I think it's safe to say we have done it! We started way back on July 20 with a kickoff "Potty Party" as recommended by the book Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day. While it was more like one month instead of one day, it was a great and exciting way to start off the process. We own the book, so if anyone wants to borrow it, just let me know. It was pretty stressful during that time and Elias was not always a willing participant, but very quickly picked up on his urges and making it to the potty. In fact, rather than having stinky accidents, we had a 4-day episode of constipation where he refused to go at all! But now, a month later, he tells us (still rather last minute) when he has to go and we reward with stickers and a treat (either M&M or skittle). Overall, we've had very few accidents. And any parent can attest, there is nothing like the joy of seeing your little one's heinie (as Aunt Katie would say) in big boy/girl pants. We are so proud of you Buddy!
Pregnancy
Okay, so this is a big P!!!! I am 15 weeks pregnant now and well on our way to meeting another Ammon baby in February. My due date at this point is 2/17...11 days after E's birthday! We have had four ultrasounds and even heard the heartbeat once at 12 weeks, a point we never got to with our Ellie back in February. I have even felt and SEEN movement...confirmed by Christopher, who I called home so he could verify what I was seeing. I thought I was hallucinating. To me, it was no coinicidence that the day we saw this beautiful sign of life, it was my due date with Ellie: August 19. It seemed to be a message from God that he was turning my mourning into laughter and joy. It was wonderful. Those first few weeks of August were hard for me...thinking about how I would have been having a baby girl in my arms and still grieving her loss, while trying desperately to enjoy this new life inside me. I am getting there, slowly. Each day is more relief and more connection to this new baby. My expanding belly helps...it's so true what they say about subsequent pregnancies. I swear I look 6 months pregnant!
One of the most beautiful things...on this ultrasound, we actually saw arms and legs moving!
Pictures
Maybe this weekend I can update our shutterfly site, but in the meantime, here are some picture highlights of the last month or so.
a quick trip to Edisto Island with Nana
A late July trip to the ED...this trip resulting from a different bench and requiring an IV, sedation and both internal and external stitches.
a mid-August trip to New Orleans
Peace
Definitely not as action oriented as our other P's, but the most important P as we strive for God's leading in these busy times. Please Pray (there's two more P's!) for us as we make decisions for our growing family and learn each and every day how to be better parents (hey-there's another one!) to Elias. We see this as our highest calling and recognize it is the most challenging, yet the most rewarding. We are raising a human being! The answers and methods are not always black and white, which leaves me with a lot of anxiety over if we are doing the right things or doing things the right way. Although our days are not always peace-ful, we try to be peace-filled and take each day one at a time. And entrust our son and future baby to God! That is true peace.
Love to all...
