Sweet Baby Kate

Our newest niece, Kate Elizabeth arrived yesterday.  She is precious, perfect, and just so, SO sweet.

The boys and I visited the hospital last night and again today, because I just can't get enough of her cuteness.

And, I'm just overjoyed that my sister is a mom.  This is one lucky baby.

Noah wanted to go see Kristina.  He's a smart kid, and I think he knew Kate's arrival meant he was taking a step back in the priority line.  He wasn't exactly interested in all of the baby business.  Like a good auntie, Kristina thought of something fun to do, and the two of them counted Kate's fingers.

He's going to love her eventually. :-)

Luke on the other hand, couldn't get enough of Kate.  Yesterday and today he's walked around saying, "Baby, baby, baby," and "Kuh, Kuh, Kuh."  We'll work on getting her name right, but that's a good start.

Notice that Kristina has a tight, loving grip on that little boy because he just wants to love on her a little too much.

 
Kristina and Jason are such good sports to welcome my chaotic duo.  Today they were great partners in crime as Noah used the foot pedals on the sink and Luke got himself wet.  They couldn't have been happier.

 

Could tomorrow just get here already so I can go love on that sweet Kate some more?

 

I needed some luck today.

Noah started potty training today. 

I thought he might end up going to kindergarten in diapers at the rate things were going, so today was a bit of a victory.  He has shown signs for months that he's 'ready,' but when your kid regularly says, "Mom. I am never, never, never, NEVER, going to do big stinkies on the potty!" he means it.  He's held it for 5 days in protest, he's screamed like I didn't know he could...it's just been super hard on all of us.  So I just quit pressuring him.  Every once in a while I'd ask if he wanted to go on the potty as he'd sneak off to his room to do his business, but that was about it.

Surprisingly, one day last week when I asked he said, "Sure Mom!" and ran into the bathroom.  And, oh boy, did we celebrate and do happy dances like you wouldn't believe after that big stinky was done.  It was almost bedtime so when I asked him what his reward should be he chose making brownies (recipe here) with me in the morning. 

I had no complaints about making brownies at breakfast time.

And Noah is just so cute.  "Mom, can I put in the ingredients?" and "Can you tell me what the recipe says?" were two of my favorites.

Later that day he told me he had to go again and did.  In the past we've tried just about any incentive we could think of to persuade Noah to cooperate.  It clearly was NOT about the stuff.  It was about control.  But now that he was going, he put that amazing memory to work and named off one of those promises.

So off we went for "ice cream with 'nem n nems' and chocolate sauce," as he had been enticed with like two months ago.

I don't know how a typical first day of potty training goes, but I'd say it was pretty successful.  Noah was happy, compliant and so proud of himself.  By the end of the day he was telling me that he had to go instead of me just taking him.  I guess that's good, right?  There were a few accidents, but he told me every time and added in the sweetest apology.

He's excited to fill up his McQueen potty chart, because that means that we get to go have lunch with Daddy at work.  I love how stickers are like magic to little kids. And he's already decided that the next chart he fills up will be rewarded with a ride on the carousel at the mall.  I'm trying to keep the potty chart rewards as something we DO instead of something we BUY, which will make it more fun for all of us, I think.

Here's to hoping day two is successful, and that I don't go crazy staying home for a second day!

Noah's First Scripture

Noah was assigned to share the scripture in Primary yesterday.

1 John 4:14

We have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world.

He memorized it pretty quickly and was so proud of himself.  And then it came time to actually SAY that scripture in front of everyone.  He sure got quiet then.  But, in the end he got going.  I had to help him on one word, but he did it.  He recited it perfectly before then and later in the evening as well.  I know he's just a little guy, but wow, I love seeing him do hard things and then be so proud of himself when they've been accomplished.  It's such a great pattern for life. 

Cousins!

We were in Bakersfield last weekend for Sammie's baptism.

 I can't believe she's eight.  She had just been born around the time Nate and I started dating.

Noah had been asking for days before we left if it was time to go to Bakersfield yet.

He couldn't wait to see Olivia, Sammie and Abby. 

Our trip was too quick, but the cousins soaked in as much time as they could together.  They really are the best of friends, they take such good care of each other.