Tuesday Tally, on a subdued note

Last Thursday, my grandma finally passed away. I'm glad she was with us for the holidays. Now she is with her daughter. The funeral was yesterday. The services were beautiful. I loved hearing new stories about her. Two of my sisters and I (accompanied on the piano by a third), sang "Into the West."

 

Into the West, with Lyrics

 

B was good, stayed dry all day despite being in a diaper. He used the toilet at the appropriate breaks rather than interrupting anything. I'm so very proud of him.

 

EotF Status

one chapter still out on submission

will work more on query letter and synopsis, start sending some out next month.

 

T.C. Status

word count: 4,455

 

MiB Status

word count: 857

 

Nothing new written on either story, but outlined the next five chapters for TC, and solidified the antagonist and some other world details for MiB. Alternate title for "Magic is Believing" - "Fly With Me," after a poem of mine. Still have a long time to choose, though. Don't even have the first chapter done yet. Ooh, how would "Fly with me" work as a salutation for Alexa? Too weird?

 

Goals progress moved to sidebar. ---->

GoodReads widget with the books I read this year also added.

"Tuesday" Tally

EotF Status

Draft 6 complete

one chapter out on submission

struggling with query letter writing

 

T.C. Status

word count: 4,455

 

MiB Status

word count: 857

 

Progress on 2009 Goals:

• 0/50 books read
• 1/50 poems written
• 0/50 poems submitted
• 1/50 chapters written (for TC or MiB)

 

Apologies for no posts earlier this week. Monday was my wedding anniversary (7 years!). B spent the night at my in-laws. My husband and I went out to dinner, watched some TV together at home, and enjoyed a night of not having the kid. Tuesday we slept in, walked around the mall, and grabbed some fast food before picking up B. It was very nice.

 

Potty training has been a success! Last week we had a breakthrough when B actually held his pee and rushed to the bathroom. Still having occasional accidents, and have to make sure he doesn't hold it too long while saying he doesn't need to go, but the hard part is done. He's communicating, and enjoying having more in common with daddy, and only has a couple stickers to go until a prize. He has even used the toilet at both Grandma's and school. Yay!

T.T. and Happy Holidays

EotF Status

total words to date: 97,037

pages: 440

chapters revised: 21/27 (draft 6)

 

T.C. Status

word count: 2,947

 

MiB Status

word count: 791

 

Goals for December

• write a prompted poem for contest - "If Atlas Had a Tantrum..." 
• submit a batch of poems  
• mail off Blazing Princess again 
• get through EotF draft 6

 

My mom stopped by today, so now we have presents circling the entire Christmas tree rather than one little pile. We're having pot roast for Christmas dinner. It will be my first time making it. Hoping it goes well. With the internet and a crock pot I don't imagine it will be too hard.

 

Slow progress on the potty training front. Just haven't had good timing. Doesn't help that B never volunteers the need to go, for either function. Was hoping that a shower (which B hates) after every soiled underwear would help to motivate him, but after three showers yesterday... Today better not be as bad. It would be a lovely Christmas present for him to be potty trained, but I don't think it's happening that fast.

 

As soon as I finish this draft of EotF, I am sending the first chapter to Firebrand Literary Agency. They are having a Query Holiday, and accepting first chapters through January 15. Worth a shot.

One Week to Christmas!

Are you ready?

 

Christmas break also means getting serious with potty training. B will be potty trained before school starts again in January. He seems more ready this time. Hoping it goes well...

 

Shrinking Violets is having a 12 Days of Christmas - Introvert Style. Humorous, and quite applicable. They are also having daily give-aways to go along with it. Lots of fun!

Tuesday Tally plus PT update

EotF Update

total words to date: 90,828

pages: 404

chapters revised: 10/27 (draft 5)

 

T.C. Status

word count: 1471

 

This month's goals:

• finish five antagonist chapters for EotF - 1.5/5 done
• finish EotF draft 5 
• submit at least one batch of poetry
• submit Blazing Princess
• work on Trinity Coven

Last week's goals:

• work on second antagonist chapter
• EotF website mailing

This week's goals:

• finish 2nd ant. ch. and write 3rd
• prep next Fantasy newsletter
• wait in eager anticipation for Friday's listing of contest entries, and comment on at least five other openings once they're up
• write a new poem (for WDC contest)

Potty Training update:

After another attempt, we have determined that B is simply not ready. He does not care if his underwear is wet and soiled if he is busy playing, especially with P here. Over weekends we can get him coming to us if he's wet, or answering yes/no to if he needs to potty, but even that is still hinging around clean up for him, and not prevention. We did try bribes - a new car (displayed where he can see it even) for the first time he poops in the potty, and stickers every time he pees in the potty with a promise of a new game when he completes a sheet of stickers.

 

We will now be waiting until October to try again, when P's mom has her baby and takes time off work. Then we can focus without the backtracking during the week. Hopefully he will be ready then. The only tough thing now is talking him into wearing diapers again. He loves wearing underwear. Sadly, he simply doesn't have the internal incentive to keep them dry. On the plus side, you don't have to read my potty-training whining for three months!

New Month, New Start

We (read I) have decided to put a hold on potty training. Maybe we'll try again next month. B doesn't care enough about soiling his underwear. If he's busy playing, he won't say anything until I notice or ask. The potty has become too synonymous with clean up and has not been used enough for its real purpose.

 

Moving on, I have a few overall goals for the month. I'll probably start up official Tuesday Tally's next week. This month I want to finish those five antagonist chapters for EotF. I have a few poems I want to submit - even have some markets picked out, just need to write cover letters and send them out. I'm going to send out Blazing Princess again, aiming high. Can't get in the top mags if I don't submit to them. I think I'll pull out Trinity Coven again as well. Was looking at the opening for submitting to a contest, and I really do like my characters. I'm excited about it again (not that I ever meant to drop it, just was on the back burner and didn't need the extra pressure).

 

I hope everyone is having a good summer.

Piano! potties... plus philosophy

I got a call from my mom earlier this week. She got me a piano! It's second hand, from an old church building that's going to be torn down. But it's mine. I spent a couple hours measuring and planning for a place to put it, and had it all figured out.... then shared the news with my mother-in-law who asked "How are you getting it in the apartment?" . . . You see, we are on the bottom floor, and after the steps down there's this sharp narrow corner, with really no room to maneuver a piano. Maintenance guys had a hard time getting in our washer and dryer. So, my mom is holding my piano at her house until we get a new place (Thanks Mom!). Hopefully that will happen later this year. Still working out if it will be possible. *crosses fingers*

 

Slow progress on the potty training, but progress none-the-less. He pooped in the toilet for the first time today. Was prompted though. Usually ends up sitting on the potty as a cleanup or pees on the way (don't know how many times I've asked "do you need to potty?" when I know he's dry, and he's wet by the time we get to the bathroom only a short hallway away. is there like a trigger or something??).

 

And, since it's been a while, and B is peeing less frequently, and P took a nap (alas, only an hour), I got some Q's answered.

 

5,000 Questions... My answers so far...

 

317. What are your feelings about the death penalty? This is a toughie. Well, as is most any other controversial issue... You see, I can see both sides of an issue and am easily swayed. Very hard to take an actual stance. Also why I don't vote. The more informed I get about politics and issues, the less I know who/what to vote for. I would be horrible in debate...

318. If there was a god and you could ask him/her one question what would it be? What does He see in me that I don't?

319. Do you believe that life will be found on other planets? I believe there is life on other planets. Will we ever be advanced enough to find each other? I don't know.

320. What is something worth suffering for? Apparently getting a child potty trained... and being a mom in general. But I draw my line with one. Don't want to tip the balance between joy and suffering. Note that this is just me. I have nothing against my mom or siblings with their many children. I personally don't feel emotionally or physically capable of raising two or more. Stretched thin enough just babysitting a second... I'm sure there are other things worth suffering for, but ask me when B is done peeing his pants...

321. If you could put an extra eye on your body anywhere you wanted, where would you put it? Extra eye, eww... The back of my hand, maybe? Then I could aim it just about any direction I want. Much more versatility than the back of the head. Though still creepy.

322. Are you in touch with the earth and nature? Not to the extent I used to be. I miss my long, aimless walks.

323. Would you rather live simply or extravagantly? simply extravagant. seriously.

324. Have you ever been camping? Yes. I remember camping regularly growing up - Family Camp (reunions), Girls Camp (church group), Honeycomb Rock (back in southern Utah). Last time I went camping was Family Camp in August 2004. Me, five-month old B, and my family camping out with aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. My husband doesn't like camping much, so didn't join us.

325. Is your heart open when you meet someone new? I think my heart was way too open. Since being married, not so much. At least not open to love. Open to friendship, yes.

326. Are you able to have conversations with and become friends with people who are not like you and are interested in different things than you are? I don't know. Initial friendships, sure. Long lasting, hasn't really happened yet. Not sure whose side was to blame, if any. Any relationship needs common ground. C.S. Lewis says it well:

Friendship arises out of mere Companionship when two or more of the companions discover that they have in common some insight or interest or even taste which the others do not share and which, till that moment, each believed to be his own unique treasure (or burden). The typical expression of opening Friendship would be something like, 'What? You too? I thought I was the only one.'

 

327. Are strangers more beautiful or frightening to you? Beautiful. It's the interacting part that is frightening, not the people themselves.

328. What stops you from doing everything you want to do? Money stops me from traveling. My own fears stop me from doing other things.

Tired Tuesday Tally

EotF Update

total words to date: 89,409

pages: 401

chapters revised: 1/27 (draft 5)

 

T.C. Status

word count: 1471

 

I have accomplished none of my goals for this past week. I'm just...tired. P has been cranky in the mornings, B sick, dealing with potty training (more emotionally hard than expected), and other stresses (including physical pain from some lingering 'monthly' cramps), and I'm worn out. I was exercising in the morning for a while, but now I stop after 10 minutes feeling more exhausted than when I started. I am really looking forward to Friday. My mom is taking me and B to the George Eccles Dinosaur Park. It will be a nice break.

 

Until potty training is over, I'm going to take a more laid back approach to goals and writing. I won't bother with Tuesday Tally's unless there's something to report, but I'll still pop into the blog for regular entries at least a couple times a week.

Training on Hold

First day potty training went as expected. Lots of laundry and scrubbing floors. He actually peed in the toilet once, so that was a minor success. But the next day B got a cold. :-( As I don't want to duel wield wipes, we are focusing on the nose wiping until he's feeling better. 

Potty-Training Time

We've done a bit with potty training - got B familiar with the seat, taught him the terms, had him sit on it if we knew he needed to go (though still wouldn't till he was off..). Now we're going serious. School is out, he's four years old, can communicate well, and acting ready. We have bought the supplies - lots of little boy underwear (Disney Cars theme for added motivation), have flushable wipes, and bought a better seat for the toilet - padded instead of hard plastic so hopefully he'll sit longer and not get a red ring on his rear. He'll still use disposable training pants for night time, but tomorrow he's moving to underwear for daytime. I expect lots of laundry over the next few weeks. Wish me luck, and feel free to share your own advice/experience.

On the B Front

We've had a potty chair for a while, got B used to seeing it and sitting on it occasionally, but hadn't seriously started training him yet. Once he started brushing his teeth mostly on his own, we've turned the base over to use as the stepstool. The top part fits on a toilet seat, and since B knows what the big toilet is for we've had him sit on it with the booster a couple of times. He's been wearing training pants as they are easier to change with him standing and not much more than a pack of diapers at the size he would need.

 

Yesterday he was acting like he needed to 'go' so I asked if he wanted to sit on the toilet. He ran right in and as soon as I put the seat on he started pulling off his pants. We had success! He actually used the potty! It wasn't much, and he filled his pants more after going to bed, but he seems to be ready for training. It's true what they say - they'll let you know when they're ready.

 

Now I have to train myself to ask him frequently and have him sit on the toilet first thing before and after bed. This morning he's already come to me wanting to sit on the toilet. All false alarms, but at least he has the desire. Seems to need to go, but can't. Maybe grape juice and raisins would help...

 

Saturday morning we got the call every parent wants to hear - Grandma wants to take the kid for the weekend. Yay! That afternoon we dropped B off at my in-laws, and didn't have to pick him up until over 24 hours later. It was great. We got some good couple time, and also had a blast doing a new dungeon with some friends in LOTRO without having to stop and get B snacks, change his pants, get him to bed, check on him, etc. And we slept in until 9:30 am. Heaven. :-)

 

Hubby's dad said that babysitting B was a breeze. Apparently he would always complain after having his other grandkids over - too noisy, rowdy, messy, or what not. B is a good kid. Well mannered, not too noisy, neat eater and not picky, willing to play by himself, and will help pick up toys. I'm lucky to have such a well-mannered kid. He's a sweetheart and I love him very much.

 

This poem was written almost exactly one year ago, on 11/01/06. The poetry form is Dorsimbra.

 

Little Mirror

A little mirror stands in front of me:

his ears stick out of hair as blonde as mine.

To mimic is a game that brings such glee;

where will this strong resemblance draw the line?

 

His wide grin mirrors mine as well,

eyes squeezed shut over dimpled cheeks.

Will he also take on my faults --

run into walls, have allergies, and an absent mind?

 

I need to act and speak so carefully

if he is to reflect each thing I do;

an "uh-oh" turns my head to face my son --

a little mirror stands in front of me.

Watching my son grow

My son is developing some good and bad habits as he grows older. He is about three and a half years old now. He loves to help out with, well, anything - laundry, dishes, even insisting on carrying in something after grocery shopping as well as putting said something away. On the not so good side, he's been showing a temper. More than just a fit, there's door banging and (today) pushing down someone smaller than him. I really hope it's a phase thing, not an emerging trait. Not acceptable at all. Makes me hope he doesn't have a fit at school.

Speaking of school, he starts again on September 5! He'll be going to preschool for a couple hours twice a week. Due to overcrowding, his class has moved to a different school. He'll have a different teacher, but should have some of the same kids. I think kindergarten starts after a kid turns five, so he has a couple years of preschool still to go. Hopefully we'll be in a house by then.

My son still isn't speaking much (though he's plenty noisy). He does have a small vocabulary of regularly used words - uh-oh, daddy, bye, banana, ball, bubbles, "i love you", and "thank you". There are other words he can say, but doesn't use them on a regular basis. He's getting better at repeating words and phrases.

Another area he is making progress in is potty training. I think he's close to readiness. He will say "uh-oh" while pointing to his butt when he needs changing, and is willing to sit on the potty (booster on the actual toilet, as that way he knows what it's for) before bed, though has yet to use it. Maybe someday soon he'll warn me before he needs to go instead of telling me after.

I babysit four times a week, two long days and two short, watching a one year old boy. One thing this has done for me is convince me how happy I am to only have one kid! With two, they get each other in more trouble, have squealing wars, get more hyper-active, occasionally fight over toys, and overall make a lot more noise. After a long, stressful babysitting day, I wonder how my mom survived with nine of us kids. I can barely keep my sanity after a whole week with two! I'm sure as my son grows older I will gain an even better appreciation and understanding of my parents.

I've said before that writing my novel is the most challenging and enjoyable thing I've ever done. That wasn't entirely true. It's the second most challenging and enjoyable. Being a mom would definitely be the first. I love my son. :-)

A Call for Potty Training Advice

I'd like to start potty training my son (three years old). We've had the potty chair for a while, he's sat on it before (usually before baths), but more to get him familiar with it rather than seriously using it. How do I get him to sit on it when he needs to? He's never communicated to me when he needs to go, so I've tried to catch him in the act. I don't want to sit him on it too often, as I don't want him to get tired of it. He always grunts before pooping, but for a while now he'll hide in his bedroom during the process. I tried going in today when I heard him grunting, but he didn't want to go with me into the bathroom, just got upset and hid in the closet. He seems to be embarrassed by it. How do I talk him into using the potty? Keep in mind he doesn't talk much. Not entirely sure he understands what the chair is for. We do have him in training pull ups already, as they fit better than the diapers he was using and he likes pulling them up instead of having to lie on the floor for changing. Any training advice? What's worked for you?