It's (Still) Potty Time . . .

Our newest potty training game, which I am very relaxed about, is rewarding Olivia with one sticker each time she uses her big girl potty. She still hasn't fully grasped the concept that she only gets one sticker each time. Furthermore, she is still realizing that sitting down alone on the potty, without filling it at all, does not merit a reward. We haven't even begun to discuss the idea of not going in her diapers. I fear that may be quite a ways off. . . but for now we (I) are (am) trying not to take things too seriously.

Hooray for Me! I did it!

Decisions, decisions.
Which sticker best matches my outfit?

Today she chose Winnie the Pooh and Cars (she actually went potty 3 times, but the last time was bedtime and both of us forgot the sticker. . . bad Mom).

These smiles make a Mom's world go round.

Photo Meme

I saw this fun game on Kristen's blog and decided to play along.

Here are the rules:
1. Choose the 4th folder where you store your pictures on your computer.
2. Select the 4th picture in the folder.
3. Explain the picture.
4. Tag 4 people to do the same. NO CHEATING! (no cropping, editing, etc...). If you want to play, join in the fun. If you are reading this and have a blog, consider yourself tagged.

I am a bit of a picture fanatic in that I have almost every picture we take developed and put in a photo album, I have a CD of all my pictures made, and I have also been storing them on our computer hard drive. I always want a back-up. Neurotic? Maybe. Anyway, we have been having problems with e-mailing and with our computer in general, so last Sunday Richard asked me to get rid of all the pictures I have stored on our computer because of the amount of memory they use. I got rid of most of them, but I did have exactly four folders I refused to delete, perfect for this game.

Richard and Olivia at the beach in Long Beach, CA. We had just arrived that day, so Richard was wearing jeans and it was over 80 degrees where we were. Olivia was seeing the ocean for the very first time. What a treat!!! We had just found an In-and-Out Burger, so I had my triple milkshake (vanilla, chocolate, and strawberry) fix for the day. Mmmm! We were headed to a Dodger game later that evening. It was a really, really fun day. I miss the sunshine and I'm tired of January and fog; I guess that means I am California Dreamin' right about now.

Construction at the Carico Home

While I was trying to find the floor in Blake's room. . .

Important work was being completed.

So proud of their masterpiece, which stood for all of about 60 seconds.

Getting Ready, or Trying To at the Very Least

Things at out house are busy right now; I thought life would slow down after Christmas, but time just keeps slipping (rather flying) by these days. I have somewhat of a franticness about me in trying to get Blake's room ready for his arrival. In actuality, I comfort myself with the thought that he'll sleep in our room for the first few months anyway. If his room isn't ready, his parents will be regardless. I want to post some pictures of his room as it slowly comes together. Richard did a great job painting it quite awhile ago, right after we moved the guest bed out. Unfortunately, I somehow managed to fill it with the clutter that came out of the "junk" closet as I attempted to clean and prepare. Needless to say, we have made numerous trips to the Youth Ranch and I am finally to point of throwing most things away. How long do I really plan to keep the unity candle from our wedding, anyway? I started in on getting the floor of our little guy's room cleared off while Olivia was napping today and, what do you know, I got side-tracked finishing Olivia's baby book (yes, she's over two). There's definitely a reason I don't scrapbook anymore! Blogging involves much, much less clutter. I wish I could say Olivia's baby book is now complete, but it seems every project just leads to another. . .

Another Puppy at Our House

One of Olivia's favorite new games is "Look, Mom, I'm a Puppy!"

She's definitely sweeter, cuter, and better behaved than my other dog(s). I am also so thankful she doesn't dig through my trash for scraps. While Olivia was playing puppy "Dodder" was resting with a bellyache because he dug the margarine wrapper out of my trash and ate it just minutes earlier.


Our first puppy trick to learn: potty training!!!

Lessons in Physics

What Goes Up . . .

Must come down! ! !

Olivia definitely had certain toys that quickly became favorites this year. Megablocks are at the top of her list.

Another Christmas Morning

How lucky can we get??? My parents came for New Year's and we got another Christmas morning. I say "we" because I think Richard and I were more disappointed when Olivia finished opening her gifts on December 25th than she was.


This face. . . Priceless!

Oh yeah . . . Of course I can see over the windshield! Look out Dodger!!!

"I might need a little help reaching the gas pedal now, Dad, but by next summer, just you wait!"

We ended up putting a pillow behind her back.

"I'm Jeepin' now!"

Grandma may have found the Jeep, but I bet I know who put it together!!!

The story behind the Jeep:

I had gone to WalMart at 5am on the Friday morning after Thanksgiving because I really wanted to get Olivia a Power Wheels Jeep. I arrived in plenty of time, or so I thought; I had no idea what I was in for. I lost valuable time because I went in the wrong entrance. There were no carts where I entered, and I knew I needed a cart to carry my prize gift to the checkout counter. Also, there were also no maps where I went in; at the time I didn't even know I needed a map. Long story short, my three minute delay cost me the Power Wheels Jeep.

What's a disappointed Black Friday shopper to do at 5am? Call Mom, of course. She was a time zone behind us. It was 4:10 there when I realized my dilemma; WalMart in Lewiston wouldn't open for another 50 minutes. "Don't take a shower, don't do your hair. . . go straight to WalMart and get your only grandchild the Power Wheels Jeep that her Mom failed her on." Those were my instructions; hopefully I said please. I don't think there's anyone else in the world you can call at 4am for such trivial things. She came through. Moms always do! I hope I get to be that kind of Mom someday! Thanks Grandma Linda! Love you!