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Nicole T's Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 7/21/03 -------------------- 7/9/03 7/1/03 6/23/03 6/12/03 5/31/03 5/17/03 5/11/03 5/1/03 4/25/03 4/14/03 4/6/03 3/26/03 3/15/03 3/9/03 3/1/03 2/28/03 2/18/03 2/7/03 1/28/03 1/22/03 1/17/03 1/8/03 12/31/02 12/22/02 12/16/02 12/3/02 11/18/02 11/5/02 10/28/02 10/21/02 10/14/02 10/6/02 9/27/02 9/20/02 9/13/02 9/4/02 8/17/02 8/7/02 7/29/02 7/15/02 7/5/02 6/27/02 6/17/02 6/7/02 5/29/02 5/7/02 4/30/02 4/23/02 4/15/02 4/5/02 3/26/02 3/19/02 3/11/02 2/28/02 2/11/02 1/30/02 1/16/02 1/8/02 1/2/02 12/21/01 12/13/01 11/30/01 11/19/01 11/9/01 10/30/01 10/18/01 10/8/01 9/27/01 9/17/01 9/6/01 8/28/01 8/20/01 8/9/01 7/31/01 7/23/01 7/12/01 7/6/01 6/27/01 6/21/01 6/13/01 6/6/01 5/31/01 5/23/01 5/16/01 5/9/01 4/29/01 4/20/01 4/12/01 4/4/01 3/30/01 3/21/01 3/15/01 3/7/01 2/28/01 2/13/01 2/6/01 1/21/01 1/14/01 1/7/01 1/1/01 12/30/00 12/24/00 12/17/00 12/11/00 12/4/00 11/29/00 11/22/00 11/15/00 11/1/00 10/23/00 10/18/00 -------------------- Nicole T's Introduction

January 8, 2003

January 8, 2003
Michael - 27 Months
Madison - 35 Weeks

WEANING..NEED HELP!!!!
I really want to wean Madison from the breast. I personally feel it is time. We tried to do it this past weekend by only offering her a bottle of breastmilk but she would scream and thrust her head back away from it. This went on the entire day and eventually we lost the battle because I breastfed her that night. I just didn't want it to be traumatic for her and it has turned out to be a negative experience after all since the simple sight of a bottle now makes her protest. I took the advice of an online baby site and put lemon juice on my breasts but that didn't make one iota of a difference! She didn't flinch! The Baby Whisperer book says to not breastfeed her for two days straight while offering a bottle. That seems pretty harsh. Has anyone tried this approach?

Madison is 35 weeks. Michael started to take a bottle at 32 weeks. He was also crawling at 32 weeks too while Madison isn't yet doing so. I wonder if crawling helps to make accepting a bottle easier? Oh, please, give me some advice on this! I have every bottle & nipple on the market. I have also tried a sippy cup but she just uses it as a teething toy. I want to wean her because I want more independence and I want to start dieting. I know that weaning is for selfish reasons but I think that I have breastfed exclusively long enough. I just need more ideas to help wean her. She is one stubborn little girl!

POTTY OUTLOOK
We have chosen a weekend this month to potty train Michael. He has picked out Blue's Clues, Bob the Builder, and Toy Story underpants and he is excited about wearing them. He tells us so every day and he tells us when he has to push so I think he is ready for the training. I also bought some Resolve carpet cleaner for those little accidents that I am sure will happen! I am excited to potty train him although it will be a laborious & exhaustive experience. Any more ideas on what I should have on hand?

PLAYTIME
For Christmas, Michael got a Brio train and a train table. He loves it!!! The table is the perfect height for him to build blocks, do puzzles, play with Hot Wheels, and play with the trains. I ordered the drawers that go under the table for extra storage and I will put his Hot Wheels in one drawer and his trains in the other. Michael also likes playing with his motorcycles, train whistle, and Woody, Buzz dolls. He recently received a harmonica and loves to play it everywhere we go. He puts it in his pant's pocket and takes it out at the grocery store, Target, playground, and in the car. He plays really well too…anyone can play the harmonica with ease! It is a great instrument for someone his age.

Madison plays by herself wonderfully. No complaints there! I have a big basket of baby toys and I sit her down in front of it and empty it all around her. She can sit happily playing, shaking, and mouthing all the toys for long periods of time.

BILL'S BIRTHDAY/NEW YEAR'S DAY
New Year's Day was Bill's 30th birthday. We didn't have anyone around to baby-sit so we took the children out for breakfast at Mimi's (a New Year's Day tradition). The service was very slow and the kids were extremely bored & fussy. We ate so fast that we didn't enjoy our meal which was too bad for us. We spent the rest of the day relaxing at home and taking down all the Christmas decorations. After the children's naps, Bill opened his presents and we had dinner. I got an ice cream cake for dessert and we wore party hats and had party blowers. Michael always enjoys those little additions to birthday party celebrations! All in all, it was a pretty good day. As I mentioned in my last entry, we will be renting a Harley bike and taking a trip to San Diego with some friends to really celebrate Bill's birthday at a later date (Madison has GOT to be taking a bottle by then!).

Well, not much to report this week. Please drop me a note on my TTM board with advice on weaning! Oh - also, has anyone held a toy/clothing exchange party? If so, what are the rules and how exactly can one make it go smoothly? I am planning on organizing one for MOM'S Club and need ideas. Thanks!
- Nicole, Michael, and Madison