Diaper Fairy

When Adia was 2 1/2, she refused to give up pull ups because it was easier to just pee in them. She even admitted that to me. At that point she was dry overnight every night and always pooped in the toilet, she just didn't want to stop playing to pee. I knew she was ready and honestly, I was already spending over $100/month on diapers for twins, I didn't need to spend even more for her. So, one night I sneaked into her room and took every single pull up, leaving Tinkerbell underwear in their place. When she woke up and asked what happened to them, we told her the Diaper Fairy visited. She only visits when she knows you're absolutely, 100% ready to wear underwear all the time. Her response, "Oh cool." And that was the end of it. She had a few accidents, as does every kid. All she needed was a little push, some confidence and she was good to go. She's always been that way.

Then there was Mira, who at 2 years 4 months, decided she no longer wanted to wear pull ups. Overnight, she used the toilet all the time and wore underwear. There was no pushing. No asking. No begging. No candy, sticker or prize rewards. The Diaper Fairy didn't visit because she didn't need to. I figured Leia would follow suit, just a few months after like she had with everything else. I couldn't have been more wrong. We tried stickers, candy, rewards, sticker charts, the promise to preschool, every single suggestion, but nothing would motivate her.

Over a year later, Leia finally started pooping on the potty. Just like Adia, she lacked the confidence that she could actually do it (it also helped that we figured out she was lactose intolerant). Once she did that first time, she figured out she could do it every single time after. There was a slight push for undies from others besides Leia, which I resisted, but she wanted to try. She did and she just wasn't ready. For the last few months, she's been pooping regularly in the toilet and staying dry overnight for the last few weeks. I was worried to push her. You just don't push Leia. She chooses when she's ready. If you push, she shuts down or pushes back even harder.


So when Adia mentioned the Diaper Fairy a few days ago, I was shocked. I didn't think Adia even remembered the Diaper Fairy. She's started to forget those very early memories, but I guess certain one's have been engrained. Leia was definitely intrigued by the Diaper Fairy and asked for more information. I could see her little brain working and Adia just smiled at me. Adia was definitely hyping the fairy to encourage Leia. Adia absolutely loves school so she's been pushing for Leia to wear underwear so she could go too for the last year. School wasn't enough, but the diaper fairy was. I explained to Leia that the Diaper Fairy visits a child when she knows that the child is ready and big enough to wear underwear all the time. The Diaper Fairy will leave some special underwear and possibly a small gift, but she takes all your diapers. Once again, I could see the gears turning in that little head. Leia turned to me and said, "I'm wearing undies." And that was it. She's on day 3 of underwear. The first day was accident free. The second day started with an accident, but she stayed dry all night in her underwear. And tonight ended with an accident, but it happened right in front of the potty chair as she was pulling down her pants.

Tonight, the Diaper Fairy visited. She stole the diapers and left some Tinkerbell undies, a pair of sparkly pink shoes and a Rapunzel and Flynn Rider miniature doll set. She also wrote her a note. Lets hope Adia doesn't recognize my handwriting.

Brownie Baker

Belated Christmas

I didn't take any pictures of the girls opening presents. It's just too chaotic, but the twins were awesome. Every present they opened, they would exclaim, "Thank you so very much. It's just what I always wanted!" It was so cute and honest. Adia was upset that Leia got the giant Lego Friends house, but they all got a ton of Lego Friends. And they pretty much destroyed them the second we had put them together. Mira's actually the gentlest with them and she helped Daddy put them together. I made the girls hooded towels for Christmas and they've been using them ever since.


We headed to the coast on Christmas morning. The girls couldn't wait to see Gramma, Papa and Colie. They were bummed they didn't get to see Brad too, but he had to work early the next day and couldn't join us. Leia received more Lego Friends (which she was beyond excited about!) and Daddy helped her with them. They were once again thrilled with their new gifts. I have to laugh at how incredibly excited they get when they open clothes. Gramma picked out a denim jumper for Mira and I thought she was going to lose her mind. She was so happy to have a new "DiDi dress". She's already worn it and wants to wear it on her first day back at school. The big winner though are the leapsters from their Grandpa Tup. They had been begging for Leapsters like Adia's all year and I kept telling them to wait until Christmas. DiDi and their Great Grandparents got them games and Grandpa Tup was responsible for the Leapsters.


After Christmas Lunch/Dinner, we talked to Unky Eck in Mongolia. The girls miss him so much (we all do!), but hopefully this will be the last Christmas without him here.


It was then time for birthday apple pie for DiDi. The girls were excited to sing to her and help with candles.


On DiDi's actual birthday, we took her out to lunch and then for ice cream. We then had some time to play Mahjong.


joint brain freeze


Sadly, Gramma got the sick that the girls and I had been fighting all month. She was wiped out, but Mira's great for cuddles.


Adia then stayed with DiDi and the twins, Daddy and I headed back home. We took the twins out for breakfast the next morning. They were awesome and devoured their food.


It was then time for a bike ride since it wasn't raining. It was crazy cold though. They almost made it around the block, but not quite. Leia kept sliding off the back of her seat. We think her seat needs to go up and be tightened.


Daddy then had to go back to work, but DiDi switched kids with me. She took the twins home with her ("It's our turn!") and I got some time with Adia. We went to dinner, she spent the rest of her Christmas money at Toys R Us and we played a lot of games. Scott and I also completely two 1000 piece puzzles. We know how to rock New Year's Eve.

Naia continues to thrive and be the coolest cat ever. She's definitely best buds with Tiger. I had to take her to the vet yesterday to check on her heart murmur. I was hoping beyond hope that the vet wouldn't hear anything. Any luckily, she didn't! Her murmur appears to have disappeared, but it helped that she wasn't completely freaked out this time. She was pretty chill and really upset that she couldn't find the crying dog. She must have spent her kittenhood with dogs because she absolutely loves them. She tries to cuddle with Cheeto (who wants nothing to do with her) and scratches at the french doors while yowling when he's outside and we're being too slow to let him back in.


And if I was actually near my camera, I'd have pictures from the last week, but those will have to wait.