P.T.

One week ago, if one was to reference "PT", I would first assume you were speaking about Park Tudor. If you asked Zach this question, I think an adult establishment would come to his mind. Ask me today and I now know it to mean "Potty Time!" That is right...we are potty training at the Ford household. I have found the first 3.5 days exhausting, but incredibly rewarding. Each day, Bennett has made great strides. I will spare you the details, but I am so happy to have his little tushy covered in adorable undies.

I found myself spending so much time in this tiny area of our home, that we moved the bumbo and play toys for Elly Rose into it so we could all be a little happier.

Potty training has meant extended stays at home...as in Bennett did not leave the house from noon Sunday through last night. We made a quick venture out for ice cream and he told me on the way home he needed to "go potty." We made it home and to the bathroom with no accidents...success!! All this time spent home (and cold weather) means more creativity needed indoors. Painting was the activity of today's morning.

And sweet Elly Rose continues to cooperate and explore a little mobility. She can turn herself full-circle and will roll multiple times to reach a toy or person (or dog). We are closing in on the conclusion of spring break week one. I think it has been a huge success (potty training was the goal)! We are planning to get out a bit more in week two...much needed for Bennett and mommy!

Magic.

Magic is Bennett and Elly Rose belly laughing at one another last night for no less than 10 minutes. My heart was so full and so proud. Bennett kept repeating, "Mommy, Elly Rose funny." Then he would make a noise with one of his toys - sending them both into another round of laughs. It was contagious. You bet we captured this on video. Now if only I was patient enough to download it here. Maybe soon.

Bennett conducted the first cereal feeding for miss E. Rose. It didn't last long...after about five bites, she graced us with a nice round of some major spit-up, or as Bennett calls it "druel." Not a fan of solids. We have kept trying and she has not yet taken to them.

Houston...we have a swing! It still needs a little adjusting, but a swing attached to a tree just seems so right. I think it will fit nicely into our evening routine this summer.


Magic is also seeing two of my late grandma's sisters with my own children (and nephews). They were in town from the east coast to celebrate my uncle's milestone birthday and it was a quite a treat. My sister and I spent many summer vacations as young children with this part of my mother's family, but with our own crazy schedules and families it has been increasingly difficult to see them over the past decade and a half.

My Aunt Gladys holding Elly Rose. Who, by the way, has made the transition recently to the baby who always wants to be upright or standing. Such a big girl she thinks she is.

Hold You. Rock You.

This had probably been the roughest week of our cold/flu season. We have faired quite well throughout these past couple months, but the past few days have been difficult. It makes me so sad to see both of them coughing. And the runny/stuffy noses...yuck. Bennett slept through the night last night. This was a welcome relief after the three previous nights have been marked my crys throughout the night where he tells us "nose runny. hold you, mommy. rock you, mommy." I love comforting him - regardless of the time, but five times in one night (3-4 times the other couple nights) doesn't leave much time for sleep.

And sweet, little Elly Rose - we hear the coughs and heavy breathing - but she has been a little fighter.

This guy can build legos with the best of them. Sometimes it is grouping colors, other times tall towers and still others it is building with his firetruck legos. He simply loves constructing and involves his imagination as he builds.

Elly Rose continues to develop her little personality. She is beginning to realize that she has an opinion if something is out of her reach or if she is left to play on her tummy or back...she now prefers to be upright. We have started to spend some time in the excersaucer, which she loves.


Between family and little friends, Bennett has been present for the celebration of 10 birthdays since the start of 2011. He has enjoyed each one - the singing, the candles, the cupcakes. There is so much build-up and it never seems to disappoint. I love seeing him excited for the occasion and learning to understand what a birthday is all about. On this day, we were celebrating Grams' birthday, but it was Poppy who got suckered in to playing in Bennett's tunnel.

Not sure these were designed for adults, but Bennett thought it was hysterical (and we did, too).