Need potty training advice

I am 25 weeks pregnant and dread the thought of having two kids both in diapers. I introduced Ethan, my recent 2-year-old son to his potty chair when he was 18-months-old. I feel like it is successful one day, and not so successful the next.

I started off having him occasionally wear "big boy" underwear, but went back to diapers when he kept having accidents in them. Then I tried taking him to his potty chair occasionally (alternating diapers & pull-ups).

Recently this week, I have only put pull-ups or underwear on him when he is awake (diapers when he sleeps). He's been doing really well at telling me when he has to go potty or going when I take him in the bathroom. He only had a couple of accidents in his pull-up today. One problem is that he doesn't care to go poop in his potty chair. He did it once a couple months ago, but since then refuses. He hides in a corner or behind his table and squats. When I ask him if he went poop, he tells me "no". When I ask him again he tells me "yes".

I have been thinking about buying some cotton potty training pants that are semi-waterproof to use instead of expensive pull-ups, but am not sure if they are a waste of money. If anyone has some advice regarding potty training a recent 2-year-old that doesn't mind the feel of poop in his pants, I would really appreciate it! I'm starting to kind-of get frustrated with the whole idea of potty training, but am determined to free my son of diapers soon!

Ethan's bedtime song

I always sing to Ethan before he goes to bed. Lately I've been having to set a limit to how many songs I'll sing, because if I don't he will have me singing all night long. Now that he's better at comprehending and trying to put together sentences, I've been asking him what songs he wants me to sing.

For the past two nights (including tonight - about five minutes ago) he has requested that I sing the "Chargers" song, "Shamu" song, and "Eeyore" song. When he first asked me I looked at him funny and thought to myself, "What on earth am I going to sing?" As words came to me and began to rhyme, he smiled and contently laid his head down on my shoulder.

Tonight, after I finished singing all three of his favorite songs he threw in a new request. He asked me to sing the "Dodgers" song. This time I asked him to sing it to me and he surprisingly came up with the following lyrics: "Run the base...run the base...Dodgers hit...get a home run." It was the cutest song ever. :) He is always good at keeping me entertained with something new.

Tears of Joy

Ethan’s naptime routine regularly consists of reading him books, and singing him a song while rocking him for a couple of minutes. Then I kiss him and put him in his crib while he’s still awake.

Today was different for some reason. I could blame it on my pregnancy hormones. :) As I started to sing, “Jesus Loves Me” to him he began to hum along. It was the cutest thing. Then he gently caressed my face and looked directly into my eyes with a look of complete bliss and happiness. It melted my heart and made me cry tears of joy. I had so many emotions overcome me.

My first thought was that my baby is growing up quickly and I have been so blessed to be the one to rock him and sing to him before his naps. My second thought (that made me kind-of sad) was that soon I will have another baby and won’t be able to rock Ethan as often. I wondered how that is going to affect both of us. I’m going to want to have both of my babies (since Ethan will always be my baby in my eyes) in my arms every time I’m in the rocking chair. I realize I just need to cherish this time we have together, since he won't be little forever.

Getting ready...

*This is a stock photo from eBay

We recently purchased this "JoJo Ladybug Polka Dot 9 pc Crib Bedding Set" on eBay. It retails for over $600 in boutiques, but I bid on it and won it for $96! It includes a crib quilt, crib bumper, fitted sheet, crib skirt (dust ruffle), 2 window valances, a diaper stacker, a toy bag, and decorative pillow. It's even cuter in person and I'm thrilled about the deal I got! The only other item I want now is the crib mobile, which is also on eBay.

Now I have to patiently wait for Ryan to stain Ethan's bunk beds that someone gave us, before I can move his baby furniture into Emily's room. I will post another picture once I get it all set-up. It's going to be so much fun to decorate a baby girl's room! :)

It's official!

Definitely girl parts

Profile

My baby bump

Most of you know already, but on November 17, 2008 (at 15 weeks) I went to Westcoast Ultrasound and found out that most likely I'm having a girl! On January 2, 2009 (at 22 weeks) I had an ultrasound at my doctor's office and found out that I'm officially having a girl! :)

I immediately went out to buy my first baby girl outfit that I have been so patiently waiting to buy. It's absolutely adorable! Ryan and Ethan are very excited to have another female addition to our family to even it out. Ethan kisses my belly often and says, "Mama, baby out!" I have to explain to him that we have to wait for the baby to come out in the spring. He now calls his baby "sissy" by her first name, which we have decided to be Emily. Her full name will be Emily Grace.

Here's a pregnancy questionnaire I decided to fill out:

How far along? 23 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: 12 lb. gain
Maternity clothes? Some
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: Tired off and on throughout the day/Have trouble getting myself to lay down for bed, but sleep well through the night
Best moment this week: Hearing Ethan for the 2nd time at my doctor's appt. look at the Female Reproductive System poster on the wall and say, "Mama, fish!" while doing fish lips. I almost wet my pants I was laughing so hard! :)
Have you told family and friends: Yes, I had to right away
Movement: Yes, lots
Food cravings: Nothing unusual...fruit, cheese, sushi, frozen yogurt, chocolate, OJ, coffee (but now I drink decaf), etc.
Anything making you queasy or sick: Meats that are undercooked or have fat on them make me want to gag, toothpaste, and the nasty smell of nicotine
Have you started to show yet: Yes
Gender prediction: I knew it was a girl all along
Labor Signs: No, hopefully not until the end of April
Belly Button in or out? It's pushed out now :(
Wedding rings on or off? Always on
Happy or Moody most of the time: For the most part happy, but I have my moments
Daily Prayer: Good health & safety
Milestones: Reaching for week 24!