Raising Watsons

Here’s a pretty random collection of recent pictures that often make it to social media, but not the blog.

*Made by Tim Wertz

Emilia’s first time standing.

My funny valentine

Favorite activity – making raspberry sounds.

There is so much sweetness between these two on a daily basis, it’s impossible to catch it all.

Loves:

Bluecheese Cauliflower

Brussel Sprouts

Chinese black bean chicken

AVOCADOS

bacon-wrapped pork loin (who doesn’t?)

Apples

Shoes

 Hates:

Green Beans

Undecided:

bananas

Tucker doesn’t sleep well. He wakes 3 to 4 times on an average night. On bad nights, 7-8. Add this to Emilia’s 2 nightly feedings and what was once a peaceful sanctuary is now the Grand Central Station of bedrooms. The Mom and Dad train are literally passing through the night.  This week Ben had to go on a business trip for two days. The idea of being up all night and then going to work is dreadful at best. But I had a plan.

Allow me to share our recent experiences with potty training. Up until the Christmas break, Tucker was very uninterested in using the potty. Vehemently so. Over Christmas we declared that there are no more diapers and it’s time to wear underwear. Day 1, Tucker had accidents with about a 50% success rate of making it to the potty. Day 2, Ben comes home with a huge bag of peanut M&Ms and offered him one M&M per trip. Our success rate has jumped to a solid 100%. The only accidents we have are mechanical while sitting on the potty. We have still kept Tucker in a nighttime diaper since that’s what most parents do. On night 2, Tucker woke us up to go to the bathroom wearing the diaper. This was hint #1 that we had been Tuckered. Hint #2 came a day later when Tucker asked over breakfast “Am I wearing a diaper?”. The answer was yes. He said “okay, thanks” and went in his diaper. Three days into potty training and the kid is aware enough to ask if he’s wearing a diaper to discern if he has to get up or not before going.

Back to current day, Tucker is obsessed with the iPad. So much that we limit his time on it because we don’t think it’s healthy how he zones out. So, Tucker knows Dad is out of town. I tell him that Dad is out of town and I nicely ask that he does not wake me up throughout the night (he usually wakes Ben). Tucker says okay. I then explain, if he can do that he will get 10 minutes of iPad time in the morning.

My son turns three in a month. He has woken us up every night, several times a night, since he was an infant. Last night, he slept through the night.

This year we decided to take advantage of the Christmas time off and potty train Tucker. The first two days went pretty well. There were some accidents but after the peanut M&Ms showed up – significantly less accidents. We’re still trying to get the travel/out at places part down, but that will come in time.

Meanwhile, it’s Christmas Eve and Grandma Cupcake has bought Tucker a three-piece suit. She also looked up his school online to find when the children’s mass would be. This was a pretty great idea. The chapel was small and our minister, Mother Marilyn was very happy to see Tucker. The children’s portion was conducted by the former school director, Miss Melissa. Also, Tucker’s class has chapel every Wednesday, so he’s very comfortable. Has no problem sitting and participating in the story.
During the story, he tells me he needs to pee. GO TIME! We take off mid-story to the potty. But, there’s only the bathroom in the office and I don’t have the little seat. I try and hold Tucker but he’s used to sitting by himself. He proclaims he’s done and we leave. A few minutes back in church I see him doing the pee pee dance, but they’ve brought out percussion for Little Drunmer Boy. No way can I get him out now. After the song we take off again, but he’s yelling a few feet from the bathroom. Above all, I want this to be a positive experience. So I settle on standing by the door way so I can rush him out when he wets himself.

Which, he does. At that moment my sister quietly opens the back door as Tucker is proclaiming “I PEED!” I don’t know if it’s a blessing or not, but the urine propels down the dress pants into his favorite Lightening McQueen Crocks which spray streams or urine every step he takes. Catherine and I quickly deal with the situation and try to blot dry the urine at the entrance of the church before the small congregation makes their exit.

Welp, we can check off first Christmas Eve mass AND first time desecrating a religious institution. And not even three years old yet!

The perfect gentleman with what we call “angry eyes”

Mom blotting up the pee puddles.

Grandma Cupcake is very happy.

Emilia is pretty happy too.

Mom… a little frazzled.

Emilia really likes Kaya.  Whenever she walks in the room, Emilia watches and reaches for her.

Kaya really likes to lick the drool off Emilia’s hands.  Girls best friend?

Tucker playing Twinkle Twinkle with Daddy.  Kind of.

Emilia Watson – not a fan of green beans.

Apologies, this is a terrible photograph with the lighting.  I swear, she is not a zombie.

Emilia likes: blue cheese cauliflower

Also, the day before NYE Emilia sat in her first high chair at a restaurant.

Some Sundays, Mom is more ambitious than others. Tonight, JaimeOlivers ” Chicken in Milk” and Avgolemono (Greek chicken/lemon soup).

This is Emilia’s first night sitting at the table in her own seat.  She was so excited to eat that chicken soup, she kept waving her hands trying to grab the spoon.  When she figured out that I didn’t want her hands to help, she would look at me and open her mouth as wide as it could go.   Yep, she’s gonna be another good eater.

The first one started showing when Aunt Lindsay got here, but this is the first good photo.

In other milestone news Emilia is really interested in food. She’s been tasting dinner for awhile now and nearly takes my finger off when I give her tastes of avocado or coq au vin. But last night is probably a first for actual digestion as Emilia had about five spoonfuls of homemade Hungarian mushroom soup. One of Moms favorites!