Little Miss Independent

This week we went and bought Grace her own little potty for the bathroom. The idea came up when I was unable to help her onto the regular toilet in time because I was nursing and thus she missed the opportunity to use the toilet. I asked her if she would like her own that she could get on and off by herself and she thought that was a great idea. So, we took her to target and let her pick out her very own. That afternoon she did not have a single wet or dirty diaper, we were so proud! Then on Thursday morning, she woke up and went straight to the bathroom, used her potty then brought me a clean diaper to put on her. Neither Zach or I had given her any prompting to use the bathroom, she just walked straight out of her room to the bathroom and took care of business. She did the same thing after her nap and I was so happy. I think we found the key to her potty training. She has been 1/2 way there for months and months.

This, like everything else, just needed to be her idea. She has been this way her whole life. Once she decides to do something, she does it all the way, but it has to be her idea. When she decided to be done nursing, she just stopped. There was no weaning, no fuss, she just stopped one day. Same thing when she gave up the bottle. When she decided to walk she crawled into her room and pushed the door closed. When Zach went to open it again for her, she stood up and walked out. She has walked ever since. It amazes me how from such a young age she has been able to set her mind to something and make it happen. She is so impressive.

Hannah is still doing very well. At our appointment this week with the lactation consultant (yes, nursing is still very painful!) I found out the reason she is likely sleeping so much is that she is getting about 5.5 oz per feeding. Most babies only take 2-3. So I was given permission to stop waking her up to eat which has made such a difference for me. I was starting to feel like all I did was nurse because It took forever to wake her up, get her to eat, change her diaper, wake her up again, and get her to eat more. Since We had to do this every two hours I essentially had 1 hour blocks of time to get other things done. It was a bit difficult. She is such a mellow and happy baby. She will go anywhere and do anything. I toted her around house hunting with my grandparents today and she only fussed once when she was hungry. I gave her a bottle (only the second she has ever had) and she drank it down with no problem and settle back down for two more houses.

It is hard to believe that I was ever worried I could not love Hannah as much as Grace. Despite the reassurances from every mother who has had more than one child that I would, of course, love Hannah as much as Grace it was so hard to fathom being able to have that deep a love for anyone else. Well, I have it. every time I look at Hannah I am overwhelmed with the same feelings I have when I look at Grace. I can not believe how incredibly blessed I have been to have these two wonderful children given to me to raise. I want to give them everything I have to offer as their mother, and pray that they will grow to be happy, healthy, wonderful daughters of our heavenly father. I hope I am up to the enormous responsibility that being their mother is.