kids who are close in age

I always imagined I would have my kids close in age. But, half way through Bonnie's (my second) pregnancy, I began to get nervous. What the heck was I thinking? 4 months ago, I was convinced that Brody would be SO big by the time a new baby would arrive. However, he was not growing that fast, and he was still very much a baby himself. But, the deed was done, our second baby would be coming in 5 short months, whether we were ready or not.

I'm not going to lie, having an 18 month old and an infant wasn't super easy, but I found that I adjusted quickly (enough) and embraced being a momma of two babies shortly after. At the same time though, in those beginning weeks, I was sure that we would stop at two kids. It was a lot, and I felt like I was at my max.

Here we are, half way through our third pregnancy. I don't feel the anxiety that I did while pregnant with Bonnie. I know to expect things to feel crazy at first, but I also know that they will eventually calm down and things will seem to fall into place once again.

As I watch Brody and Bonnie grow up together, I become more and more thankful that we did decide to have them so close in age. Play dates with friends is great, but it is so hard to coordinate with other family's schedules, nap times, and more. But when you have at least two kids, play dates aren't as necessary (still wonderful, but not necessary all the time). You can go to the park, spur of the moment, and know that your kids will at least have one friend to play with.

I remember, and I still sometimes do, hoping that there would be a friend Brody's age that would add some excitement to our days at the park. Those times, when instant buddies are there, is wonderful, but when it doesn't work out that way, Brody and Bonnie always have each other.

The other cool thing I've noticed about this growing sibling relationship is that Brody really does fully enjoy Bonnie's company. He doesn't care so much for other kids that are Bonnie's age, really at all, but Bonnie truly is his very  best friend. It makes my heart melt. "Baby, want to go on the high slide?" "Baby, let's go play! Want to go play?" "Baby, come on!" And Bonnie follows, as fast as her little legs can take her. Brody walks at her pace and always makes sure that she's safe. "Baby, not that way, too high." "Baby, don't fall. Okay, baby? Careful!"

It's truly wonderful to be able to take the kids to the park, sit on the bench, and just watch them interact, play, and grow up together.

I know that there are probably many wonderful things about having kids further apart, and I know that those sibling relationships are just as special, in so many ways as well. But I am so happy with this life Jeff and I have chosen. This is our life, Brody and Bonnie's life, and it just feels right.

With another baby on the way, I'm anticipating the craziness. I am. But at the same time, this baby feels right. I know that Brody and Bonnie are going to love this one just as much as they love each other. Bonnie has been obsessed with babies lately and always wants to look at babies on my phone, aka my newsfeed. She gets big, excited eyes, each time another baby comes up, looks me straight in the face, and says, "Baby!! Baby! Momma, baby!" And I have to agree with her, that it is indeed a baby, before we can continue our browsing for more babies.

This momma-life, it really is a good life.

Two Words Worth of Potty Training Advice

So, I want to say, first off, I do not claim to be an expert on potty training. I have potty trained a total of ONE kid. Therefore, if you are looking for some actual, concrete, potty training advice, I advise you to stop reading this post, and look somewhere else.

That being said, I'm still going to continue this post. Why? Because a few of my mommy friends have messaged me ever since I potty trained my sweet, easy going, child, Brody **insert lots and lots of sarcasm into that last phrase** wondering how I did it, and if I had any tips.

I have learned, through my extensive time of parenting for three years, that all kids are different. But maybe, just maybe, my perspective and gained experience will help another first time momma out there that is trying to feel her way through the depths of potty training madness.

Potty Training Mommas out there: I have two words of advice for you.

Just wait.

Before Brody was deemed potty trained, I tried two times before. And when I say I tried, I really really tried. I tried salty snacks, lots of liquids, potty seat, potty chair, cool underwear, candy, different choices of candy, different flavors of candy, bribes, toys, ten minute intervals, stories on the potty, songs on the potty, music on the potty... standing in headstand position doing the potty dance for the little sweetie sitting on the potty, I tried lots and lots of utterly waste of time things, all having to do with the potty. And what did I get? Wet floor, wet couch, wet clothes, wet towels, poopy underwear, poopy hands, poopy poopy wet wet.... you get it.

It was gross. It was awful. And it honestly made me second guess my decision to ever become a parent in the first place.

Each time I attempted to potty train, I was ready to let go of those diapers. I was ready to save some money and I was definitely ready to end having to change huge, messy, toddler poops. I was so ready.

BUT after three days of potty training, on those first two trials, those diapers ended up becoming heaven sent. I would finally give in, stick that diaper back on Brody's little butt, and would literally feel like I could fly around the house and live my life once again. The weight that was lifted from me was simply incredible.

Oh diapers, they really do hold such a great purpose here on this earth.

A couple months before Brody turned three, I was ready to face the potty training trial once again. And actually, Brody had started wanting to be potty trained about a month before that. This time felt definitely different. I didn't question for a second whether he was ready. I knew he was ready.

Brody would do some things that just made me know. For example, many days I'd walk into his room and his floor would have little opened diapers all over it. After closer examination of these diapers, I would find that each would just be a little bit wet. Therefore, I knew that he must just not like the feeling of being wet anymore. So, he would pee, then go to his room, take his diaper off, and put a new one on, all by himself.

Other times, I would hear a. "Mommmaaaaa!!!!" I would enter the room that Brody was in, and see him laying on his back, legs in the air, diaper undone, with the poopiest little butt ready to be wiped. Yeah, gross. And yeah, this little scene made me urgently want potty training to happen. I'd exclaim, "Ah!!!! Brody! Don't move, keep your butt up!" And I'd run around the house, trying to find the closest box of wipes, to hopefully save my carpet's life.

Anyway, back to potty training. I knew he was ready. I know that the experiences that make you know your child is ready will be different than mine. (You probably are hoping this as well.) But my point is, just wait. Just wait until you know, without a doubt, that they are ready. If you are even questioning it a little bit, that means that you don't truly know.

I thought I knew on the first two tries. I would think to myself, spurred by things I had read and heard, "Oh, he can say the word potty now." That does not mean that they are ready. I would think to myself, "Oh, he tells me when he went potty." That does not mean that they are ready. I would think to myself, "Oh, he is two years old now." That does not mean that they are ready. I would think to myself, "Oh, he is kind of dry after his nap." That does not mean that they are ready.

Basically, nothing really means that they are ready until you just wait it out until you know that they are ready. No check list of things you read online is going to tell you if your child is ready. and honestly, if you are searching out those check lists, like I was, then your child is not ready.

The third time that we tried with Brody, when I knew he was ready, was.. dare I say it... easy. It was EASY! We went to storytime at the library on DAY ONE! I'm telling you. I didn't buy a single treat for that boy. He just started using the potty like a POTTY EXPERT. I'm serious guys. It was so easy. And all of those little tricks and schedules and programs are a waste of time, because if you just wait, it will be so easy.

Did he ever have an accident? Well, duh. He still does sometimes. But he gets it, and it was so freaking easy after we waited until he was ready.

Just wait. That's all I really have to say.

Potty Training Exhaustion