First Potty Event

(or, How Madeleine Dropped a Deuce on Dad)

Editor's Note: No pictures in this post for reasons soon to be explained. However, using our pattented scratch-n-sniff technology, you can smell this post by scratching the monitor HERE.

Madeleine had her first successful use of the potty today. She's been reading a lot about potties lately and has made a few attempts but they were either false alarms or ex post facto.

Tonight she grabbed a clean diaper and asked for her potty. After sitting followed by standing and looking followed by sitting followed by standing and looking (repeat cycle for about 10 minutes), we sensed another false alarm. Mommy went to go clean up the wreckage known as our kitchen after Madeleine dines but daddy allowed the experiment to continue.

And just as daddy's legendary patience was running out, Madeleine closed the door to the bathroom - clearly asking for privacy. When the door was reopened, Madeleine was smiling and there was powerful olfactory evidence of a significant event. When she stood up, there it was! A well done #2 delivered with stunning accuracy for a first timer - approximately 85% deposited right on target in the potty.

Madeleine prepared to celebrate the history making moment with a special "end zone" dance - much to our dismay. Mommy swept in for corporal cleanup while daddy was on hazmat duty to dispose of the "end product" - where he learned to appreciate the previously underappreciated odor reduction capbilities of Pampers.

After the cleanup, Madeleine took a victory lap by rereading three potty books (just like watching the highlights on SportsCenter) and doing her favorite tap dance moves from dance class.

A smelly but memorable moment.


-- Post From My iPhone

Big Girl Cup

Someone has graduated from sippy cups to big girl cups and is very proud of herself









- Post From My iPhone

Biker Chick

Who knew our sweet girl would turn out to be a biker chick? Not Harley or Honda or BMW - she's more of a Radio Flyer type herself - but she can't wait to hit the open road.












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Birthday Bash Pix

We knew it was going to be a great day when we saw the sign on the door


Mommy and Madeleine tested out all the toys to make sure they were ready


Even the parents enjoyed the bouncy air mattress


Parties aren't complete without slides


Or cupcakes


Or balloons


Baby jonestown


-- Post From My iPhone

Birthbay Bash - Video 5

Birthbay Bash - Video 4

Birthbay Bash - Video 3

Birthbay Bash - Video 2

Birthbay Bash - Video 1

Madeleine had the ultimate toddler birthday bash yesterday* - at an indoor playground near our house. It had ALL the key elements for a successful toddler birthday party - cupcakes, music, two bouncy air mattresses, LOTS of toddler friends and LOTS of things for toddlers to do.

Only thing it was missing from the grownup perspective was wine - lots and lots of wine. But it was a great celebration for a very special little girl.

* Yes, we know that her birthday is actually December 29 - but we postponed the celebration due to the holidays. Try having a birthday party on Dec. 29 and see how many people actually show up.....

Our Big Girl

Madeleine's 2-year checkup stats:

• Weight: 30 lbs. 12 oz. = 75th percentile
• Height: 37.5 inches = 97th percentile

According to Baby Center's Child Height Predictor, she's headed for 5'11" when all is said and done. Could present some challenges down the road...... but also some opportunities.....

Cousins

Playground

Haircut

Rose Bowl and Day After

Mommy and Daddy had a great time at the Rose Bowl - especially since daddy's beloved Buckeyes won - and then took part in another SoCal tradition: the day-after viewing of the Rose Parade float.

We FINALLY get to our seats after an hour in line - just in time to miss the Ohio State band but to see the nondescript Oregon band


The Buckeyes storm the field after the big win





This is the award winning snowboarding dog float














-- Post From My iPhone

Potty Training Begins

She's obsessed with potty training books and is really intrigued by the potty itself, so the training has begun.....


-- Post From My iPhone