Potty Training

So I have a night all to myself tonight- B is at a poker game tonight, and I'm blogging. I'm behind, I do enjoy it, but it does seem a little weird. I think I need a new book. . .I talk all the time about women finding things just for them and I love to read, but need books I can really get into! I started Emma for the 3rd time, but I'm not feeling it yet.

We started potty training last weekend. I have been afraid to blog about it, as it is a bit of a "hot topic" in a sense. Plus with BJ being 27 months old, we keep hearing he's too young. It has definitely been a rocky week, full of doubts and concerns, and prayers, but each day does seem to be getting better. We did "How to Potty Train in Less than a Day" which so far is 1 week +. I didn't quite expect that the less than a day would totally work out, so it doesn't surprise me that we are still learning. Although, I would like to get a little better so we can get on with fun activities instead of staying in the house all the time for fear of accidents :) The first day we had 5 successes, and 6 accidents- (four of which happened in the morning just at the beginning). Then we had some days with less success and even no successes. We have tried not to be too insistent with him, but also didn't want to quit prematurely, leaving him with a sense of being able to crab his way out of things or that we didn't have confidence in him. The last few days though, it has been much better, with yesterday being the first day without accidents!! Yay! He has however, exerted his independence over this area, many times crying "Potty" only to shoo us out of the bathroom "Mommy OUT!" and to have him do the whole process himself. This seems to be his favorite method to the madness. Last night, we pulled over at a gas station as he said he had to go- for a false alarm, but were told 4 min from home he really did have to go. We asked him to "hold it" and he did until B got him to the potty (and then B was informed "Daddy OUT")! What a big boy! (He also likes the phrase "BJ do it"). We have yet to have any real successes with sitters or friends, but I think that will come with time. So I'll have to keep you updated in the process, as I'm sure it will continue to be process.

Practicing with our many "potties"

Telling everyone he knows about what a big boy he is in BIG BOY underwear!

Behind on posts. . .Christmas pictures

I love to read blogs- seriously, love it! I have quite a few that I follow which is why it is so depressing I'm not better on posting for my "followers." So sorry. Long overdue- pics from Christmas- I really didn't take a lot when we got to Omaha- I think too busy, but here are a few.

"Helping" Daddy put up the tree

Mortified at his first Christmas program!
Hamming it up in front of the tree
At Winter Wonderlights:
The fam at Winter Wonderlights!

Traveling is rough

Testing out the new trailer- Thanks Papa!

Thoughts. . .

There has been a lot on my mind lately. I'll blog about all that I can tonight before Brandon gets back with my dinner.

- We are celebrating- I am officially board certified in family medicine!! Yay! Another milestone in my journey that now will just be working as a family physician- which I love.

-Wednesday was a hard day for my Alma mater Millard South High School. As I'm sure many of you have already heard, a high school senior shot both the Principal and Vice Principal after being suspended for driving on the football field. The student later drove a couple blocks from my parents house and shot himself. The Vice Principal was Brandon and my 10th grade English teacher. She was a great teacher and administrator and will be horribly missed. It has been very strange, watching, feeling this from afar. My heart breaks for all involved- the pain- even for the shooter and his family. And as a parent, I view it so much differently than I did with the Columbine shooting which occurred when we were Seniors in high school. Then I was saddened and a bit freaked out at the possibility that something so terrible could happen. Now, I'm freaked out at the possibility that something so terrible could happen to my son. I worry, if my amazing high school in Omaha, NE isn't safe, where is? How can I send my son into a world that is so corrupted with hate and violence? How can I keep him safe and yet teach him? How can I best support him so that he always understands he can talk to me and there is NO situation dire enough to kill someone else or yourself? How do I teach him to be a friend who reaches out to the outcasts? It is heartbreaking and a daunting task. I pray almost everyday that God would bring amazing Godly friends into his life and that he would be a man of integrity to point others to Christ. I think that is the best thing I can do given our world.

-In lighter news- I do need to post about Christmas- which was really fun this year. BJ was so excited to play with his extended family members and open and play with new gifts. Here are some of the highlights of funny stories over the last little bit.

BJ followed my parents up to their closet to change clothes after church. My mom explained they needed to change clothes so Anson (BJ's cousin- younger by 5 months) could take a nap. BJ ran out to the top of the stairs and yelled, ANSON, NAP! Too bad BJ had to take a nap shortly after that. :)

We drove to Creston to visit Brandon's grandpa. It is a 2 hour drive but we were a little concerned given BJ vomited 3 times in 4 hours on the way to Omaha and only stopped after giving him the "good" medicine mom wrote for at Walmart. He did fine out to Creston and on the way back really needed a nap. We were listening to a book on tape but told him to take a nap and we wouldn't give him any toys. So he decided to talk, loudly for the first hour. Finally, Brandon turned off the book and said, "It's quiet time now." BJ stopped talking and within 5 minutes collapsed forward fast asleep!

BJ and Anson got many of the same toys and presents from my parents on Christmas day. They are close in age and both into cars and trains. Toward the end of the day however, we were getting to the end of the gifts and BJ really didn't need anymore toys- he has plenty, whereas Anson has had minimal in the toy department for some time now. Anson opened his gift- another truck, while BJ could barely wait to open his gift next. He finally was given the okay and pulled the tissue paper out of the bag, took a look inside and in all seriousness and disappointment yelled "AH, shoes?!? (pointing in the bag), TRUCK! (pointing at Anson's truck)" He eventually decided the shoes were pretty cool but was very aware that Anson had just one upped him in present count!

That's enough thoughts for now, hoping my dinner will be here soon! Pics to be posted later :)

Christmas Letter 2010

Dear Friends and Family,

Merry Christmas! We have been so blessed this year and want to share a little of what is going on in our lives with you!

BJ turned two in October and continues to amaze us with everything he does and says. He is growing up quickly and loves to help Mommy and Daddy with cooking and working on the cars. He is loves of everything that is trains, cars, and trucks. His vocabulary grows daily, and he is putting multiple words together in phrases in English (and some Spanish). His health continues to be a prayer of ours, but has dramatically improved this year after moving him into a home daycare Nov. 2009.

Cassi graduated from residency in July and was so relieved to be finished with her training. She was so fortunate to take a job with an amazing clinic in Highlands Ranch, CO and loves the relaxed schedule and time to be a mom (plus no overnights at work!) She also volunteers twice a month at a clinic for those who have no insurance, and uses her Spanish skills there. She continues to love to run (completing many 5K’s and a half marathon this fall), read, work out and spend time with her boys. She loves being a mom!

Brandon has continued to work at C.H. Robinson in logistics (transportation). There have been some changes in the office, and Brandon is now in charge of the flatbed division at work. He absolutely adores his little boy and the two of them look forward to “Daddy night” every Thursday night. They of them hang out and often go out to dinner together while Mommy works late. Although there are times when BJ clearly prefers Mom- Dad is his best bud! Brandon continues to work on multiple projects around the house- building a deck this summer and working on his new project car- a 1967 Nova.

We continue to love living in Colorado, and sometimes wish we had more time to savor all it has to offer! God has blessed us immensely this year, and we are taking time in this crazy season to thank him for all he has done, including blessing us with you, great friends and family. Feel free to come by and visit anytime- we have a great guestroom!

Merry Christmas!

Brandon, Cassi, and BJ Workman

I am officially not fun!

So tonight BJ was in a bit of a funk, that may be an understatement. I came home around 6:20 p.m. to find Brandon and BJ cuddling in the dark in his rocking chair. We're not exactly sure what was wrong with BJ- no fever, but crabby and didn't want to eat, so Brandon decided to cuddle with him. BJ decided after a while to cuddle with mom, so I sat and rocked in the dark. After a little while, he starts whispering to me about what is fun.

BJ: "Fun Kirina"

Me: "Yes Kirina is fun."

BJ: Fun Kirina, fun Papa (Kirina's and thus BJ's name for her dad)

Me: Yes Kirina and Papa are fun, what about Stefanie (our sitter)?

BJ: Fun Kirina, fun Papa, fun Stefanie

. . .

It continues:

We did get to-

Fun Kirina, fun Papa, fun Stefanie, fun Bella, fun Wolfgang, fun Bella, fun Kirina (meaning Katarina his cousin), fun Matt, fun Maria, fun Nicholas, fun Grammy, fun Papa, Grandpa, Grandma, fun church, fun milk, fun water, fun trains

Me: Is Daddy fun?

BJ: no

Me: Is Mommy fun?

BJ: no

And just so you don't think it is a fluke, I asked about other people, who eventually made the list, but even after asking 3 times, Mommy and Daddy are not fun.

I guess it's official, it starts so young, your parents are not fun. :)

P.S. Congrats if you made the list!

What to post. . .

Isn't it funny that sometimes when you have been so busy, you aren't even sure what to post about. . . not that there is too much, but that your mind is a whirlwind and nothing seems post-worthy. Funny. I guess the news. . . we recently had family pictures- which I absolutely love!! We met a photographer friend of mine at a park and went to town and they came out great! (You can see some in the photos in the margin).

BJ has hit the age where he can be hysterical in one breath and oh so exasperating in the next. It is a fun time seeing all he is learning, but can be challenging as a parent since he has strong opinions and wants to do it all himself. Cute things he has done lately:

At Thanksgiving Brandon's sister Jenny came out with her family and her golden retriever Barney. BJ loves dogs and always asks to "touch" the dogs, but doesn't want them to touch him. Sad actually since he was with Pedro for 7 months of his life, but that was a lifetime ago. Anyway, he finally warmed up to Barney but would put his hand out and tell Barney "no" if he got closed to him. So the other day Brandon was talking with BJ about visiting "Bella's house" Brandon's niece's house- which BJ loves. BJ went through everyone in the house- Matt, Maria, Wolfgang, Katarina (whom he calls Kirina), and Bella, and . . . doggie. Brandon tried to tell BJ that the doggie was gone- he went night- night, so BJ said night, night Barney. We hadn't said his name or anything but he remembered clearly.

I'm sure I've mentioned BJ's love for oreos/cookies recently. I am still quite against sugar on a regular basis- I know call me narrow minded- but Brandon has shared his chocolately goodness with BJ on Daddy night. Recently, BJ made cookies for Daddy at his sitter's house and wanted to share them with Daddy. Since they are not BJ friendly, Brandon said he could have an oreo instead. At the end of dinner. So BJ climbed into his chair, ate one bite and asked, "cookie?". To which we replied "No you have to eat your dinner." We spent half the night telling him to eat more after asking after every bite if he could have his cookie. But man, bring the cookie out and tell him he needs to finish his x food- he double fists it into his mouth in order to get the cookie. I'm sure he gets this from me!

Also, BJ has recently learned the word "touchdown" and the moves that go with it, too bad it wasn't enough for his team to win the other night :) But we still have random "Go Big Red" shout outs from the little man- a true fan!

Anyway, that's enough from me for now. Hopefully I'll get on our Christmas letter soon, although I'm sure it won't be news to anyone who faithfully reads our blog- thanks friends!

P.S. Our photographer can be found at www.brynmarae.com- she's amazing!

BJ at 2

Nicknames: Beej, little man, stinker, lovebug, bug, Captain, bud, Stink, Little stink,

Weight & Height: 26 lbs 14oz (25%) and 32" (25%)
Hair: Blonde
Favorite foods: hot dogs, bread, fruit, berries, applesauce, cheerios, cookies (Oreos), "bark" - granola bars, squash/pureed pumpkin, muffins
Favorite toys: trains and cars
Favorite stuffed animal:"Nitro" his giraffe, his "doggie"
Bedtime: 7 p.m.
Wake-up time: 6 a.m.- 7 a.m.
Naps: mostly one nap a day for 2-3 hours
Favorite person: Mommy and Daddy- depends on the day, but also talks about Nicholas and Bella a lot
Latest Accomplishment:walking up and down the stairs, picking up more Spanish words, understanding more too, and giving lots more hugs (Mommy and Daddy love that), cleaning up after dinner
Likes: the Disney "Cars" movie, "The Wheel's on the Bus", dancing, blankets, playing with Mommy and Daddy, "reading", going for walks/playing outside, "cooking", coloring/sidewalk chalk, "driving" the car (with Daddy into the garage), fixing cars with Daddy, playing on Mommy and Daddy's bed, being a big boy all by himself
Dislikes: having to come inside, diaper changes, zucchini, green beans, black beans

What he is saying: tons, lots in English and Spanish- starting to do more phrases : "Big truck" "Where did it go"

What gets said about BJ most often: how cute he is, how well mannered, how much he looks like Mommy (I think it is mostly our coloring)
Best known for: his expressions
Fears: people leaving him, his head under water
Health: doing better much better, a little croup this fall, and the infamous stitches incident
How he's like Daddy: he likes Mommy, has a mischevious grin at times, loves to "drive the car", mostly laid back personality, wants to do EVERYTHING Daddy does
How he's like Mommy: his coloring, his hugs, love of cuddling, short fuse for frustration

Funny things he's done lately: so many, calling the snow "nose", running down his list of people to see or call- usually in about this order: Nicholas, Bella, Wolfgang, Matt, Kirina (not sure if it is Kirina or Katarina- they sound the same), Maria, Papa, Grammy, Grandma, Grandpa, wanting to sit on the grown up toilet after pooping in his diaper, but falling everytime I let go-but still insisting on "mine" and not having mommy hold him there, spending all day pureeing squash the other day with mommy, pointing out everything on the way to the sitters: bus, truck, car, tractor, muffin, berries, water, truck, bus. . .

Hope it shows how much we love our little guy:)

Age 1:

Age 2 (all on game days;))