Boys will be Boys

We have had some MAJOR milestones in the past few weeks!

While the ladies were showering Andrea and James in love, the boys went out on Matt and Andrea's boat.

This was Potatoes's first boat ride!

Of course our little ham had everyone laughing.  Some of the highlights I heard from the trip:

The grown-ups were skiing.  When they would fall in the water, he would holler, "Bye, Daddy!" or whoever was skiing.  They will come back, buddy!

Most of the guys were skiing with the traditional two skis.  Matt, being a bit more experienced, went out for a slalom ski attempt.  He tried unsuccessfully to get up a couple of times.  Watching these failed attempts, Alexander cries out, "Hey, maybe that guy needs another ski!" 

Matt let him drive the boat unassisted.  He loved it!

After being in an in-home care over the summer, Potatoes had another milestone last week with going to a new school.

Aunt Leaha got a new job, so of course I was comfortable putting him in the same school.  His teacher, Ms. Sheila, ran her own daycare for years, and has a very organized, academic classroom.  This is perfect for our intelligent but strong-willed little dude.

 He walked right in, found his cubby, his name at the table, and sat down with his new classmates.

We have had a harder week this week.  He has cried at drop off every day, wanting to "go to work" with me.  The first day, he cried in the window for over an hour; Leaha saw him still crying when she came into work.  Oh my heart.  Ms. Sheila was out that day, so hopefully it was a one off.  Yesterday, he did better, crying only a little.  This morning, he told me he was not going to cry, but that was not so.  I know this transition is a big one for him.

We have been eating a LOT of ice cream!!

Though we have had many starts and stops, Potatoes finally decided the time was right for potty training.  The morning of the shower was his first 100% successful poop in the potty.  Daniel sent me photographic evidence- seriously.

We celebrate with a tiny cake ball, a bite of ice cream, dinosaur sprinkles, with a birthday candle and sing to him.  Yes, we make it worth it!

In the two weeks since the shower, he has not only mastered stopping during playing and swimming to use the bathroom, he has even woken up dry the past two nights, calling out to go to the bathroom (he is still in his crib).

I am so proud of him!

He asked for PJ Mask pjs, and when I saw them at the clearance section the day he had his first poop in the school bathroom, I figured this $5 purchase was worth it, even though they only had a size he will outgrow within a week.

Keep growing, little buddy.  We love the person you are becoming!

I had an impromptu trip to NOLA this week to get a new passport for our Australia trip.  I am getting equally excited about the trip and nervous about being away from my little dude.  Please keep all of us in your thoughts and prayers for a safe, wonderful time away from each other, and a peaceful return!