is what we did. When we came home from Memphis- we brought Honey with us. She prides herself on having Lauren and I potty trained in one day- so I "challenged" her to help me (since there are 2!) and I would dub her "Potty Queen"- a coveted title I'm sure. She accepted the challenge and was a HUGE help! We started with our potty dolls- they drank juice and so did we! We watched our dolls go tee-tee in the potty. We celebrated with doll and an M&M- we dumped and flushed dolls tee-tee- and celebrated again with yay's and M&M. We kept drinking- at one point we had milk, juice, and kool-aid. The book I read said to give them coke?!?! I didn't go that far- remember I am married to a dentist- and we really don't need two caffeine junkies! *One trick I used that my girls LOVED was- once the girls were over drinking I got out the dixie cups and would fill those up with juice. We drank a gallon of kool-aid this way. Whew! It was hoping once it got going... soon after the potty experience started. Mattie basically- didn't get up from her potty. She didn't have a single accident. Mommy was excited! Hailey on the other hand- loved the juice and drinks and snacks, but pottying wasn't a priority.... I was worried and on puddle duty.
Because of the "urgency" that comes with pottying the first day- we started with big girl panties, but quickly transitioned to al a' natural for the day- I think this embarassed Daddy when he came home- but I didn't care- we were on track!
Day #2- was a flip flop- Hailey didn't have a single accident- YAY! It's working... but Mattie was over the potty... Oh no- I thought. As a twin mom- you always worry about what if one is doing something and the other isn't- potty training is top of that list! :)
Day 3- we put on our big girl panties and were accident free!
Day 4- we venture out with clothes on to Target! After 2 potty visits, we made it home dry!!! This is huge! I really worried about what I would do if they puddled on the floor, thankfully that hasn't happened yet! :)
We have had an entire week without an accident at all and we have been going to VBS every night- so they are "pottying" for other people while I am teaching! YAY! I have noticed that they are really starting to be able to hold it and they want too. We are taking naps with out wetting the bed, but against my better judgement I am doing pull ups at night- here is why...

I tried to let them just wet the bed for 3 nights so that they will be uncomfy, wake up and want to be changed. Well that makes perfect sense to me- they learn to control it that way or wake up when they need to go... but I have the sweet littles that don't wake up- so I found them in a soaked bed- sleeping... that's terrible. I have decided I am going to try for 3 days in a row every 10 days to see if they will wake up. Pull ups aren't a big part of our future- I can tell! :)
A few more "fun potty facts"- I am traveling with a potty in my car, kandoo wipes, and clorox wipes. This is for those- "Mommy, potty" unplanned moments. Oh- how it has come in handy, plus WAY cleaner than public bathrooms. Also, I love the panties that Target sells for training they are a little thicker in the crotch so if they do have an accident it absorbs a good bit of the tee-tee. I use these still if we are in the car for more than 30 minutes.
Thank you Honey for all of your help! We LOVE you and crown you "Potty Queen" in our eyes! xoxo,

Friday, June 24, 2011

Memphis- Take 21

Here we are - the #1 Cousins- I mean- we ROCK! It's (in order) Micah, LaLa, Daniel-the grad, and me!) a picture of preciousness! I know our grandpa and nanny are smiling as I post this! You 3 are my heart- we have a bond that cannot be broken- LOVE LOVE LOVE!
After the graduation- we headed home- somewhere between the Jackson mexican food and the cookout- I got food poisoning and was out of commission for 2 days... thanks Grammy for watching the girls and thanks LaLa and Honey for taking care of me... after the yuckies... we headed to visit our friends at Bartlett Elementary (Honey at work).
Honey's backyard...
we loved school... and school LOVED us!
Mattie- mommy says he is too old for you! :)
Bittersweet- they were so willing to say- "Bye Mommy!" so proud and sad at the same time....
my girls had to sit at the "big kid table".

Stopped by sweet Shelly Dane's class to say HI! Hailey- walked right up to her like they were bff's! It was precious- and a great choice Hailey- I LOVE ME SOME SHELLY!!!
After we visited Honey's school we met up with LaLa and Libby at Cupcake cutie- YUM! As you can see....
some of us aren't so patient... for our cupcake. Yes- I'm the mom that takes the picture rather than discipline.... hmmmm- don't judge.
By the end of the day - this was Hailey- one pig tain, a tutu, and a banana.... ?
at bedtime- we had to seek shelter- TN style! Thanks to my parents- built in we were safe and so were our snacks. :)



Gotta LOVE honey and PaPa's backyard!!! We sure did! :)
Look at all 3 play! So sweet! I can't wait to see them at 16- well I kinda can...

During our Memphis visit- we visited the Memphis ZOO with Aunt RaRa! So fun!

We LOVE RaRa...
Hailey Panda!


"Mom- do you see how close this PANDA is to me?"


Thanaks for joining us at the ZOO- RaRa! We love you!
Mattie- dressed by Aunt Dena- you would think she doesn't have little girls?!?!?! the crisscross goes in the back...
Fun with our cousins....

We love Aunt Betty...
WHEEEE!!!!!
SPLASH!!!!!!!!


I can't get over that my 2 year old is the same size as her 4 year old cousin...
Bath time at Grammy house with aLeyse and Alayna
Mine- not so happy...
Look at those cute Dora shirts- made by Aunt Dena!


Look who's turning 30!!! AGH!!!!
this girl!
and this girl!!!
Happy 30 birthday- Me and YOU! :)

To end the night- BATH with all 3 cousins! PRECIOUSNESS!

Gotta LOVE Memphis! Until we meet again!

XOXO,