Bed, Potty, Ready to be 3!

There have been 2 major changes in the Clark family in the past week and I am so happy with the changes.

One big change is Riley's bedtime routine. Anyone who knows us is already aware of the bedtime hell we've been in for about the past 4-5 months (although it really does seem much longer than that). Since about October/November Riley has been having a great deal of trouble sleeping in her room. Apparently we had a severe bear problem!! We tried EVERYTHING!! And when nothing seemed to be working, we unfortunately became lazy parents. We let her fall asleep in our bed then move her, sometimes she wasn't moved, then we put a bigger bed in her room and slept in it with her. We even let her stay up later just so we can at least have some time with each other. Either way the madness ensued!! I finally had enough and had to put my "super nanny" like parenting skills in effect.

I made a schedule for Riley - a schedule with pictures, so that Riley could understand it. We implemented the schedule last Sunday and it has worked. Jeremy and I can enjoy an hour or two of television and conversation without the interruption of a nosy little toddler. I am so proud of myself for kicking it into high gear, but also angry that I waited so long to do it.

Same thing with the potty. Two weeks ago we said enough is enough, you've been training for a YEAR! We got rid of the diapers, gave a lot of praise. had 2 teachers at daycare who were willing to take this path and help us out and BAM! Within 3 days (and one accident) she was completely trained. It is so nice to not have to ask 1,000 times a day "Ri, do you have to go potty" because she now let's us know. We have taken trips close to home and up to an hour and a half away and have been very successful.

I know my last few blogs have been long (and maybe boring) but I use this blog as a baby book and no baby book lets you write about the trials and tribulations of parenting. I write it because in my pre-Riley days I had such a specific idea of what kind of parent I would be and how I would NEVER allow certain things. Well let's just say that all of those things that I would NEVER allow, I have. It's amazing how children change you. But I also write it because some day there will be a Baby Clark #2 and I will want to have something to look back on to remind me of how things will get better...because they always do!!!

And no matter how tough things are - who wouldn't want to deal with this face everyday???

Sadly - this face was not posed - she did it when I asked her to smile pretty for me!!

But then she at least gave me this cheesy face!!!

I think we're ready to say goodbye to the "terrible 2s" and move on to being 3! Life really doesn't get any better than this!!

Let the Good Times Roll

On the last day of Keira and Jenn's visit Jenn had the idea to go bowling. Neither Keira nor Riley had ever been bowling before. This bowling alley was perfect, they had bumpers AND a ramp. Four games and some lunch later - both girls left feeling so thrilled about their first bowling experience. It also helps that both won 2 games each!!!

A Month of Visits!

The Clarks have been very busy!! For the past month we have had a full house every other weekend.

During the weekend of 02.18.11 - 02.21.11 Aunt Laurie and Uncle Adam came to visit.


Then 2 weeks later during the weekend of 03.04.11 - 03.06.11 Juh-Juh and Grandpa came to visit.

Then another 2 weeks later Aunt Jenny and Keira came to visit from 03.17.11 - 03.20-11.

We loved hosting everyone and would do it again anytime. We hope you guys had as much fun with us as we did with you. Can't wait to see you all again (soon)!!!!

We were so off track - but now we're on!

Let me start this by saying that Riley has been potty training since March of LAST year! The reason I say this is because it has been one frustrating year when it comes to the potty. I think what has made it so frustrating is that when Riley first began training, she seemed to take to it very naturally. She had 1-2 successful pee pees on the potty almost daily. Of course when she began training, she was only 19 months old - still very young.

Because Jeremy and I are working parents it was difficult to really dedicate time to training. Even the weekends are difficult because we like to spend time out doing things as a family. We never really planned to stress the potty training thing until after her 2nd birthday. Of course after her 2nd birthday was when she had to have surgery and HAD to wear a diaper. This surgery truly did set us back. So we decided that we would put it on hold completely, let her go when she wanted to and start training again after the holidays.

We did just that - but Riley developed a fear of pooping on the potty. I don't think we'll ever know why, she just did. She would wear underwear on the weekends and got really good at telling us when she had to go - but when it came to having to poop she begged and pleaded for a diaper or just went regardless of what she was wearing. We were told by the doctor that we have no control over when she decides to use the potty all the time. While I believe and respect that on some level, my personality says "bring it on." I do believe we have no control, but I also believe that if we keep positively reinforcing the potty she will see it's not so bad!

Yesterday we had her go through the house and find all of the diapers. She found every last one. We had her put them in a bag and made a sign that said "FOR THE BABIES." We explained that the "Diaper Fairy" would come and take her diapers away to give to the babies that needed them. For giving up her diapers she would be given a small gift. This idea worked so well for us with giving up the pacifiers - that I truly believed that it would work well for us with the diapers.

Riley did fantastic! We even went out shopping and she wore underwear with no accidents. We did buy training pants for nighttime. But I explained to Riley that they were training pants (I didn't call them Pull-Ups) and I even put them in a different place so that there is no association that they are "just like diapers." While I know we are at the very beginning, I also feel like we are close to the end on the potty training bit. I also feel confident that her teachers at school will help me follow through on this!! I am sad to see my baby growing up - but I am happy that we are officially a diaper free household (until the next one comes along of course).

Getting rid of all of her diapers - she was so good about it

Making a sign "FOR THE BABIES"

Meet "Grapie" the newest stuffed animal. Riley chose Grapie as her gift for giving her diapers away.

Punxsutawney Phil - you were so so wrong!

On February 2nd the world wondered if good ol' Punxsutawney Phil would predict another six weeks of winter or an early spring. Imagine everyone's surprise when the little rodent predicted an early spring. February brought on many "teases" and sure signs that spring was on it's way. Ha! Then came March and all bets were off.

The snow started on Sunday morning and continued into this morning. Thankfully it did stop by mid-morning but this snowfall moved us from Syracuse's 9th snowiest winter to its 4th - wow! But seriously last I checked the first day of Spring is 2 short weeks away and I cannot wait!!

Riley and I enjoyed the day at home because the roads were terrible this morning. Of course you can't have over 10 inches of snow fall and not go out and play in it. Enjoy our pictures from the snow.