Potty Training Dilemma

I started potty training Avery a few weeks ago. At first, she really seemed to get it, and did really well. Although she never really "told" me when she had to use the potty, it seemed as if she would hold it for a while until I asked her if she needed to go. She went a few days keeping her diaper clean, maybe only an accident here or there. Fast forward about 3 weeks. We have made no progress, and if anything have gone backwards. She rarely ever tells me she has to "go", and every time I ask her if she needs to go she says no. If I put her on the potty anyway, she does go every time.

Do I just give up for now and re-visit in a month or two? Or just keep asking her, putting her on the potty every hour or two and hope she catches on? She seems to understand what I am telling her, but it seems she doesn't realize (until its too late) when she has gone in her diaper. I tried the training pull-ups that turn cold when they are wet, but that hasn't made a difference. Anyway, just looking for advice. My boys trained in a day or so, without any major bumps along the way, so I have no idea what to do at this point.

By the way, she'll be 3 years old in September...

Little Swimmer

Life is precious...

Ellie Update

Written by her mom, Amy:

I have never known any child was capable to fight this hard to cling onto life. I am exhausted watching her body heave up and down for air. She has bubbles in her throat and wheezing... But still trying to talk as she goes in and out of her morphine sleep. Thank God she seems comfortable.

Earlier as she struggled, she woke in a daze to see me crying next to her. She was barely audible, but I understood she wanted the anointing oil. This is from Lourdes. I handed it to her...

Our Ellie anointed my forehead with the cross and said, "Mommy it is ok. I am ok.". This child is an angel who specializes in kindness till the end.

Please pray for our Ellie to let go and fly.

UPDATE: Ellie got her angel wings at 11:35am. Prayers and love to the Potvin Family

Please "Lift Up Ellie" in your prayers

This link will take you to the journal of Ellie Potvin. A little 8 year old (twin) from our area, who is fighting cancer and has only about 2 weeks to live. She is fighting to breathe, in pain, and needs everyone's prayers right now that she will not continue to suffer. Please "Lift Up Ellie" in your thoughts and prayers as no child deserves to suffer from this awful disease.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/elliepotvin

We love the mountains!

Just got back from a 3 day weekend in the Blue Ridge Mountains. LOVE IT. The mountains are about 1 1/2-2 hours from our house and the temperature difference is about 10-15 degrees cooler there. We enjoyed upper 70's and when we got out of the van here it was 95! YUCK.

We stayed in a little cabin on at Springmaid Mountain. It was a cute place, lots of beautiful scenery. There were 6 fishing ponds, unfortunately, didn't seem to have many fish in them. Boys had a great time gem mining at Emerald Village in Little Switzerland, NC. Not sure they struck it rich, but they had fun trying to! Avery unfortunately had a stomach virus or something all day, so she was definitely not herself. But, we brought supplies and she came along (basically slept in her stroller) so the whole day wasn't wasted. She was so quiet and slept all day I don't think she muttered a word until later that night. She had a pretty high fever too. Poor thing.

Why do kids always wait until a vacation to get sick?

We also visited Linville Caverns, Grandfather Mountain, and ate at Pizzart. Preston cried last night because he wants to live there. I have to agree, what a great place it is! We'll definitely go back again soon next time to fit in some river rafting!

Check out my new do!

Thank you Daddy for all the new beads! (Daddy bought the beads...Mommy did the hair!) Box braids are all I can figure out how to do at the moment. Can't get her hair into corn rows for the life of me.

Summer is almost here!

Preston officially graduated from preschool last week and I didn't shed a tear! I am excited for him to move on to kindergarten as he is more than ready and looking forward to being in "big" school with Caden. Although, this means double tuition payments starting this month...yikes. I asked Caden the other day if he would rather stay at his school (private) or go to another school and have more spending money for trips and "stuff." He said, he rather stay right where he is because he loves it.

One more week and Caden is officially a 4th grader. We have so many plans this summer, I am hoping we don't over book ourselves so the summer will no longer relaxing. First stop is a surprise Father's Day trip next weekend. Can't post where to, because it's a suprise. I think Mike and Papa will have a great time...and the kids will too!

Next, we will travel to upstate NY in June/July and Atlantic Beach, NC in August which means visiting the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. In between those trips, we want to visit a few museums, nature centers and aquariums... but we'll see how much time we have. Caden is doing "Kick it" 3 vs. 3 soccer league, soccer camp, diabetes camp and two lacrosse camps...which is why I talked him OUT of summer swim team. As an ex-swimmer, I couldn't bare to spend half my summer at those long, boring meets. He did it the past few years, but enough was enough already. I have no idea how my parents withstood that for so many years! Preston is just going to Safety Town Camp!

Avery will be along for the ride. She loves to swim and we have been to the neighborhood pool a few times. She shivers in seconds (she has no body fat!) but she enjoys it thoroughly! Today we are attempting potty training using a little bribing with goldfish crackers. So far, no accidents...but the day is young!