Gabby Gilchrist

The naming Saga continues. My Grandma suggested I name him James Kurt. Problem with that one, is I have A grandpa James (passed on), a grandpa Jim (still with us TG!), a uncle Jimmy, a uncle James (goes by JC), a brother named James (goes by JD), and I have my middle name picked out – It doesn’t do nick name of initials well. So while its a popular family name, for the same reason Michael is out, so is James. Now, We have gone from 18 in consideration, down to 9. That is progress at least. The Middle name is Brennan, and of course he is a Gilchrist. Feel free to weigh in! I don’t promise to agree or follow advice.

Ammon

Cameron

Carson

Colin

Cullen

Finnegan

Nathan

Preston

Quinn

its a BOY!! We just found out a few hours ago. He may not be named for quite some time. Don’t ask.

8 days into potty training Aiden, at 3 years old 2 months and we are on day 3 of 100% dry. In the past 8 days we have had 2 wet accidents, and two mid poo accident. HE told me he was stinky, and needed to poo, meaning he needed a change and needed to go still. I feel like throwing a party. Shouting it from the mountain tops. What did we do? Nothing! When he showed interested we encouraged. When he wanted to wear big boy underwear we told him when he started going on the potty. When he started going on his own, we got rid of diapers, and relegated pull ups to overnights. We expected accidents. Refused to do anything but acknowledge them by cleaning, placing him on potty to try, and changing him. Only 1 day of wet accidents in underwear. A few days later 2 poo accidents in one day. Since then we had a close call, but no accidents except at bedtime in the overnight pull ups. Nothing we tried before worked, we just had to wait till he was ready. I feel like a prayer has been answered, I really was not looking forward to changing or purchasing diapers for 3 children starting at the end of May. I want to say to anyone waiting or feeling discouraged (as I did before and during the process and still do when accidents happen) to encourage yourself as much as the child. Its challenging for both parent and child, and frustrating. Reward yourself as well as the child, and when accidents happen (AND THEY WILL!!) don’t react, but be matter of a fact, and encourage a better way. When you get discouraged just remember if they are ready all it takes is commitment and patience. Everyone can do this. I have found a lot of tips about the child, but not a lot of how to deal with your parental feelings of frustration or discouragement, or words to encourage the adult not only the child.

Tim toured Lockwood Elementary’s  PACE program on behalf of our family Monday. We want to get Bekah in because she has a lopsided learning in he current class. Needs more math help desperately, and needs to focus more on comprehension than reading skills. She does too well to draw attention, but is behind in math enough to drag her down and discourage her in other areas. I want to get Katie in because not only would it be pain to have 2 kids in 2 different elementary schools, but I think Katie would do really well with exploring her interests and excelling in each area. She is on the cusp of reading on her own, but I think once she gets it she will sky rocket in comprehension. She has outstanding logic and understanding. She does well in math thanks to it. We just have to hope the lottery goes in our favor. Katie and Bekah already have tons of friends at Lockwood, and at least 1friend in each PACE class. We now just have to be patient until the first week of February when we will get notified if we got in or are still on the list.

My knitting project of the moment is a striped cardigan for Merry. Similar to the one I made 8 or so months ago for one of my nephew Owen’s first birthday. I am making it for my nephew Jackson’s first birthday. Unfortunately I am running behind. My eyes have been killing me and my head has been aching, and on top of that I had a nasty cold. Set me back a solid week! I am done with the body, and half way through the hood. I still need to make the sleeves and seam it up, but that doesn’t take long. A few I-cords for button loops, and sewing on the buttons, and I will be done, I would say I am at about 65% now. I am loving how it looks. It is Navy, White, and Light blue with cabled edging. Really gorgeous. I don’t want to photograph it till it is done, cause I think the first person to see it should be his parents (at least his mom). I promise to post a of him in it as soon as it is finished.

My dad is doing fine. He went to be with my Mom on a trip to Arizona. He still needs to under go a stress test when he gets back. I really appreciate everyone’s prayers and well wishes on the subject.

We had a great new years eve. Games with the Snow’s (which I won for once). Then we chilled and relaxed just the two of us (all kids snug in their beds and fast asleep well before midnight)! I don’t do New Years resolutions, I figure if it’s important you don’t need an excuse or a special start date. There of course are always things I am working on. There are a lot of great things about 2009 and a lot to look forward to this year.

I am excited to find out the sex and exact arrival date of the babe on January 13. I am excited to finish the cardigan I started early this week for my Nephew Jackson. I have already hit the half way point on it. I also have a blanket I want to knit, and many a baby item for the newbie. So far its a quiet start to the new year. I have had a heck of a time shaking a head cold, and my youngest two have picked it up. We have kept to home for the last few days. School starts up again tomorrow for the kids. We have a busy week.

My Daddy is in the hospital tonight for further testing. Overnight observation for some earlier chest pains. When I go by the hospital tonight I hope to get some more information on what they are thinking is wrong. Prayers are welcome and appreciated. 

So every year we go downtown with the kids during the figgy pudding contest. We ride the monorail to the Westlake center with the kids, then walk around a bit looking in the windows. We ride the carousel and peak at Santa. Some years we go see the one at Nordstrom but not this year. We get drinks, and look at the train at the center house. Grab some treats from the Chocolate factory. Then we thoroughly enjoy the well lit walk from the center house to the car. This year the kids get to drive the train at the center house, and our monorail driver was so sweet to the kids, he let each of them honk the horn and Katie and Bekah got to be in charge of opening and shutting the doors.

Now given this was nearly 2 weeks ago, cause things are crazy busy here. My Christmas knitting is coming along, and I am starting to feel a bit better. We have exciting Christmas and new years coming up. My shopping has been pretty much done for a long time now. I have the benefit of grandparent money every now and then to get the kids a little something extra, so I still get the fun of the last minute deals, but for the most part we have the nice relaxed part remaining of wrapping. I even got all my Christmas cards out a few weeks ago now. All said and done, a not bad showing. Its not a very large Christmas but I think we have plenty and with all the crafts they will have plenty to remember.

We have had a good week, I didn’t post about it but we watched 3 of our nieces and nephews on Friday for 6 hours or so. They got along great. They always do really. What was so fabulous was watching Charlotte and Gavin (her closest cousin) play. Kids at right about 1 don’t usually play together, more like near each other, but these two were playing side by side. I look forward to all the kids getting to play together tomorrow as well.

Thanksgiving being tomorrow I won’t be posting for a few days. We are in charge of the Turkey and volunteered for plenty of other things, so our kitchen is already busy busy, and will remain so until nearly time to go tomorrow. Lucky for me I am not hosting any parties till the Christmas Eve Dinner. It takes a lot to get it together at

Christmas Shopping and decorating starts the day after thanksgiving for me, but not this year. This year, we only need to get the Tree and the bushes outside done. We took advantage of the dry day Tuesday and Tim got the roof lights up. I got all the other decorations out and decked our halls. Aside from a stop at the local hardware store, and office supply store we are staying away from the crowds Friday, and instead gathering at my Mom’s house for post Thanksgiving dinner. I am done with my Christmas shopping, except for a trip to Hallmark and a few stocking stuffers.

I am knitting this gorgeous fair isle beret for little Charlotte. I am loving it! I have never done this kind of color work before, just stripes. This is more fun than I ever would have thought. And so Rewarding. I am nearly half through with it. I would probably be done, but for frogging it over half way yesterday, due to a misreading of the pattern. Plus I didn’t like the color order at the time. Now I love it. It’s pattern is written flat, to be sewn, but I am knitting it in the round, shy 1 stitch of the count, and it looks stunning. In other knitting news I got my final stuff for my Christmas knitting. I have the foot of one sock to do, and to finish this hat, then I am on to the ties. It is too awkward to photograph unfinished. I can’t wait to show you tho. It is one of her Christmas gifts.

Next week we start on the crazy Christmas crafts for the kids to give each other. Oh so exciting!