So we’re in the playroom today which also happens to house my Gazelle.  Little Button makes the announcement that she’s going to go do some exercise and starts walking toward the machine, which she knows she’s not allowed to touch.

Before she reached it, I used my warning voice: “Button, do you remember what Mama said about touching the exercise machine?”

She stops, as if considering the consequences.  Then she turns to me, and with a most sober look on her face says, “More or less.”

I couldn’t help but laugh.  So she started to laugh.  Between giggles, she says, “Mama, you say that all the time!”

I had no idea that “more or less” is one of my pet phrases… but J agrees, so apparently it’s true.

Who’d have thought?  My kid actually listens to what I say.

Yesterday J walked into the kitchen while Little Button and I were enjoying our respective bowls of Cheerios.

J: “Are you guys eating some O’s?”

Button: “Actually, we’re eating cereal.”

* * *

You know how sometimes when you’re on the phone and it will start echoing - and all of a sudden you can hardly talk to the other person because you’re so distracted by listening to everything you say repeated back to you with a 2-second delay?

That’s totally what it’s like to take Button to Subway and try to order a sandwich.

* * *

Hey, thanks for all the name suggestions you guys!  I’ve tagged a couple that I like and have added them to my “list.”  Perhaps this kid will get a name before he’s born after all

“Mama, want me to tell at story about Dora?”

“Sure.”

“Once upon a time, there was … DORA. The end.”

I heard Button talking in her room this morning so I opened the door to say good morning.

“Is it light outside yet?”
“Yes it is.  Would you like to get up?”

She thought about it for a minute.  Then she stuck her finger up her nose.

“I’m gonna get a booger and give it to YOU.”

Um…thanks… ?

Well, we’ve officially begun it.

You know, the “it” that has had me shrinking away in anticipation and cringing at the very thought. The “it” that I have successfully procrastinated on starting for almost a year. The IT that means my every move for the next several months will be strategically planned around access to the nearest bathroom.
Yep. Potty training. (insert duhn duhn DUHN music here)

Little Button did very well yesterday, and successfully peed in the potty at least 3 times (could have been 4, I lost count). Each time she pees in the potty, she gets a “special treat,” which usually means a small fistful of M&Ms or Reece’s Pieces.

We’ve found “special treats” to be a huge motivator, as our child has inherited her mother’s sweet tooth. Not entirely unpredictable, since she was pretty much fed chocolate intravenously during the entire 9 months of my pregnancy.

This morning she was attempting to go pee in the potty, and it just wasn’t happening. She started giving herself a pep talk about if she goes pee in the potty, then she can have a special treat.

Daddo: “What kind of special treat do you want?”
Button: “Money. I need some money.”
Daddo: (blink, blink)

OH, LORD HELP US.