This Week in Mommyhood

Summer is winding down and not only will Cati be starting school in a few weeks but I'll be starting school next week. Aside from trying to calm jittery nerves, I'm trying my hardest to enjoy the girls while I can. Despite crankiness, this has been a beautiful week. My girls are constantly doing things that leave me in awe and I'm so thankful for all the time I get with them.

Here are Elina's fun developments from this past week:

Squeals. Elina is getting really vocal but it's not the cooing I was expecting. Baby girl is a squealer! I think it's pretty funny but Cati is especially entertained by the squealing and loves to mimic Elina.

Nap Changes. I think it's official: Elina is down to two naps a day. What bothers me is not so much that she's napping less often, but that she's old enough to start dropping naps. Where is my baby going?

Second Tooth. Ahhhhh!!! The second tooth broke through on Thursday, August 9. Elina looks so cute with a tooth and she must think so too because she's been so smiley lately.

Peek-A-Boo. This is the new game in our house and Elina gets it! She starts laughing like it's nobody's business and the best part is when Cati gets involved and she makes Elina laugh. My heart melts every time I see the girls interacting with one another.

Here are Cati's fun developments from the past week:

Liar Liar. Cati told her first lie! At first I couldn't believe it and then I was impressed; she made a statement and then came up with a justification.
It all started when we were at the table having dinner. Elina was sitting in the highchair between Cati and me (Cati loves having Elina next to her) when suddenly Cati pushed the highchair away. This was our conversation:

Cati: Elina time out
Me:  Que hiso? (What did she do?)
Cati: dio Cati golpe. (She hit Cati)
Me: Quando? (When?)
Cati: (nonsensical mumbling)

It just blows me away that her little brain has developed to this point. Sure, she's been doing more and more imaginary play, but this is her experiencing reality in a whole new way. Let's just hope this is the last lie she ever tells!

Bunny Love. Cati's love for her bunny is still going strong. She is so affectionate with her lovey and it's gone beyond "I love you." She actually said, "Bunny, I missed you!"

Potty Training. We have officially begun potty training (Friday, August 10). Cati showed signs a year ago and even went in the potty, but I was pregnant and lazy and feared regression once Elina was born. I was right on the regression thing because after Elina was born Cati had absolutely no interest in the potty. I didn't want to push anything on her after Elina was born and I wanted to wait until Elina was old enough to be capable of entertaining herself while I gave Cati extra attention. We had a box of diapers and I told myself I would start potty training once the box was done. All week I had been preparing Cati by counting down the diapers. The first day of training she only had one accident and was so proud of herself she even invented a little song and dance. The second day wasn't as good and she had three accidents and had a stomachache at the end of the day from holding her poop. The third day was better and there was only one accident and lots of dancing. Cati's treat every time she uses the potty is either an M&M, half a jelly bean, or a Tic Tac. She still wear a cloth diaper for naps and bedtime and right now I just want her to be good with using the bathroom during the day so we can leave the house again. Three days at home with a toddler who is extra cranky when she doesn't leave the house  is dreadful!

Each day gets better and this week is going to be a happy and sad week. Both my girls are reaching milestones with Cati turning 2.5 years old and inching closer to 3 and Elina turning 6 months and inching closer to 1.