ONE FISH. TWO FISH.

We went to an awesome birthday party for Little Mikey last weekend (one year olds rock!). The theme was: all things Elmo! The munchkins had a wonderful time playing in the ball pond, making picture frames, and participating in the sing-a-long. Soror Mommy Shawana thought of everything down to the last detail!

Since Elmo's bestfriend is a goldfish named Dorothy - guess what we got as thank you gifts?!?!?! Goldfish! yup!! How cool is that?!?! The fish were nicely arranged on the table, swimming freely, as we put on our coats, gathered our belongings and started saying goodbye. When Khyri saw that Auntie had a fish he asked for one. As soon as Auntie said "you get when we you leave" Khyri bolted to the table to grab himself a goldfish. I guess he figured "I'm standing here in my coat and we're near the door, so I should get me a fish". There was a slight panic in the room as we all envisioned goldfish flopping on the floor gasping for air, but luckily Auntie still has some spring in her step and she got to the table before disaster took hold. The Hubs helped Khyri pick out a fish and we scooped one up for Kielle too. We loaded up two goldfish complete with bowl and food into the Cam and headed back home.

When we got in, we placed the two goldfish on the fireplace. The munchkins were worn out so they didn't really notice the fish or play with them. Later that night I told the Hubs he could have the pleasure of naming the fish. Clearly because this was a task beneath him, he just hollered out Chauncey and Gregor. Really?!!? Those are the names you choose? Chauncey and Gregor? See this is why I do most of the imaginative, funky, 'kidesque' stuff alone.Arrrggghh. Anyway, the fish had names. Gregor had black spots and Chauncey had no spots. In their two bowls above the fireplace they settled in for the night.

We didn't get any instructions on how to take care of the fish, so we just kinda winged it the first couple of days. I was a little concerned with Gregor on Day 2 because when I finally remembered to feed him *eeeks* he didn't have any hustle to go get the food. He was really laid back waiting for the food to settle down to him. I texted my friends that I didn't think Gregor was gonna make it. 

To my surprise though he was alive and swimming the next day so all was good. The next few days I let the little people feed the fish. Khyri is a little heavy handed with the food; Kielle just likes to tip over the bowl. One afternoon sat down at the dining room table to clean out the fishbowls.

Now before I go any further I need to pour a little aquarium water out for our lost fish homie EJ, who didn't even make it to Monday. Auntie was quite distressed when her beloved EJ didn't survive his first bowl cleaning. As I prepared to clean out Gregor and Chauncey's bowls, I thought of EJ and also headed the warnings of not using tap water to fill the bowl. Bwuahahahaha.

Ok so we pulled together our tools: 2 bottles of Dasani spring water, 1 serving spoon, and 1 glass bowl. Before we got started I let the munchkins play a little with the fish at their level on the table. Khyri was really intrigued and kept calling the fish Dorothy. Gregor was Dorothy and Chauncey was Another Dorothy hahahahha Like that was his full name - Another Dorothy.

I kept repeating their real names Gregor and Chauncey but he wasn't hearing any of that. In typical Kielle fashion, the bowls were tipped over and some water spillage resulted.

Realizing that cleaning out the bowls would not be easy with Kielle in the room, we put her down for a nap and Khyri and I continued with the task at hand. I held Khyri's hand as he used the serving spoon to take Gregor out of his dirty bowl. That didn't last long. Poor Gregor was swishing and swashing all over the bowl; Khyri was jabbing him with the spoon; It was chaos. I realized I needed to make an executive decision and handle the bowl transfers myself.

I quickly transferred Gregor and Chauncey into the new clean bowl together. Then Khyri and I carried the dirty bowls into the bathroom. Khyri stepped on to the stepstool and after 5 long minutes of 'washing his hands' we finally moved on to rinsing out the bowls. I used warm water and then capped off the rinsing with a spring water swoosh.

When both bowls were clean we headed back to the table and I put Gregor and Chauncey back into their separate bowls. Khyri played with the fish for awhile and then... what's this??! is Chauncey tipping?!?! Oh lord?? Is he on his SIDE!?!?

Khyri go play with your puzzles.

In the words of Florida Evans from Goodtimes "damn, Damn, DAMN!" Chauncey didn't make it. He hadn't floated to the top yet so I held on to some hope that maybe he was just getting used to the new water. I poked him a little - no response. I even put him back on the fireplace thinking maybe he needed his familiar scenery - no response.

Nope. Chauncey had gone on to glory. It was Friday. *sigh* We had only known the true friendship of Chauncey for 6 days. I left Chauncey out so the Hubs could say his proper goodbye when he returned home from work. That night, Chauncey went down the toilet. He was finally free from his bowl. We miss you Chauncey.

I fed Gregor over the weekend. We kept Chauncey's empty bowl on the fireplace as a memorial. The munchkins didn't even notice he was missing... until Monday. I lifted Khyri up to feed Gregor (who he still calls Dorothy) and after he finished he said "And now the other fish". "Uhhhhhhh no Khyri Chauncey is gone, let's just focus on Gregor". I removed the bowl last night. We are now officially a one fish household.

*sigh* RIP Chauncey.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Smooches to everyone!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIELLE!

Wow! A whole year has passed. It went too fast ;-( My baby girl is all grown up! On January 13th we celebrated Kielle Elaine's birth!! whoooo hoooo. We celebrated with a fun filled weekend of events. Friends and family from Chicago to New York City to Chesapeake came into town to help baby girl celebrate this milestone. The question on everyone's mind was "Will Kielle smile?" hahahahah

Kielle woke up Friday morning to a 'Happy 1st birthday' balloon tied to her crib and me singing happy birthday with a big old Kool-Aid smile. She was allowed to play with it for I'll say maybe 12 minutes... and then big brother Khyri confiscated it. There was a whole lot of "This is Kielle's" this weekend for sure. I think Kielle kinda new something was up when she saw the balloon. She wasn't happy per se, more cautious, like she was waiting for something to pop off.  hahahahah

We continued our Mosley 1st birthday tradition by opening a bank account for Kielle. On Friday we headed over to our local bank and emptied her two Winnie the Pooh piggy banks. I was kinda worried that she would be short changed because my friend had pointed out earlier that Khyri had all of the family change his first year of life, but Kielle had to split her change with him this year. ooops! I honestly hadn't even thought about that.We just hoped that she had a little nest egg to get her savings started.

It all turned out fine. Kielle broke the $100 mark with  $101.42. $60.42 was in change and then rest were some crisp bills that were in the banks also ;-) While we filled out all the paperwork and stuff, Kielle and Khyri spent time with Tia Jackie lounging in the rocking chairs. *sidenote* I love the hometown feel of my bank. *double side note* - notice still no smile

Friday night we had pasta dinner and cupcakes. We moved her special balloon downstairs and tied it to her highchair. For the occasion, Kielle got to use the 1st birthday plate that Khyri had. We sang Happy Birthday To You and  had mini cupcakes which did not impress Kielle at all. I'm telling you - my kids are not into sweets! hahahahaha

Cupcake Schmupcake. What is this tomfoolery!? Where are my grapes???

Saturday was the big day! We planned Kielle's dedication and Birthday party on the same day. The weather cooperated so we were able to have her dedication outside. Kielle was dedicated by the hubby's good friend Kevin. Incidentally, Kevin married us in Savannah! He also performed Khyri's dedication. He remarked after the dedication that it was nice to see our family blossom - and that it certainly has! From K-squared to K-quad. We circled up outside and all the Mosleys, sans Khyri who wandered to the playground, were surrounded by our friends and family as Kevin blessed Kielle and charged us all with keeping her safe and keeping her on the right path. It was truly a beautiful moment.

Rocking the fauxchilla!

Happy parents. Our baby girl is blessed and sanctified.

After the dedication we milled around in clubhouse setting up setting up for the birthday party. *sidenote* we still haven't seen a smile from Kielle. The theme of the party was 'Kielle's winter ONEderland'. The colors were light blue and lavender with two accent colors, silver and white.

I focused on getting wintery themed decorations mostly snowflakes. I used silver garland, purple and silver gift boxes, light blue and lavender ornaments, and of course balloons! Behind Kielle's sweetheart table, I placed a white wreath decorated with purple bows and ribbons.In keeping with the winter theme, I had a hot chocolate station - yummy. We served powdered donut holes which looked like snowballs and also had beautiful cakepops made with love by Tia Jackie. Instead of a birthday cake we had cupcakes that were lavender, light blue, and white made for $24.00 at Publix hahahahah

 

To keep the kiddos occupied, we had a coloring station. I printed out a few winter themed pictures that the kids colored in. Who knew that something so simple would a hit! ahahha You can't go wrong with crayons and markers. Of course everything was washable. Luckily we didn't have any incidents *didn't want to lose the security deposit!*

Kielle had a wardrobe change mid party - that's right! she's a diva already ;-) hahahahahha. She changed into a handmade tutu! I wanted her to have a custom tutu for the party but I didn't want to pay an arm and a leg. So... off to youtube! I found a site that showed me how to make no-sew tutus. I went to Hobby Lobby with my friend Jennifer bought some tulle and had a tutu making session with my friend Dawn. Dressed in her tutu, furry winter snowboots and her custom hair bow - baby girl was FABULOUS! and... full of SMILES!

We sang Happy Birthday and the diva decided that she didn't want to smash the cake hahahah. Girlfriend said "I am too cute for cupcake on my tutu! hmph". So we moved on and she enjoyed the 'if you're happy and you know it' sing-a-long led by Uncle Lloyd and Auntie Netta!

I was concerned that Khyri would get jealous with all the attention on Kielle, but he had a great time! He played with her at the party while proudly wearing his 'Big Brother' shirt. He just enjoyed the party and seeing everyone hahahahaha. I mean really?!?! how can you be a spoil sport when there are rubber balls and balloons around?!?!

After cake and wings we wrapped up the party. Kielle headed home in her super cute winter white fur coat!

 

By the time we got home Kielle was knocked out. Auntie Netta carried her upstairs and she took a nice long nap - in her tutu! It was a day filled with Fabulousness and Fun!

 

On Sunday we headed out to Lenox Square Grill for brunch. It was the perfect way to end the celebration weekend - with full bellies!

There's certainly a lot to clap for - HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIELLE!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

'Tis the season to be jolly :-)
Wishing everyone a holiday season filled with love, laughter, and prosperity!

WHO'S TRAINING WHO?

Ok so Khyri and I embarked on a journey Wednesday December 21st. We started potty training. Now I've said to my friend Dawn that I think potty training is the hardest thing a parent has to adjust to/learn. I can lose sleep waking up to nurse, I can change sheets from diaper blowouts or spit up, I can vacuum up thrown food over and over - but potty training!?!??! This joint had me scuuured.

I don't know what made me decide to jump right in and start the week before Christmas. I guess one night me and the Hubs were downstairs watching a movie and Khyri nicely announced to us that he had pooped. At that point - I knew he was ready.

Last weekend I stayed up reading everything I could get my hands on about potty training. There is a TON of information out there. I focused mostly on some tips that I received from my friend Danielle and also an ebook that I found online. It was good to arm myself with information, but I noticed that most of it was geared towards potty training girls - well no that's not true, the information just wasn't focused on potty training boys. They don't talk about how you should put the boys on the toilet. I've heard mixed reviews - some say face them forward, some face them backward so that its an easier transition to standing up. I figured I'd just starts and see what worked best for us - learn as we go right!?!? There wasn't any mention of teaching them how to aim in the bowl. A relative told me about using cheerios to help little boys aim. Besides missing little nuances of the training, all of my research was pretty conclusive in two areas - patience and consistency.

I decided that Khyri was going to enter potty training boot camp. The plan was to spend 4 days with him at home. No distractions. Just focus. First step - getting underwear.

The 3 day technique that I decided to use said I would probably need about 20 pairs of underwear. Monday afternoon my friend Jennifer and I went to Wally World to get some. I got 2 packs of the plain navy, gray, and white undies and then I let Khyri choose between Thomas the Train or Mickey Mouse for his 'special' pairs. He went with Mickey and we came home with a total of 27 pairs of underwear. I prepped each bathroom with toilet paper and potty seats. I made sure all of the step stools were in place. I was ready to go.

Khyri went to school on Tuesday; His last day in diapers *sigh*. Wednesday it began. When he woke up and came into the room around 8:30am I said "Khyri today is a big day, we aren't going to use diapers anymore. Let's throw this diapers in the trash (blasphemy - you never throw away cloth!) We are only going to wear underwear." He actually smiled and we high-fived! (I went back and got that diaper out the trash.. hmph) Sounds cool doesn't it!?? I used positive words and I tried to give him control "Khyri please tell mommy when you need to potty." "You let mommy know when you need to use the potty." I knew there would be a lot of accidents. I was prepared. I had already laid the Resolve out ready to scrub out any mishaps. There were clean underwear in each bathroom. I put the gate at the top of the stairs so everyone was trapped up top and the pee would be contained hahahaha.

The technique says the first day I was supposed to be focused on watching Khyri and his clues for when he needed to pee. So I watched. and watched. and watched. His first accident was at 10:48am. Nothing major. The ebook said when you see water pick him up and rush him to the potty. So I did. I scooped him up and plopped him on the potty seat. I felt accomplished. Not so bad. This might just be easier than I thought. wrong. The next 11 times, yes, 11 he was spraying left and right up and down all over. It was ridiculous. I jotted down a few of the times 12:14pm, 1:18pm, 2:01pm, 2:11pm, 2:25pm... my head started spinning. At one point I got on the floor and literally started crying. I was so overwhelmed. By the way I was breaking a BIG rule of potty train, never let them see you get frustrated. Whatever. I was boo hooing for all I was worth. It was quite cathartic. ahhahahaha. Of course Khyri breaks my somber mood by climbing on my back saying "Khyri's riding" over and over.. fool don't your see I'm crying!?!? arrrgggghhh.. ok regroup.

I decided to revamp the technique a bit. Let's back up - the ebook said that I needed to keep giving Khyri liquids non stop to make him go to the bathroom more. Well it was just too much for me. So instead, I went to liquid every hour. This meant that on the half hours he should need to pee. MUCH better technique. We went from peeing every 20 minutes to every hour or so. By 7 pm on day one I was beat. I seriously contemplated giving up and waiting a few more months, but I resigned to forge ahead and more through with day two. Khyri went to bed with a pull up on.

So Thursday came and I woke up with renewed interest and dedication. I didn't put  him in underwear
I just let him go commando. I could tell he was getting more control, but I was really frustrated by mid morning so I tweaked the technique again. All of the research says that you are not supposed to punish or chastise the toddler while trying to potty train. Well I decided to scrap that by rewarding for good behavior, but also reprimanding for bad behavior. If he made it to the potty I clapped, danced, and gave him an m&m. If he wet on the floor, I popped him on the leg and put him in the corner. I got to this point because he was holding his pee. If I saw him start a stream I would grab him and take him to the potty - but he would stop his stream and hold it. Then literally if I turned my eyes off him for 2 seconds he would pee on the floor. He knew what he was doing. It was time to get real serious. Now I am not big on hitting at all, but Khyri needed a wake up call. He is a very playful boy so everything is a game. Me giving him a stern talking to after he peed on the floor wasn't cutting it. I needed to step it up a notch. I made him stand in the corner for the entire time that I had to clean up his pee and then once I was finished I turned him around and told him again where to go pee and that it was not ok for him to pee on the floor. We hugged and I said "Let's try again". Tough Love at its best (Well my best hahaha)

I think day 2 was the turnaround day. Auntie Netta said the popping is probably what snapped him into gear - "Oh lord! she done lost her mind. I guess she isn't playing games anymore" hahaha. I don't know what it was exactly, but something definitely clicked with him. By the end of Day 2 when I asked Khyri "Where does pee pee go?" He would answer "In the potty".  At 4:58pm we had a major breakthrough. I scooped him up in enough time and got him to finish in the potty. We happened to be in the bathroom without the potty seat so I had to keep him standing up. Whooo hoooo! He still had his undies on though! (*side note* you'd never think it but peeing with the underwear on keeps the stream from going all the way to the back of the toilet seat. I actually kinda like him peeing through his undies ahahha wayyyy less cleanup!) Celebration time. Even Kielle was clapping. Progress! We had to work through our power struggle on Day 2 to get to Day 3 and it was worth it.

Day 3 came and I added one last modification. I switched up my language by saying "Remember Khyri pee pee in the potty only." This is similar language that I used during our 'crayon/marker exploration period hahaha. I always say "on paper only". I figured by using similar language he would be better at following directions. Oh and I also removed the potty seats. Apparently that was an issue for Khyri. Not only did he want to stand up and pee, but he didn't want to look at Dora, Cars, or Sesame Street. hahahha.  Now we were cooking with gas. I just kept saying periodically "Khyri remember pee pee in the potty only"

At 12:09pm Khyri and Kielle were playing with blocks on the floor and guess who jumps up says "uh oh" and runs into the bathroom up the stool looks at the toilet and pees! KHYRI! all by himself! I didn't even say "Khyri do you have to potty or Khyri please tell mommy when you need to potty" I guess he said - I got this boo! hahahahah. The undies were still up, but I was soooooo happy. We did a full out potty dance - I took it back old school the wop, the cabbage patch, and the snake. I was gettin' it! Khyri was jumping around too saying "Mommy's dancing, Mommy's dancing!" "That's right becuase Khyri went pee pee in the potty!"Three full days of lock  down I was seriously celebrating. Could there really be a light at the end of the tunnel? hahahahah. I followed the ebooks suggestion and pretended to call people and brag about Khyri on the toilet. He just kept saying "pee pee on potty only" looking at me like - if you would have just said that from the beginning we'd be well past this point by now.hahahahaha. The rest of the day he was just getting better and better. When he needed to potty he would go. At  night I put him in a pull up on top of his underwear. He woke up bone dry :-)

Today is day 4 and I'm feeling kinda cocky hahahha. We did have a slight mess up this morning when Khyri went to use the potty and Daddy was in the bathroom. Poor baby looked so confused. hahahah. I also noticed that he only likes the upstairs bathrooms. He doesn't take too kindly to the half bath downstairs. Maybe its too small of a space? I don't know. So we need to work on that. Day 3 and 4 progressed so well that I took a leap today and we all headed to Babies R Us. The books say to stay away from the house no more than 20 minutes. We stayed out 55. Khyri hadn't been out in 3 days and he LOVES to be outside. He needed a good bit of fresh air. I prepared for the outing with an extra pair of pants in tow and I put towels in his car seat (gotta protect the Cam at all times!). Extra precaution, but it wasn't needed. He did great. I did remind him when we got home to pee pee only in the potty and he did so about a half hour later.

We still need to work on pulling down the undies in time and we haven't embarked on poop yet - that's the final frontier. But I am so proud of Khyri. This is a big Big BIG step and he's doing well :-) He will be going back to daycare on Tuesday in undies only. We'll see how it goes in a different environment. These past 4 days of lock down have been full of lessons. I learned that Khyri doesn't like potty seats, likes to pee standing up and prefers not to tell people when he pees. So really.. who's training who?