( Colby receives stickers after going pee pee in the toilet and in this picture he is covered in chocolate, we took him for ice cream after pooping in the toilet for the first time)


We have been potty training Colby. About a month ago I had my first attempt and after 2 hours I decided this was silly and left it alone. A month ago I was sleeping in on Saturday and I could hear Darrin starting Colby on the potty training process. We figured the weekend would be perfect since Darrin was home.
I don't do so well with #2, I have an amazing gag reflux. After a couple days of being BUTT NAKED Colby was starting to get #1 down, he would have one or two accidents not making it to the toilet in time, but he was getting it #2 was a little different. Every 5th or 6th time he would make it to the toilet for the big dead- all the other times I would throw his underwear away or wash the carpet extremely well.
Week 1- #1 is almost a done deal. Colby stays dry at nap and at bedtime. If he has to go, he will wake up to go potty and go back to bed. #2 not so hot, I think he went maybe three times in the toilet.
Week 2- I was welcome to have Darrin home for a few days to help revive my spirits. Darrin took Colby to Lowes and Colby needed to go #1. Darrin took him into the bathroom and Darrin put Colby on the toilet and must have forgot how small his behind is.....yep he fell in the toilet. Needless to say we went a little backwards with going out in public places and having to use the restroom.
We did discover that Colby keeps going to the bathroom a ton- like 10 times before he actually poops. We found his sign! Which apparently is all we needed. Later that week Grandma Miller came and taught Colby how to go #1 standing up. He gets to see that pee pee makes bubbles, he now loves to make bubbles in the toilet. Now, thanks to Grandma going in public restrooms is okay. We haven't had to go #2 in a public place yet but number 1 is now fun no matter where he is.
Week 4- I don't know what the true definition of potty trained is, aiming and wiping will be in the works for a while but for us I think he is official. He wears big boy underwear and only has the occasional accident on rare occasions. I was SUPER nervous about potty training but I am so glad Colby did such a good job. He is such a big boy!

Posted in: 2010, colby on Tuesday, September 21, 2010 at 2 comments  

When we first moved here we bought a barbecue for our deck, we always had a good time cooking- a year later we realized it is illegal to have a barbecue on a deck in an apartment complex. Now that we can't use it we only used our deck for our trash can until we hauled it off to the dumpster.


Our deck is now being properly used, we went and bought some outdoor furniture. The weather is always so nice, we now use our deck all the time. Darrin even planted some new herbs and flowers and strung lights for the perfect ambiance.

Posted in: 2010, darrin, home project, riss on Monday, September 13, 2010 at 5 comments  

Before heading off to bed, Darrin and I went on our nightly check of the chitlins. This is how we found Colby, he was dead asleep. The picture doesn't even do it justice. His bumb was barely on the bed, he must be a deep sleeper.


The quality might be bad it was with a cell phone.

Posted in: 2010, colby on Thursday, August 26, 2010 at 4 comments  

Colby NEVER looks at the camera, so this is a pleasant surprise, I just love the silly faces he makes.

He always makes that face, so I like to copy him and than he busts out laughing.

If you haven't noticed, I made him a quesadilla for lunch, maybe he was making jumps for his cars with it, he was definitely playing and not eating. Silly!

Posted in: 2010, colby on Wednesday, August 25, 2010 at 1 comments  

Now that Ethan is a little older, and sitting up, they do great during bath time. Of course with 2 kids, how in the world do u get them to BOTH look at the camera? Impossible, I say!

Posted in: 2010, colby, ethan on at 2 comments  

Posted in: 2010, colby, darrin on Sunday, August 1, 2010 at 0 comments  

We have just gotten back from our week in Utah, I love being on vacation. It was really nice to see most of the Craner Fam. Darrin and I miss Utah. Even though I grew up in Boise I often think of Utah as my home. Darrin and I love Utah! Utah has so much family and most of our favorite places. I already want to go back.
I have been reading the most amazing blog. This woman is LDS and she was in a horrible plane crash. It talks about her family and her faith through this major trial. I want to be more like her. She is so inspiring. Reading her blog makes me feel so blessed.
First, I am blessed with not one but 2 amazing families. The Miller fam and the Craner fam. I am very thankful for my families, they mean the world to me.
Second, I am blessed with 2 beautiful boys! Colby and Ethan are not part of my world, they are my world. I am so busy with them, I remember a poem- it talks about how this lady is reflecting on her life and things she would have done differently, not cared about fingerprints of the sofa, dirty faces, etc. Raising my kids I am reminded of that poem daily. I could spend all day, every day cleaning my house to live up to my expectations, instead I have learned to let go and play with my kids, kiss them both a thousand times a day, play cars, cuddle while watching cartoons. I know that soon enough I wont be aloud to kiss them that much, or tuck them in at night, or rock them to sleep. Even though I could still work on having a spotless house all day long, for now I am enjoying my children. My two wonderful boys. Loving them everyday is my number one priority!
Third, I am truly blessed with my amazing husband. Darrin went to bed at 8:30 tonight, he works super hard and super long hours. 4 am to 5 pm, he works that a lot!!!! He never complains about waking up that early. I HATE the morning, I love how he never complains about work. I know I am lucky, I get to be with my children every day. I could not have that amazing gift without my husbands hard work. I appreciate everything he does for me and for our children. Darrin is my best friend. I could spend every second with him. I miss him the minute he leaves my side. My boys are so excited when they see Daddy after work. They get huge grins on their sweet innocent faces and are always showing Dad the new tricks that they learned from the day.
I have day to day struggles, sometimes it feels like I have to break my days down into hours, to keep on going. No matter how hard life seems to get, I know that I always have the full love and support of my family, and the full love and support of my Heavenly Father. I know he loves me and has blessed me with an amazing family.
I feel blessed.

Posted in: 2010, riss on Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at 4 comments