Library

I decided it was time to get the twins library cards. Yesterday afternoon, once the baby awoke from his nap, ate, and the twins had peed, we headed off to the library. The twins were quite excited. They like books. We had the talk about how we share books at the library with lots of people, so we have to keep them nice looking and be gentle with them. We were prepared and eager.

The librarian processed all our information as quickly as she could while the twins played with the handicap button on the door and the baby squirmed and squealed (not happily) in the sling. I chose the sling because I new I would need my hands free at some point. The twins were busy and I was trying to keep the baby happy when I heard a little squeak, "Mom?" Twin1 had peed all over the library floor! I apologetically told the librarian that my son had peed on the floor. I mean, really, what could I do? It's not like I was going to run to the bathroom with three kids, get paper towel and start cleaning it up. The librarian was nice about it. Once she was finished processing the info, I packed all of the kids back into the car to head home for new clothes and another pee break. I hadn't thought to bring a change of clothes because they had only just visited the potty. Finally, we were clothed and back in the car. I was determined to check out the library with the kids.

At the library, I showed the twins the kids section. They ran around liked crazed animals looking at the different books and stuffed animals yelling at the top of their lungs, "Horsey - Neeeee; Dog - woof, woof; Birdy - quack, quack; Sharp-tooth (shark) - Grrr...." Yes, I am not kidding. I forgot to have the discussion with the twins about how the library is a quiet place. I finally corralled them into a spot, picked out a book and sat and read it together while the baby checked out the place. The twins each picked out a book, I gave them their library cards, and we checked out our books. No more pee incidents.

Twin1 picked out the 'horsey' book and twin2 picked a 'wolf' book. It was neat to see what they chose for their first books. They nicely looked over their books on the car ride home. Until, of course, they were finished looking at them and the books immediately turned into weapons with which to beat each other. So much for the discussion about being gentle with the books!

My New Favorite Words

"My pee come, mom." Progress. Twin2 actually asked to sit on the potty this morning. It may not happen again for a while, but lets hope. He, He. The day is looking great already.

Boys are so NOT Girls

Potty training is going fairly well. They can now pee on demand. Which is great because trips to the potty are now seconds long, as opposed to hours (literally). Twin1 spent the better part of a day on the potty once. Potty's are now in the bathroom, instead of in front of the TV. The twins are now no longer scared of the big toilet - although the toilet at my in-laws still gives me a freight every flush (Wooooosh). We have had several nights of pee free pull ups. We have had several trips out of the house and even some longish car rides with no accidents. So all in all, I am very happy with their progress. It definitely didn't take the week that I thought it would take - more like a month and a half. That being said, we are no where near poop trained.

Today, I ventured out of the house and off to school. I noticed a pee grab at one point from twin2 - the signal that a potty break is needed. There is still no verbal sign given. So, off to the toilet I go. He successfully got himself up on the big potty only to pee all over his pants and the floor. He was pretty good at trying to redirect, but with no success. Aim was just not there today. As the pee kept shooting higher and higher, all I could do was giggle. Boys are so not girls. This would never happen to a girl. I told him not to worry about it because he sat on the potty. I proceeded to clean up the pee that was all over the floor, got a new outfit and off we went. Twin1 thankfully did not have this problem.

Toddler Hair Cutting Tip

I refuse to spend $10-20 on haircuts for the twins, so I decided I would give it a try. I've watched my hair get cut 1000's of times. Should be easy.

It took a couple of tries, but I now think that I have an okay technique down. I get things pretty even. My boys do have wavy hair, though, so I have a little forgiveness.

The trouble, however, lies in getting the child to sit still for long enough to get the cut done. The first few times, the cut ended up spanning over a few days. I tried putting them in a chair with a favorite toy. I tried a favorite treat - which they do not get very often at all. I have now discovered an even easier way that invovles no bribery. Place the child on the potty, in front of the TV, with some milk. This works wonders. I managed to get some pretty good cuts out of the twins using this method.

So, I decided to try this out on my nephew who I watch on Tuesdays. He was suffering from a very uneven cut. He truly hates to get his hair cut and like the twins, the last time he had his hair cut it took a few attempts, people, and bribes. Also, I wanted to see how my hair cutting techniques faired on straight hair.

I sat him down on the potty (he is not potty training yet, but has shown some interest since his cousins are training), put on a new movie, gave him some milk and went at it. He didn't last as long as the twins, but I did manage to get things evened out. I didn't account for a slight cowlick in the front, but all in all an okay job I thought.

Now, what am I going to do when they refuse to sit on the potty in front of the TV?

Morning Routine

I just thought I would share my morning routine for the moment because it strikes me as kind of funny.

6:30 wake up to either baby crawling around the bed or the pitter patter of little feet running up the stairs yelling MoUUm.
6:35 race upstairs with baby to get twin1 or 2 on the potty before he pees in his pull up
6:35 turn Handy Manny on
6:40 clean potty, open treat
6:41 change babies diaper
6:45 open gate for other twin and put him on the put against protest before he pees in pull up
6:46 surveil the kitchen to see what needs doing before I can help get husband out the door
6:47 put any remaining dishes in dishwasher, turn on dishwasher, Nuc tea for myself
6:48 ask if husband wants coffee or just shake and remind husband about possible lunch options in fridge or freezer
6: 50 clean second potty, give treat, get milk for twins
Uh break. Gulp tea
7:00 byes to Daddy
7:01 put together baby's breakfast, feed baby
7:15 make own shake and guzzle
7:20 begin coaxing both twins on to potty again, get clothes out for day, pick up any leftover clothes/dishes from night before
7:30 finally get twins on potty again, drink now cold tea
7:40 return to clean potties and dress twins/baby
7:45 break up fight between twins
7:50 nurse baby
8:00 I get to shower

Wahoo and that is only the morning.