Potty Training AJ

This journey feels never ending. We started potty training back in May when AJ was only 28 months because I remembered being told that boys are a lot harder than girls to potty trained. When we potty trained Steven I don't remember it taking this long. I don't recall exactly how long it took or the details but I do remember him being potty trained by the age 3. So one day after getting AJ from daycare and seeing on his daily progress sheet that they started taking him to the potty with the other kids I thought "oh, this is interesting. Let me work with him at home too". And that's how the decision to potty train came about. One day we just woke up and AJ wore no diaper the rest of that day. We had about a handful of underwear that mom had bought for him months back so we used that. Of course that he would dirty them all in one day but for the most part he was getting the concept of "peeing".

Over the summer it was a constant battle trying to keep everyone on board on the potty training wagon. I was all in for it, the grandmothers would basically care less and not encourage him when he was with them, daddy was always forgetful about the situation and kept him on a diaper whenever he was with him, and daycare, well daycare was a whole other story. Although they were working with him as well and he would maintain dry during the day and pee on the potty for them they didn't think he was ready to stop wearing diapers because he wouldn't tell them when he had to go. Honestly I understood their concerns about the matter and quite frankly I'm sure it was going to be more work on them but I felt that he was ready, especially because he was doing so well at home. Yes he would have mistakes once in a while and wasn't telling us when he had to go but more often than not he would pee on the potty. I felt that what he needed was consistency in using the potty and for all of us to try at the same time, meaning no diapers! 

So then at the end of the summer after I had work so hard to train my child to use the potty it was like we were back to square one. For weeks AJ did not pee himself during the day or at night. I had a system going on. We peed first thing in the morning and before bed, an hour after his last drink for the day. As long as I reminded him to go pee he would go and all was well. He would even go himself to the bathroom and then afterward he would come to me for praise because he used the potty. I'm sure that my excitement about him peeing on his own was serving as strong encouragement for him to do it again and again. Problem was he would only do that with me. At daycare he wouldn't go on his own or tell them whether he was peed or pooped and that's why I feel he was going backward.

Toddlers are very smart, more than we give them credit for and I'm sure the problem we've come across with now and the reason why the daycare doesn't feel he's not ready to not wear diapers is that he now knows the difference. If he's wearing a diaper he knows he won't "wet his clothes" whereas if he pees himself when he's not wearing a diaper he knows the opposite will happen and his mickey mouse underwear will get wet. I'm telling you toddlers are smart. I'm convinced that this is the reason why he doesn't seem ready because he does it at home. If he's wearing a diaper he doesn't care about going on it but if he's wearing regular underwear he goes on the potty. Two week ago I feel was a major milestone for us and potty training because he now knows the feeling of the urge to pee. Just several weeks ago he would tell me he had to go pee but by the time he would get to the bathroom he wouldn't it in the potty. But since last week he's being doing great. He goes pees, flushes, washes and dry his hands, etc. Granted he's been doing all of this for months but now is like he has it all down pack. The issue is that he's not doing that when he's wearing a diaper, especially if he's entertained with toys, a game, or TV/iPad.

I know my child and I know he was ready for potty training months ago, he just needed consistency from the adults. Even the girls at the daycare the other day told me that they wished they would had started it when he was being consistent with peeing on the potty and having dry diapers because now it seems he doesn't care for the potty there. He's been having wet and dry diapers along with the occasional pee on potty but nothing like before. Until this past week that he has not had a wet diaper at daycare :) and still no talk of potty training him there!

It gets me so mad. This whole feeling like I'm the only trying here really bothers me, is like so what's next? Will he ever get it if he continues with this back and forth in diapers over the day? I mean I'm sure he will but it frustrates me to feel like no one else is  truly trying. And who knows, maybe they are trying, at least its seemed like it a couple months ago. Now however, I don't even know what to think. Either way that's the scoop on that which sounds more like I'm venting hahaha. Hopefully I'll have better news on his yearly post :)

Social Media Vent

So. I'm deleting my Instagram. I've had it on my mind for a very long time now and it was the first thing I jotted down when I was making my 30 before 30 list. I was planning on staying away from social media for at least a year. But then something happened. Again. I wrote about it here a while back too. Someone is sending me anonymous messages. It seems that whoever it is hates me and wishes me the worse in life. To make matters worse is someone who definitely knows me. Which makes it even scarier because who is it that I am trusting that is using my trust as key to harm me. Who could that person be? Only in the Hispanic community I tell you. It's sad, really sad.

Being that we don't know who it is and we don't have the slightest idea it's making it clear for me to decide on what I need to do. I need to step away from social media and cut out of my life all who might wish me harm. Funny thing is that I don't feel like I over share on IG. Do I? I'd love to hear from those who follow me on IG, do I share to much? Isn't social media about sharing the things that make you happy that bring you joy? Why should I feel guilty to post about date nights just because you are single? I'm sorry that you are single but how is that my fault? I'm sure not every one's life on IG is as perfect as it seems. How often do you post about the fight you and your husband had over the kids punishment? Or because the house was a complete mess? I'm sure that never. So why should I post about the bad moments in my life? That's personal to me and quite frankly I'd rather forget sooner rather than later. We all mostly share what makes us happy not what made us cry or got us angry. It doesn't mean that I don't have does moments just that I chose not to dwell on them. It happened, I get over it, and keep it moving. I'm not going to share it with the world. And I feel that I should not have to apologize for the way my life is. Certainly not every aspect of it is perfect but I chose to embrace those that are. And now I have to punish those who do enjoy seeing my life in pictures because you have a problem with what I've been blessed with? It makes me sad. 

So yes, I'm removing myself from IG, smh. But I will continue to blog. Luckily I never promoted my blog to those in my town. You can say that I'm a closet blogger but I honestly find that I can trust more those I've never met in real life than those I see on a regular basis. That just shows 

you what kind of community I live in. 

Although I have to admit that God is good. Boy is he good. He takes the bad things in your life and use them for good and I have a good feeling about what's to come in the months ahead. 

Another chapter in my life that has come to an end. But I'm not going to lie, it's giving me anxiety to end this chapter.  

Mom moves in/Basement Reno

A couple of months ago my mother came to me with an idea. She said, "so, I'm not renewing my lease at the apartment again. I was thinking that instead of paying rent I could finish your basement for you and turn your storage room in the basement into a bedroom. What do you think? Will Steven be ok with that?" 

She left me speechless. I didn't know if this was a joke or a blessing in disguise. As I thought about it on the days that followed I started to like the idea. This could be beneficial for everyone involved. The house will gain value with adding an extra bedroom, an extra bathroom (we currently have one), and a finish basement. Most of the money toward the reno will be come from her so our pockets will not be hurting. She offered to pay the TV/Internet bundle bill, and for the cherry on top she can cook dinner on the days that I work and she can help out with the kids. Ok ok so I know it sounds like she's getting the bad end of the stick but she's really not, I promise.

She will b me able to save some cash, get a new car, enjoy her grandkids, and still have an area of the house for herself with her own bathroom. On the other side of things I was worry because her moving in meant that the hubby and I would have less privacy, she can be OCD about somethings (cleaning in particular), and most importantly I don't want her to feel that we are having her do too much or as if we are talking advantage of her. I also haven't lived with her in over 10 years so I feel that we might clash from time to time, which is expected I guess since we are both different beings.
So far things have been going well. She has been doing a little too much cleaning which is starting to worry me because again I don't want her to feel that she's doing everything. Although, I have been working the past several days so she's been home alone with nothing to do so I get why she's doing things. But I'll admit that's it's been pretty nice coming home to a super clean house :) not that I don't clean but I don't find it necessary to sweep and mop every.single.day. She has been moving things around too which I'm not happy with because then I can't find it but I just laugh about it. After all, she doesn't understand my system yet. 

In either case it's only been a week since she moved in so time will tell how things will end up but for now I'm glad to be spending time with my momma :)

Now about the reno, boy am I super excited for this!

We don't plan to stay in our house for a long time but doing the upgrades will sure be beneficial for us now as we enjoy them and when selling/possibly renting this house. So far only her "bedroom" is semi finished and needing to be painted with some framing  being started right outside the main living areas. I'm thinking the bathroom will be finished before anything else is though. 
After those two things are done the rest of the basement will be framed and divided into a seating/chill/workout area, and an official laundry room with extra storage. I am so excited for this! I'm excited for everything really but I've always wanted a designated laundry area  where I can fold and iron. Not that I enjoy doing laundry and all. 

Right now we're at a standing still since my moms friend who's doing the Reno has been getting lots of work so I foresee this little project taking quite the time to get done. In the meantime though I keep collection ideas of how I want the set up and how we'll decorate it. I've been learning a lot about construction too and electricity. I was able to assist him with the wiring and insulation. I can see myself doing that kind of work but do I have what it takes? Who knows. The hubby is in trouble though if I get any ideas to do other Reno around the house ;-)

Pamela 

Hello Autumn!

I am so excited for the adventures that are coming this season. On top of this being my all time favorite season, from the cool weather to everything pumpkin flavored, we have lots of things going on on the weeks ahead.
My SIL Lola is coming to town for a couple of weeks with her four years old son. That means that many of our Fall adventures/traditions like apple picking, pumpking carving, seed roasting, and trick-or-treating, to name a few, will be done alongside that little one who lives across the country. As for the adults, events suchs as a bridal shower, bachelorette party, and a wedding awaits. Lots of eating out, wine drinking, and quality time will also be a part of this month. I decided to take off 2 weeks for her home visit, I mean why not? I have the time to use :) 
Then in November we are heading to Puerto Rico for a two weeks family vaction over the Thanksgiving break. I feel fortunate enough on being able to take off so many days in a two months period. I thought that this summer was a great one and as we get more in the groove of things this Fall season and the end of year approches I feel like this year has been short of amazing.
I'm excited for the weeks to come! But what I'm truly excited for is some me time. I cannot wait to be off from work and enjoy warm pumpkin flavored coffee outside my poch or out on my deck while I indulge in a romance novel. Maybe I'll embrace the cool weather and go for jogs/runs after dropping off the kids. Of course that my own schooling will be there with lots of demands but I will use my time wisely to make the best out of this stay-cation ;)
Look forward to the stay-cation highlights toward the end of this month as well as the last DITL post for the year!
xoxo,
Pamela