Good-bye Disposables

I have recently undertaken something I have heard is one of the hardest parts of parenting:

POTTY TRAINING

I was pretty terrified. And I didn't think I would take it on this early. But one day I had to run to Wal-Mart for some diapers for Luke and all the sudden I had had enough. I thought: This is IT. I am NOT buying diapers for him anymore!

So he got some big boy undies and we started. At first I tried him on the big potty with a little Sesame Street seat, but he wasn't digging that. So I went and bought him his own little potty. And that was the turning point. I put it in the living room (don't judge) and he really liked being able to watch TV while trying to catch on to using a potty. We started last Monday. By Wednesday he was using the potty every time he went pee. Now he does #1 & 2 in it.

Wow! My kid is amazing. And he only wears diapers for his nap and nighttime. Hallelujah.

And Gracie is in cloth diapers now (another thing I was terrified of, but someone showed me the light). Sooo...no more disposables! Well, hardly ever, anyway.

Things I needed for Luke's potty training experience:

A personal potty. This was an essential. It is now permanently in the bathroom. He tells me if he needs to go potty unless he's already naked. Then he'll run in himself.

A "willing" participant. He wasn't really willing, but he has been a great student. He caught on very quickly. Another thing from this picture: Cars undies. He LOVES them. His Grandma Pepper sent him some and he wakes up in the morning and says "Car Car undies!" He can't wait to adorn his little buns with Cars undies.

Um, yes. This is a necessity with two children anyway. But with a potty training child, it's that much more important. Let's just say I've had to spray lots of brown spots.

A candy/treat jar. This used to be FULL. Now we never even open it. Once he caught on, he wasn't all that interested in getting candy. I think he likes us applauding him much more.

A cheerleader. She'll smile and laugh at Luke when he comes out happy that he's just gone in the potty. And who wouldn't want a super cute cheerleader like Gracie?!

Like Father, Like Son

Luke is looking more and more like his daddy. I figured this would happen because Luke's always looked like Drew.

However, I did not expect Luke to start acting like Drew.

(Well, Luke does get something from me: impatience. Why did that one have to be handed down?)

Luke has started liking Legos. Just like his daddy. Which means that we'll be buying even MORE Legos than we already do. (I'd tell you how many Legos have been bought recently, but I don't want to embarrass Drew.)























































After we cut his hair the other night, he's looking lots more like Drew.
























Can the world really handle TWO Drew Peppers?

Tube Dudes

This past weekend we joined Drew's uncle's family and his grandparents on a trip to the mountains to go tubing down a river! I'm not normally a big outdoorsey person (I hate bugs) but this sounded too much fun to pass up.

I was a little worried about the cabin we were going to stay in because off past camping experiences, but the cabin they rented ended up being nicer than our apartment. I was very impressed and happily surprised. That's my kind of camping!

I think Luke had the most fun. There was a little enclosed section of the river for little kids and he loved playing in it. It was a fun weekend of peaches, bubbles, biting flies, games, queso, and family time!


























































"Mommy! Mommy! Dirt!"




































Luke with one of his favorite girls. (Notice anything weird?)


















Rolling his cars down the hall with Patti and the girls.























My banged up legs. I was holding Luke & trying to get off my tube at the same time. Luckily a nice teenage boy & a nice man helped us up. Otherwise, we'd still be floating down the river...

Baby's Got Back

Gracie had her doctor's appointment and she is getting nice & chubby! Of course, I didn't need a doctor to tell me that. All I have to do is look at those chunky thighs. She gets those from me. Mommy & baby's got back!




















Stats
Height: 24.25 inches long
Weight: 13.4 lbs

As opposed to her 2-month checkup:
Height: 21.5 inches
Weight: 11.5

As opposed to her birth stats:
Height: 19.5 inches
Weight: 7 lbs 12 ounces

I think our little boy is getting bigger too. Here's the evidence:

Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July!! This is one of my favorite holidays. This year we went and stayed at Drew's Uncle Carey's house. They have 2 girls that just LOVE Luke (I can't blame them) and they think Gracie is just oh-so-fashionable (I take all the credit for that one). Drew grandparents also came up to be with everyone. We stayed until Sunday morning and then drove 2 hours back so we could be back for church.

Today we had a very chill 4th. We went swimming at 10, so no one was out there yet, then went grocery shopping, cleaned up the house, took naps, bought some luggage, and went to eat at Fuddrucker's. I just love what the 4th of July represents: the freedoms we have to worship and to gain an education and to love whomever we will. It's a wonderful thing to live the the US.

I AM PROUD TO BE AN AMERICAN!!


Drew's two cousins with our kiddos:


















Drew chillin' & watching Luke swim


















Drew's aunt Patti & Grandma Free


















Luke lazin' about the pool


















Our bathing beauty























Drew wanted a "legit" snow cone, so Patti pulled out the ice shaver...that is cranked BY HAND!! We all get a kick out of him cranking away for about 1/3 cup of ice!























Diaper Buddies


















Patriotic Babies!!






















Happy Fourth of July!!

Best Friends

Luke has already made a best friend here. We've only been here for 3 months but it didn't take him and Dylan long to click (it probably helps when you just speak jibberish to each other).



















I'm grateful for all the best friends I've had in my life but the one best friend who has always been there and that I love but drives me nuts at the same time:




















I'm so lucky to have him as my best friend.