Potty Training Blues

Things don't always go as planned! I had determined that I would potty train Madison after coming home from vacation. I had it all planned out--don't plan a lot of outings, put her in big girl underwear (with plastic pants), take her to the bathroom every hour, and have her potty trained in a week! Yea, right.

Well, Monday started off pretty good. By 9am I had put her on the potty 3 times and every time there was a result. Well done. Then things began going downhill. Between 10:10 and 10:45 she went to the bathroom 2 times on the potty but 4 times in her pants (where does it all come from). By 10:50 she was back in diapers as it seems she isn't quite to the point of telling me before she goes--although she is great about telling me after the fact! :( Maybe we'll try again in a few weeks.

Tennis Outing

The weather in Maryland has been awesome this last week--sunny and warm but not hot and humid. On Thursday after Matt got off work we headed to the nearby Clarksburg High School tennis courts to get some activity. With the kids, some toys, rackets and balls, and snacks in hand we headed out. While Jason was pretty happy sitting in the stroller watching all the action, Matt and I were able to hit some balls back and forth despite Madison and Carson running around. Madison insisted on having a racquet too. She is a natural.Carson is just taking it all in.
After he had played a bit, he decided to dump out all the goldfish crackers on the ground, stomp around on them a bit, then sit down in the mess while enjoying a few that hadn't been broken. Needless to say I really needed a broom to clean this mess up.
We all had a great time--it will definitely be a place we go back to in the future.

Father's Day 2008

What They've Been Up To

Madison continues to learn more and more each day. Her language has improved tremendously over the last 3 months or so. She says full sentences and asks very clear questions. She even understands the concept of "why?" She mimicks us frequently and one of her latest sayings taken straight from me is "Oh, my gosh!" I'm so proud of her as she now frequently says "please" and "thank you" and even "you're welcome" without prompting. She now is able to swing quite high on a big girl swing as you can see below, and just the other day she taught herself how to climb up a slide.
Here she is reading the church bulletin on Father's Day. She looks forward to church on Sundays, and she loves to lift her hands during worship and clap.
She is also pretty dramatic especially when it comes to getting a boo-boo. She bumped her chin on a chair while in Ohio and a bandaid was the only thing that made it feel better.
Carson keeps us laughing. He is a constant imitator of Madison--unfortuneatley he also tries to imitate her when she's doing something she's not supposed to be doing. His language isn't great--very similar to Madison at this age but he does try to say "thank you" which just melts my heart. He loves to hold my hand and walk down the stairs one step at a time and just today he realized that he had the ability to climb up onto the dining room chairs. Oh boy! As you can see below--he's very happy at meal times.

He loves to push things in front of him as he walks. One of his favorites--the doll stroller! If Madison isn't pushing it around he is--what a great daddy he'll make someday. When we go out on walks he is not as content being in the stroller anymore--he wants to get out and walk like Madison, so we often take the toy lawnmower with us so that they aren't fighting over the doll stroller.
Jason continues to be a very happy baby. He's now 5 months old and he weighs 15 lbs. 3 oz. We just started him on rice cereal twice a day last week and he seems to really like it. He's now rolling over from his back to his stomach and sometimes back to his back. He has found his feet and loves to grab them and even put them in his mouth. He now reaches for toys and will hold onto rattles for a good length of time.

Here he is being held by his great-grandmother Ruth.

A great shot of him taken in his crib shortly after we arrived home last week--so happy to be back in his bed!

Vacation Post #7~Final Farewells

In the blink of an eye our vacation in Ohio was coming to an end. The time went so fast. For more pictures from vacation visit Jodi's blog at http://www.hubertfamily7.blogspot.com/. On her Cedar Point post there is a great video of a ride that Matt and I both rode--MaXair. It was amazing.


Madison and Timothy giving each other one final hug before the Huberts head west and we head east. All kids loaded and accounted for, and we are ready to go.

Vacation Post #6~Random Poses

I just love this picture of Timothy and Carson enjoying some couch time in their jammies. And a precious shot of Savannah and Jason holding hands.
How would you like to sit at the kid's table?
Carson and Jason in their matching outfits.
Madison, Carson, and Timothy enjoying their last evening together in their diapers.

Vacation Post #5~Some Favorites at Grammy's and Grandpa's

Like I said before the sandbox was a big hit while in Ohio. Here Carson and Timothy are enjoying the "drive-up" sandbox. In the background you can see another big hit--the mini roller coaster for kids. Start at the top--on a little car--and away you go. They all loved it.
Madison and Carson both loved Sarge--so much that Madison joined him in his cage.

And Carson taking a break in the empty cage--and no, I didn't put him in there, although it was tempting at times.
Madison enjoying some outside time with Sarge.
Carson and Madison enjoying the "washable" sidewalk paint that Grammy got. Even after 3 washes it hasn't all come out of Carson's clothes--good thing the outfit wasn't one of my favorites.
Grandpa's tractor was a huge hit--especially with Timothy. Our kids were a little scared of it at first, but if it wasn't running they were right up there with Timothy. Here Madison and Timothy are discussing how to get it running, and Carson is trying to pull Madison off by her foot.
Madison enjoying a ride on the tractor with Grandpa.

Vacation Post #4~Cedar Point

Tuesday was a fun-filled day as Jodi, Phil and their 3 oldest as well as Matt, Madison and I headed to Sandusky, Ohio to go to Cedar Point. It is truly the best amusement park. It was a great day to be there. There were some morning storms and showers that went through that seemed to keep many people away. For most rides we waited no longer than 15 minutes--even many of the roller coasters. We stayed the entire day even watching the light show that started at 10pm. Mom and Dad were home with the little ones while we were away playing.


Madison stepping up to be measured. She was just at 36 inches which allowed her to go on a few "bigger" rides.
The first ride of the day--the carousel.

Jodi, Allie, Matt and I spent a good hour waiting in line for the Raptor--a great feet hanging roller coaster with many upside down loops.
Madison enjoying the monster trucks. Matt taking Madison on a more advanced ride than the kiddie rides--the scrambler.
Me, Allie, Sarah, and Jodi being taken up the Power Tower slowly. From the very top we were then dropped down very fast and then bounced around as if we were bungee jumping. Matt enjoying a thrill ride by himself--The Skyhawk.

Preparing to ride the kiddie roller coaster--quite a ride for little ones!
Lindsay, Madison, and Sarah preparing to ride the Frog Hopper--a very mini version of the Power Tower.
Madison taking a 30 minute nap--that's all she slept all day. She was even the last child asleep in the car once we headed home at 11pm. What a trooper!

Vacation Post #3~Family Pictures

Last year we spent a few days at a ranch in Wyoming to celebrate Mom and Dad's 40th wedding anniversary. While there we managed to get a nice family picture, but Jodi and I were both pregnant at the time so we had to get a new family picture this year. Last year we weren't as coordinating with our clothes and we took the picture our self with the camera timer. This year mom was able to have someone from her work take the pictures. We coordinated our outfits a bit more and the picture taking was a success even with the scorching heat.

Family picture from 2007.

Family picture 2008. Grandpa and Grammy with all the grandkids.
The Hubert Family.
The Pier Family.
And all the grandkids. From the left--Timothy (28 months), Sarah (8 1/2), Savannah (7 months), Allie (10 1/2), Jason (5 months), Lindsay (almost 7), Carson (15 months), Madison (2 1/2)
We went out to dinner after taking the pictures. Amazingly almost everyone kept their white shirts clean--even the kids. After dinner we went to the assisted living facility where mom's parents live and captured a few more pictures.

Vacation Post #2~Grandpa's Birthday

Sunday, June 8th was Grandpa Dave's big day--70 years old! We started the morning right by heading to church. Right after church we tried to capture a few family shots before the party began. Although it was very hot (90's) it was a bit breezy--can you tell?
Phil and Matt did their best with multiple cameras trying to capture a shot with mom, dad, daughters and grandchildren.
The cake was delicious!

It's a good thing mom didn't have us put 70 candles on it--we would have likely burned the place down.

My brother-in-law and I were in charge of cutting cake and scooping ice cream--what a great job!
Dad sporting his new t-shirt from all the grandkids. Grandpa with the Pier grandchildren.
A proud Grandpa with the two littlest grandbabies.