Potty Training 101

After months of fighting it, I have decided to take the plunge and start potty training. I've been fighting it because so many people have told me that boys don't really do it until they are closer to three. That may be the case, but he has been showing the signs that he is ready and I've been purposely ignoring them. He often tells me he has to go, but then leaves the room to go under our dining room table. Afterwards, he asks me to change his diaper. Is that a sign he's ready?? I'm going to attempt now, although we may end up waiting closer to three if it doesn't work out.

Several friends recommended that we use candy as a treat to help incent him to use the potty. We decided on one m&m for #1 and a starburst for #2. Let's just say he may gain 20 pounds by the time this potty training is over. After he got home this morning at 10:30, he only had one accident. And his accident may have been partly my fault. Do they offer Potty Training 101 for Mommies?? I completely forgot that he had on big boy pants and we both got caught up in the excitement of the playground.

The candy thing is working a little too well. Thank goodness Wyatt's uncle is a dentist. Several times today he sat on the potty and pushed to get pee out. This may be too much information, but he earned both m&ms and starbursts!!

So that's my daily update!! What's going on in the Reuter house?? Lots of Pee-Pee in the potty dances!! Wish us all luck!!!

Brotherly Love

These are the moments that just make my heart melt. My dad was in town for a few days this week and took Wyatt with him to visit my brother Jimmy and his family. When they got home, Lauren and I were out running a few errands. As soon as I walked in the door with Lauren, Wyatt came flying down the hall saying, "Lauren, Lauren. Wy-Wy's back!! Wy-Wy's back!!" He then proceeded to hug her non-stop and gave her atleast 10 kisses all over her face, neck and head. Lauren just sat there smiling and giggling. After the love fest, Wyatt pulled away from her, looked her directly in the eyes and said, "love lu Lauren." I nearly started to cry. It was a very sweet moment I hope I remember forever!!!

Below are some pics of the two having their morning chat! Wyatt goes to greet her every morning when she wakes up!!

Our Busy Weekends

Wyatt and Lauren have been having some exciting weekends. Last weekend Wyatt was up until 9:30 or later every night. On Friday we went to the Freudenstein's house for playgroup. Usually it's just the mommies, but last week we decided to incorporate the hubbies. It was alot of fun and I hope we continue it in the future. It's the first playgroup where we (the moms) actually got to sit back, chat and enjoy a glass of wine while the daddies kept an eye on the little ones. It was really cute because Mack and Chad (two daddies) were playing the wii, while their daughters watched intently while each screaming, "Go Daddy, Go Daddy." It was too cute!! Wyatt had a blast playing with everyone. He spent the majority of the evening driving Margaret around in the motorized hummer and then finished the night in the bathtub with Carter and Ansley. I'll add a few pics as soon as I get them!!

Saturday morning we woke up and went for a jog in my new stroller. I got one from Santa for Christmas. Although a Christmas present, it just arrived. Long story. It's been worth the wait though. I HIGHLY recommend the BOB if you are looking for a jogging stroller. I love it, and the kiddos do too!! Here are my sweet babies in their new stroller:
Saturday afternoon Wyatt went to daddy's golf course for his first round of golf and he LOVED it. Nathan loved it too!!! According to Nathan, he did pretty good and I am sure they will be making future trips as the weather gets pretty. Wyatt's little celebration dance after putting it in. Sorry it's sideways - I have still not learned how to rotate it. Notice his throw at the end. Nathan taught him to do that when he makes a good shot. Not the best celebration dance to teach a 2 year old!!

Later that day, after a quick nap, we went to my nephew's first birthday party. It was fun for both the babies and the adults. Here a few pics of our Baby Wade.

Here are some shots from the late night dance party. Notice the one picture of my nephew Caleb showing off his break dancing moves!!
And our Nonna late night!!

Weekend Trip

Nathan had a boys golf trip planned last weekend, so I packed up the kiddos and headed to Tennessee to see my extended family. Wyatt had a BLAST!! We went to an animal park at a National Forrest. Wyatt loves to see animals. We saw wolves, deer, owls, fish, frogs, birds and more.

We also visited with my 90 year old grandmother. Wyatt loves to see her. And you can only imagine how much she loves to see him. She and her roommate always fill his pants with lots of candy. Lauren had her first taste of Coke. Yes, you read that correctly....Coke. We took my grandmother and Aunt Edith (who is in her 80s) to lunch. Aunt Edith kept saying "your baby wants some of this drink." Lauren (like most 6 month olds) kept staring at her cup and reached for it a few times. I explained that she could not have Coke. I then got the lesson of how Aunt Edith raised 11 kids and gave them anything she had at the table (including Coke) and they all turned out okay. I explained how I would rather hold off on the coke!! :) This conversation happened over and over again throughout lunch. Well, I got up for 2 seconds at the end to go get some napkins and on my way back to the table, I see Aunt Edith with a straw in Lauren's mouth giving her Coke. I couldn't help but laugh!! What can you do?

As mentioned in a previous Blog, Wyatt loves to golf. The hotel we stayed at was on a golf course. My dad took Wyatt for a long golf cart ride to the driving range and Wyatt hit balls with a real golf set and balls. He still tells me about this adventure on a daily basis.

And our last fun adventure was to go to a very fun park and have a picnic with my cousins and their children. Lauren went on the swing for the very first time!!


Lauren and my cousin's little girl, Morgan....







After a fun filled weekend, we had a great Monday. My three nephews came to Atlanta for the day and we spent our day with them at Nonna and Grandpa Greg's house. They swam in the Hot Tub, played with balls, and raced with Aunt Kriya and Baby Wade. Wyatt had a BLAST!! He keeps asking to go back he had so much fun!!

After the hot tub, Wyatt and Cae explored the yard naked....

Lauren - 6 Months

A friend of mine took photos of Lauren a few weeks ago. Paste the the following link into your browser to see them!!! Please ignore the fact that I had not showered. I had no idea she was going to be taking a few of me too!!

Slideshow:
http://www.photosbylandria.com/lauren.exe

Lauren is now six months. I can't believe how fast she is growing up. I wish I could just stand still time. I know I can't, so I'm just trying to capture every moment!! I have no idea where I got this, but it describes my exact thoughts.....

God please do not let me miss those moments that I could have spent with Lauren. Let me carry her more often and feel her tiny body gently wrapped in my loving arms. For someday I will not have the strength to pick her up anymore.

Let me hold her close to smell her freshly washed hair and breathe in that wonderful baby scent that covers her delicate skin, for surely she will not smell this deliciously sweet for very long.

Let me enjoy changing her diapers for this gives me the chance to play with her miniature toes, tickle her tummy and make her feel comfortable. Someday she will ask me to leave and shut the door behind me claiming she can manage by herself.

Let me take more walks with her in her stroller while I can look down at her little face that is staring in wonder at this new world all around her. Let me do this often, for soon she will be able to walk on her own and leave the safety of my arms.

Let me stand beside her crib at night for longer than a moment to watch her surrender to her peaceful slumber. These nights spent in a crib will be replaced soon enough by a much less cozy place for dreams.

Let me make her laugh everyday. For I am sure the precious sounds of her first giggles are apt to change with time.

Let me delight in each and every milestone she reaches. Before I know it walking, drinking from a cup and other small miracles she has learned will seem ordinary.

Let me tell her how much I love her. Since there are bound to be times when she will not want to sit still to hear this.

Let me continue to listen attentively to her even after she has mastered the art of talking. Since people tend to listen less closely to a child once language becomes fluent.

Let me make time for peek-a-boo and pat-a-cake and other baby games. There will come a day when she will no longer want to participate in such childish antics.

Let me learn to enjoy the sound of her calling me "Mommy" even if it is yelled through the dripping of tears. For one day I will no longer be "Mommy" to her, but rather just "Mom".

Let me be the world to her right now because as every mother sadly comes to realize, their babies soon discover the world outside of their mother’s arms.

Let me do these things and so much more, despite being busy, tired or overwhelmed because I would hate to look back and harbor regrets of times gone by that were lost to less important things than my own daughter.

Yes, dear Lord, I want my daughter to grow up to be a strong, loving and intelligent woman, but please Lord do not let this happen overnight because someday memories will be all I have.

Snow in Hot-Lanta

Lauren saw the snow for the first time today. Wyatt for the second. Wyatt had a blast running in the snow, chasing our dog and building a snowman with daddy. Here are some pics:

Our little eskimo....