Pah-dee

This face says it all!

Ian loves to go "pad-dee"! Well, at least he loves to sit on the potty. It all started last week one time when he followed me into the bathroom and decided he was going to go potty too. Of course, I was going to encourage such behavior! Now he likes to sit on the potty anytime we do and even a few times on his own after he has gone potty in his diaper. There are so many fun things to do on the potty...

...play with toilet paper!

...eat a snack! (Gross...I know...but hey - it keeps him on there!)

...check out the contents of the trash can (he wants me to give him empty shampoo bottles in this picture). He also thinks he has to take off ALL his clothes to go potty. Needless to say, he's getting better at getting undressed and dressed again on his own.

...and, of course, the all time favorite - read a magazine on the potty!

Ian loves to talk about going "pah-dee" and going pee-pee and poo-poo. We have Cousin Ace to thank for that! (Unfortunately, he didn't repeat the word potty in this video...I'll have to get that later!)

Ian, we are so proud of you! You are growing up! We are looking forward to the look on your face the first time you actually do go potty in the potty. :-)

Happy Day!

I have some exciting news! Aren't you intrigued? I'll give you a hint:

Now I'll bet you're really wondering!!! Do you remember this awesome couple (who happen to be my older bro and his wife)?

They have gone through so much trying to have a baby and found out about 15 weeks ago that they were pregnant. That was definitely one of the happiest days we have ever had! I hung up the phone after the "We're pregnant!" call and bawled like a baby. After rounds of fertility meds and the initial IVF process, they have been through more in trying to get little Fin here than most women experience in having a whole quiver of kiddos. Lissie has been amazingly open and willing to educate anyone who asks on the IVF process - she has a great blog at lissiesluck.blogspot.com and I highly recommend checking it out! She and Mike are going to be awesome parents and we are thrilled to have a new little cousin for Ian!

Today was another exciting day. Lissie is 17 weeks and 6 days and had her gender reveal sonogram today and...

Fin William is due in April and we absolutely love his name and birth month (I may be a bit biased ha!). Mike and Lissie, we couldn't be more happy for you! We love you tons and can't wait to meet Baby Fin!

Elmo's Trick-or-Treat Adventure!

Our poor little munchkin had an allergic reaction to something today and came home from playcare with puffy eyes, a splotchy face, and dry lips. After some Benadryl and a loooong nap, he was still rather cranky and clingy. Since James had to stay late tonight, I ended up skipping class to stay home with Ian. It worked out just fine though because I was able to join them for a short session of trick-or-treating!

A little pre-trick-or-treating treat. Poor guy discovered our bowl of candy and really wanted more chocolate, not a lollipop!

Getting ready! Ian was Elmo this year (or as he says it - "Eh-bo").

And we're off!

Walking with Mommy. Ian had very little interest in trick-or-treating at first. He made a beeline straight for the park!

Running, running, running with Cookie Monster following. :-)

Beverage break!

Haha - it cracks me up that Ian wanted to just play at the park for thirty minutes.

Swinging with Mommy. Our little munchkin has learned all on his own how to twist his legs to make himself spin a bit on the swing.

Loves for Mommy. I heart his expression!

After trick-or-treating at a few houses, Ian was starting to get the hang of it and was more than ready for a chocolate break.

We stopped by to see his little friend, Isaac, and Isaac's parents. They are wonderful neighbors but it had been a looooooooooong time since we have seen them! As soon as we got to their house, Ian ran as fast as he could right through the open front door. They are always super sweet and welcomed us in. Ian and Isaac had fun playing together for a little while.

Back home, Ian sat down for another photo-opp...er chocolate break. The bucket spilled, but that didn't deter him! Made the selection process easier. :-)

Sweet little Eh-bo.

Cookie Monster and Elmo hanging out - they are best buddies!

It was so nice to get out of the house for a bit tonight! Ian had a blast and was in such a good mood when we got home. We love our little Elmo!