Potty Training 101

Jack is 2-1/2. According to some, it's still early for training. Others think it should have been done months ago. In any event, Jack has had NO interest in his potty chair that has been his step stool for toothbrushing since his birthday. However Ms. Karen, his teacher at Mother's Morning Out, started working with him several months ago and, over the last few weeks, he has used the potty there a number of times. At home, strict refusal! However, yesterday I bribed him with Elmo stickers and we had success after a night of dry diapers! We still have a long way to go but I am pretty excited to see the end of diapers coming. Yay Jack!

January

Jack had a sleepover with Walker earlier this week. They had lots of fun and enjoyed some Ring Pops (note the blue lips).



Today, Jack got some new "gear" in the form of a hat & soccer slippers. He feels good about wearing them both at the same time!
































Finally, a naked bathtime shot of Jack posing for his picture (can't get enough of these, right??).

41 Years Ago..

...I looked like the cute chick on the left (well, I think I was about 9 months old here). Actually, when I look at that picture I can see why Jerry calls me "blockhead". Look at that square little head!!
Anyway, yesterday was my birthday. I'm 41. Does that sound old? I don't feel much older than I did on January 8 so I guess it's not a big deal. I've resolved to live a healthier life this year (yes, again!!). I know I want to be around a long time for my children and I don't think that is likely to happen if I don't lose weight and exercise and take care of my heart. So, I rejoined Weight Watchers online and I'm starting out exercising for 30 minutes 3 times a week and will gradually add to that. So far, so good, but I have a long way to go. Maybe I'll get brave enough to post some pictures at 10 pound weight loss intervals or something.

Frugal Freelancer

Note the additional blog in my list. I've followed Angela's website for several years now and have learned a LOT about living frugally. She posts great deals (GDA = Great Deal Alert), freebies, and hints on living frugally in general. If you are trying to save some money while maintaining your lifestyle, check out her site:
Frugal Freelancer

Happy New Year

So, 2009 is here. Amazing. I so clearly remember when the year 2000 came around and all the paranoia about "Y2K" (wasn't that a bunch of hoopla about nothing!). But now it's 9 years later, Keegan is 16 (closer to 17 than 16), and I'll be 41 in 8 days. Time. When I'm watching a clock it seems to dddrrraaaaggg on and on, but if I glance away for a moment, 17 years fly by.

In 1992, I was working at Sears in Houston and Jerry and I were expecting Keegan to arrive. We'd only been married a few months and already had moved 3 times and had a baby on the way. Talk about changes! Then, in June, Keegan was born. Keegan was an absolutely beautiful baby. Jerry always says it's because c-section babies don't go through so much trauma. Seriously, he was so pretty, and BIG! 9 pounds, 8 ounces of life-changing baby hurtling into my heart and changing me forever. I was "Mommy". I'd never felt so fiercely possessive of anything. I thought everyone who held him for even a few moments in those early days was stealing his childhood from me. I cried over anything and everything. My mom and I put him in EVERY outfit I had and she took picture after picture. Keegan Thomas Hooper had arrived. The first grandchild for my parents and the second one for Jerry's. "Keegan" is an Irish surname that means "fiery one". We picked it from a baby book and Keegan has lived up to the meaning! We chose "Thomas" for his middle name after my maternal grandfather and Jerry's best friend from the Army, Tom Jones. Keegan has always been smart, and loved all kinds of art from the very beginning. We gave him a little desk for his second birthday and he spent LOTS of time coloring and painting at that desk for about 4 years. He has grown up soooo fast and found his own path and, for that, I'm so proud. I was always a follower and avoided conflict. Keegan does what he wants and is not afraid to voice an unpopular opinion. I just know he will find wonderful things in his future and look forward to seeing all that he becomes. Happy New Year, Keegan. 16 years old... you are only just getting started!