Much to say... so little time to type!!

Today was quite the day for realization... what am I talking about? you ask? well.. I will explain...

We generally eat sitting on the couch watching TV. We have been talking about moving to the table and eating as a family but just haven't made the move until this week. Let me tell you what a HUGE difference it had made for Annabelle and what she will eat! Oh my goodness... Last night I made meatloaf (stuffed in bell peppers) and oven baked sweet potato fries.. She ate some of both in addition to a cheese stick, Vienna sausage, mixed fruit cup and of course yogurt! We were so proud of her and have decided that I am going to have to cook meals that are more Annabelle friendly.. (typically I like to cook a more mature taste than a 2 year old will appreciate) So tonight I made pot roast, mashed potatoes and green beans... she ate all three, in addition to multi-grain bread, peaches, macaroni and cheese and yogurt! I am just amazed by how well she is eating.. Now, I am having to feed her the new foods but she eats them, even with a grimace on her face! Very very proud of our big girl...

The second event this week was tonight as well... and it has to do with the potty... I decided that candy is no longer a reword for going to the potty and all of the sudden she refuses to go... I asked her why tonight and her reply was priceless... I will quote this but you'll have to imagine her sweet little 2 year old voice saying it in a very matter of fact tone! I said "Annabelle, why don't you want to use the potty anymore"? and her reply.... "BECAUSE I DON'T GET CANDY ANYMORE!" and she said it like she meant it! WOW! That really opened my eyes as to the thinking of a 2 year old and we compromised so that she gets candy but she has to produce more than a drop of pee to get it! :)

Thirdly... The bath tub... Bath time has now become a crying game for dear Annabelle.. she LOVED taking a bath so much so that I had to spell it else she wanted to take a bath that second and threw a fit if she didn't get to take one.. now, she doesn't want to take one and cries when she has to take one.. My reasoning... I will back this up a bit.... The week before Annabelle went to visit Gran and Odie she started screaming while in the tub, I was with Addison changing her diaper... I got to her thinking something horrific had happened and it appears that she had to potty and couldn't hold it and poo'd in the tub... she was totally mortified... and pretty much lost it.. I tried to tell her that it was OK that she just didn't understand that she had to go when she had to go but that wasn't going to cut it.. so now, she stands in the bath holding herself (as if she has to pee) and crying until I am finished and she can get out... I realize my "monster spray" was ingenious but I am not sure what trick will cure this one... we may just have tear filled baths for a while.. (any suggestions?!?!)

I think that is all that I have to report on...
I hope you have a wonderfully blessed day and love to you all! I will keep you posted on the bath drama... maybe I will come up with something to cure this new fear...

Carolyn