Raising Watsons

Continuing on with potty training, Tucker is an expert at using the potty if he’s naked. Never misses! But once we put on underwear, no dice. After consulting the Internet I was advised to put him “commando” in loose fitting clothing. The loosest shorts we have are a pair of Yankees pjs. Say what you will, Tucker comes from a Yankees loving family on both the Irish and Cuban side.

This being the case we found ourselves telling Tucker for the next hour – Don’t poop on the Yankees! Your grandfather will roll over in his grave! Abuela won’t make you any pork! etc.

He didn’t poop on the Yankees but unfortunately he did pee on them. Must be a Mets fan.

I won’t say we’re potty trained but it’s definitely starting. At this point, Tucker is almost 2 1/2. He’s perfectly capable of using the potty if he’s naked, but when wearing underwear it’s just not so easy.

Naturally, there are photo ops.

For anyone who is not a member of my family, Tucker is wearing a knitted toilet paper warmer.  My grandmother Charlotte made them for all of us, you’ll find one in just about every Hughes descended bathroom.  Tucker believes it to be his hat.

First time watching Tucker and Emilia solo for more than a few hours was thrust on me when Tucker started coughing this week.  It was challenging since both had the cold and it’s hot. The kind of hot where you really don’t want little people touching, laying and holding on to you all day.  But we persevered.

Emilia is still her happy self.

Thankfully, Ben comes home early the first day.

despite the heat, there were plenty of cuddles.

Ps – someones getting chubby

Catching up on our posts. This was a series taken last month as Tucker educated me on how to feed [the] baby. Very educational.

Our friends are visiting from London and staying at the Oceana. We decided to make a pool day, ladies and children only while the Dads went to a Korean bath house (Ben can blog about THAT experience). Thankfully the pool at the Ocean is 85 degrees, so Mom could have a good time too.

I brought all possible floaties even though they’ve been met with little-to-no success in the past (heavy on the “no”). Lo! Everyday is a new day! Tucker immediately adapted to his arm/chest floatie and wouldn’t let me help him from the second he got in the pool. And Emilia completely zenned out in her floatation device (which I had nearly gave up on as Tucker looooooathed it).

This lady? Love at first sight. She was in it for well over an hour.

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Tucker would take Em’s hand or her float and the two of them would motor around the pool (with me and Bette close behind).

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And with the poolside service from the hotel, a grand time was had by all.

Weather in So Cal is usually perfect but there’s one week that is unbearably hot. For that week, we have the kiddie pool.

Month 2, Emilia learns to smile and starts figuring out how to use her hands (which have proven pretty helpful in getting every blanket in her mouth).

With the Olympics upon us and Michael Phelps becoming the most decorated athlete ever, I’m happy to post these pictures of Tucker on his way to swim school. Thing is, Tucker isn’t happy. Not very happy at all. Ben calls it the worst 15 minutes of his week as Tucker cries his entire private lesson.

But here in So Cal every kid likes to surf, swim and lifeguard so like it or not little man is learning his survival skills earlier as oppose to later. Thank god there’s a prize at the end!

It’s pretty great waking to these two every day. Even if it is 5am.

Dad doesn’t like us watching tv, but Sunday mornings we let him sleep and watch Sesame St.  Shhh!

It’s five weeks after Emilia’s birth and I’m ready to get back to skating. I was skating three weeks after Tucker, but this was a harder recovery. Tuckers school is only a few blocks from the beach, so Em and I are starting a new routine this week. I’m thrilled, she’s okay with it too.

First skate on Monday I went from El Porto to Manhattan Beach pier. Not very far but I’m exhausted and my feet hurt.

Emilia, not impressed.

Wednesday is the second skate and I easily pass the pier. I charge up the slopes and feel more like a skater than a newb.

Takes more than a pier to get this girl excited.

Friday we skate right into Hermosa!

Emilia well, let’s just say she’s going along for the ride.