Potty Training 101

Potty training the older 2 girls was pretty easy and all I can say is that it literally "just happened".  For both Ella and Emma it was right around their 3rd birthdays and it just happended on their own free will in a matter of days.  I'm not going to lie--with Ella, being our first, I was researching Dr. Phil.  I was buying the potty books.  I bought the doll that peed when you gave it a bottle of water.  Nothing worked, so I just hoped that all would work itself out on its own and it did!

Well, in a little over a month, the twins will be 3 and I've been trying to play the calm, laid-back mom and continue to hope that they, too, will figure it out on their own.  HOWEVER, there is that nagging fear of WHAT IF THEY DON'T!!!!!!

But starting yesterday, I caught a glimpse of hope that soon I may lead a diaper-free life!  And I thought that this time around I should document Potty Training in the Lamppa household...with twins!

STEP 1:  BECOME ONE WITH YOUR UNDERWEAR
Lexi and Maija went diaper-free for about 4 hours yesterday and decided to wear underwear.  But why wear 1 pair when you can wear every pair in the drawer?  That's right folks, they put on about 10-12 pairs EACH.  There's no way we were cleaning up pee on the carpet with that much absorption! 

Then we had to attend a basketball game last night.  So we peeled off the layers, put the diapers back on, and HAD to pack up the the underwear in a gift bag and bring them with.

STEP 2:  GET TO KNOW YOUR POTTY CHAIR
Maija woke up still enthused about underwear.  She put on a good 10 pairs and wore them all day.  She asked to go sit on the potty several times.  While waiting for SOMETHING, she asked me to hold her hand, sing her a song, and we even read some books in the bathroom.  Then she discovered that she was strong enough to move the potty chair, so wherever I went, Maija and the chair were close behind.  When I stopped, Maija put the chair down, pulled down all the layers, and sat down.  When I moved to the next room, she pulled everything up, grabbed the chair and followed. 

STEP 3:  DON'T LOOK BACK
Once a child is enthusiastic about this whole process, GO WITH IT!  Neither Maija nor Lexi has had a successful trip on the pottty.  And yet, Maija wanted to wear her underwear to bed tonight.  I didn't even start to argue.  I put a towel under her butt, gave her a kiss good-night, and am planning on doing some wash tomorrow.  But if history repeats itself, I could have a potty-trained kid in a few days! 

Hopefully, that's the end of Potty Training 101.  Feel free to attempt these crazy 3 steps with your own little people!

It starts out so innocent...

I could be talking about a brand, new little life--so innocent, so amazing, so unbelievably precious. 

Let's Hear It For the Girls, people!!  After 5 nephews, I am a proud aunt to a little bundle of sweetness named Annika Mary.  She was born today, a few days early, and I got to go to the hospital to get my baby fix meet her. 

My brother and his angel!

However, I am not talking about the innocence of a newborn.  I am talking about the beginning stages of hoarding.  Yes, hoarding.  We've all seen one of those reality shows about hoarding.  And we, the organized, clean, clutter-free, people of society all ask, "How do people live like that?" or "How does it get out of control?"  

My name is Stacie and I am a mother to a 2-year old hoarder.

I will leave her identity a secret but her name rhymes with "papaya".

It started out so very innocently.  She had to hold "things"--anything, something.  She just had to have her hands full of stuff.  Then, as the hoarding progressed, she discovered that clothes had pockets and she would only wear shirts and pants that had pockets and they would be stuffed with her prized possessions.

It then continued on to carrying backpacks and purses and these bags had to travel everywhere with her weighing down her little frame.

And as I said earlier, it started out so small and innocent.  Today, her hoarding has escalated to this: 



This is "her" in November.  I guess I forgot to
mention the stroller/shopping cart phase of it.



Her crib in November.  It was manageable at that time. 



Only a few short months later, this is how she sleeps.  She feels safe and
secure surrounded by her things and FREAKS if I dare touch it. 
Sounds just like the show doesn't it?

I will keep you posted on its progression or tell you when her episode is going to air on TLC.

Seven and Sassy

If you're wondering what this mess is in the pan,
it's a homemade icecream cake and it is YUMMY!

Somehow I became a mom to a seven-year old.  We celebrated early on Saturday with all the relatives and on Monday, her actual birthday, we took her, a friend, and her sisters out to McD's and then for some swimming. 

The Lamppa Cousins, minus Maija. 
There's always 1 who doesn't want to cooperate...
and it's usually one of mine.

Jen, the human jungle gym.



Lexi loves swimming on her own now!

Her gift from Josh and me was the American Girl doll, Josefina.  She asked for it for Christmas and then her birthday.  I wasn't crazy about getting her another expensive doll since a few Christmases ago she got her My Twinn doll which is a beautiful look-a-like doll.  But this was the only thing she asked for.  So she painstakingly decided which one she wanted and then proceeded to change her "Final Decision" every 24 hours.  Then she believed that I had to drive down to the cities to buy it so she kept coming up with travel plans for me.  I let her believe that yes, I would have to drive all the way to the AG Store.  But somehow it magically appeared on Monday.  She hasn't quite caught on to the powers of the internet I guess.

Ella had a memorable year being six.  She started 2010 as a kindergartener who loved every minute of it, who didn't want it to end and who wanted to return there after the summer.  She is now a 1st grader who READS and is a SUPER speller and who has great friends.  She took swimming and tennis lessons for the 1st time this summer and FINALLY found her confidence in trying things without me shoving and begging.  What a treat that is!!  She is in her 2nd year of Daisies.  She is in Sunday School and she joined dance and basketball for the 1st time. 

She still wants to be a teacher when she grows up and there's nothing more hysterical than listening to her be a teacher to her younger siblings.  It borders on Drill Sergeant/Dictator, but the littles LISTEN to every crazy command she gives.  And for great lengths of time too!  In this loud, authoritative voice, she tells them how to sit, how to walk, where to walk, where to put their hands, when to inhale/exhale...I hope she does become a teacher...what a great profession (especially in June, July, and August!)

Ella loves being creative.  She enjoys coloring and writing short stories.  She LOVES to shop, watch movies, play outside, and now, play her Wii. 

She's a tough cookie--stubborn and strong-willed, a bit moody and unpredictable, NOT someone who does well on little sleep.  The tween and teen years will be interesting if they're anything like her first 7 years!!

She's a complicated little girl.  She reminds me so much of myself and my personality...
I wish her an amazing year being 7.  I hope she continues to discover and grow in all aspects.  And last I hope she knows how much she is loved by so many.  Happy Birthday, Ella Bella!

Angels Among Us

January 10th is not an easy day.  January 10th, 2008 was the hardest day of my life.  On that day, I had to say good-bye to one very important person, my mom.  Life continuted to move forward after that day but not a day goes by that I don't think of her and wish I could have her back.  HOWEVER, I know and believe that everything happens for a reason and January 10th, 2008 happened for a reason.  There is a country song out right now and there is one part of the song that says:

Oh I cried when my momma passed away
And now I got an angel
Looking out for me today
So nothing’s a mistake

I would love to have one more day with her, one more phone call with her, one more visit at the the kitchen table, but since I can't have those wishes granted, I will be more than satisfied knowing that I will ALWAYS have an angel watching over me and my girls. 

There have been numerous times when my mom has made her presence known.  I will never forget the time I was rushing Lexi to the ER with a possible broken nose.  I was crying and so upset, but when I turned on the road to the hospital, the song, I Hope You Dance, came on the radio.  This is the song we played at her funeral at her request.  Or the time I had to drop off something at Ella's Girl Scout leader's house and when I pulled up to the address, it was my mom's childhood home on Southside.  Or all the times I have seen rainbows in the wintertime.  The FIRST time I saw a rainbow in the winter was the day of my mom's funeral.  I didn't even realize that rainbows in the winter could happen.  Now when I see a rainbow, I feel comforted and reminded that I am never without my mom.

I don't know where I'm at in this whole grieving process.  I don't know if there will ever be a time that I don't tear up when I think of her.  I don't know if there will ever be a January 10th that doesn't make my heart hurt.  But I do know that I have 4 daughters and since tomorrow is not a guarantee, I will be the best mom I can be...with the help of an angel.

Before It's 2011

It took me a few days, but I think I've recovered from the hectic holidays and I wanted to post about Christmas before it's Valentine's Day.  I say that because my tree is down and the hearts are up...I have a thing for the month of February!  Hint, hint! 

We started Christmas Eve Day at our house with some sledding and snowmobiling.  Then I served lunch for everyone and looking at this picture, it looks like I just served dip.  Somewhere in that dip-covered claw is a carrot, I think.

Next, I tortured everyone with pictures.  Here are Maija, Lexi, Ella, and Emma humoring me in front of the tree.

Then it was me and the girls.

Followed by my favorite siblings!  Pete was apparently practicing for his next mug shot and Maija was taking notice...

Finally, the family of 6 shot! 

So, we opened presents.  We timed it and it took about 45 minutes.  Then came a knock at the door.  Well, I'll be darned...SANTA!!  The funniest thing was Maija's reaction.  She threw that blanket over her head so fast and she stayed covered the whole time.  She finally came out of hiding after he left sweating and exhausted from shear terror. 

Next, was dinner at Papa Al and Jo's house.  Present opening took even less time as someone decided that the tornado-style of package opening would be best.  Lexi was just happy as a clam with her stocking of candy.

O.K. and here's a cuter picture of Blanket, I mean, Maija.

Christmas Morning, the older, more anxious sisters discovered a pretty sweet kitchen and a Wii with a "Just Dance" game to rock out to.  I must note that it looks like Ella and Emma attempted to put on all of their new clothes, jammies, and socks and wore them to bed.

We spent the morning having breakfast and playing the Wii and then Auntie Jen thought it would be a good idea to get them all cranked up to go to Tower for the Lamppa get-together.

There were more presents and more good laughs.  And when it's Christmas, things like eating a whole plate of cookies is more than acceptable! 

It was another wonderful Christmas Holiday!  We are so blessed to spend it with so many of our relatives in the area.  What more could we ask for?

A Picture of Grace

Alright...a mom can exaggerate a little, right??  She's only 6 and has been taking dance for all of 3 months, but still...

She looked beautiful and I was one proud mama while I got to observe Ella's dance class for the first time.

She was once just a peanut in my arms...

And here she is now discovering things she enjoys doing and that she's good at...

And when I asked her, afterwards, if she was nervous, she looked at me a little confused and said, "No, why would I be nervous?"

A beautiful ballerina with nerves of steel!!  So proud to call her MINE!

Grocery Store Gawking

Josh has been pheasant hunting in Montana since last Wednesday.  Livin' the dream, I like to say!!  So, yesterday we HAD to get groceries because we had NOTHING to eat.  And because of the slim-pickings, we had eaten out Tuesday night before Josh left.  Thursday we dined at McDonald's after Ella had dance.  Friday, I ordered some pizzas.  It was getting ridiculous. 

So, I chose Saturday late-morning to do grocery shopping with the 4 Littles.  Wouldn't you?????  When we got in the store, I quickly realized that it was Sample Day or something.  There was free samples at every corner!  JACKPOT!  (It's the little things in life nowadays that I get excited about.)  So, the kids feasted on crackers and dip, potica, cookies, caramel apple pie.  They were good and normally they are pretty good.  But what's funny about the grocery store is the number of times I am stopped by strangers who ask if they are all mine.  Maybe it's because my cart is full of jackets and bodies and bags and not groceries.  And as I stand there sweating from pushing the cart around (because of course, we need the ginormous car cart that seats 4), it's really nice to hear a compliment like, "They are being so good!" or "They're all so beautiful!" or "I bet they're a lot of fun!" 

It reminds me that yes, they are being really good.  Yes, I am so very fortunate to have 4 healthy, beautiful girls.  And yes, they are fun and they do bring a lot of joy to my life.  Sometimes you need a stranger to remind you of your blessings when you're sweating and would rather be any place else!

Ella and her cat-like ears heard 6 compliments yesterday.  She said I should start keeping track with a marble jar.

And one lady who I talked to had raised 5 daughters and 1 son.  She told me I should really consider buying stock in feminine hygiene products.  She was very serious and said she wished she had with her family.  Sometimes I get strange advice instead of a compliment....