Hitting the Road and Learning to Pee

Norah and I headed back (without Jamie) for the week before Christmas since Melanie and her family were coming back as well.  I knew we would have a lot of fun, but I was a little worried about how things would go without Jamie's help.

Norah is a trooper and the driving portion, both there and back, was great.  Normally we don't let her watch DVD's the whole trip, but since I was flying solo I bent the rules.  Jamie gave Norah a pair of new pink headphones to wear while watching her movies, and man, what a blessing.  It spared me from 9 hours of The Wiggles, Dora, and Barbie movies!!!

The other big experiment while we were gone was potty training.  Norah's friend Hannah (who is potty trained) came over two days before we left and got Norah excited to start using the restroom.  FINALLY!  The problem, we threw a loooong car ride in a couple days later, so all progress made in those 2 days went out the window.  But when we got to Indiana we tried again.  By the last day we were at my dad's she was going by herself, without even telling me.  I think auntie Melanie had a lot to do with that because she kept promising Norah all kinds of rewards and treats if she kept her underwear dry.  We did have a few accidents here and there, but I think we are finally to the point where we won't have to buy any more diapers!  So I left with an untrained child and returned with a potty trained child... I'd say my wife owes me huge!

Norah in her Christmas dress

Lydia is really enjoying the Barbie movie, so much so she can't even smile

Ripping into the presents

Hamming it up before bed