Thursday, January 10, 2013

The Lowdown on Potty Training


Let me start by saying I am no expert on potty training- at all.  I can promise you I am no expert on anything parenting related either.  I am learning as I go and screwing up alot along the way.  But I have gotten several emails from readers wanting to know what worked for Sterling and how we managed the change from diapers to big boy underwear.  This is what worked for us and I know all kids are different.

 Here's the deal, on Saturday Sterling told me he wanted to poop in the potty.  I obliged laughing thinking he's just gonna sit there.  Well low and behold he pooped and ever since then he has gone in the potty (pee and poop).  Not one accident.  We do use pull-ups at night- that is unpredictable and Mama doesn't want to be getting up all night helping him pee.  Otherwise he has seemingly mastered the art of using the potty.

Here is what I know. 
1) The most important thing is making sure your child is ready.  I see way too many people try to start training their kids at age 2 and earlier and in my opinion that is way too early.  You are setting your self up for accidents because at 2 it is hard for them to understand and grasp the whole concept.  And why rush things?  It will just take longer to get the end result when you kid isn't ready.    I have heard from numerous people to wait til your child is three or after.  I know it differs for each kid but that is a constant that I heard from other parents.  Sterling turns three next month and in all honesty I was going to wait til this summer to start potty training but he apparently had other plans, he was ready.

2) Use a regular potty.  I know the small portable potties work for some kids but we never used one.  I feel like when you are out in public or somewhere where there is not a small potty then issues arise because they are so used to using that small one and they don't know how or want to use a real one.  We don't even use a training seat. Another bonus of the child being a little older it is easier for them to sit on the potty.  Sterling knows how to straddle it to sit.  This makes it easy to use the bathroom anywhere we are.

3) Slowly introduce them to the potty.  For months now we have taught Sterling how Mommy and Daddy pee pee.  We have let him flush the toilet and see how it all works.  I have never pressured him to use it, I just would occasionally ask "you want to tee-tee on the big potty?" and his response was always "no" til last weekend.   I never pressed the issue when he said no.  We also bought him some cool big boy underwear but told him he could not wear them until he used the big potty.  The underwear has been sitting in his room for like 4 months now and he always asks to wear it but the deal is no unless you actually go in the big potty.  Do not let your kids wear the underwear over their diapers, that is a bad idea.  Since they pee in their diaper while the underwear is on then when they just wear the underwear they will think it is ok to pee in it.  We never bought or used any potty books.  I do think if they see their friends doing it this helps too because they don't want to be the only kid in diapers.

4) Make a BIG deal about it when they pee/poop in the potty.  We have been praising Sterling non-stop since he went in the potty and this makes him so proud of himself.  Encourage them.  We bought him a few treats the first few times he went like ice cream, new underwear, coloring book etc.  This got him excited. We called all the grandparents and let him brag on himself.  We constantly tell him what a big boy he is and how awesome it is that he uses the big potty.  He loves all the attention and I think this makes him want to keep peeing/pooping in the potty.

5) Don't stress- how many kids do you know that go to kindergarten still diapers?  Eventually they will catch on.

My proud little man and I am one proud Mama.  Over all this transition was way easier than I imagined it would be, mainly because I feel like we waited long enough for Sterling grasp the idea and be ready.  The super hero underwear helped too:)



Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Cauliflower, White Bean, and Feta Salad


If you follow me on Instagram then you knew this recipe was coming your way.  I have been trying to eat pretty clean since the New Year (minus the Bojangles and Pizza I consumed last weekend).  I like to make a salad at the start of each week to have for my lunch everyday.  Saves money and then lunch is easy no planning necessary and it's healthy.  I made this salad this week and it knocked my socks off.  If you love Cauliflower then you will love this salad.  The flavors are so fresh, light, and delicious.  I think it would be killer with some grilled Shrimp if you wanted a heartier meal but it was perfect alone for lunch.  I love that the cauliflower is raw and not cooked- most recipes call for it cooked.  The raw crunch of the cauliflower adds some great texture.   All the fresh herbs and feta really give the salad amazing flavor.  I promise you will be hooked on this.  I am on day three of eating it and still not sick of it!
Bon Appetit!


{CAULIFLOWER, WHITE BEAN, AND FETA SALAD}
  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon peel
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 1 medium head of cauliflower, trimmed, cut into small florets (about 3 cups)
  • 1 (15-ounce) can white beans (such as Great Northern or navy beans), drained
  • 2 large heads of Belgian endive, trimmed, halved lengthwise, then thinly sliced crosswise
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
  • 2 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (about 3 ounces)
Combine oil and rosemary in small saucepan. Stir over medium heat just until fragrant, about 1 minute. Cool.
Whisk lemon juice, vinegar, lemon peel, salt, and pepper in small bowl.
Combine cauliflower, beans, endive, chives, parsley, and rosemary oil in medium bowl; toss. Mix in cheese. Add lemon juice mixture and toss to coat. Season salad with salt and pepper.



Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Obsessions

I am in the market for a new watch and this one is at the top of my list.  I love the sleek look and leather band that is the perfect shade of brown.  I tend to gravitate towards gender neutral watches.

Remember this Equipment Blouse I blogged about a few weeks back?  Well I found an almost identical version at the Gap for like 1/4 the cost!  I love the red/blue color combo it is so fresh.  It would look great with white jeans in the spring.

I am in the process of planning our hall bathroom makeover.  It is Sterling's bathroom but also our guest bathroom so I want it to have a masculine yet grown up feel.  Really love the simple details at the bottom.  Actually kind of dig the wall color too.


I am already dreaming about Maxi dresses for Spring and Summer. Always my favorite summer attire. I love the look of a maxi dress now paired with a chic leather jacket and this dress would be perfect for that look.   Great for now and later- and any pregnant ladies  this would be cute too because it is stretchy and long enough to cover the bump.


I scored this book for Christmas and could not be happier.  It is the best coffee table book filled with so many inspiring images.  Kelly Wearstler rocks my world.  Her designs are always creative perfection.


I am big on nude lipstick.  I don't like to wear too much color during the day. I have heard this is the best nude lipstick there is.  The perfect neutral shade for anyone.  


Monday, January 7, 2013

Mondays Randoms

Happy Monday friends!  Hope you had a great weekend!  Ours really good,  my brother and his wife came in town and Sterling basically potty trained himself- more on that later.

Today I am so excited about a few things:
1) I just found out my girl Gwyneth is coming out with a new cookbook in April.  This made my day.  I love her can't wait to check out her new cookbook.  This makes me so excited!



2) The new season of the Bachelor starts tonight.  This show is my happy place.  I can not get enough of all the crazy girls that participate in this madness.  Nothing makes me happier than a Monday night curled up on the couch sipping my wine watching all the embarrassing things these women do to get a rose.



3) I finally started watching Homeland.  Matt got the DVDs for Christmas and we watched 6 episodes this weekend.  It is sooooo good.  I just want to hole up and watch the rest of the season. It is all I can think about.  Addictive.




4) I just found out that Theory makes a dress version of the purple blouse I blogged about Saturday.  Need it and love it.  And it is on sale which tempts me even more. 




Now lets chat about our weekend.  Thank you for all the cold remedy recommendations.  I am not a hundred percent better but I don't feel like I am slowly dying anymore.  For those of you that are curious I used Emergen C + Cold Eeze + Alka-seltzer Cold and I drank plenty of liquids.  All worked great.  Also thank you to Chimmey for your ginger tea recipe- I made that and drank it all weekend, so good! 






Saturday night we were lucky enough to get a night out downtown with my brother and his wife.  My in-laws are the best babysitters and always so helpful!  Here is what I wore:


{Cashmere Dress and Leather Jacket both Banana Republic both are old.  Similar sweater style dress HERE, HERE, and HERE.  Similar Jacket HERE}
Gotta love a versatile dresses.  I had to laugh because I wore this same dress the night I went into labor with Sterling.


Pretty big difference from that to this.  It was basically a shirt on me while I was pregnant but a staple in my closet obviously that has lasted awhile!  Hence why you don't need to buy maternity clothes while pregnant you can just squeeze into things you already own!


This weekend Sterling decided he was ready to be potty trained- well really there was no training involved.  He told me Saturday he needed to poop in the potty and has been doing it ever since then.  Although we still rock diapers at night.  I am sure we will have some accidents to come but so far so good.  I guess he was just ready. Probably helped that I kept putting it off because it scared me!   And just like all men he likes a little reading material while he goes.


Afterwards he got a trip to the park for his stellar bathroom skills.  So proud of himself.

I will leave you with this- so true!  Love Charleston.




Saturday, January 5, 2013

Purple Blouse

So,  I have gotten alot of email asking about the purple blouse I was wearing in the post about my Missioni scarf.


 It was a Christmas Gift from the rents but lucky for you it is on sale right now.  Here you go:


Friday, January 4, 2013

Double R: Remedy + Recommendations

I had big plans to do a great blog post today but guess what I am sick again.  I feel like the past three months I just keep getting sick.  Probably has to do with the fact that my little man wipes his snot all over me and sneezes and coughs right in my face.  I was bound to catch something.

 Achy, runny nose, sore throat kind of sick.  I want to just crawl back in back.  I need some help what are your remedies when you are sick?  I prefer not to take medicine.   I will result to that if I have to but would rather not.  So dish what should I be doing to vanish this quick?  Like real quick being sick with a child sucks.

I also want some recs on what book I should read next.  Pass along your favorites I am making my list for 2013!  I am just finishing up Valley of the Dolls and need something new lined up!


I am thinking of reading Grace Coddington's Memoir.  Has anyone read this?


I promise I will be back next week with more exciting posts plus the winner of the A-Thread Giveaway!
Have a great weekend!
xoxo
Natalie

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Bring it 2013.


If you are anything like me then the New Year really excites you.  A new year always brings so much promise and hope.  A time to start fresh and get things done.  I am really not a resolutions girl.  Why make resolutions that you break and then beat yourself up about it??  I like to make life changes.   
This year most importantly I want to be more thankful and grateful.  I am bad about complaining and wishing for things.  I want to savour my life, each moment, most importantly all the little things and know that my life is good. 

I also want to work on being a better mom, wife, friend, daughter and sister.  I need to be less selfish and more selfless.

This year I also plan on accomplishing alot of house projects. I think you all know I am lazy when it comes to projects but this is my year to get some stuff done.  I plan on doing one project a month- lets not get too crazy right?  Here is my list I am writing it down here to hold my self accountable!

1) Finish Gallery Wall with Family Photos for Hallway
2) Paint Family Room and Hallway
3) Paint Hall Bathroom- This involves attempting to paint the tile as well
4) Paint Front Door Interior Black
5) Get up to date with all my photos- print them and put in books
6) Mount TV in Bedroom
7) Organize all my jewelry
8) New Light Fixture for Sterling's room
9) Paint Hutch in Dining Room
10) Recover Wingback Chairs
11) Clean and Organize our Garage- it is one hot mess
12) New Coffee Table and Ottomans for Den

So there you have it a few life changes, nothing crazy- hopefully I can stick with my plan. 
...........................................................................

We had such a fabulous NYE Monday.  This is our third year of hosting a little party with our friends and their kids.  Always a good time.  Our Mason tradition each year is we burn our Christmas tree- out with the old and in with the new.  Our best friends from Raleigh also came in town for the weekend and we had a blast with them!  Here are a few pictures from our New Years. 








While we are on the topic of New Years and new beginnings, please go to Earthfare asap and pick up this salad.  It is called the Energy nut salad and it was amazing!!  I have officially started my New Years Detox.


On another completely random note my favorite Christmas gift was this Missoni scarf my mom surprised me with.  Usually I like to pick out all my gifts but this was a total surprise.  It is my first infinity scarf and I am hooked.  I have honestly worn it everyday since I got it.  It looks cute with everything!


Good news for you ladies the scarf is onsale right now at ShopBop for 60% off.  And you can get an additional 20% til midnight tonight with code EXTRAOFF.   Such a steal for a Missoni piece!

It comes in these other two colors as well.


You must check out my girl Caycee's blog today.  She is hosting her first giveaway and it is a great one with Tiny Prints!


 
Happy First Thursday of 2013!