Okay, day 3 was a nightmare. I was at the end of my rope. For two days, I was positive and cheerful, no matter what. I. just. couldn’t. do. it. again. Thankfully, it was Saturday, so my husband was able to step in while I “checked out” for a bit, so to speak. So, the 3-day plan definitely did not work for us. The good news is that Charlie continues to make some progress, he’s peeing less often and he’s letting me know when he goes or when he has to go. He bad news is he doesn’t want to sit on the potty. Since I don’t force him, he still has accidents.

I’ve decided to continue keeping on. I’ve been told by more than one person to take a break, maybe he’s not ready. But I feel that will do more harm that good. He’ll find that throwing fits “works” and we’ll both dread trying again so it’s likely to be worse the second time. Today, day 6 technically, he has asked to sit on the potty calmly a few times. But he’s “all done” before he’s done anything and soon after has accidents. But, he did poop in the potty today, so that was VERY exciting! One step backward … one step forward!

Related Posts
Potty training: One month later
Day 14: Potty training
Day 3: Potty training
Day 2: Potty training
Day 1: Potty training

I was frustrated before the day began so I had a feeling today wouldn’t feel as successful as yesterday. I decided to try a slightly different approach, to reward Charlie for going, not for being dry since he did have a successful experience yesterday. So, there was less candy. Phew.

But, he peed constantly, hitting both rugs downstairs, and he had one delightful runny poo that dripped everywhere as I tried to hurry him to the potty. He did, however, pee into the potty three times. YAY! Unfortunately, he screamed and cried the entire time. Each time, I spent about 10 minutes consoling him in my lap afterward, before I could begin the rewards process, which included bigger pieces of candy he hand picked, as well as the biggest, most interesting stickers I could find in Avery’s sticker book, since they were new to him (and by then he would have big smiles and be really proud). Before he went to bed, we were able to talk about it and I think it’s that he doesn’t like the little potty chair (I had the same issues with my daughter). He said it hurt his butt. I was using it only because it was the closest, since he was usually in process of peeing when I’d have him on the chair yesterday. But today I would set him on the chair while changing into dry underwear when he’d pee just a little, and then he would pee for real. So, I think he’s getting the hang of it, and tomorrow we’ll set him on the big potty (with an insert) to see if that takes care of that problem.

He also progressed to letting me know when he had already peed. And during supper, he got up and told me he had to pee, doing a potty dance, although he begged me not to put him on the potty.

At nap time he stayed dry in his bed again so I am ecstatic about that. And while I had to change sheets once overnight, it was when I went to bed so I didn’t have to get up to do it in the middle of the night.

Tomorrow, I’ll just keep on keeping on and hope that he gets it. We seem to be making progress!

Related Posts
Potty training: One month later
Day 14: Potty training
Day 3: Potty training
Day 2: Potty training
Day 1: Potty training

We are coming off the worst week of sickness in the history of the Mason family. No one was spared in this horrific series of colds/fever/cough and, yes, even some throw-up. Avery is still lethargic today and I have the ever-lasting headache. Thank you, Debbie for the delicious soup last night! Nevertheless, the stress of WAITING for the day to start potty training, because I am dreading it so much, was just too much for me to take. I figured we are housebound still anyway, so I might as well try it. We’ve already spent a few days training one of my daughter’s Dora dolls to pee on the potty (my son really got a kick out of this) and she finally earned her present for filling up her potty chart.

Now, I’m starting the 3 Day Potty Training method by Lora Jensen. So far, I have not been nearly as attentive as I am supposed to be. However, progress is being made. Several weeks ago, I started just putting underwear on him hoping that Charlie would be upset about wetting himself. He decidedly was not. BUT, today he has come to me every time he has had an accident if I missed it (more often than not). And, best of all, he stayed dry during his entire nap, came down crying and peed just before and during the time I had him on the potty. That is considered success! We celebrated with “MM Guy” (M&Ms, which at one time came in the little container shaped like an M&M Guy; he used to call them “Yummy Ms.”), which he specifically requested. Of course, he also got his first present (a Hot Wheels car) and a sticker on his potty chart.

It’s been a steady stream of candy, juice and pop all day, as I reward him any time I ask and he is dry. The hard part is that he is asking for more candy every few minutes. Otherwise, it seems to be working … Now, if I can just get him to actually pee in the potty without making a mess at the same time … :)

In other news, we were reading a princess book together this morning when Charlie pointed at Cinderella and said, “Mommy!” Of course, I accepted the compliment politely. Then he went on to say, “You a princess!” I think he was buttering me up for a day full of candy!

Related Posts
Potty training: One month later
Day 14: Potty training
Day 3: Potty training
Day 2: Potty training
Day 1: Potty training

Charlie lookin’ adorable in his dad’s Grouch sweater:

And with his big sister:

And his dad in the same sweater with his big sister like 25 years ago:

For more Wordless Wednesday entries: WordlessWednesday.com and 5 Minutes for Mom.

What was originally a niche category has taken over the beauty aisles in almost every developed market, and industry insiders predict that natural and organic cosmetics will hold up well in 2009 even if they do not enjoy the dramatic sales growth of previous years. Consumers are beginning to make long-term, realistic changes to their lifestyle. They feel a huge responsibility not only to the planet but to themselves … They now include their own personal health as a microcosm and reflection of the health of the planet, stated the Natural Marketing Institute’s annual report. The mass consumption society as we knew it is over.

But this can be good news for the natural market. Increasingly, consumers’ values are resonating with companies that are able to fuse both a personal and planetary perspective into their brand. Aveda has found that 68% of consumers will remain loyal to a company that has a social and environmental commitment. This is a growing trend in which consumers are “voting with their dollars,” and supporting brands whose values resonate with their own.

With that, consumers are learning to read product labels to avoid greenwashing words like “natural” and “planet friendly” that aren’t backed up by standards or third-organizations. As like-minded groups come together, there is an attempt to cut through the confusion, and the focus of the media on greenwashing has forced the brands to become more open in their claims. But as a variety of organizations vie for the right to be the “official seal” of natural beauty, things could get worse instead of better. The recent suit by Dr. Bronner and the Organic Consumers Association is just one attempt to ensure those organizations such as Ecocert aren’t loose with their certifications. The point is to make it easier for the consumers and give products credibility.

The market is driven by a perfect storm of consumers, non-profits, industry, media and government, all of whom demand more truly natural and environmentally sustainable products. And while the industry can’t anticipate a continuation of the dramatic growth rates of recent years, opportunities still remain.

Retailers who educate consumers and provide strong assortment will come out on top. But strong assortment does not mean aisles and aisles of product but choice among the best-performing, authentic brands. Read more in the March 2009 issue of Global Cosmetic Industry magazine: Breaking Barriers: Retail’s Natural (R)evolution

I caught the kids on more than one occasion reading books together. It’s wonderful when they can enjoy each others company.

For more Wordless Wednesday entries: WordlessWednesday.com and 5 Minutes for Mom.cou

I’m a runner. Yeah, that’s right. You know how I know? I went running on Saturday (and Sunday and today and, I hope, many more times through this summer). But not only that … I was literally jumping for joy as I came down the home stretch that first day back hitting the pavement. I could barely contain myself. I never feel as bad and good at the same time as when I re-establish my identity as a runner after a long hiatus. For me, running is not just a physical exercise, it’s a mental and spiritual exercise as well. There’s nothing like spring to help me feel renewed in so many ways. Between the warmer temperatures, getting some exercise and working in the yard again, I feel like a totally new person. Glory!

I think this is a record, 8 days without posting!! Eep. Between keeping up with facebook, working p/t for Capstone Consulting and creating posters and flyers for church, life has gotten rather busy. Oh yeah, and raising two kids to boot. So, for fun, I’m posting the graphic design projects that have kept me glued to the computer, but distracting me from blogging!

For the next Springbrook Church’s women’s event, which started out as a Hawaiian Cruise Night:

But then evolved into simply Hawaiian Night (featuring lessons from a real hula dancer!), requiring a redesign:

We’re also launching a gardening class for which we needed posters and flyers this week (notice it features a similar style to the scrapped Hawaiian Cruise poster):

I also had two new upcoming series at church for which to create graphics. The Jonah series also required a re-do when it was renamed Big Fish, from God Wants You. The latter featured a nostalgic twist on the Uncle Sam army posters, which just would not do with the rename. I didn’t save that one since I didn’t care for it anyway (this is the cover for the CD series box):

And for Easter:

Phew! We should be set for at least a few days now … Good thing this is fun!

I finally got Avery to draw one of her full-bodied family portraits on a piece of paper for me to keep. And she included the whole family (clockwise from top left): Avery, Charlie, Grandma (sitting on the couch), Grandpa, Mommy (in a pink dress) and Daddy (in a big green shirt). My FAVORITE part of these drawings in particular is the boys’ hair ‘do! Hilarious. She did not include shoes in this picture which is too bad because those are great, too.

For more Wordless Wednesday entries: WordlessWednesday.com and 5 Minutes for Mom.

Interview with Avery (4.5 years)

22. Where is your mom’s favorite place to go?
With daddy. On a meeting. (She also drew a picture of us “on a meeting” so I think she means “date.”)

If you’ve never been befuddled by the Bible, then you aren’t really reading it. Our Bible study on Friday focused primarily on one verse, Hebrews 10:14: “… by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” So, are we holy or not?!?! This is a perfect example of how the Bible appears to contradict itself. But it doesn’t. It’s a paradox that only God can provide to help us understand Him. What our small group discussion gleaned from this verse is that spiritually, yes, we are holy. We have been made holy by His sacrifice on the cross. He died to cover our sins so that we would be made perfect in his eyes (as righteous as Jesus Christ himself!). We may not always act like it, but our identity in Christ has nothing to do with our behavior (praise God)! But physically, no. We are still of the flesh and, therefore, imperfect.

Because we are both physical and spiritual beings, both aspects must be considered, and the author makes it unmistakable by merging the two into one verse.

The best earthly way to explain came from our small group leader Krista: My son is a boy. He will someday be a man. There is nothing that needs to happen for him to become a man, God has made him such. But his flesh needs time to catch up, and he won’t be seen by the eyes of the world as a man until he starts acting like one.

We are holy, a royal priesthood, co-heirs with Jesus. There’s nothing on earth we can do to destroy that. Yet, as Christians, we need to start acting like the holy nation that we are! Accept the restoration of life God provided when he resurrected Jesus from the cross so that we can come to know God and reflect Him by becoming more like Jesus Christ in our daily lives.

“Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord … If we are out of our mind, it is for the sake of God; if we are in our right mind, it is for you … So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” 2 Corinthians 5:6,16-17