Potty Training, Mullets, and More

My favorite way to tell what we’ve been up to is through pictures, so here you go:

Kasey snuggled up with some of his favorite things: Pooh Bear, Airplane blanket, movie. Could life get better?

Kasey and dad doing the dishes together. Kasey is actually a remarkably good helper for his age. Yes, he does play in the bubbles and always gets water everywhere in his dumping fun, but he knows how to put dishes in the water, rinse, and stack. If only he would enjoy doing dishes as much when he’s a teenager…

Dad and Kasey all set up to attack (throw balls at) their army men. They had to do something productive while mom went to bookclub.

Kasey building a really big tower!

Kasey ready to go outside, shorts and all! (By the way, those little black shorts are his favorite. He would wear those everyday if he could, and he is devastated when they are dirty, delighted when I wash them for him. He told me once that he could run fast in them! That’s probably why they’re his favorite!)

Potty training time! As you can see, I created a motivational potty treat and toys basket. It did motivate Kasey to sit on the potty when he had silly putty or bubbles to play with. And every time he pooed or peed on the potty – treat time!

We started with lots of juice and movies and sitting on the potty. As you can see, we moved the potty into our living room for ease and convenience.

Kasey actually picked up the concept fairly fast; however, it still feels like we are potty training months later. I assumed that after about a week, Kasey would be able to tell me every time he needed to go on the potty. I realized that he would still need lots of reminders; kids get distracted and forget. So now, we just have gotten into the habit of going about every hour to avoid accidents. He’s doing better on making it to the potty to poop, too. But the hard part of potty training is done, and before the baby, too! Hurray! Only one kid in a diaper! Here are a few funny potty training moments:

• Kasey has learned that when you pee you “relax” and when you poo you say, “rrrr!”
• I told Kasey: “When you pee in the potty you get a treat. When you pee in your pants, you don’t get a treat.” Then just to review, I said, “What happens when you pee on the potty?” Kasey: “I get a treat!” Me: “What happens when you pee in your pants?” Kasey: “Mommy gets mad.” :)
• Me: “I’ve got to go to the bathroom. I feel the poops coming.” Kasey: “Can I feel?”
• Kasey looked in the potty, and he was so excited he made a baby poo and a daddy poo! He wanted to make a mommy poo too, but he just couldn’t do it! :)
• While putting on his Thomas underwear: “We don’t want to poop on Thomas. That makes him feel bad!” Thomas isn’t the only one who feels bad when Kasey poops in his underwear!
• Kasey had some friends over, and we were all playing upstairs in the attic. I had already brought Kasey’s potty upstairs because I knew he needed to go poo, but then I went to get some wipes to be prepared. As I was coming back up the stairs, I hear, “Mom, I have poo on my toe!” This sounds pretty funny in retrospect, but I thought, “Oh, great!” But, the good news is that he did go on the potty! It just somehow ended up on his foot…and the carpet….
• Another time I put him down for a nap. He was playing in his room for a long time, happy, but not sleeping. I went to check on him, and I found that Kasey had tried to change his poopy diaper all by himself. Mr. Independent. I didn’t know whether to be mad that he made a mess and didn’t come get me, or glad that he tried to take care of it on his own. What I found was a big spot of poo smeared into the carpet next to his poopy diaper, and then a pile of wipes on the opposite side of the room by his diaper drawer. He had put his pants back on and everything. Thank goodness my mom gave me a carpet cleaner for Christmas!

We had a delightful visit to Hurricane. Kris and Kasey decided to go hiking in my backyard. Yes, this is what I grew up with – my backyard backed up against a mountain. It made for some fun adventures. It’s hard to see, but Kris and Kasey are on the big black rock on top of the hill, right in the middle of the picture.

While visiting, we decided to go to the St. George Parade of Homes. Here’s a picture that we took while touring. We saw some stunningly beautiful homes and enjoyed dreaming of someday. Plus, Kasey peed on me. We had such a nice time. (To clarify, I was holding Kasey and we were rushing to find a bathroom. In his defense, he did tell me he needed to go. Unfortunately, the nearest bathroom was at the bottom of a hill.)

Lately, whenever I go to check on Kasey after he’s fallen asleep, I’m always greeted with some sort of surprise, it seems. Here are a few things I’ve found:

Kasey moved all of his pillows and blankets to the corner of his room near his Christmas tree and fell asleep.

Kasey tucked in with Tigger.

Wearing his favorite Spiderman hat.

Buried under stuffed animals – can you find him?

Holding his toy saw.

Inside his pillow case.

With a monster truck.

With a book.

And another book.

Okay, so maybe that seemed a bit tedious, but I thought it was a funny series of pictures. Here’s another series, this time with Kasey and Molly. For all the work and grief Molly causes me, this is why I’m glad we have her around: Kasey loves her. He crawls all over her, wrestles with her, plays with her face, and steals Molly’s toys so she chases him. There are moments when Molly pesters him, but I know Kasey loves having her around. It’s really like a brother sister relationship.

Kasey loves to bring his blankets and lay by Molly on her bed.

Molly giving Kasey kisses.

So, are you still wondering why I put mullets in the title? I have kept you in suspense. To sum up, I’ll just copy what I posted on facebook: “I’m feeling a little bit violated and betrayed right now. I have been tricked into doing something that I deem to be both socially and morally reprehensible, and by none other than my very own husband. It started out so innocent – “I just need a little trim.” Then, “A little more off the sides…now a little more off the top…but keep it long in the back…” You can see how this turned out, right? Really, Kris, a mullet again!!!?.”

Sigh. What I’m worried about now is that Kris is going to try and cut Kasey’s hair into a mullet – yikes! Worse yet – I’m afraid I’m going to be beguiled into cutting Kasey’s hair into a mullet because I’m going to be so afraid of how Kris is going to cut it! Double Yikes! I’ll have to keep you posted on our mullet battle. Until next time…

Christmas...Yes, I'm really that far behind.

We're about due for an update. Let's see, what's been going on in our lives...oh, yeah! We're expecting! And by expecting, I mean only 2 more months left! Well, that obviously tells you how behind I am at blogging! :) We are having a little girl, and she is due May 7. We are so excited for everything pink and polka dots and bows! Kasey knows he's having a little sister, too. In fact, he's been pointing next to him in the bath or on the piano bench and telling me: "My sister can sit right here." :) And you can't hide my protruding belly any longer. (Some people would call my shape BULBOUS, but we won't name any names right now, right Kris?). Kasey can't help but notice either. In fact, Kasey was pointing to my belly and told me there’s a little sister in there. Then he proceeded to inform me, “That’s because your belly is big and you eat too much dinner and cookies!” Very true, son! You are so wise.

A few other things Kasey has said and done recently:

• Me: “What should we do for family night?” Kasey: “Let’s run around and eat a brownie!” Add a lesson, and that sounds about right!
• Kasey: "Let's make some waffles for dinner!" Me: "We're actually having rice and chicken tonight." Kasey: "Oh, rice and chicken? That's too bad!" Me: "Can we try some rice and chicken first?" Kasey: "Yeah, we can do that." (He sounds so grown up sometimes. I forgot he's only 2!)
• My family still had their Christmas tree up in February, and Kris said, "What a nice Christmas tree!" Kasey commented, "It's still Christmas at their house!"
• We were showing each other our mad faces at dinner. I asked Kasey, "What do you say when you're mad?" He replied, "No, Molly! Get out of the trash!" :) (Molly is the dog, by the way.) Looks like I've taught him well! It was at this same dinner Kasey decided asparagus looks like dinosaur tails. Trust us, dinosaur tails are much more fun to eat.
• Kasey is very conversational with people at the store or park, and he also carries on a decent conversation on the phone. An example is when he was talking to his grandpa Payne. Here are just a few phrases I heard from his conversation: "I'm a big boy Grandpa." "I'm big right now." "I wear big shoes when I walk." "Bye Grandpa, I'll see you in the morning!" (As you can see, being big is very important to him.)
• It's also fun to hear the names he comes up for things: "burrito chips" for Doritos and "drying paper" for paper towels in public restrooms. :)
• Two is such a fun stage - in between the tantrums that is! :) It's so fun to be able to converse with Kasey and hear his thoughts and how he perceives the world - I love it! We do have some difficult moments when Kasey is learning how to ask nicely (instead of hitting, whining, crying inconsolably, etc.) for the things that he wants (and that sometimes you can't have everything you want, even when you do ask nicely!). But overall, Kasey adds so much life and joy to our lives. He is helpful and fun, and full of so much energy!

Kris and I aren't quite as entertaining. Kris continues to work hard at Ivory Homes...and starting a granite business...and working part-time construction for his dad...and serving as our Ward Mission Leader..., and Tiffany continues to stay busy with part-time babysitting, piano lessons, and being a mom. We are still living in the infamous "Old Slanty," and I complain from time to time about it's lack of modern conveniences, but it seems that every time I do, I am humbled by the reminder of all the wonderful things we have in life that bring true joy: the gospel, our families, and each other. Not everyone enjoys these simple blessings, blessings that bring much more happiness than the fanciest modern convenience money could buy (i.e. a dishwasher). The key to happiness is being grateful for all you have, and to learn to be happy now - not waiting until that distant someday when I have a washer and dryer conveniently located in my very own home! (But I can dream, right?)

I have a few more updates - Kris' hair and potty training being some of them, but I will wait until the next blog and add a few more fun pictures. But for now, we better catch up on Christmas (that seems like so long ago!).

So, yes I realize that Christmas was ages ago, but if you'd like to re-live it with us, here are a few pictures.

Kasey and his cousin McKayle at temple square.

Kris is having an especially good time.

All of us together.

This same weekend we went to cut down a Christmas tree. You heard me right - a real, live Christmas tree! All my dreams were coming true.

Kasey falling asleep on the way.

Kris thought this sounded like a good idea, so he decided to sleep as well. (Kris, the road!)

We found it! Our Christmas tree!

All together.

Dad and Kasey sawing down the tree.

Check out those muscles!

With my family, we've started a tradition of having a girls' day together over the holidays. Here are my two cute sisters, displaying our hand, nail and face items - time to get glamorous!

Another tradition - singing Christmas songs around the piano Christmas Eve.

Kasey loves playing the piano with his grandpa!

...and playing the guitar with his dad!

We had a wonderful Christmas morning - going to church, singing in my family's ward choir, and skyping with my brother in Hungary on his mission! It was so fun to see him and talk to him. Technology is amazing. We also heard him speaking Hungarian - crazy! He is doing well and working hard. I can't believe he only has 9 months left! Kasey knows that his Uncle Jake is a missionary - thanks for being such a good example Jake!

With such a busy morning planned, we decided to open presents the night before. Kasey really liked my new hat!

Checking himself out in the mirror.

"I am one handsome dude!"

"Okay, I smiled for the camera. Now can I open my presents?!"

It's time!

Playing with a new track from Grandma and Grandpa!

Doing a new puzzle with dad.

After spending some wonderful time in Hurricane for the holidays, we headed up to Salt Lake Christmas afternoon. It makes for a busy Christmas, but we are sure glad we can spend the day with both families!

Another pile of presents at the Jones's! What a lucky kid!

Blanket made by Grandma Glenna.

What a happy moment - a Thomas pillow pet!

Trying on his new construction gear.

Oh, and you were probably dying to know what our Christmas tree looked like! Well...here it is! (The funny thing is...our tree is still lying in our front yard at this moment. :) Like mother like daughter, I suppose. It's still Christmas at our house, too!)