Potty training woes.

We have stooped to bribery to get our kids to use the potty. We have tried stickers, chocolate, and hugs an kisses. However, we may have found their Achilles heal.

They love to play games on Daddy's phone. Tyler especially likes this balloon popping game. It has gotten pretty bad though.

Tuesday night, Tyler sat on the potty for over an hour trying to pee. When we suggested it was time to go to bed, now 9:30pm, he proceeded to cry --- no no I want to play daddy's phone! NO NO NO! WHAAAA AAAA AAAA! He finally managed to squeeze a few drops. The poor guy had a red ring on his fanny when he finally pulled himself off the plastic seat. He did get to play the game. He fell asleep during Daddy's Dragon story time though.

Tonight, Kristina had her share. She successfully used the potty before bed time. She was put to bed and story time was all finished. We were downstairs when we heard the pitter-patter of feet. Kristina heard mommy coming up the stairs and jumped back in bed. Mommy entered the room to hear Kristina saying, "I want to use the potty." Mommy said, "ok, you get two minutes." After five minutes, Mommy pulls her off the potty kicking and screaming... "NO! I want to go potty. I want to make Mommy HAPPY! WHAAAAA!"

At least they want to go. Sheesh.

Oh... and Amy is still pregnant. 2 and 1/2 weeks to go.

Almost there!

35 weeks and 2 days. Officially 1 day past when the Twins were born. She is still on her feet chasing the kids. What a Gal!



Grandma's reading time.


Helping herself to the pesto and carrots. Hmmm.


Being a Dad can be back breaking. Worth every bit!


Tyler's masterpiece. Eyes and everything. A rare picture as 5 seconds later it was erased.



To jump, or not to jump, that is the question. Go for it, Kyle! You're only young twice!


A few "special" quotes:

Amy is sitting on Kristina's bed with arms crossed - waiting patiently for the kids to stop making noise and take a nap (it has been 1 and 1/2 hours). Tyler starts singing... "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to me. Happy birthday to mommy, she is angry...we're not going to sleep." Mommy cracks a grin through her gritted teeth.

Kristina:
@2am - sneaking next to daddy's bed - "Daddy, my tummy's hurting, I need toast."
@4am - "My tummy's hurting daddy... I need chocolate" - Yeah right, off to bed kiddo!

Both of them in unison: "Hi Grandma, Where's my treat!"

3 months to go.

Hi all.

Amy is doing well - just 3 months to go.

Happy Valentine’s Day to my Wife

Happy Valentine’s Day to my Wife.
I can’t think of a better way to spend my life.

Working and raising a family I know can be hard;
And here I am without another card.

A new member of the family is almost here.
With you by my side, there's nothing to fear.

Even when things get in a rush,
I love you so very much.

I can’t think of a better way to spend my life.
Happy Valentine’s day to my Wife.

I LOVE YOU

No, that's my Mommy!

Profile shot at 22 weeks - we won't know the gender... until May.


Pony ride at Irvine Park.


Good times on the pony ride.


Loves Trains, just like Daddy.


Happy Birthday to ME!


Blow!


I ate it all!


Yup - 3 years old!


Auntie Kim diving into the powder.


The Family is doing great.

They are now saying and doing the cutest things. Of course there are the total melt downs, but nothing that a little alone time with daddy while practicing slow breathing can't fix.

I just got home from an awesome Tahoe Ski vacation with my Sister and our Cousins. What a hilarious bunch. Kim is the most awesome sister ever for setting it all up. The timing couldn't have been better. A massive California storm had dumped 6 feet of snow the two days before we got there. AWESOME!

The funny things they say:

1) At daycare, another girl was trying to give Tyler a hug. Kristina walks up and separates them like a boxing referee and says... No, that's MY Tyler.

2) another at daycare, Tammy (the daycare owner) was displineing another child. Tyler yells at the child too... You get in the corner! Tammy says... "huh... Tyler that wasn't very nice" - Tyler yells to the child again... "you get in the corner - PLEASE!"

3) In play, Kristina put Tyler in the corner. Tyler shrugged his shoulders and played along. He stayed there until he got a hug from Kristina.

4) Kristina, being naughty to get attention, was stepping on the toys Tyler was playing with. Tyler starts crying. Mommy says in a stern voice to Kristina, "You need to apologize." With her head hanging low she trys to walk up to Tyler to say I'm sorry. Tyler steps away and Kristina starts wailing with HUGE tears - I WANT TO SAY SORRY! Tyler runs away yelling no no no.

5) At bed time - Me talking to Kristina and her repeating - "good night mommy" - she replies in a sweet tiny quiet voice - "good night mommy". "good night Tyler" - "good night Tyler". "good night Kristina" - "good night, TO ME!"

Tyler just loves electronics. He will be a Gamer when he gets older. He likes to play - "squash the bugs" on daddy's phone and the "paiting program" on daddy's big computer.

Kristina likes to sew her animals with yarn and water painting. She is cute when she plays with her toy kitchen. Pouring fake milk in a cup, putting it in the microwave, pushing the buttons, stands there with her arms crossed, and then gets it out.

They had a great 3rd birthday party at our house. We'll have to read up on games for the kids to play. The only one I could think of was Ring-around-the-rosey. It was a hit.

Love to you all.
Jason

Holiday Update

Kristina, Tyler and their pal Zachary.



me and my good buddy Kyle.


Kids riding around like crazy on their Striders.


Merry Christmas!
(I knew I should have dressed up. The kids wouldn't stay close to Santa without Mommy and Daddy.)


Hi all.

A brief update.

Kristina is consistently using the potty at least once a day. Hurray.
Tyler, for the first time since the last post, has now used the potty again.

They seem to be catching on. hopefully it will progress quickly.

We look forward to seeing family in CA.

For those who we are staying with, I've made a spreadsheet with my food allergies.
http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0AkpKb7dY_52ldGxOQ3JnSVVjZzR0MFI0ajZsWXA5OEE&hl=en

If the food isn't on the list, it is probably OK. I've been eating more Pork and Lamb lately.
Mexican food has become an easy goto.

Cheers,
Jason

Tyler did IT!

Saturday night, Tyler went pee-pee in the potty for the first time... YAY TYLER!

BIG NEWS!

Amy is Pregnant!

No fertility drugs this time!

It is a bit early to be sharing, but I just can't keep my mouth shut.
We plan on waiting until the big day to find out what sex it will be. We already know it is 1 baby this time. It's name will either be Spencer or Elizabeth.

This is a wonderful surprise!

(looks like we are getting that 3rd row seating vehicle just in time)

Newport, OR

Pictures by Eileen( Grandma Vincent ) during her trip to see the kids:

Mom and me at the Lighthouse. The Kids are out cold in the car with Mommy; swatting the flies.


Can't tell with a still shot, but Kristina is knocking down Daddy's castle. Kristina the Destroyer! Super fun.


The family at the Newport aquarium.


Back home smelling the roses.


Tyler mastering his Strider.


Show off that dimple boy.


Mom squeezed in for a family photo.


Cold and windy, but still sunny and beautiful.

updated pics.

Finally some more pictures. We had lost our camera charger and had no way to take more pics; excuses, excuses.

We recently had a fun day at the Oregon Children Museum. Way back in June, Great Grandma Westlund made a trip up. They are growing up so fast! Grandma Vincent also made a trip up north. We all went to Newport OR for a nice weekend at a beach hotel. The aquarium was pretty cool. (Hey mom, send me some of those pictures you took.)

This coming weekend the whole family is headed out for a weekend in Sunriver, OR with the McDougald's. That will be a HOOT! (hoping that Zackary is feeling better, and didn't get anyone else sick.)