Painless Potty Training

{Imagine it}...

No stinky diapers lounging in the trash. 

No wiggling child desperate to escape, whether cleaned or not. 

No finger painting POOP all over walls, carpets, faces...

No weekly expense for diapers, wipes, ointments. 

It has been my least favorite part of parenting hands-down.... Potty Training, that is. But leave it to Viviana to just figure it out and conquer it without skipping a beat leaving us to wonder, what happened?! What? Painless potty training?  

Well, it's about time one of our six makes this a painless transition.  On our trip to Utah at the start of summer Viviana decided it was time. And when these little people decide... Momma has to agree for the sheer fear of reverting back.  So gas stations, fast food places... you name it, we happily stopped on the road.  Lovely.  And once she tried the luxury of undies... she was hooked.  And I didn't even have to send her to potty training boot camp.  This is definitely on to a new phase for us.  No more signs of baby in the McLaughlin Clan.  And it actually doesn't make me sad at all.  I think I had my fill for sure.  Thirteen glorious years of it.... this very week.  

How cute are these boy short undies on Yummi-Ana?  

...and I caught her teaching Izzie's baby how to go in the potty.  The funny thing is-- this baby is called 'baby pees a lot'  (no joke) so Vivie thought that 'baby pees a lot' should not be peeing in her diaper anymore either.

 Now, it's up to my brothers & their wives to start / keep having babies 

so I can do all my cute baby sewing and spoil them rotten!

Three

The other day we visited with Viviana's new Pediatrician and as briefly as we could... we recounted her story so that she could then be referred on to some specialists for some issues she's been dealing with.

It's truly humbling to recount in our minds, hearts, and out loud, the experiences that brought us to today... the here and now...

three glorious years old. This is late... almost three months late, but our blog book wouldn't be complete without the proper birthday tributes.

A few weeks ago someone asked me when we're going to get those 14 hemangiomas taken care of (meaning, when will she have them surgically removed because they are unsightly, annoying, and bothersome)? I have to say, that it made me think a little, because even though I know they aren't 'normal,' neither is she. She's extraordinary in every way and I think sometimes those physical representations, even the unsightly hemangiomas, leftover from her beginnings... are the only physical reminder left on her that miracles do happen. They tell her story.

I was going to just list the *THREE* things we adore most about you at this stage.... but I couldn't stop, because there are just so many things to love, and we don't want to forget...

*Your larger-than-life smiles and personality.

*You always beg, complete with jumping up & down, "Can I come, can I come?" when someone heads out the front door with keys in hand. You don't ever intend on being left behind!

*Your sweet and simple prayers... and the fact that you insist on saying the family prayer every night.

*The way you take charge and boss your older sisters around... because you CAN.

*The amount of loves and cuddles that flow from you.

* The bond you have with your family... unique, special, and different bonds with each one of us.

*The key you have to your daddy's heart... you adore him just as much as he adores you.

*Your excitement and love of music, and of your nursery class at church.

*You're an independent little soul.
*The way you say, "o-tay"
*The way you tell us something, followed by:  "I killing" (translation:  I'm kidding)

*Your favorites are: Dora cuddling sweets opening the car door by yourself going potty all by yourself singing & dancing with your sisters getting dressed and re-dressed 10x a day your 'spot' on the sofa Dad's i-touch mom's i-pod Wubbzy stealing Dad's diet coke booking it down the hallway still half-asleep to cuddle with mom & dad... at 3am.

* And like momma, you MUST wear bling.

You are a true joy

{even if you do drive me nuts sometimes with all your energy}.

xo forever,

'Sassy-fras'

My Lexie Lulu...

She's sassy, she's quick, and she's funny... the kind of funny that makes you belly laugh. She imitates people, she uses different voices, she is bossy bossy bossy especially with her daddy...he stands NO CHANCE with four daughters that have bigger-than-life personalities. And she's growing up way too fast. Her daddy nicknamed her 'Sassafras'-- it suits her purrrfectly.

We had hilly streets in San Elijo Hills...not really conducive to the novice bike-rider. Now that we're on 'stable' ground, she's two-wheelin' it around town.

She was sick of waiting for someone to help her. So she took it into her own hands and strapped on her gear & headed out to teach herself. Her favorite pass-time is now riding a two-wheeler.

She doesn't love soccer as much as we thought she would, but it was fun watching her strut around the field (#6) and stand with her arms folded waiting for who-knows-what. She was great at running after the ball, was always on the scene, in the right place at the right time, but mostly yielded to her teammates to go for the big kick--- a confidence thing, I suppose. She announced tonight after her last practice that she's DONE with soccer. Forever. {giggle giggle}. One less thing for me to do!

Vivie's Antics

She can't be stopped.  Early on we had a glimpse into her personality when she grabbed the intubator which was supposed to help her delicate one pound body breathe... and at 12 hours old yanked the darn thing out.  She did it again when she was intubated for her MRI at 3 months old.  All before even making it home for the first time.  If something cramps her style--she'll figure a way around it.  Aside from my better judgement, at times I try to suppress her... but at every turn she amazes me with her creativity, expressions of victory,  sheer energy, and endearing wit.

As a quick update-Viviana visited with the developmental NP last week and impressed her to pieces.  We couldn't be more delighted to confirm with the 'professionals' that Viviana is indeed...right on track.  Not for her adjusted 17 1/2 month age...but closer to her 'real' almost 21 month age.  Truly, amazing.  She's all caught up and never really was considered that far behind.

Completely victorious... and she's stolen her daddy's heart with 'touchdown.'

(ya like her slobbery self?  she's been teething forever!)

Why buy toys when we have laundry baskets to fit two passengers and one driver?

Isn't she lovely.  I only wish her hair was that thick and long.  Apparently, so does she.  She loves this wig and wears it quite often.  Anything to make us laugh.

I love it that she's big enough to play with the girls and give me just 5 minutes to myself...even if it's just to pee... 

So unsuspecting and darling, isn't she?  She was glaring at me after scolding her for running into the street.

She really wasn't angry...she was making a funny camera face because that's what she does when I start clicking -- we have a little Miss comedian on our hands.  She runs to Brayden when he comes home from school everyday....as if she hasn't seen him in years.  She ADORES  Brayden.  So do I. 

Yup...it was only a matter of time. Another girl to hide my shoes from me.

She's one of the big girls now...has to 'help' in every way.

That's the look!  The victorious "ha, I did it" look.  She continued to open and close the fridge/freezer doors 112 times...because I told her 'no.'  

I'm so glad we have one of these...except for the times I wish it could somehow be locked up... when piano pounding isn't music to anyone's ears.

Everyone else makes eggos...why can't she?  She pushed the chair over there all by her lonesome self.  My girls are all ox's.  like me.

She thought she was being tricky.  Take a look at the noggin' on that thing!  That chair could come in handy if I needed her to stay put sometime....KIDDING!

Again, the victorious look.  This was back when she first learned she could climb.  She's been doing it ever since.

"Look!  It's me!"  She's in love with seeing herself on the screen saver.  This is mild--usually she stands on my desk and chucks things off... like the keyboard and mouse.  I'm on mouse #3.

But when the day is all said & and done...precious Vivs cuddles with her 'favorite' and eventually falls asleep...usually with a pen in hand (and repeatedly & annoyingly takes the cap on and off) until she finally nods off. 

Viviana...I'm quite impressed with your antics.  And you apparently didn't get that 'afraid of heights' gene from your daddy.  When I say 'no' and redirect you...you do it even bigger, better, harder, faster.  

But I love you love you love you!