Date Day

This is my last week of working part-time so Nick and I decided to take one of my off days and have a date day.  Our school Country Dawn was able to let us start Tova a week early so we could make this happen.  Nick and I haven't spent grown up time and/or time with just the two of us in longer than I can remember.

Our date day was bitter sweet in that it was also Tova's first day at school.  I talked myself into being OK by noting that if all hell broke lose I would be able to race right back to her as opposed to a day when I would not be able to because I was at work.  She gave her new teachers a huge smile and was not crying when we left so we drove South with optimism.

Of course we chose to head down town and make our favorite rounds.  Pastries and coffee at Le Panier, walking the Pike Market for spices, browsing Pacific Place, a quick stop at Frans, cocktails at Cutters, a visit to the map store, and lunch at Cafe Campagne.  We even tried to visit SAM but of course they are closed on Tuesdays!  No matter though, we had a blast and were so full of yummy food and treats that dinner was completely unnecessary. 

When we picked up the kiddos Deven was in a good mood and Tova was so calm and happy.  It was a perfect end to one of most relaxed days we have had in too long.

Thursday is my last day of leave with Tova, cross your fingers that it will a good one!

A couple pics from our day.

walking the pike market first thing in the morning

a cyprus marg from Cutters (peach with black rock salt)

Potty Update

POTTY UPDATE WARNING:  Don't read if you don't want to hear about #2's!!
 
To all parents Frans' chocolates make excellent bribes for potty training.  Dev wanted to know what was in the bag we brought home from our date day.  I told him that it was a poop surprise and that unless he went poop I couldn't tell/show him.  An hour and a half later...no joke...he was on the pot for an hour and half...we had success.  We WILL be successful!! 

Deven loved his dark chocolate covered caramel topped with sea salt!!  So much so he was trying to go again an hour later so that he could get another chocolate. :)

Tova - 12 weeks

Tomorrow Tova will be 12 weeks old.

So much as happened in the last month and Nick and I are so so so so glad.  Did I mention we are really happy??  We are by no means out of the crazy baby period of this little ladies life but she has definitely gotten past some of the worst parts.  Over stimulation is still a major issue but either she is able to cope with it better or Nick and I have begun to understand how to help her cope with it.  Bottom line we have to leave her cute little room every once in a while.  This big, loud and colorful world was just too much for her to process for her first couple of months but she is getting more and more interested in peaking out and taking it all in without extinguishing any hope Nick and I have of sleeping at night.

She's happy a lot more, eats like a champ and has the most squishy kissable cheeks second only to maybe her brother's when he was 12 weeks old.

Deven and Tova's first soccer practice

Deven started soccer last Thursday.  Nick was working so it was just me, Deven and Tova.  I am pretty sure this was my first solo event that lasted more than 15 minutes...it was an hour to be exact.  Pretty scary stuff for this momma but I honestly didn't think about it too much ahead of time because we were is such a rush to be on time for the practice.  True to form I jam packed no less than four appointments this day.

First coffee with the girls...one last day-time ron de vue before I go back full time.  This sounds harmless but any outing more than five minutes from the house still takes some significant self discussion...i.e., "you can do this," "Tova will be OK," "it's OK if Tova is not OK"...things like that.  We went to cute little coffee house in Edmonds called the Water Front Coffee Company.  The location is great, their pastries are yummy but the coffee is only so so.  I'd go again though because there is a super fun little beach area right next to the train tracks.  Perfect for a Deven sort of outing.  Not great for Tova though...note to self: trains are very loud...babies do not appreciate trains!

Second, a drive (and thankfully a short nap for T) to Uvillage for a quick appointment.  I am shocked and awed by Tova's ability to keep it together at this point.  After a train inspired over stimulation any good public behavior is amazing.

Third, we drive all the way back home to wait for the carpet cleaners.  They gave me a four hour window...yes four hours...I never really understand why they can't give me a better more specific time frame.  Thankfully they came on the third hour and finished up at 4pm so I could pick Deven up from school timely.  Doubly thankful that the little lady slept through the entire cleaning and got in a good long nap!!


Fourth and final was Dev's practice.  I am not sure what I expected a soccer practice for 3 to 5 year olds to be like but the dream of just sitting with Tova and watching Deven listen to the coach, stand in line, wait his turn and make some awesome shots on goal quickly flew out the window.  Tova decided to extended her nap for half of the practice so I could run around making sure Deven didn't run over his new teammates and that he sort of listened to his coach.  After Tova woke up she joined me in running after her big brother so I guess it was Deven and Tova's first soccer practice.  It was pretty comical watching the three of us; I will choose not to think about what the other parents thought!!

I kept my blood pressure down for the most part, only losing it once after practice when he decided to run in the opposite direction of where our car was parked.  Both kids were alive, not crying and Deven got ALL his energy out!!  Here are some pics to memorialize this crazy crazy hour!!

Smiles

I thought I was taking a pic but this tiny video out perfect.  It's rough around here but these little moments are what's getting us through!!

Pretty School

Every once in a while I post Deven's daily from school.  I'm sure this will be really embarrassing later in life, I mean, who wants the world to know what time they went to the bathroom when they were almost three.  So I will keep this short and sweet...Deven has not gone to the bathroom in his diaper since Sunday and that includes at school.  This is his daily from today.  Nick and I are happy happy parents!! 

Cross your fingers that this will last.

You will notice in the comments at the bottom that Deven says that he is now ready for 'pretty school' (preschool).  :)

Potty update

Warning: If you don't like to hear about toddler trips to the bathroom or other related topics, this blog is not for you!

As noted a few posts ago, we have started a new 'program' here à la maison du Johnston.  It's called 'Operation Bribe Deven to use the Freaking Toilet'. I must say, hopefully not to jinx anything, it seem to be working!!  We have moved through big boy scissors, to a cup cake party (Nick and I appreciated this one) to his most recently 'earned' bigger airplane.  It is a BIGGER airplane because he acknowledged that he already owns an airplane, he just wanted a bigger one. 

Well today, to our amazement and joy...yes I'm using these words...Deven pooped in his potty all by himself.  I'm talking he was at the breakfast table, he told us he had to go poopoo and he went to the bathroom by himself.  At first he wanted total privacy (he actually told us he needed privacy).  He even went so far as demanding that we not even talk to him because he was in the bathroom going poop.  But he was either nervous or needed further encouragement because momma was called in for backup.  I was instructed to go poop too.  This was both weird and hilarious.  He was on his special potty so this was actually possible.  Let's just say I do what I'm told if there is a chance my kid is going to finally do the deed without the entire house turning upside down with chaos. 

Several minutes later...you all know how tough it can be...and much grunting Deven had done it.  Yes, not some sissy try at pooping where you know he will just go in his diaper five minutes later, a genuine toddler man poop. 

#2's are of course worth two stars so with 8 already on the board he has made it to 10 and earned his bigger air plane.  In anticipation of this glorious moment I had pre-purchased Sideley the airplane from the Disney store earlier in the week.  Instant gratification seems to be working because he has been diaperless all morning with no accidents and has even earned another star since!

I know we are not out of he woods and are doomed for set backs along the way but this was very encourageing to say the least!!

Next up I'm told will be a 'big hammer' like daddos!!  Hmmm...