Toddler eating…or lack there of

I know eating is a well known challenge of toddlerhood. Fortunately, Bryce is still pretty good about eating almost everything. I do often hear him say “I don’t like broccoli” or “I don’t like chicken”; which I immediately reply “Yes, you do!”

Then he decides to go ahead and eat it, to which he will then say “I DO like Broccoli” or “I DO like chicken”.

Apparently he just forgets what he does and doesn’t like.

Last month, for the first time since he was an infant, we took him to a Japanese Steakhouse. He did really well eating most everything he was given. I let him choose whether he wanted chicken or steak and he chose steak, but of course by the time we made it to the main course he was pretty full but still managed a few bites of his steak. 

 

Reward

So as promised for achieving our potty training goal, Bryce finally got his trampoline. We picked it up the Friday before Labor day and since we were at the lake all weekend we put it together on Labor Day…

During the heat of the day…

When it was 105 degrees!

Five gallons of water drank, a slight sunburn, and drenched in sweat…it was finally completed! 

Honestly, it wasn’t really that bad putting it together and was definitely worth the smiles Bryce had when he first was able to jump on it. Bryce LOVES it! Some evenings I see him laying on it and expect him to fall asleep on it. Trust me if he does, I WILL GET A PICTURE!

Potty Training...

So we have been in full-on potty training mode for the past several weeks. Day care has been very good about working with us on this so that he can move up to the three year old class here in a few weeks. We also have made a deal with him that when he accomplishes this goal of potty training he will get a trampoline! Yes…we’ve resorted to bribery and I think it might almost be time to reward him. 

There for a couple weeks Bryce would have only one accident a day. Now for over the past week and a half, he has had maybe 4 accidents total (including overnight) and he refuses to wear diapers! He loves his undies!

 As many know there are often tears during potty training. Usually our tears occur in the morning when his sleepy self has to sit on the potty, but one morning this week the reason for tears was ridiculous! He wanted Lego underwear instead of his other options that included Super Heroes, Thomas the Train, Toy Story, camo, striped, solid colored, or whitey tighties! As if he didn’t already have enough choices and he wants a pair that I’m not sure even exist! I even checked at Wal-Mart the other night when I was getting groceries ,and no Lego undies were to be found! Oh if Bryce knew the amount of disappointment in life is much worse than not wearing the underwear you want to wear!

Olympics

So with the rest of the world we have been intently watching the Olympics. I know I always loved to watch them as a young girl, especially the gymnastics. Of course since it’s been on at our house every time the TV has been on Bryce has taken a particular interest in the Olympics as well. Maybe one day it will be an aspiration of his to become an Olympian! Isn’t that every parent’s dream?! Since he most likely won’t be very tall and has impressive upper body strength I’m thinking he’ll make a fine gymnast…of course Nic does NOT agree! HA!

Bryce is pretty serious about watching the Olympics, too! If he sees me holding the remote, he thinks I’m going to change the channel so he “orders” me not to change it and put the remote down! For the past couple of nights he has watched some of the synchronized diving and decided he might try it out. The first night he got up on the couch and said he was going to do what those girls did…and then acted like he was going to jump backwards off the couch! Then last night while we were watching the men, he chose the floor as his “diving” area, with somersault attempts and apparent yoga positions! Oh geez…

Returning to Normality

Last Thursday I took the final exam for my very last undergraduate class! That’s right…I am now the proud owner of a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting! After I made it home that evening, Nic stated that now everything can go back to “normal”.

Normal…well what is normal?!?

I often wonder the same when they the outside temperatures are above normal. Well after several years of being above normal and breaking records, wouldn’t you think the normal temperatures might have changed if we’re constantly higher than it is?

I just don’t know what normal is for us because in the last four years one major life change after another has occurred. Prior to 2009, normal is definitely different than what could now be normal.

In the Spring of 2009 we found out we were going to have a baby. I had to change and sacrifice a few things to make sure we brought a healthy baby into this world. You know trade Ibuprofen for Tylenol and give-up those occasional margaritas!

In November 2009 that precious, healthy baby boy was born. Since then I have rarely slept an entire night through; and now instead of going out dancing with our friends on a Friday or Saturday evening, I prefer spending those evenings with my husband and child whether we’re at home, at the lake, or barbequing with our friends.

Then for 9 months I continued some of my sacrifices while I provided the only nourishment that child needed. I know the ol’ pump and dump routine, but to me that stuff what just too valuable to waste!

In August of 2010 I transferred my college credits to a 4-year school and began my quest for a Bachelor’s degree. This is where the routine of evening classes began since NSU offered very little as online classes.

In October 2010 I left my job of 6 years in the insurance industry to begin an accounting job that dealt with property taxes in the oil and gas industry. At this point, the chance I took in applying for this position is one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself and my family.

Late nights with homework and studying, as well as evenings sitting in class became the norm. I don’t know how many nights I stayed up after Bryce was in bed so that I could do my homework without taking away any additional time for him. Then he started staying up later so I had to juggle my studying and homework while he was awake or squeeze it in on the weekends when he was napping.

So now that is all behind us, we’ll have to establish a new normal which hopefully will include a little exercise on my part, more reading to Bryce, and hopefully get a more structured routine established that includes an earlier bedtime!

Speaking of change and what is soon sure to become normal…in the course of 15-30 minutes I lost my “baby” as a result of his second hair cut. This time he got a big boy cut and definitely lost his baby look…as well as his girly look! I guess I better get used to it!

More fireworks!

Okay, so we actually were able to celebrate Independence Day a little more than planned. On Tuesday night we went and watched a show put on in a small town near us. The show was impressive but it was a madhouse trying to get into the town. I think the town population multiplied tenfold that night! 

We ended up doing a circle around the town, venturing through some back roads we had never been on, and decided to just park and watch from a distance. Next year if we choose to watch this show again, we'll definitely plan a little better! Unfortunately, I was too busy keeping an eye on Bryce to catch any great shots from this show.

For the actual day, we went over to my Mom's where they grilled some burgers and brats...what else would you expect?! For the first time in a very long time I did buy some fireworks. Thankfully the stuff that's appropriate for Bryce are pretty inexpensive, so I don't get as bad of a feeling of my money going up in smoke! He LOVED the little snappers, the things that you just throw on the ground and they pop. 

Also the smoke bombs created a few wonderful smiles of excitement!

Then when it got dark, he became more interested in the fireworks that the big kids had, rather than his dinky little fountains! He decided he wanted to shoot a roman candle! 

Roman candles are one my most feared fireworks for some reason. I don't know if it's the fact that they are handheld and run the risk of blowing up in your hand or shooting out the wrong end...or if I just have traumatic memories of the roman candle fights I witnessed in the corn fields when I was younger. Needles to say I swallowed those fears and let my son experience a little risk with the help of the big kids. 

Of course he had to hold a sparkler...that's like fireworks with training wheels! Here we have the world's longest sparkler!

 

Of course I'm sure I can be nominated as the world's worst Mom for the lack of shoes on my child's feet. I know shame on me...too bad shoes aren't harder for him to take off!

Cause, baby you're a fiiiiirework!

Come on, let your colors burst! 

Okay, so it's not quite Independence Day but since Nic is on duty the 4th AND next Saturday, we did what little celebration we could this weekend....but wait! Did I really not post a SINGLE post in JUNE?!?!  I have lots of catching up to do before we watch fireworks...

June flew by extremely fast...obviously.

First Nic and I started the month at Broken Bow partaking in what is now becoming an annual adult weekend trip!

This year we stayed in Broken Boot Lodge. 

 

Three out of the five guys!

Four out of five gals!

Roasting hotdogs...an easy dinner!

  

Gosh, I sure love a good campfire!

The interesting little "beach" we found.

 

My love and I!

 

My sis and brother-in-law.

So after three nights without out the kiddo, we rushed home Sunday morning so we could take little man to the circus!

 A painting elephant! I'm not sure I could do better!

 

 

  One of my favorite parts. The tigers were pretty feisty...

Can you say OUCH?!

 Probably Bryce's favorite part!

  

I think the look on his face sums it all up pretty well!

 

Overall I believe it was a pretty great show! I did miss the fact that there weren't technically three rings, instead there was a ring in the center and side shows on each side.  It just isn't the same as the circus shows I attended when I was a kid, when they truly performed under the a big top (tent)! At least I hope the animals endure much better treatment these days!

Then the next day, my final semester of school began and these 6 hours of classes have consumed nearly every bit of my free time. Of course we are making it to the lake most weekends, and you can bet that I have my tablet in one hand and a textbook in the other. I have 4 more weeks and I'm finished!!!!!!

So finally to this past weekend...

Since the Fourth of July is midweek it has kind of split up the celebration between two weekends. Since Nic is working next Saturday this weekend was our only opportunity to catch a viewing of some fireworks. Unfortunately for us, most of the shows are next Saturday but we were lucky to have heard about a bid on that happened last night. 

So right before sunset a few of us headed out on our boats to find the perfect spot for viewing. 

And perfect it was!

The show was AMAZING, especially watching it over the water.

Probably one of my favorite pictures of all time, me and my little guy watching the show.

I think I've caught everyone up on the happenings of the Guthrie family... I hope every has a safe Independence Day holiday.