Nursery Inspiration

 Laura and I took the little boys to Ikea yesterday and we all had a great time. The boys are so well behaved together, Luke is always on the lookout for Little Cousin! We only had one escape attempt by Braden, but Luke caught him trying to go downstairs and Laura quickly captured him!
Anywho, back to the topic of this post. Being at Ikea gave me wonderful nursery inspiration, especially for a girl. I am LOVING the lime-ish green & plum purples that they have this season. So, I went to trusty Etsy and typed in "purple lime baby" in the search bar and all these goodies started popping up and had me squealing with joy! Here's a collage, my first with PicMonkey - LOVE IT - to show you some of my favorite girly inspiration. If Squishy is a girl, we will have a purple/lime color theme with owls incorporated!

I'm sure that Mom will be more than happy to supply me with the hats, and I just adore that flower headband! I am really hmming and hawing over that bedding. It is PERFECT and would be exactly what I want...but custom crib bedding on Etsy is almost $300!

For a boy, I was certain that I was going to do owls too, because I LOVE baby owl stuff...but when we were in Vegas, I bought a newborn girl and a newborn boy coming home outfit from Carters. And the baby boy outfit is from this set:

I know it's hard to really see the detail, it's the biggest image I could find, anyway - it's whales! Now, I am loving the whale theme if we have a boy. So here's my boy nursery inspiration if Squishy is a boy:

I apologize that some of the pictures are so pixelated, but you get the point! HOW CUTE! I didn't really love any of the custom Etsy whale bedding, the most popular fabric/print is very bright and vibrant, and I really like the hues and softness of these blues/greens...plus that crib set is only $150-$200 depending on where you buy it from.

I'm definitely going for a more "modern" look in the nursery this time and not so "baby baby". I loved Braden's nursery and still do, but especially if we have a girl it will be a bit more modern and not 100% owl like I originally had in mind.

So, what do you think? All images and links to these items can be found through my Pinterest board!

There. I Said It.

You might not like them. Heck, I don't like a lot of them myself. It doesn't mean I want all these things to change, even if I could change them. It's just the truth, even if it's selfish, and I need to say it.

• This pregnancy is so different from Braden. I'm having a really hard time not "complaining" yet, but figure I don't deserve it because I'm only 18 weeks
• I feel guilty that with this pregnancy I'm not "glowing" and happy and feeling awesome like I did with Braden
• I wish I didn't have this constant need to have my house perfectly clean all the time, but I can't sit still if it isn't and I love it when it's clean
• I rarely feel pretty anymore, my skin with this pregnancy has been AWFUL and it's really taking it's toll on the ol' self esteem
• I am very happy with my body right now, despite not feeling very pretty, and I've decided 100% to not care what the scale says, even if I gain 20 more lbs than last time
• I don't need diamonds and rubies, but sometimes I just want people to pay attention to me and offer to do things for me instead of me doing everything for everyone
• I'm having major "daddy" issues in my life right now, and I hope that I have the courage to share them with you one day
• I'm going to a Christian women's retreat at a bible camp for the weekend. I am excited, nervous, and scared all at the same time
• I miss Braden when I've been at work now more that ever. He changes so much every day that I don't want to miss a minute
• I'm not enjoying being at work right now - I'm tired, feel "pregnant" and lazy already, but I really need to get my hours in for maternity leave over the next 3 months
• I am truly starting to look forward to my 1/2 triathlon now. So many girls from work are doing it, and we're doing it as a team and it will be FUN not a "chore" like I've been thinking lately
• I really hate when my husband plays his computer games, even though it doesn't happen every day
• I'm getting very excited about planning Squishy's nursery and I'm really tempted to find out the sex in 5 days at our ultrasound so I can decorate it NOW...but I'll stay strong and won't
• I'm really finding it hard to have any tolerance and/or patience for selfish people in my life
• I've really been enjoying gardening lately, planting my first flower bed, and being outside - it gives me so much self-worth to make these improvements to our outside home
• I bought a lilac tree and I can't wait to watch it grow up
• I wish life weren't so expensive
• I try not to partake in the mommy wars that are going on, but if you bash my mothering choices, I'm going to stand up for them
• Also, if your method doesn't work AND you complain about it AND do nothing to change it, I might tell you my 2 cents...for free
• I'm really starting to hope Squishy is a girl. I don't care, I really don't...would be super happy with another boy, but I reeeeeeeeeally want a girl
• I have no idea how I'm going to poop potty train Braden, it scares me...it must scare him too
• I'm starting to get less anxious when I leave the house with Braden. Yes, I still get anxious. It never stops me from going places, but every stage with him there's always something new to worry about
• I've been very hormonal and emotional lately...maybe that's why this list is so long?

Thanks to Allie for the inspiration for this post.

Potty Training Thoughts & Summary

A lot of you have asked me to do a follow-up on our 3 Day Potty Training Method and how Braden is doing. I, of course was going to anyway, but am happy to give the readers what they want!

Firstly my update on Braden:

• From day #4 on...he had no accidents. Just like the method says - he learned his cues and would tell us "go pee on potty" and we'd happily take him
• On day #8 or so, he had a decent sized accident, he never told me and I never discovered until he asked to go to the potty before nap time! Oops! This was a healthy reminder to me not to take for granted that he's "100% potty trained" and its okay to give him the odd reminder about the potty, especially when he's busy!
• Then we had/have a poop issue. He saved his poop for his nap time "sleepy bum" as we call them. Once last week and then again 2 days ago. He didn't nap either days, and as soon as I went in to get him...I could smell why he didn't nap. I did tell him he needs to tell mommy when he has to pee or poop and that he needs to put his poop in the potty
• He did have 2 small poops, 2 days in a row after that first incident, but I can see him getting a bit constipated or again saving his poop for his nap diapers
• He did ask for "no sleepy bum" once, so I obliged. He didn't nap that day, or have an accident. I think that in his head he thinks that if he doesn't have a diaper on...he doesn't have to sleep! Sorry kid!
• I'm working really hard on increasing his fibre among other things in his diet to get him more regular, it would be easiest for PT and also better for his health. I'm trying to cut out some dairy, giving him more fruits (especially pears), and offering him a bit of natural fruit juice with probiotics every morning...hopefully it helps!
• Once his jar of M&M's/Smarties were gone, I filled it with natural fruit gummies and told him these new potty treats are only for POOPS on the potty, seems to be working well and he still goes pee in the potty no problem, even without treats
• He made his first trip to town (1/2 hour away) last Monday for groceries accident free, but had yet to pee in a public toilet
• On Wednesday we all went to the city, he did pee twice on the potty before we left, but still managed to have a huge accident in the car seat - he didn't tell us about it either. I guess I'll have to kind of restrict his fluids for awhile when I know we're going out
• He did pee in the public potty twice on our outing though, so I'm happy that milestone was reached!

Some of the things I'm thinking about lately are:

• How do we handle our first road trip to mom's (3ish hours away)? Restrict fluids and bring our small potty with us so he can go whenever, wherever are my thoughts...
• He doesn't always nap in the car and I do NOT want to get in the habit of using diapers in the car...even if I think he might nap
• We are going on a big 8 hour road trip to BC in June...same as above, but hoping he WILL nap
• I'm considering training him through his nap time...not 100% convinced yet! But going to at least give it a try, especially with the pooping in the nap diaper thing
• He did finally have a nap yesterday with no diaper, slept 1.5 hours and predictably woke up wet. Not a lot though, just a little, and then had a huge pee in the potty after

So am I sold on this 3 Day Method? Absolutely. So grateful for friends and their suggestions and advice! If you're interested here's the gist of it:

• You must remember to be positive and patient. This method does not involve discipline or punitive measures whatsoever.
• In all honesty, this is NOT for the lazy parent. It takes 3 days of pretty intense focus and dedication to your child. But as I say with sleep training - short term pain, long term gain.
• The author states all children are ready at 22 months, verbal or not. For me, I just knew Braden was ready and the timing in our lives was right to do it
• As the title suggests, dedicate 3 days to stay at home and be at your child's side
• Say goodbye to the internet and "you" time for those 3 days, stick by your child at.all.times. Repeat - at all times!
• She suggests training for naps and at nights...but I decided not too, if you want more info on training through sleep, please email me!
• Supplies: potty chair (using big toilet is fine too), lots and LOTS of underwear/panties, lots of fluids for your child to drink, lots of rewards/treats
• Keep potty chair in bathroom - to associate going to the bathroom...in the bathroom!
• Only wear a shirt and their underwear for the training days (them - not you! :)
• On the morning of training, take off that diaper and put on their underwear
• This is a huge step: PACK AWAY ALL THE DIAPERS (if using cloth) OR THROW THEM ALL AWAY (if using disposables) AND GET YOUR CHILD TO HELP/DO ALL THE WORK!! This is SO key! It really helped Braden make that association and he said "bye bye diapers" and then I could remind him of that if he asked for a diaper during training
• I also moved the change table out of his room that morning, another diaper-related association that I wanted gone
• For you: get rid of all your "emergency" diapers in the car, diaper bag, etc to avoid temptation of YOU reverting back to using diapers
• Do NOT use any type of  "pull up" cloth or disposable, no more diapers
• Now take your child to the bathroom, show them the potty and explain to them that their "pee pee and poop" now goes into the potty
• Tell your child to "keep your underwear dry!" and give them frequent reminders/quizzes throughout the day and give LOTS of praise when their underwear is dry
• Frequently say to your child "tell mommy when you have to go pee" as opposed to asking them "do you have to go pee?" we want THEM to tell US when they have to go
• Do not take them to the potty on a timed schedule or even to "try"
• Offer plenty of fluids, we want them to have to pee lots!
• Remember to FOCUS on your child...you want to spot the second they are having an accident, when they do scoop them up, carry them to the potty and say "your underwear isn't dry anymore" and set them on the potty to see if they will be able to finish
• Keep reminding them to keep their underwear dry, it may take 20+ times but they will eventually get it - I promise!
• One thing I had trouble with - don't remind them "if you pee on the potty - you get a treat!" don't try to coerce them to pee, it's negative and we want to stay positive
• When they do pee in the potty - PRAISE, PRAISE, PRAISE! Remind them that their underwear is still dry, they're such a big boy/girl whatever works for you. Call daddy, call grandma, share the good news and get them really excited
• Throughout the day(s) keep asking them if their underwear is dry and to have them tell you when they need to pee. Seriously - I said both these things every 5-10 minutes for 3 days straight! But it really stuck and he loved checking to see that his underwear was dry!
• Some kids don't get it until the end of the 3rd day - but they will
• As weird as it sounds, accidents help them learn, it finally "clicked" with Braden when he had his 3 small accidents in a row, and then finally released it all and had a big pee in the potty and he was SO proud of himself, and of course I was too!
• Try as hard as you can to stay positive, when they do have accidents, even when Braden still does say "Braden, remember to tell mommy you have to pee in the potty, okay? Pee goes in the potty." 

From my personal experience with Braden:

• don't use any devices to "keep" them on the potty, like I did the first day with the iPad
• I found he "got it" when he peed in his little potty - he could literally see his results, whereas when he went in the big potty it's like he didn't know he'd done anything, he REALLY liked to empty his pee/poop in the big potty and flush it away
• reading him "The Potty Book" months and months ahead of time, with his learning skills, really helped him to get the idea of the potty down. Luckily he really loved "The Potty Movie" too
• the fancy charts I made for him...not worth it. Maybe it's a "boy" thing, but he didn't give one lick about the stickers on the chart!
• you can read about my pre-potty training thoughts here

I am no expert, nor am I associated or affiliated with the 3 Day Method. If you would like more info, please visit the website, but I am happy to answer any questions I can too! There are a lot of special circumstances that I have not covered.

I also wanted to note that I update on Facebook a lot so please go on over and like my page! I love to feel the like!

You can also read about potty training day #1, potty training day #2, and potty training day #3.

My Nameless Baby

Perhaps, much to your surprise, when this baby is born, s/he will not be legally named Squishy. It's an in utero nickname and that's it. We called Braden "Ferris" in utero, and he has NEVER been called that since, under very strict rules by me!

You have 23 weeks left, Sarah! Chill!

[Source]

Is what you might be thinking. I know! But we had had many a discussion on baby names last time around, and our names were locked in at 17 weeks. Now, I'm 17 weeks and we've had about 3.5 discussions on baby names. I just feel so far behind with this baby and this pressure to pick a name already! We have girl names, though Jay keeps bringing up a certain girl name that I have vetoed again & again. We cannot for the life of us agree on a boy name. Not one.single.boy name. But neither of us are really sold on a particular boy name individually. We like a lot of the popular names from last year, but that's the thing. They are so popular. But if we do choose a name in the top 5 or 10, those names aren't necessarily popular where we live and I'll have to just be happy with that. I guess in my insecurities I don't want people to think "oh, another '#1 on the baby boy list name' again".

It was the same with Braden. Braden's always a name that I've loved, but working in a children's hospital, it was a name that we saw so so so often. The popularness kind of "ruined" it for me. But then I reasoned with myself that it is not a popular name where we live...so that kind of justified the decision. The other thing with Braden's name...I feel like it was "the" name and nothing else will ever live up to it. It's such a strong, great name paired with James. But also, according to the "most disliked baby names of 2011", anything with "Aiden" in it, is disliked - Braden, Aiden, Kaden, Jayden, Hayden, etc. Whatever - I love it!

I wish I could get really excited about this baby's name. I feel so guilty! But, on the bright side I do have 23 weeks left! But every time I get a little excited about a name, I suggest it to Jay...and "veto". I just feel lots of pressure, especially if we have another boy, to name him as great as I feel we did Braden...as well as to have a name that goes well with Braden. If my feelings and vibes are right...we have a great girl's name that we'll get to use and hopefully that will be the end of that!

And also, if you haven't guessed by now, we don't discuss baby names publicly! Boring, I know! Team Green and no baby names to get excited about for you! All a big surprise and secret!

Did you have a really hard time deciding on your baby's name(s)? How did you and your husband decide?

Seeding 2012

So the farmer in the title of this blog finished seeding/planting this year on Tuesday! It was a wonderful seeding season, it's not often they're done this early, and especially having so much moisture (including SNOW!) at the beginning of May! They finished Tuesday before lunch, and by supper it was raining, so it was just perfect! In the last few passes, Jay called me out to take Braden for one last tractor ride and to take some pictures. I can't believe I hadn't taken any pictures of seeding yet this year! Talk about last minute!

And I am a little bit, a lot in love with these pics of Braden walking out to the tractor with his Papa!

Three generations of Schultz boys!

Daddy & Braden ready to go seeding!

Braden's first seeding, 3.5 months old:

Rain clouds looming over by our house!

If you look closely, you can see Braden in there!

And one last picture with a vintage effect.

So, seeding is officially done and now I can have my husband back and start taking some shifts at work again!

The Biggest Pregnancy Brain Moment EVER!

In the history of womankind. I swear. It happened to me. Allow me to entertain you....because this is the only reason why I am sharing this story on the interwebs. (Also, I like to laugh at myself!)

I have sang Twinkle Twinkle Little Star to my son ever since he was a baby. Every night before bed I sang it to him. It's simple, it's sweet. Little did I know, that Braden heard it so much and had picked up the words and liked to sing it with me! Except he calls it "tickle tickle little 'tar"! Lately he asks for it every night, but only for about the last week or so, he'll actually sing it with me. Well, over a week ago now, there were 2 nights I didn't sing it to him, because... 

I FORGOT THE WORDS!!!

Can you even fathom this?!? I could not get past "Twinkle twinkle little star, how I wonder what you are". For the life of me, for 2 nights in a row, I could NOT remember the words! Then, on the third night, Braden asked for it. Panic! I never usually do, but luckily I had my phone on me, I literally had to ask Siri the lyrics to the darn song. Seriously. Seriously, wouldn't and couldn't make this stuff up if I tried!

Nicely done, Sarah...nicely done!

 

 

Have you ever had this bad of a case of pregnancy brain? I dare you to share!

16 Weeks

Plus 4 days if we're getting really specific! I am so not as anal about keeping track of things as I was with my first pregnancy. It's amazing what chasing and potting training a toddler will do for your organizational skills, or lack thereof! Last time I had to take my picture every other week exactly on the day that I turned it. Never a day later or earlier. This was taken yesterday at 16w3d. Still 16 weeks, right?

I think that I ate the bag of chips, over 3 nights mind you, because I thought "if I'm going to gain weight, I might as well enjoy it dammit!" I've been good about not going crazy and caving into all of my cravings, but I'm nowhere near as strict with myself as I was when I was pregnant with Braden. Good? Bad? Who cares! I'm feeling great, think I look pretty darn good too. Round ligament pain has started, mostly on the left side. I do have to remind myself to eat or I still get a bit nauseous and feel gross. There is 100% no hiding the belly anymore....aaaaand I almost have an outie already, especially in the evenings!

I can't even say this pregnancy is "flying by". It's going at a nice pace. Not too fast, not too slow - just right. I'll regret saying this later, but I need the belly to be just a liiiiiiiiittle bit bigger, because my regular t-shirts are too short, but the maternity ones I swim in.

Here's comparison from last time, this was actually about 17 weeks, I'm so much bigger this time, same dress!

And my 16 week bare belly last time:

And this time:

I love being pregnant. I really do. Don't hate me for it! It's such a true blessing.

I also wanted to mention to head on over to my friend Melissa's blog The Mommyhood Chronicles for your chance to win a Britax car seat! These are the ONLY car seats we use for Braden and we LOVE them. We'll be buying more in about a year or so, I'd love to win another!

Cousin Lovin'

This long weekend has been great so far! Ben, Jess, and Abby made their first road trip together to come see us for the weekend. They spent 2 nights and Abby did wonderful! She slept the whole car ride here and back home. Braden wouldn't stop talking about Baby Abby coming to visit, and he absolutely adored her!





He oh, so gently crawled in next to her, pointed up at the musical star, tried to give her toys, read her the books on the play gym. Heart officially melted. And then he disappeared to return to me like this:

We have been soother-free for over 3 months, he hasn't even mentioned it at all, but we gave Abby a few of his newborn soothers to use and he found them!

Then this was the look I got when I told him to give it back to baby Abby and that he doesn't use one anymore!

I tell ya...these kids are just amazing! Then we went over to the farm for a bit to celebrate Marchella's 5th birthday, so Braden got to see all EIGHT of his cousins in one day!






Sometimes Braden gets sick of being around a lot of people and would rather spend time with the tractors!




A great weekend spent with the cousins! Also, a little potty training update - for the last 2 days Braden has told us "go pee potty" and has not had one accident! He was very happy and proud to show Uncle Ben that he could pee on the potty, wash his hands with his Elmo soap, and get a potty treat. I could not be a more proud mama of how well Braden has adapted to potty training!