updates

1. Shiloh meets owner! Matthew was out for a walk with Shiloh when Chris' green Volkswagon pulled into our parking lot and immediately, Shiloh started barking uncontrollably and continued to do so all the way back home, into the house, and for the next hour. She was happy to see Chris, to say the least. What that means for us is we no longer have our four legged vacuum cleaner living with us. Abby has asked for Shiloh nearly every day, even though she will tell you after that she is "gone" and "with cappy and amma" but i think its her way of saying she misses her.

2. Potty training. Well, what an interesting trip. Sort of like going to a foreign country, but in the house and a lot messier :) I'm proud to say though that after days of near 100% toilet deposits, we finally hit one today! She did not hold it all day either. She went a number of times on the potty, both of my reminding and hers. It wasn't always like this though (and i'm sure won't always be either) and actually after Saturday's mishaps, i was ready to give up. It felt like there was no way she could be ready with that many accidents and the frustration on all sides. Admitedly, it would be easier to only have to diaper one kid come september, and over the weekend i started questioning if my selfish desires were a larger motivation than her readiness. I decided to just diaper her again and wait a few months to try again. Come monday, i put a diaper back on. A few hours later, abby announced "pee pee" which i took to mean she was currently peeing and kept eating breakfast. When she told us "potty" next, i reluctantly got up to take her... only to be surprised at a dry diaper and immediate peeing on the potty. It was really like something clicked in her... We'll see if that was a permanent switch on or not... but here's to hoping!

3. That being said... abby has shrunk, oh, about 1.5 years worth in clothing. Since we're still trying not to use underwear (feels like a diaper, easier to have accidents) we're staying away from dresses for the moment and wearing soft pants. I pulled down her old clothes, accidentally the 0-3 month ones first. Abby kept wanting to try them on, and i kept telling her they were too small, until i saw a pair of pants and realized that maybe there weren't actually too small. What?! They were actually 3-6 month, but in fact, all her 3-6 month soft pants now fit (and stay up)... so that's a fun surprise. I didn't expect to see those clothes again for at least another year!

4. Last, these are some pictures that made me feel like abby was such a big kid. It's probably a crossroads of potty training and also a baby on the way, but growing up has been on my mind lately. I hope that somehow matthew and i can parent in a way to keep all our kids growing in responsibility and maturity, while also keeping their beautiful little children's hearts of wonder, play, life and faith.