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Maybe the most boring entry ever, but I need some advice!

July 16, 2006

Sometimes we have weekends that are none to exciting, but still mange to be fulfilling in the erranding, tasking, sorting and doing.  And sometimes they're not.  I really think the difference is one of mood and I will be the first to admit mine hasn't been the greatest the last couple of weeks.  I did get in a nice, long row early Saturday morning, made more fun by the fact that Meghan was practicing with her crew at the same time.  We were out for almost two hours, but rowed at a nice, slow pace.  But mostly we've spent much of our time restoring order to the house, doing laundry, returning library books – you all know the drill.  It's been nearly two weeks since I've updated and, while I had an entry going I basically trashed it and started over.  Even so, there doesn't seem to be much that is interesting to tell.

I did pick up the first season of Grey's Anatomy on dvd while we were out last weekend.  I didn't discover that show until January or so and now I am bordering on obsessed.  While Ava and John napped last Sunday afternoon I made it through the first three episodes.  Since then I've managed to squeeze in the third and fourth episodes.  What a great show!  I hope they get the second season out before the new season debuts.  I would like to be fully caught up so I can figure out if I'm wrong in my initial impression of who I think Meredith should choose!

We have found ourselves at a bit of a potty training impasse and I would be so grateful for any insights any of you reading might be willing to share.  Shortly after Ava's second birthday (she turned three the end of May) she started using the potty to pee.  She has become progressively better at this and is now to the point where she rarely, if ever wets her pants.  In fact, most mornings she wakes up dry.  She will run into the bathroom and pee on the potty on her own.  She volunteers when she needs to go.  She'll use public bathrooms.  Where's the glitch?  Ah, in the pooping in the potty.  She flatly refuses to poop in the potty.  If we 'catch' her and put her on the toilet she might drop a little nugget, but she will then, frequently finish the job in her pants a few minutes later.  I honestly thought when she moved up to the three year old room at child care it would click.  Nothing doing. 

We spoke at length with Ava's pediatrician at her well child visit and he advised us that what we are doing is totally appropriate and what Ava is doing is totally normal.  So what are we doing?  We talk about pooping in the potty in as normal a way as possible.  We don't yell at her or shame her in any way when she poops her pants, but do remind her that poop belongs in the potty. We make sure she gets plenty of fiber and is not constipated.  And Ava, clever child that she is, seems to get it intellectually.  She will say, 'poop belongs in the potty, not our pants...' and so forth.  Then drop a load in her pants.  Ava was wearing panties exclusively for several months, but is now insisting on wearing pull ups.  I personally feel that panties are better, but I am giving in....  She keeps the pull ups dry all day.  Her doctor says when she gets it, she'll get it and it will be done.  Daycare wants to institute some kind of a m and m related reward and punishment.  Do any of you have any tips that worked?  I will admit I am really over changing messy pants...

I am sitting here now typing on this entry while Ava watches 'Dora' and John and Lane are out wind-sailing/surfing.  Ava had her second round of swimming lessons yesterday morning.  She did a very good job.  Ava is quite comfortable in the water, within her own comfort range.  She was not the least bit interested in laying her head back in the water, even if I held her close.  But she did do 'bubble mouth' and put her head under water three times, then she said 'I don't want to do that anymore mama.'  I am somewhat appalled by how hard many of the parents push their children during swimming lessons.  John and I agreed that our goal for swimming lessons was for Ava to be the happiest kid there.  And maybe to gain a little more comfort in the water.  So far, so good.  To say we are experiencing a heat wave here would be a drastic understatement. It was already well into the 80s yesterday morning when swimming lessons began. It has been oppressively hot and there is no end in sight on the forecast.  I row Monday night and it is slated to be 97 degrees.  Ugh. 

Before the long iParenting web break I used to share recipes with folks somewhat regularly.  Again I have run across a recipe that is too tasty and too easy not to share.  I got it from my mother and I have no idea where she got it.

Greek Lemon Soup

6 cups chicken broth

½ - ¾ Cup long grain rice (Jasmine is very good in this)

3 egg yolks

¼ cup fresh lemon juice

Salt and pepper

Bring broth to a boil and add rice, cover, reduce heat, allowing rice to simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. 

Wisk egg yolks and lemon juice together until well combined. 

When the rice is done, remove from heat and ladle one cup of the hot broth into the egg and lemon mixture.  (This step is very important.  If you skip it your eggs will probably scramble)  Wisk this mixture back into the soup 

Return the soup to medium/low heat stirring constantly.  Do not let the soup boil.  Add salt and pepper to taste and serve.  It looks pretty garnished with sliced lemons.  I actually added a little more broth at the end because mine got a little thick – your preference.

It tasted delish with some grilled chicken on the BBQ.  Also fabulous with some crusty bread/bruschetta.  It is very light and easy for summer time.

I tried to post one of the only recent pictures I have of John, me and Ava.  But it was taken by my mother, who has an ancient digital camera and the file wouldn't upload onto iParenting.  I am not terribly tech savvy, but I tried to convert the picture into a different type of file.  It didn't work.  I will see if I can get a picture up to replace the 'no photo available' some time soon! 

Thanks for reading—

--Kate