Wednesday, December 19, 2012
December
We got a new camera on the day after Thanksgiving. Its not a super fancy one but I really like it. It was supposed to be my Christmas present but I couldn't wait. So I just wanted to do a little update (mostly with pictures) of what we have been up to for the last month or so.
We have had fun decorating for Christmas, getting Christmas presents, having tea parties, making cookies, painting, playing, going to see the cows (this is literally in right next to our back yard), playing dress up, and just doing our normal daily stuff. It has been a very busy but fun December.
Thursday, November 15, 2012
~Halloween~
This year we went to Burley for Halloween and went with Nicks parents and Jono and Natasha's and their kids to their parents trunk or treat. They had a little dinner and a costume parade for the kids. (Sophie was adorable in this and was waving to everyone as she passed by them) Then we did the Trunk or Treat. Sophie and Kyler went together and it was probably the cutest thing I have ever seen. They held hands for most of it and would go together to each car and say trick or treat. SO CUTE!!
We also went to a pumpkin patch a little before Halloween. It was a really cool little place and it was really fun! Here are some pictures from that. Thanks again Natasha!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
My Non-method Method of Potty Training!
Yep that's right! Sophie is officially potty trained!! And let me tell you, it is SO much nicer than having to deal with diapers for her. I went about a whole month having 2 kids in diapers before I decided that it was definitely time to do something about that. I mean, I LOVE changing diapers and everything (riiight), but it gets a little old. So I have actually had a few people now ask me what "method" I used to potty train her, and so that is why I have decided to blog about. Its just easier.
Anyways... let me say this first, I checked out all sorts of ways to potty train. I mean pinterest is full of them. You know, like "potty train your kid in a day" or "The best way to potty train is using this..." that kind of stuff. Anyways.. believe me I researched them all, and all I can say is that I'm sure those ways worked for some people but actually for Sophie and me, it wasn't all that hard.
So I call my method "the non-method method" catchy right? :)
This is how it worked... originally I made a little chart that said "Sophie's Potty training Chart" and I wrote the days on it. Then I put some "big girl panties" on her. These were actually training panties. They are nice because they are thicker than normal panties so if they happen to pee in them then it doesn't get all over the floor. (We also got Sophie her own potty chair like 5 months ago that she really thinks is cool.) I then proceeded to tell her how awesome it is to go pee on the potty chair and how if she does then she gets to put a really cool sticker on the really cool chart on the wall. She was very excited about this and totally into it.
So the first day of this went as follows: I gave her lots of stuff to drink that day and then about every 15 to 20 minutes I would ask her if she wanted to try and go potty. She usually would want to try but the first day she didn't really ever go in the potty chair. We had about 2 accidents where she would tell me she had to go, right after she went in the training pants. Two accidents was really all I wanted to clean up that day so I put her back in diapers thinking that maybe she wasn't ready yet. But even though the diaper was on I would still ask if she wanted to try. I think it was the next day that I asked her and she said she wanted to go and this time she actually went! I got so excited that she did it that I think I kinda scared her but then she saw how happy I was and how "fun" it was to put a sticker on the chart that she wanted to do it again. Basically the rest is history as far as peeing in the potty goes. I, of course, would still ask if she had to go and she would tell me yes or no, and If she went then she would get to put a sticker on the "chart". Sometimes I would make her try and go anyways even if she said no. I only had to do that for a couple days though until she could tell when she had to go or not and then she would tell me even if I didn't ask her. (which is the ultimate goal, right?) I was always really proud of her and that made her like to go a lot.
Now this chart that I made basically went to crap. It turns out that 2 year-olds don't really care what day it is that they get to put the sticker on, but just the fact that they get to put a sticker on something. So the "chart" is basically a piece of poster board that she puts stickers on wherever she wants.
Now for pooping or Number 2 as we like to call it. :) This was a little bit harder. She did have a few accidents with this because I could never catch her when she had to go. She would go hide every time she had to go number 2. So after I would find her it would be too late. I kept telling her I had a very special present for her if she went poop in the potty, and she was really excited about that idea but it didn't really seem to help her actually go in the potty. So I would just try and find her before she would go. I did this for a couple days. (She was pretty much totally good with going pee in the potty chair by this time. That really only took like 3 days) and I think this only took about 1 time of catching her right before she pooped and getting her to do it in the potty chair and she was hooked. I was SOOO happy when she did it. I think it almost brought tears to my eyes! She again saw how happy it made me and of course she remembered that she was supposed to get a "special present". The special present can really be anything that they like. I got her a puzzle... from D.I. ... for .50 cents. Best. Idea. Ever! She loved it!
After that first time she was pretty much hooked. She did have a couple more number 2 accidents in the next couple days but after that she did really good. I wouldn't get mad at her for having the accident I would just remind her that we really need to try and do it in the potty chair and to remember how happy it made us when she did. I guess that was enough motivation because it worked, and I can proudly say that she hasn't had an accident in about 3 weeks, And we started this about 4 or 4 and half weeks ago.
So, like I said, this is not really a "method" but it worked for us. She has done so great! All in all it took about 1 and a half weeks for her to get it totally down. It really wasn't bad though. I think the real key is to just do it when they are ready, and I know that it's hard to know when they are, but I think the motherly instincts kind of kick in here and you will probably know.
I did however forget to mention that at night we put pull-ups on her as a precautionary thing but mostly she doesn't ever pee in those. She just goes to the potty as soon as she wakes up and right before she goes to bed. I don't know how long I will keep using the pull ups for, but it may be a little while longer. I really don't want to clean up her mess from peeing the bed. Maybe i'm lazy... oh well!. ;)
I hope this is helpful to all of you who have asked me about this and also anyone else who needs it. Don't be scared either, I will admit I was a little nervous but it was much much easier than I thought it would be. I am so happy that we did it now and not waited because she picked it up really quickly and is doing great! I'm so proud of her!
Anyways... let me say this first, I checked out all sorts of ways to potty train. I mean pinterest is full of them. You know, like "potty train your kid in a day" or "The best way to potty train is using this..." that kind of stuff. Anyways.. believe me I researched them all, and all I can say is that I'm sure those ways worked for some people but actually for Sophie and me, it wasn't all that hard.
So I call my method "the non-method method" catchy right? :)
This is how it worked... originally I made a little chart that said "Sophie's Potty training Chart" and I wrote the days on it. Then I put some "big girl panties" on her. These were actually training panties. They are nice because they are thicker than normal panties so if they happen to pee in them then it doesn't get all over the floor. (We also got Sophie her own potty chair like 5 months ago that she really thinks is cool.) I then proceeded to tell her how awesome it is to go pee on the potty chair and how if she does then she gets to put a really cool sticker on the really cool chart on the wall. She was very excited about this and totally into it.
So the first day of this went as follows: I gave her lots of stuff to drink that day and then about every 15 to 20 minutes I would ask her if she wanted to try and go potty. She usually would want to try but the first day she didn't really ever go in the potty chair. We had about 2 accidents where she would tell me she had to go, right after she went in the training pants. Two accidents was really all I wanted to clean up that day so I put her back in diapers thinking that maybe she wasn't ready yet. But even though the diaper was on I would still ask if she wanted to try. I think it was the next day that I asked her and she said she wanted to go and this time she actually went! I got so excited that she did it that I think I kinda scared her but then she saw how happy I was and how "fun" it was to put a sticker on the chart that she wanted to do it again. Basically the rest is history as far as peeing in the potty goes. I, of course, would still ask if she had to go and she would tell me yes or no, and If she went then she would get to put a sticker on the "chart". Sometimes I would make her try and go anyways even if she said no. I only had to do that for a couple days though until she could tell when she had to go or not and then she would tell me even if I didn't ask her. (which is the ultimate goal, right?) I was always really proud of her and that made her like to go a lot.
Now this chart that I made basically went to crap. It turns out that 2 year-olds don't really care what day it is that they get to put the sticker on, but just the fact that they get to put a sticker on something. So the "chart" is basically a piece of poster board that she puts stickers on wherever she wants.
Now for pooping or Number 2 as we like to call it. :) This was a little bit harder. She did have a few accidents with this because I could never catch her when she had to go. She would go hide every time she had to go number 2. So after I would find her it would be too late. I kept telling her I had a very special present for her if she went poop in the potty, and she was really excited about that idea but it didn't really seem to help her actually go in the potty. So I would just try and find her before she would go. I did this for a couple days. (She was pretty much totally good with going pee in the potty chair by this time. That really only took like 3 days) and I think this only took about 1 time of catching her right before she pooped and getting her to do it in the potty chair and she was hooked. I was SOOO happy when she did it. I think it almost brought tears to my eyes! She again saw how happy it made me and of course she remembered that she was supposed to get a "special present". The special present can really be anything that they like. I got her a puzzle... from D.I. ... for .50 cents. Best. Idea. Ever! She loved it!
After that first time she was pretty much hooked. She did have a couple more number 2 accidents in the next couple days but after that she did really good. I wouldn't get mad at her for having the accident I would just remind her that we really need to try and do it in the potty chair and to remember how happy it made us when she did. I guess that was enough motivation because it worked, and I can proudly say that she hasn't had an accident in about 3 weeks, And we started this about 4 or 4 and half weeks ago.
So, like I said, this is not really a "method" but it worked for us. She has done so great! All in all it took about 1 and a half weeks for her to get it totally down. It really wasn't bad though. I think the real key is to just do it when they are ready, and I know that it's hard to know when they are, but I think the motherly instincts kind of kick in here and you will probably know.
I did however forget to mention that at night we put pull-ups on her as a precautionary thing but mostly she doesn't ever pee in those. She just goes to the potty as soon as she wakes up and right before she goes to bed. I don't know how long I will keep using the pull ups for, but it may be a little while longer. I really don't want to clean up her mess from peeing the bed. Maybe i'm lazy... oh well!. ;)
I hope this is helpful to all of you who have asked me about this and also anyone else who needs it. Don't be scared either, I will admit I was a little nervous but it was much much easier than I thought it would be. I am so happy that we did it now and not waited because she picked it up really quickly and is doing great! I'm so proud of her!
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| See how happy she is!! :) That is the chart behind her. As you can see there is no organization what-so-ever to it! |
Friday, October 26, 2012
Cru's Blessing
Alright, I guess I should probably update this thing. I feel like I have all of these things I need to blog about, but I am not going to lie, blogging is not my favorite thing. Mostly because it takes me forever... but I try to hit the main points of interest that go on here in the Barker Family, so that is what I'm going to do.
Since my last blog post we have had a couple things go on. The main event being Cru's baby blessing. We blessed him on September 30th (yes I know that was a month ago!) It was so great! Nick gave Cru a very sweet blessing, and afterwards we had everyone over for lunch. We loved having our families over to our new house and for most of them it was their first time being here. So that was fun to be able to show off our new house and actually have a place that everyone can be in at once and not feel cramped. We feel very blessed to have such wonderful families .
Also Cru turned 2 months this month (and yes, he is actually going to be 3 month old next week, like I said, I am a bad blogger) So here are his 2 month stats: Weight: 11 lbs 7 oz. height: 22.25 inches head circumf.:38.1 cm. So as far as the charts go he is in the 10th percentile for height and head circumference and the 75th for weight. Ha. Basically we have a short chubby little guy. :) and he is the CUTEST!! He has started smiling and it is so cute and he is doing little baby talking sounds a lot more. I love it! Cru is such a good little baby, and we just love having him as part of our family. Sophie has gotten better about being "soft" with him and she really loves to hold him and talk to him.
We also carved pumpkins this week for Family home evening. Jono and Natasha (Nick's brother and his wife) and their two kids did it with us. It was pretty fun, although I think Sophie was pretty ready for bed by the time we got done because she was a grump the lat like 30 min they were here, but other than that it was pretty fun and we are all pretty proud of our awesome pumpkin carving skills. ;)
Since my last blog post we have had a couple things go on. The main event being Cru's baby blessing. We blessed him on September 30th (yes I know that was a month ago!) It was so great! Nick gave Cru a very sweet blessing, and afterwards we had everyone over for lunch. We loved having our families over to our new house and for most of them it was their first time being here. So that was fun to be able to show off our new house and actually have a place that everyone can be in at once and not feel cramped. We feel very blessed to have such wonderful families .
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| Cru, slept basically the entire time. How awesome is that Tux? I love it! |
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| Sophie was too busy playing and already had taken her dress off by the time we were taking pictures so we never got one with her in it. oops! |
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| Bryson, Mandy, Michelle, and Brady eating lunch |
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| This is my niece Ayla, isn't she such a doll!? |
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| Sophie |
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Also Cru turned 2 months this month (and yes, he is actually going to be 3 month old next week, like I said, I am a bad blogger) So here are his 2 month stats: Weight: 11 lbs 7 oz. height: 22.25 inches head circumf.:38.1 cm. So as far as the charts go he is in the 10th percentile for height and head circumference and the 75th for weight. Ha. Basically we have a short chubby little guy. :) and he is the CUTEST!! He has started smiling and it is so cute and he is doing little baby talking sounds a lot more. I love it! Cru is such a good little baby, and we just love having him as part of our family. Sophie has gotten better about being "soft" with him and she really loves to hold him and talk to him.
We also carved pumpkins this week for Family home evening. Jono and Natasha (Nick's brother and his wife) and their two kids did it with us. It was pretty fun, although I think Sophie was pretty ready for bed by the time we got done because she was a grump the lat like 30 min they were here, but other than that it was pretty fun and we are all pretty proud of our awesome pumpkin carving skills. ;)
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| Mandy is supposed to be pulling the same face as the pumpkin but you cant really tell. |
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
~Happy Birthday Sophie!~
On August 11th Sophie turned 2! (I know, I know, that was a month ago, I'm a slow blogger.) I cant believe that she is 2 already, Crazy!! Her birthday this year was pretty lame because it happened to be the same week we just moved into our new house (more details in my next post) and with that and the new baby I really didnt plan a party for her, and I still feel bad about it. Next year I guess, right?! We did have a little cake and ice cream at a park for her with my family in Pocatello and then a couple days later we had cake and ice cream with Nicks family in Twin Falls. She definitely got spoiled with gifts from everyone though!
Well since it was her birthday , and I havent really done a post for her in quite awhile, this one is for her. So 20 things about Sophie... here we go:
1. She already has a great sense of humor and she is a goof ball, she loves to do random little things that she thinks are funny, and most of the time they are. At least I think so. ha
2. She is smart. She can talk super well and talks all of the time. She also knows how to count to 10 and sing her ABC's.
3. She is a total mama's girl, but she really loves her Daddy too. She's my little buddy. She wants to do everything I do and wants me to "watch" her do everything!
4. Her favorite movies are Tangled, and Finding Nemo. We watch them like everyday, well I should say we start them every day, we dont usually watch the whole movie.
5. She is a great helper. She loves to help me with things around the house. Her favorite things are unloading the dishwasher (she hands me the utensils one by one, it takes forever actually but she loves it), and she also likes to help me put the clothes from the washer to the dryer (also one by one).
6. Sophie is a great "big" sister and loves her little brother Cru.
7. She loves loves loves to DANCE! I wish I could put her in dance classes now because even though she is only just barely 2, I think she would do awesome. She dances all the time and makes up her own dances. Its so cute.
8. She loves animals any and all, she really loves dogs and cats though, and I think we need to get some kind of pet... an outdoor pet... but Nick isn't too fond of the idea.
10. Sophie loves sweets/ treats. I try not to let her eat them very often but if she could, I bet that is all she would eat. Although I think thats pretty typical for most kids.
11. She really likes to sing. Lately she has become very good at Happy Birthday, probably because of all the August/ September birthdays we have. Her other favorite songs are "I am a Child of God" and the "ABCs" .
12. She is kind of shy, especially if she is just meeting someone for the first time.
13. She has an attitude, and can be a little stinker, but for the most part she is very sweet.
14. She likes to shop, and when she sees somthing she likes she always picks it up and says "cuuuute!!" Its hilarious!
15. Her new favorite game is hide and seek, she likes to seek.
16.She now weighes 23 lbs. still pretty small for a 2 year old.
17. She loves getting presents (who doesnt) sometimes Nick will bring her a little "present" home from work, like a fruit snack or squeez-it. She loves that.
19. She loves her blankie and paci... they are the two things she will not share with anyone.
20. She is pretty much the cutest 2 year old girl ever... well thats what I think ;) We love her!
Well since it was her birthday , and I havent really done a post for her in quite awhile, this one is for her. So 20 things about Sophie... here we go:
1. She already has a great sense of humor and she is a goof ball, she loves to do random little things that she thinks are funny, and most of the time they are. At least I think so. ha
2. She is smart. She can talk super well and talks all of the time. She also knows how to count to 10 and sing her ABC's.
3. She is a total mama's girl, but she really loves her Daddy too. She's my little buddy. She wants to do everything I do and wants me to "watch" her do everything!
baking muffins in our new kitchen... this has become one of Sophie's
favorite activites
4. Her favorite movies are Tangled, and Finding Nemo. We watch them like everyday, well I should say we start them every day, we dont usually watch the whole movie.
5. She is a great helper. She loves to help me with things around the house. Her favorite things are unloading the dishwasher (she hands me the utensils one by one, it takes forever actually but she loves it), and she also likes to help me put the clothes from the washer to the dryer (also one by one).
6. Sophie is a great "big" sister and loves her little brother Cru.
7. She loves loves loves to DANCE! I wish I could put her in dance classes now because even though she is only just barely 2, I think she would do awesome. She dances all the time and makes up her own dances. Its so cute.
8. She loves animals any and all, she really loves dogs and cats though, and I think we need to get some kind of pet... an outdoor pet... but Nick isn't too fond of the idea.
this isnt a real dog but you get the idea
9. She loves to be around people especially other little kids. She really loves to play with all of her cousins.10. Sophie loves sweets/ treats. I try not to let her eat them very often but if she could, I bet that is all she would eat. Although I think thats pretty typical for most kids.
11. She really likes to sing. Lately she has become very good at Happy Birthday, probably because of all the August/ September birthdays we have. Her other favorite songs are "I am a Child of God" and the "ABCs" .
12. She is kind of shy, especially if she is just meeting someone for the first time.
13. She has an attitude, and can be a little stinker, but for the most part she is very sweet.
14. She likes to shop, and when she sees somthing she likes she always picks it up and says "cuuuute!!" Its hilarious!
15. Her new favorite game is hide and seek, she likes to seek.
16.She now weighes 23 lbs. still pretty small for a 2 year old.
17. She loves getting presents (who doesnt) sometimes Nick will bring her a little "present" home from work, like a fruit snack or squeez-it. She loves that.
18. She loves to go in Grandpa Scott's boat! and If she is being brave she will even go on the water weenie.
20. She is pretty much the cutest 2 year old girl ever... well thats what I think ;) We love her!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE!
Friday, August 24, 2012
#2 Little Cru...
So, like I have said before, we have had a very busy summer and of all the very fun and exciting things that have happened this summer our favorite part would have to be this. On August 2, 2012 little Cru Nicholas Barker was born!! He was 6 lbs. 3 oz. and 20 inches long. So compared to little Sophie (who was only 5 lbs 4 oz and 18 inches long) he was big. ;) He is pretty much the cutest little guy EVER, and he is such a good little baby. Especially since the poor little guy has been all over the place since he was born. (more about that in my next post)
He loves loves loves to be held, and Sophie loves to hold him. Although I don't let her hold him as much as she would like I think. I have to watch her constantly, because if she is anywhere near him she just wants to hug him or kiss him or lay by him, and she is pretty good for the most part but She hasn't quite got the concept of being "soft" with him, although she really tries. Its pretty cute to see her with him and how much she just loves him! He is always the first thing she asks about when she wakes up in the morning. Its very cute!
We are so glad that he has finally joined our family, and we couldn't be happier. I am so thankful for him and for Sophie. I still have a very hard time believing that I have two kids now! Ok lets be honest I still cant believe I have one kid let alone two... But I absolutely LOVE being a mom! It really is the most rewarding thing in the whole world. They seriously bring Nick and Me so much happiness and they are just so cute and fun! Don't get me wrong I definitely have my moments where I feel super inadequate and... I dont even know what the word is... overwhelmed? Ya I think that's it. I feel overwhelmed, but its worth it, and you know, I guess the fact that its hard sometimes (more than I would like to admit I'm sure) is what makes it that much better and I'm so grateful for it.
Here are some more pictures of the past couple weeks.
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