It's My Potty And I'll Cry If I Want To

Actually, it's not my toddler who is having issues with this whole potty training thing. It's me!

Part of it is due to me feeling guilty. Guilty that I have to work all day and not spend the time I need to be with her to teach her how to use the potty. She's pretty much potty training herself.

No. Seriously. She is.

Little One wears panties at home or goes around au naturel and tells us, "I have to go toilet!" She's been pretty good at #2, which surprises me. I've read that some children have a harder time with #2.  It's #1 she forgets about and has little accidents sometimes. Occasionally, I'll step into a warm puddle and moments later will hear, "I peed!"

Another thing is that though I should embrace each and every milestone and enjoy each stage of childhood, Little One being almost potty trained makes me a little sad. It signals the end of her babyhood. Of course it means the end of diapers (wooo hooo!), but the end of babyhood too.

Yes, I realize she's no longer a baby and I don't treat her that way. It doesn't make it easier though. I feel like having to work and being with students all day means I spend more time with other people's children than my own child.

One last potty issue is that I feel pressured by other moms who say things like, "Oh. She's not potty trained yet?" or "My child was out of her diapers before she turned two!"

Little One's pediatrician and Neonatologist mentioned that by 3, children are "ready" to start potty training and they "understand" what it's all about. She said that many parents rush their children and think that "Oh! The magical number has to be 2. By 2, they need to be out of their diapers!"

The more reading and research I've been doing, the more I realize that Little One is on the right track. She's showing interest in going on the toilet, she knows what to do, she tells us (most of the time) when she needs to go, and she's pleased as punch whenever she has a successful trip to the potty.

I guess what I really need to get into my head is that all children are different. They don't have to go by the same time tables...and, don't compare! This would be a lot easier if people didn't compare. Why do people do that? I know that we don't say, "Well, your child must be delayed because Little One was doing that a year earlier than your child" or "Wow. I can't believe he is so far behind! Our child was walking, feeding herself, saying the alphabet, talking, and writing her thesis and defending it before she was 2!"

Fortunately for Little One, I don't project these feelings onto her. I don't want her to grow up with a complex or anything. Instead, I keep the annoying things people say to myself (Ha! Or now on the blog!) and hope I don't die of stress or an anxiety attack.

Who says things like that? Why would it even matter? What pleasure do people get in comparing babies, toddlers, children?


Do any of you have inspirational potty stories to share? Tips, perhaps?

*Photo of Little One just after she got into one of our students' toiletry bags. She's covered head to toe in toothpaste. Nice.

Tales from the Crypt

...The Crypt being MY BRAIN!

It seems these days, my poor Mommy brain isn't functioning as it should. I know what you're thinking. That's because I'm up at 4AM, blogging. Right? Truth be told, I'm not usually up this early (or this late...depending on how you look at it). We just got back from an airport pick up. A new ESL student arrived tonight. The airport is 2 hours from the Island. You do the math.

I'm so wired now, I can't sleep!

 At the airport, 2 hrs by car from the Island. We were the only ones there.

 Still at the airport. There's just so much one can do at a small airport at almost midnight. Yes, my toddler was still awake. We had to drag the poor kid with us. Luckily for me, she thinks our airport pick ups are fun.

I was just thinking about how my brain seems to have gone to mush. Do you know that today was the first time I realized that BOGO means "Buy One, Get One"!?!?! I feel so stupid! I've seen commercials on TV for Payless BOGO days. It never even occurred to me that it meant "Buy One, Get One", even though I knew that Payless Shoes offered those deals! Duh!

The other day, I said "Steffi and Liz is" instead of "Steffi and Liz are". That really bugs me. I don't usually make slips like that. I majored in English and Linguistics. I teach grammar for a living! Incidentally, did you know that a "mistake" is different than a "slip"?
"Mistakes are errors in choosing an objective or specifying a method of achieving it whereas slips are errors in carrying out an intended method for reaching an objective." (Sternberg, 1996)

Just sayin'.

 Then I do really strange things like orchestrate a Surprise Birthday/Going Away party for one of my students and make the 4 (for the "24") backwards on the cake! I didn't even notice it until the other student pointed it out to me. My friend, who happens to also be a teacher commented, "Well, you teach literacy. Not mathematics."

Bwahahahahahaha! I'm so embarrassed. I'm thinking that I clearly need more sleep.

So...I'm Looking for an Economy Hooker

Message from Hubby on my BlackBerry: Hon, I need you to pick up an Economy Hooker for me.

Me: A what!?!?!

Hubby: Just go to [name of store on the Island where Hubby gets most of his parts and equipment for the farm from] and tell them you're getting me an Economy Hooker and they'll know what I mean.

Me: Ummm...Okay.

I sauntered into the shop, chatted with the kind folks who work there, and then said, "[insert Hubby's real name here] wanted me to pick up and pay for an Economy Hooker for him".

Laughter.

Owner: I didn't know there was a such thing as an "economy" one! I thought they were all expensive.

Guy1: I've never heard of a husband ASKING his wife to get one for him, let alone PAY for it!

More laughter.

The owner went to the back and returned with the Economy Hooker.

She was not what I was expecting at all.

I learn something new every day on the Island!

An Economy Hooker is an anchor for a boat. Now our boat has an anchor! Yay!

Meatless Monday: Veggie Quinoa Burgers

My old college and university buddy from my Montreal days is up visiting with his wife and baby.  Crazy to think that we've known each other since we were 17 and now we are both married and with kids!






Back in the day, I was hardcore vegetarian. The funny thing is that I married a beef farmer and I eat a bit of meat now.

My buddy is still veg, and in keeping with our Meatless Mondays, I decided to make Veggie Quinoa burgers. My buddy and I both agree that it's hard to find a good veggie burger. Licks' Nature Burgers are pretty good, but a good homemade veggie burger is like striking gold!

I'm happy to say that this recipe I concocted is a keeper. Even my beef farming husband agrees! That says a lot, people! My husband loves his steak and potatoes!

C's Veggie Quinoa Burgers

I have to apologize first for not including any measurements. I don't really use measurements when I cook, but mostly just go by taste. Also, please note that because of the nature and consistency of these burgers, you will have (like with pancakes), the first two sacrificial patties! After the first patties are cooked, the rest should come out flawlessly!

Ingredients:

Quinoa
Brown rice
Lentils
Chickpeas
Kidney beans
Black beans
Corn
Red pepper, diced (small)
Green pepper, diced (small)
Green onion/scallions, chopped
Cumin
Curry
Cinnamon (just a touch!)
Black pepper and sea salt
Garlic and celery powder
Eggs

Cooking instructions:
In a large bowl, add ALL ingredients. I used two cans of assorted beans/legumes because I didn't  have my regular beans in stock. I drained the beans and rinsed them. I cooked some Quinoa and brown rice (just enough to keep all the other ingredients "together". The eggs also help "bind" the ingredients. This time, I used 3 eggs as my binding agent. (I didn't have red or green pepper today, so they were omitted from the recipe)

You can either mash or puree the ingredients so that it forms a paste, but I kept them all in their original form. I don't like the way the mixture looks if it's pureed or mashed. With a serving spoon, I spooned some of the mixture, formed into patties, and placed into a heated pan (with oil already heated). Place no more than 4 patties in the pan at one time.

Sadly, it's difficult to grill or BBQ veggie burgers because of their consistency. You'll have to cook these veggie burgers some light oil. Lightly brown/cook in olive oil until firm and toasty brown. Very carefully, flip patty over with spatula and cook until firm. It only takes a few minutes on each side.

Serve on good quality buns or bread, topped with your favourite condiments.

I wanted to roast some garlic scapes to add as a topping, but ran out of time.

 

Sadly, Little One isn't much for the aesthetics that go hand in hand with food. She dismantled her burger!

 

Another Round of...What's in your Purse?!?!

These days, I've been feeling a little like Inspector Gadget.

I can magically produce anything and everything  from my purse. There once was a time when my purse contained just lip gloss, my wallet, keys, and cell phone.





Now, it looks more like this:

 

Oh, I know. It looks misleadingly normal from the outside. This is one of my favourite Christianna Jones originals. I've got four purses made by her and I love them all. What I love about this one is that it's roomy, but not too big. It's light and because it's neutral, it goes with pretty much everything.

Wait! Look at the inside of my purse!

 Contents?

1. Born Free Twist 'n Pop Straw Cup (I made a mango smoothie for Little One to take on our grocery/bank/post office/do everything and be home to make supper excursion)

2. Purolator slip (picked up an awesome parcel from Hallmark for being part of the Press Pause Panel! Blog post to come!)

3. Business card holder with business cards

4. Lip gloss (Rimmel "East End Snob")

5. 2 diapers for Little One (just in case)

6. Wipes

7. Keys

8. Wallet (don't get too excited, people! I've got no money!)

9. Sandra Boynton books (to keep Little One entertained in case she gets restless)

10. Assorted toys (see #9)

11. Hand cream, children's sunblock (Aubrey Natural Green Tea Sunblock) and hand sanitizer

12. Kleenex

13. Hair clips, elastics, and ribbons for Little One's hair (she always seems to yank them out, so I don't know why I even bother)

14. Memo pad and a few pens (for jotting down notes, addresses, phone numbers, directions, grocery lists, etc).

15. BlackBerry (can't live without it!)

16. Seaweed

Yes! I said SEAWEED!

I carry a few packets of seaweed in my purse because they keep Little One busy and content when waiting in line, at restaurants, in the car, etc. I'm tellin' ya, seaweed saved my life a few times. Little One LOVES seaweed and thinks they're "chips"! Seaweed and kale chips...gotta love 'em!

What's in your purse? Go ahead! I challenge you to reveal what a mess your purse is (or isn't)! 

Seriously, I've been looking for a purse that is fashionable, big enough (but not the size of an overnight travel bag!), and has compartments so I don't lose my keys and cell phone amongst all the other "stuff" all the time! Any ideas?

FORK! FORK! FORK! FORK!

My a-little-over-two-and-a-half year old was quietly playing in her toy room when the summer students were watching a movie after supper. It was some Ben Afleck and Blake Lively movie with a lot of violence and "offensive language".

We didn't realize just how big Little One's ears were until we heard her bang something against the wall and yell, "F@#K! F*^K! F#@K! F^#K!

I looked at the students and said, "Did you hear what I heard?"

Giggles.

Thinking of a way to make this situation light, so that Little One didn't think it was a big deal, I said, "[insert Little One's real name here], would you like a fork for your yogurt or a spoon?"

I brought her to the kitchen and had her repeat the words "fork", "spoon", and "knife" and  clapped emphatically after she repeated the words. She doesn't pronounce the "s" at the beginning of words, so I'm trying to work on that with her. It's actually kind of endearing...and funny.

The other morning, we were having breakfast and she said, "Mommy, I want POON!"

The students and I couldn't help but laugh because if you're from the city, you know that "poon" is also a word used for part of the female anatomy! Okay, it's not a very nice way of saying it! It made the students laugh even more when Little One said, "I want POON! I want to hold it!"

Roaring laughter from everyone except Little One, who looked mildly confused.

Yikes! Young children are very impressionable. Hubby looked at me and said, "You're the linguist. What are you teaching our daughter?!"  He was joking, but I kind of feel like we should not watch TV at all when she's awake. We have to watch what language our visitors use when in her presence. We have to be extra careful and mindful of what we say. Then again, how much is too much and can anyone ever be too careful or protective of what their kids are exposed to? Ack!

Little One has had a word explosion in the past few weeks. I cannot believe my little baby has gone from needing to be coaxed to speak to talking non-stop! Not just that, but the things that come out of her mouth are incredible!

For example:

"Mommy, pick my nose! I have a booger!"

"Daddy, why are you naked?"

"Mommy, wake up! Get out of bed! Get dressed! Look at me!"

"What's that noise?"

"Mommy, I pooped!"

"I need to go toilet!"

"I want that one!"

"I want to go beach!"

"I need to wash hands!"

"CAT!!! Don't poop in the garden! Go away!"


Of course, things aren't always so rosy.  We've been experiencing our share of "I don't want to go to bed right now" and "I don't want to do what you want me to do".

Good times!

A Weekend in Pictures

Canada Day long weekend began with a trip across the water from the Island to Tobermory.

Since we have students with us this summer, we thought it would be a great occasion to spend the day in Tobermory, walk around, grab something to eat for lunch, check out all the neat little shops, go on a glass bottom boat tour of the shipwrecks, explore and walk around Flower Pot Island, and make it back to the Island on the last boat so we could catch the fireworks in South Baymouth.

 

 

The Blue Heron V - The boat that took us on our tour of the shipwrecks

 

 

We saw lots of beautiful waterfront homes. It kind of reminded me of Dawson's Creek. Remember that show? I have always wanted to have a home on the water!

Above: Photo of one of the shipwrecks

Below: Little One and me in our red and white for Canada Day

Approaching Flower Pot Island

 

I had no idea we'd be boarding the Zephyr. I was adamantly against taking the Zephyr or the Zodiac, because I'm a big chicken and they didn't look safe enough to take a toddler on. Okay, I'm just a big chicken.

Little did I know, we had to take them anyway! The Blue Heron V brought us close to Flower Pot Island, but we had to take the Zephyr to get to the island!

I don't know why I was so worried. It was fine. I have to try to tame my own fears so not to project them onto my daughter. She loves boats. In fact, she is obsessed with boats and tells me, "I want to go on boat, Mama" every morning!

Look! We made it!

We passed my dream house on our way back. There were some stunning houses and some even had observation decks on the roof! I keep hinting to my husband that he really wants to sell the farm and get a house on the water! ;) Just kidding!

Of course, we couldn't let our ESL student return to South Korea without sampling something truly Canadian. The Beaver Tail.

We made it back to the Island in time to catch the fireworks display. It was brilliant - even better than I had expected. Each year they seem to get better and better.

Saturday began with a birthday party for one of Little One's friends. He turned 4 on Saturday and the theme for his party was "BUGS"! I don't know if I've mentioned this, but I'm deathly afraid of insects!!! Clowns, heights, insects, and small spaces freak me out.

It was a great party. The kids had fun. Little One didn't want to leave, but we had a Canada Day parade to rush to. After the parade, we went home for a little rest and then headed back to South Bay for the fish fry.

Sunday was a scorcher, so we spent the afternoon at the beach. Little One just loves the sand and crystal clear water. We are so fortunate to live so close to such gorgeous beaches.

Hanging out with the students. Little One is always around people and enjoys the company.

Sunday evening was spent with Daddy too! Daddy's always so busy, so it was a treat to have him for a few hours. We took the boat out on the lake for a little cruise.

What a lovely way to end the long weekend.