Pulling out the big guns!

So Ashton has been quite strong willed about this whole using the potty thing.  He would pee in the potty, but he refused to poop.  Instead he would hide.  So for a while, we just decided we'll keep him in diapers and deal with it later.  However, he hates to be wet or dirty.  So about a week or so ago, he kept sneaking off his diaper.  I'd put a diaper on him, and a few hours later I'd check him, and he snuck his diaper off.  Then I would put a new diaper on him, only to find out a few hours later he had taken it off.  This would of been wonderful if actually decided to use the potty, but no...he kept defecating in his pants and peeing on the floor.  So seeking some counsel from some friends,they recommend we pull out the big guns!  Take away something meaningful to him if he chooses not to use the potty.  And so his lovey Pokey was the "big gun".  At first we gave Pokey back the next day as if a it was a fresh start.  But then someone said, do not give it back until he does what he knows he supposed to do.  It was tough...you could tell he missed Pokey a lot.  Not to mention he didn't sleep as well without his lovey.  But we are happy to report that after a full week without Pokey he realized we meant business....and happily for the last few days has been doing HIS business in the potty!!!  Yeah!!!  Now hopefully it will stick.  He has a sticker chart, and when he fills it up, he is going to get a paw patrol lookout!  Here's to a diaper free 2015!

Lil booger!

Lil booger!

 

That cheesy grin!

If I haven't mentioned it before Ashton has finally hit that if you don't give me what I want, I will have a temper tantrum, try to hit you, or tell you I don't like you.  Ugh...  He has begun spending more time in his room for time out.  Trying to teach him that he can't say mean things to people when he is angry.  It is definitely a process!  Even in his orneriness his still an adorable little booger! He loves to read books.  Every Friday, since he competed his Pike I swim class, he goes with daddy to the library to get lots of books!  He loves to have two books read to him each night!  He likes them with lots of pictures and not too many words!  He also has been on a paw patrol kick!  He continues to want to be called Ryder from paw patrol often! 

We had pictured taken with his birth family in October! I had to bribe Ashton with chocolate!  He was not thrilled!  Nor was Arianna, with that pouty look on her face!  Poor Taylor!  Hopefully she doesn't take it personally.

So much to download

I absolutely LOVE the things Ashton says.  First he will frequently talk about his umbrella...he calls it his crumbrella.  Also, yesterday we were at a "show" and their where some children doing "circus" like performances.  One of the children, climbed onto a large red fitness ball and stood on top.  Ashton said, "That's not such a good idea." matter of factly.
He also LOVES to be with his daddy and do anything his daddy does.  The other day I pulled into the driveway and Ashton and Daddy where on the hill.  Daddy with an axe in his hand splitting fireword and Ashton sitting a few feet a way with his little toy drill, drilling the firewood.  It was also apparent that Ashton had moved several pieces of firewood and had begun stacking them on the driveway.  Adorable.   Then this week Daddy started pulling up the kitchen floor tiles to replace the old kitchen floor.  Both Ashton and Lily wanted in on the action.  They were like little contractors.  Using Daddy's spackling and putty  knifes  to pull up all the old tiles.  Child labor at it's finest

Ashton's art!  A few week ago we were at bible study and Ashton made some art on Ms. Hope's easel.  Gotta say I absolutely love it.  It's a picture of me, Lily and Ashton.  Guess who is the biggest?  So Ashton is the left, Lily is in the middle, and mommy is on the far right!

Also Thursday Oct 16th  at 10:59 Ashton's newest half-sister Paisley Landen was born.  She was 5lbs 7 oz and 19 3/4 inches.  She is currently in the nicu.  She has had trouble breathing and eating.  Hopefully she will be coming home soon.

Potty training has officially gone backwards.  Ashton has been back in diapers for just over 2 weeks now.  Major bummer, but I guess when he is ready he will be ready.  I think we all got tired of him pooping and peeing in his pants all the time.

So independent

Our little man is soooo independent now days!  He wants to do everything by himself.  In the morning he will get himself out of bed, dress himself, brush his teeth, put on his shoes...and he is ready to go! 

Potty Trained....95.5%

I am happy to say that after a summer of haphazard potty training, that I think Ashton has finally gotten it!  Yeah!!!!  Go Ashton!

Farwell Summer Vacation

Today marks the last official day of the summer vacation!  Tomorrow, mom returns to work and Ashton begins his time at Ms. Helen's.  This summer was full of lots of activities!  We were on the go-go-go constantly.  I think everyone is ready for a bit a routine!

Am I cute or what?

First we spent a lot of time at the beach.  First, we went to the beach with Kodi and Aly, then, went to the beach with our friends from church, including his best buddy Micheal, and lastly we went to the beach with Abuelita.  I think at the end, the kids were beached out!  Originally Ashton said he wasn't going to go in the water, but after the 2nd or 3rd day at the beach, he changed his tune.

Life long buddies-Micheal and Ashton

Chillin under the tent with Ariana and Michael

Can't believe Ms. Patsy got you to take a baby snooze on the beach!

Our friend Yolanda came to visit!  Ashton really took to her, very unusual for him to attach to a grown up so quickly.  Yolanda has a very special way about her!  We took her and the kids to Great Falls in Virginia.  Both Ashton and Lily loved hiking on the rocky trails!

Great falls with Abuelita and Yolanda

Loving the trail!

We have been pseudo potty training...it's hard to do when you are always on the go....but I think it's coming.  He still is having lots of accidents, but sometimes now he will tell us when he has to pee.  This morning upon waking up was so cute...daddy told him to go and pee, so he did.  After he peed for a long time he said, "coffee pee".  This was so funny because every morning watches daddy go potty after he has had a few cups of  coffee, of course we always remark how stinky it is...daddy proudly says, "coffee pee".

In addition to all this we have gone to carnivals with good friends, Greenbrier State Park, had sleepovers with our best buddy Michael, went to Idlewild Amusement park....it's been a really great summer!

Norway and the bike

We recently returned from our family trip to Norway.  From the moment we bought the tickets Ashton couldn't wait to go and from the moment we landed in Norway he couldn't wait to go home!  Go figure!  I think he had a nice time in Norway, but all he could think about was getting back home so he could ride a bike like his buddy Micheal.  So yesterday he finally got Micheal's old bike!  He's been riding it non-stop.  Even this morning, the first thing he wanted to do was ride his bike!  This kid loves anything with WHEELS!