Potty Training

I hesitated to share this information because I know there are so many opinions on the subject but ultimately I wanted to share what worked for us!  I will also forewarn that there is poop and potty talk in this post so if that offends you still clear.

When Ellie was just over two years old we bought and read Three Day Potty Training.  I know that this book has LOTS of positive reviews and success stories.  For us...it was a disaster.  At the beginning of Day 3 Ellie had never told us she needed to go potty and all we were doing was running back and forth all day.  I decided that it just wasn't time for us.

Starting in September at 2 1/2 Ellie was consistently telling us when she needed to poop in the potty and was successful at least 90% of the time.  However, we still weren't quite there on going potty.  I attribute this to a few different factors that I will not share on this blog.  At the beginning of November she started coming to us on her own and telling us when she needed to go potty.  We had some big changes coming up so I still didn't push things.  I knew that I would be home full time soon so we decided to hold off just a bit longer.

The Friday after Christmas I put Ellie in panties.  We haven't looked back since.  Since being in panties she has only had TWO accidents.  While I realize this isn't the norm for kids and we could still have accidents in the future.  I attribute her to success to the fact that she was a little bit older and that she was 100% ready when we made the switch.

She has even consistently been staying dry throughout the night and if she does need to go potty overnight she wakes up to go!  We are so happy to say goodbye to pull-ups and diapers.

First Black Eye

I realize there is a possibility it won't be her last....but tonight Ellie got her very first black eye. Poor girl! She fell and hit the corner of Steven's laptop. Who knew a laptop could be so dangerous! She said oh no this is terrible through her tears. A Cinderella ice pack, going to sleep with momma and a little Motrin made it all seem better. I can only imagine what it will look like in the morning.

The cow she is sleeping with is my cousin Kelsea's. Ellie insisted on bringing it home after one of our trips to visit. It's name....'Telsea's cow' (original over here;)). She requested it after she fell and still has a death grip on it!

Stella & Dot Trunk Show

I am going to be hosting a Stella & Dot Trunk Show at my house later this month!  Feel free to shop online!  They have so many fun new items!!

http://www.stelladot.com/ts/8otm5

Living Room Update

I am still LOVING our fireplace and wood floors.  One of my favorite features of the living room is the tv being above the fireplace.  It gives us so much more floor space and really opened up our furniture options!  We've ALWAYS just had a couch and loveseat because due to our entertainment center we didn't have the space for any other chairs, etc.

I will state that unlike lots of people I HATE furnitre shopping.  I have a hard time envisioning things with our current furniture, mixing and matching, etc.  Our neighbors both work at Mathis Brothers here in Oklahoma City and have for YEARS.  I followed their suggestion on what sales person to work with when visiting the store (neither of them work in sales).  Last weekend the schedules finally worked out and Summer was at work.  We got to the store shortly after 11:00 and by 12:45 we were down the street at Panera eating lunch and had purchased a chair and a half with matching ottoman and two end tables.

Summer was hands down the BEST furniture salesperson I've ever worked with...I took pictures of the floors, current couch and loveseat and of our rug.  I explained to her how everything was situated and what we were looking for by adding some pieces.  Literally the first chair she took us to is the one we purchased.

Unfortunately our pieces won't be in until next week I will definitely be sure and add photos when they do arrive but below I have some pics I pulled off the website.  I would call our style in the living room is definitely a rustic traditional type look. Our current couch and loveseat are a darker leather with rolled arms and nailhead trim.  We chose to go with upholstery on the chair and NOT go with a print instead incorporating prints with our current rug and some new throw pillows (which have yet to be purchased!).  We also decided to not do a traditional coffee table in the room.  By not having a coffee table the space is really open to every other area of our house.  We instead went with an end table for the couch and an end table for the love seat.  We went with a chair and a half with an oversized ottoman which will allow us to put a tray and use it as a coffee table when needed!

The square table will go next to the couch and the round smaller table will go next to the loveseat.  Both tables are handscraped like our floors and the round one has a hand hammered copper top!  Love them!

Santa 2012

Santa 2012 was a success!  Last year Ellie wasn't quite so sure.  This year before we even arrived she stated she was gonna sit on Santa's lap!  I'd heard fabulous thing about the Santa at Northpark Mall in Oklahoma City.  It is an older smaller mall without many stores.  Everyone always says the Santa is fantastic and the lines aren't long! 
We went around 4:30 this afternoon. We were in our car heading to dinner at 5:30 and that included a stop at the fountains AND in the upscale pet boutique!

Gingerbread House & Changes

Last night we made a gingerbread house as a family.  Or should I say I made a gingerbread house....Ellie and Steven ate icing and candy.  It isn't the greatest but I consider it a success because it didn't collapse!  Love making these memories with Ellie.  All I have right is an iPhone photo...I definitely need to get my camera unloaded we've made lots of fun Christmas crafts over the past week for some fun grandparent gifts!

Now for the big changes.....Starting next week I will be at home with Ellie full time.  We know this will be an adjustment for everyone but think it is what is best for our family!  We had intended on Ellie starting a Pre-School program after she was 3....so around next August.  Well we had been on a waiting list and they called in November with an opening.  It was our top pick program.  We couldn't risk NOT taking that opening and then not getting a spot in their 3 year old program.  I am excited for Ellie I think the structure will be great for her and she will learn so much!  We are also going to take another Kindermusik class so that should be fun for both of us!  I am sure we will find plenty to keep us both busy!

Products

As promised I've put together a post on the Rodan + Fields products that I've been using.  I started awhile back on the Anti-Age Regimen.  My biggest complaints with my skin were pore size and my under eye area (dark circles & puffiness). So with my Anti-Age Regimen I have added in the Multi-Function Eye Cream.  The eye cream is by my far my favorite product but I have definitely seen a difference in my entire face...my eyes aren't near as dark and my pores are noticeably smaller.  So much so that I've been getting compliments on my skin from people that have no idea that I've been using something new.  I've noticed such a difference that on the weekends I've been going out and about with tinted moisturizer instead of my normal foundation!  Now I realize some will say you are only in your early thirties you don't need an Anti-Age Regimen but there is no better time to start taking care of your skin than NOW!

Steven suffers from Seborrheic Dermatitis on his face.  It is pretty easily kept under control with a pricey steroid cream and frequent dermatologist visits. He also has to be extra careful with what type of face wash that he uses.  We decided to get him started on the Soothe Regimen.  As of right now his face isn't near as oily and he hasn't had ANY flares of his Seborrhea...this is VERY rare when starting a new product for him!  So hopefully the Soothe products are the answer and we can cut out the expensive steroid cream and derm visits!

I have some other friends that recently started using products and I can't wait to see their results!

We have lots of fun Christmas gift ideas and stocking stuffers available right now!  Please let me know if you have ANY questions about any of the products!