Recap of Maternity Leave

 I'm on my last week of maternity leave and I have no idea where the time went. I thought I would be blogging much more while I was at home but not so much. Our lives have been so hectic lately that its a good thing I wasn't juggling work on top of it all. I'm hoping that things will slow down after the holidays but I still need to get through December. Gosh, it is the last day in November and I am already to get December over with! I thought I would give a little recap of my six weeks at home and the differences in my post pregnancy journeys.
This maternity leave has been so different than my last one. I was so lonely when I was home with Ty and wanted visitors everyday to keep me company. I never manage to sleep while he slept and I was exhausted.
Turns out there was more to the being exhausted than just not getting a good nights rest. When Ty was about 8 months old, I found out that my thyroids were not working properly and I also had 3 nodules on them. I was put on Synthroid to get my thyroids to function normally and sent to a specialist to check out those nodules. I had to get an ultrasound on my neck to measure the size of them and then a biopsy, to make sure that they weren't cancerous. Everything came back normal. Now I have to get ultrasounds done every 6 months to make sure that they haven't grown.
While I was pregnant they kept changing my dose of synthroid. First, I was taking too much so they knocked it back. Then upon reviewing my chart decided to increase it, because the use of the thyroid is important during pregnancy. So, I have 3 different pill bottles on my counter and look like an addict. But they have it all regulated now and I feel great. I know that since my body wasn't functioning like normal after having Ty, it was hard to loose those pregnancy pounds. This time, I gained 6 pounds during pregnancy and I am currently down 22! I have more energy than I have had in a long time and I get to wear my pre-Ty clothes again. I, of course, would love to shed about 20 more but losing 10 more pounds would put me back at my weight senior year. If I don't lose any more I would be thrilled to just maintain this, but I think Momma is gonna try to get to the gym and to knock some more off. Just need to find the time and get into a routine. I was really wanting to get to the Y while I have been home but like I said this 6 weeks has been crazy! I was lonely and bored at home with Ty but this time I haven't had a chance to be lonely or bored.
This maternity leave has been full of laundry, washing bottles, family dinners(so gonna miss this), shopping...not a good thing when you aren't working & paying to hold my spot at work & paying for daycare, then multiple doctor visits = 2 breast infections and then I had an allergic reaction to one of the antibiotics. I broke out with a rash on my legs and arms. Needless to say, I am DONE pumping.
Max had his one month check up on Monday and tipped the scale at 11 lbs, 1 oz! The doctor put him on his belly to see how good he could hold up his head and while he was on his belly he rolled over! The doc and I just looked at each with wide eyes and she said  to watch out he could be doing things early.

My plans for the rest of the week is to get us ready for December (decorating the house, buy & wrap presents), take naps with my baby boy, and make an awesome supper for my family.

time to start potty training????

I am looking for some advise, tips, or anything you got on this...

I am torn on this potty training stuff. I would love to not have to change double the diapers, because lets face it...it is turning into a full time job now. But I don't think having to run to the bathroom every 10 minutes sounds like something I have time for now.

I have been told my multiple people now that when your kid wakes up dry consecutive mornings that it means they are "ready." Well this has been happening here for about 2 weeks now. Which is super exciting, but now what? Whenever I ask Ty if he needs to go potty he says "no," when I asked him if he pooped he says "no." Are you seeing a pattern here?
He never fights me when I tell him I need to change his diaper but it seems like caring the extra load around doesn't bother him.

The other night he went to his usually corner to do "his business," so we hurried and grabbed him and stuck him on the toilet. Of course nothing happened after 10 minutes of hanging out in the bathroom and bribing him with m&m's.

One of my clients did this 3 day potty training boot camp on both her girls and it worked great. That was my original plan but I am wondering if it will even work since Ty has no desire at this point. I have thought about just putting underwear on him and see how it goes but I am not looking forward to cleaning my floors 50 times a day.

Any other suggestions or feedback on what has worked for you or people you know would be wonderful!

Halloween 2011

Monday was a crazy busy day for me and it has taken me untill today to catch up. We started off our Halloween by taking Ty to daycare. It was a little more hectic than normal since I was bringing his treats for the Halloween party. When we got there Miss Kellie was mixing up play-doh and of course my kid was the first to put it in his mouth. Makes a Mom so proud! After Max and I left daycare we stopped by the shop so I could get my eyebrows done. I couldn't stand looking at myself like that anymore!
Then we were off to Fairview for a weight check appt for Max. Oh boy...he isn't wasting anytime beefing up! 8 lbs 2 oz! The doctor was pleased with this so we are good untill his 1 month check up.
We did some shopping while we were up there and I couldn't believe how many people were out in costumes. The one that I can't stop thinking about is a 12ish year old girl dressed as a french maid.
On our way home I pulled over in a parking lot to pump and change Max. I just crawled in the backseat and with 2 carseats back there, I had no choice but to change his diaper on my lap. Well....bad idea! He exploded all over me. I still can't believe it happened. I know that if someone would have gotten that on video, I would be 1 million dollars richer. So that left me driving home in a tank top with shit stains that soaked through from my other shirt.

When I got home I had to finish putting together Ty's costume. I was so excited how everything turned out.

My Fisherman and little Fish

A big THANKS to my cousin Lynne. She made Ty's vest and hat. And also surprised me by buying Max's costume, which required some alterations.

Some family came over to see the boys and watch the trick-or-treaters. Once the rest of our group showed up we were ready to head out.

Superman, Batman, Nemo, & The Fisherman

Ty's bff Jay a.k.a. the sea otter stopped by for awhile.

Megan joined us this year for some trick or treating. She made a super cute pirate princess.

I wasn't sure how Ty would do, most of the time he is very shy. But once again big brother surprised me. He walked up to the doors and would say "a treat" and most of the time I would have to remind him to say "thank you."

We decided to put the fisherman in his boat.

Mommy & Ty

After everyone was done walking around we went back to our house to see the rest of the trick-or-treaters.I think the kids had more fun handing out candy and getting it. It was a great night!

 Thanks to my sister for taking all of these great pictures. She just got a new camera and it does an awesome job!