The girl who cried TOILET!

Toilet training Samara wasn't fun.  She drank a gallon of water a day.  Combine that with public transportation and scarce bathroom access in Singapore, and it was a always a stress wondering if we'd be able to find a toilet when needed.


A couple months before Asher was born, Elizabeth trained herself in a day, largely because she wanted to wear Rapunzel underwear.  Amazed, we secretly congratulated ourselves on our excellent parenting techniques and ability to train our second born so adeptly.  *wink*

Elizabeth was thrilled when we found a 10-pack at Costco.  She insisted on "wearing" all of them at once and changed to a different pair multiple times each day.  She didn't have many accidents the first couple of months but the spares came in handy when she did.  They acted as a diaper of sort to soak things up when she didn't make it to the toilet.  The pocket terms in the above photo are her own invention. 

Fast forward several months to Asher's birth and a major family stress and we were no longer congratulating ourselves on her toilet abilities.

Someone loves her brother something fierce.  Our not allowing her to love smother him as she'd like to also caused her to get attention by "crying" toilet.  She realized nothing got our attention faster than shouting "toilet".  At first, we'd jump up every time she said 'toilet' and whenever we ignored the cry there would be an inevitable accident.  

We knew we had a problem when we were out for a walk one day and she frantically screamed, "TOILET!!"...

...because a ladybug landed on her.

Our toilet-training techniques were being tested! We needed to learn her language of "toilet-ese". 

When she wants more gum:

EB: "Toilet! Mama! Toilet!" 

At Naptime:

EB: "But I need to go toilet!"

Me: "No, you don't"

EB: "Yes, I do-ooh!" said with the grin

This happens every time we put her down for a nap or for the night. 

Whenever it's time to get dressed:

EB: "But I don't want to get dressed because I need to go toilet."  

This was the solution when she stripped down during an outing because she got some water on her clothes and refused to put them back on.  If you haven't noticed, she's not a fan of being clothed.

At church:

EB: "Mom, I need to go toilet."

Me: "No, you don't."

EB: Now yelling "I do.  I really do need to go POOPIES!"

Just how do you ignore that in the middle of a worship service?!

And nursery.  Always during nursery.  I think at first it was a bit of stage fright (not being able to go on a strange toilet) but then she realized it was a really great way to get out of class.  I think the record is 7 times.

When she wants to be carried up or down the stairs:

EB: (screaming and throwing back her head back) "Toy-let, mama!  Tooy-let!"

When it's time to get buckled in her car seat:

EB: (with back arched) "I need to go to da toilet!"  

Me: "You just went."

EB: "But I need to doh adain."

She does wear underwear to/from school pick-up.  No time for getting dressed when you need to make so many extra trips to the loo.  Don't worry--she wore her touque during the winter. 

When told she could not eat the batter:

EB: "Toilet. Toileeeeeeeet!  TOILEEEEEET!!!"

When she actually needs to go, is on the toilet, and wants something:

EB: "Toileeet!" followed by a giggle 

This was a difficult first moment for her when, in her anguish and crying out for the toilet, she realized she was, in fact, already on the toilet.   

No toilet caption here.  Just a cute behind.  We dearly love our zesty baby and hope she survives being stuck in the middle.    

Four Months

Somebody, freeze time for me!  I'm enjoying this boy too much and don't want him to get any bigger.

I SO enjoy waking up to this little guy every day.  As soon as he hears me coming in, he excitedly kicks his feet and graces me with the best smiles.

Tummy time!

This month, Asher had his first plane ride (did great!) and 

first swim with his other ginger Bikman cousin.

He also enjoyed his first princess festival or "principal" as Lizzie called it. :)  Notice her clenched teeth and how she is squeezing him.  She can't help herself.

He loves his hands. 

And I love his chubbiness! 

How has four months gone so quickly?!

Asher Boy

Asher's birth announcement.  I had to re-do it after the first printing because there were several things that drove me crazy, but I'm happy with the final version.  

A couple of my favorite shots from the day.  Asher was only 8 days old.  He's changed so much already.

My mom happily received her announcement.  Sometime after looking at the main picture of Asher (see below), my Mom stated, "Come look at this picture of your Dad.  I think Asher looks just like him.  Just imagine your Dad with a little bit of red hair or Asher with black hair like Dad had."

Well...I'm not sure I see the resemblance, but I do think Asher can pull off a pompadour!

So far, Asher has received the nickname "Asher Boy", compliments of his biggest fan, Elizabeth.

Kindergarten Grad

Samara finished off a great school year.  I'm so glad she had a positive experience.  I am not ready for her to go full day next year.  She had a great class and teacher.  I loved helping out in her class a few times a month and seeing her in action.  Most of all, I was thrilled that she wanted and loved having me there.  That might not be the most exciting part of her school day in the future, so I tried to enjoy it. 

I wanted to show how much she's grown this year.  The blue tape is her height at the beginning of the school year.   The idea looked better in my head but you get the picture.  Samara has grown up in many ways.

This is her music recital back in April.  She's in her second year of Let's Play Music and started learning keyboard this year.  It's so fun to see her gain skills from regularly practicing (though getting her to practice was always that fun :)). 

At her dance recital she ended up with the Switzerland flag, which I think is a sign of her future spouse. *wink wink*  I get choked up whenever I see her perform anything.  Why?  Not because she's the best at it but because she's my baby and it's so neat to see her learn and grow.  I look at Asher and then at Samara and consider all she's learned in 6 short years; I am amazed and grateful.

Samara showing off the two pieces she chose to showcase in her art show.  I love her art class and think everything she does is brilliant!  I wish I could join the class. :)

Her awesome teaching assistant

Her wonderful teacher, who had twins 4 days before Asher and came back to finish the year.  I'm so impressed she was willing to face all those kindergarteners so soon after having a baby.

Pictures obviously are better in the shade than bright sun

Samara bounced up to me when I picked her up today exclaiming, "Mom, I got recognized at our assembly and got the 'excellent reader' award!"  She was so proud and so was I.  I know learning to read, write, and do numbers are pretty ordinary things, but that doesn't stop her mama from thinking she is extraordinary and destined for greatness.

Three Months

This month Asher was given a name and a blessing at church.

We're grateful grandparents, cousins, and other family and friends could join us for his special day.  We only got a few pictures before church.  I wish we had some with my mom and his other cousins, family, and friends.  But there was a lot of food to eat afterwards and that trumps pictures...plus Asher fell asleep for 3 hours after church.  We are still floored that babies actually do that.  Had I not burned all those sleep books, I could refer back to them.  Instead I think I'll just enjoy.

My friend put it best when she visited me this past week.   "So, you're basically just a body guard all day for Asher?"   Indeed I am.   Lizzie, especially, cannot leave the little fella alone.   Everything from kisses to head butts constitute love in her mind.

He was fascinated watching Samara's dance rehearsal.

He's cooing (the BEST!) and starting to laugh.  He's breaking out of his swaddle.  He smiles when he hears my voice and then his pacifier falls out of his mouth and then my heart melts.  He's a spitter upper and a great belcher.  

He's discovered his hands.

I'm so grateful for Asher.  As I've been going through the loss of a loved one, Asher's sweet and calm presence has been a constant reminder that our spirits are eternal.  I'm thankful to know that Asher's birth wasn't the beginning of his existence and that death didn't end my brother-in-law's.

Two Months

This month, Asher's first smiles appeared.  Oh the joy!

Equally precious are his sleep frowns.

First Easter.  He got really into coloring the eggs and the hunt.

He loves being sung to.  He makes the cutest sigh after he sneezes.

He's tall-90% for height and head circumference.   He's already outgrowing 0-3 month clothes.

Asher has a wonderful calmness about him.  It's really AWESOME to have a baby who sleeps more than 30 minutes at a time.

We were at the Church distribution store a few days ago and the lady said, "that's the cutest baby I've seen in days."  ha ha!  Considering how many babies she sees that's pretty much equivalent to the excessive amount of attention Lizzie got in Singapore. :)

Our little ginger boy looks so handsome in orange.  Love this boy!