Family Portrait – August 2011 (Oh well, at least I look great)
This is one of those blog posts you do out of guilt. I was chatting with a fellow blogger friend the other day and she shared with me that she missed my updates. She wondered how the boys were doing… had they started school yet? How is their relationship, are they closer now that Bryce is a little older? In general, what the heck is going on with all of us?
I definitely owe everyone a detailed and thorough catch-up post. Unfortunately, this won’t be that. But I will update ya’all on a few things because I miss you guys and want you to know I haven’t disappeared for good. I’m just in the middle of so many projects and I’m really having to prioritize how and wear I spend my free time online, ya know?
Okay, so here are the important things:
- Right now I’m enjoying teaching Chase to read. Okay, well we’re not there quite yet. So let me back up a little. Right now he’s learning to identify his upper case letters. Once he’s got that, we’ll move on to lower case letters… then phonemes. I’ve been a lazy parent up til now, but my mom and dad taught me and my sisters to read by 3 years old, and my older sister Nab’s son, Garvey, was reading by 3 as well. Both my parents and my sisters worked with us/him, which is how it happened. So I realized that if I want Chase to have a head start as well I’ve gotta do more than what I was doing… which was nothing. So he is taking to it surprisingly well. This is only Week 2 and he already knows letters A-D. Yeaaah!!! We’re having fun with it, and I’m trying hard to keep it light and pressure-free. I’m hoping by his 3rd birthday, in January, he’s got his upper and lower case letters down, and beginning to learn their associated sounds. Tips anybody? (And don’t you DARE mention that “My Baby Can Read” bologna. #HatedIt)
- Potty training updates. So… yeah. I’ve pretty much given up on that with Chase. They can do what they do at day care, and when he feels like going at home, he’ll go. *throwing up hands in defeat* I was finding that I was losing my patience, because I know that he is capable of going physically… like, he can feel the urge, stop what he’s doing, walk to his potty in the bathroom, pull down his pants, sit and use it, then call for help. I know because, when he feels like it, he does it. So knowing that he can do it was causing me to feel really frustrated, annoyed even, when he wouldn’t do that. So I stopped “trying” to potty train and have just accepted that he’ll start going regularly when he’s ready. Just because someone is capable physically doesn’t mean they’re emotionally there. And Im sure me being angry about it wasn’t helping him. Derek really wasn’t doing anything anyway, so nothing really will have to change there. (Derek, don’t shake your head in disbelief as you read that… you know you weren’t! lol)
- Most of my “leisure time” (and I use that phrase loosely) has been channeled into Style Me Prissy. I’ve loved transitioning into a fashion/style blogger… it just feels right, I’m really excited about it, and it’s going well, in terms of readership and traffic-wise… but I’m still trying to decide where I want to ultimately take it. I see so much potential in Style Me Prissy, and I’m excited about that. But right now it’s a tossed salad of personal style, celebrity style, looks for less, and random fashion photos and commentary that peak my interest. I guess there’s nothing wrong with a blog that is a potpourri of sorts. But I feel like, in order to take it to the next level, I really need to map out where I’m going exactly. A business plan, of sorts. So I’m working on that.
- Bryce is cute and sweet as can be. I love that his personality is so calm and laid back and chill. His brother, on the other hand…. Chase has his days where he is a great listener and so considerate and lovely. He loves to give Bryce hugs and make him laugh. And then there are days when he is testing the limits like crazy… leaping across furniture like an animal…. wrestling with his friends at school…. and pinching or swinging at Bryce on the sly. *smh* So we just have to keep our eyes on the boys when they play. But I will say that their relationship has come a long way. They laugh so much when they’re together, and that makes me happy. I just can’t wait til Bryce gets a little more height and weight on him so that he can hold his own with his big brother.
- You’ll remember from the video of Bryce’s first steps that I was wearing Lasik goggles. Well, yes, I did have the surgery and am so far extremely pleased with it. My vision is now 20/15 and everyday I still can’t believe that I no longer need glasses or contacts. Although it’s been over a month, I still find that I’m pushing my “glasses” up the bridge of my nose, out of habit, or still thinking I need to take my contacts out before I go to sleep. Aaaah yes, it’s a beautiful thing. Makes me wonder why I waited this long. Anyhoo, I’d definitely recommend it if you’re on the fence. Who knew it could be so great to open up your eyes, in the middle of the night, and actually be able to read the alarm clock on the night stand?
So that’s pretty much it for my updates. What’s up with you?
That caption you put under the picture says it all!! Gotta love your boys and your husbands upside down smile:)
How cute are you guys!!
Hehehe, hey girly! Thanks!!
I co-sign (albeit a little late) on getting the update on the family! I had been wondering as well, how things had been going with the boys. Glad to know things are moving along!
Hi Amber! Aww, thank you for coming by (and for caring, esp. in light of my sporadic appearances!) Will try to do better with updates!
Lawd that pic! Why can’t boys/men ever smile in pics? lol
That was a really good update. Glad everyone is doing well.
About that potty business, you’re right, he’ll go when he’s good and read and no before. Potty training can not be forced.
“Potty training can not be forced.” Amen to that, sista!
lol, i know, why couldnt they all just smile?! dang! whats so hard about that. lmaoo!!
Yakini… that photo is CLASSIC! I love it. Aiden looks drunken in HALF the pictures I take with him (but I look great) so I totally understand your parenthesis comment. LOL. Aiden is in the process of learning his sounds as well and then we’ll move on to actual words. He knows a few sight words, but doesn’t know how to sound them out, ya know? As far as the potty thing goes, don’t fret. He’ll go when he’s ready. Hey, he won’t go to college in diapers (we hope) so now stress.
I think you’re doing AMAZING things with Style Me Prissy and you shouldn’t feel guilty about the switch. It’s all apart of growth and life. I’m so excited to see where it will go so keep on doing it!
Thank you Alicia! Because frankly, i do sometimes feel guilty about how PrissyMommy’s been neglected (lol). I’d never turn my back on this blog because i love it, but i needed to step away to venture into other projects, ya know? This will always be home base though.
lmaooo @ Aiden looking drunk in half his pictures. These kids just cant get it together, can they? Haha! That’s great that he is learning sounds – let me know how that goes!
OMG..Yaki…I know everyone had commented on that pic..but girl it’s soo priceless!!! the boys just said..forget it! hjahaha..and like a true soldier, back straight, head up, shoulders squared and smile sparkling…YOU took a fab picture! Ilove you guys so much adn I’m so glad we got an update! That Chase LOOKS like a circus! haha…it’s cool that Bryce has a more laid back attitude to offset Chase’s circustry. Happy times in the Etheridge household1 I definitely wanna teach Kelsey Bea how to read…do you think it’s too early to start introducing the letters? she’s 15 months now…
xoxoxoxox…smooches!Q.
Heeey Qi! (((hugs))) LOL! Girl, yes, their personalities balance each other right out. And yes, girl, i said you know what, maybe they’re not serious, but im gonna take me a good picture! LOL
I dont think its too early at all. Just be sure you’re reading a story every night (which Im sure you are) and maybe start familiarizing her with letters using some fun flashcards!
Glad you guys are all well!!! I am VERY familiar with the catch up game so I understand…LOL
Love all the personality in the family pic! You look gorgeous
We took our family pics last Sunday and I can’t wait to see how they turned out. Oh and we relaxed with *cough* gave up on *cough* the potty training too… I agree, when he is ready we will know.
Jasmine, i cant wait to see your pic! I hope they came out a little nicer than ours.
LOL @ relaxed. Yeah, girl, i threw in the towel. It’ll happen when it happens.
Glad to hear (and see) that everyone is doing well!
Heeey lady!!! Yes, we are good! I gotta come here more often and update!
Congrats on teaching your son how to read. After letter and sound recognition, I move onto the dolch sight words, like it and at. I also find reading Dick and Jane to be helpful because there are really short words that can be sounded out. It’s exciting because they absorb the information so quickly. All the best!
Omg, thank you for those tips! They are seriously appreciated!
Okay… I nearly woke up the baby laughing at the caption for your family portrait lol. I think when our kiddies are young we are lucky if they are looking in the direction of the camera… good job on that one! You do look amazing lol. Thank you, thank you for the updates! I miss my friend in my head. I find true solidarity in the fact that you are doing it too! It gets beyonndd tough sometimes!
Awww man! Tiara, those words really make me wanna start blogging again regularly. ((hugs)) Im gonna really try and do better with that! Ive been gone far too long.
lmaoo @ the caption. Girl, it’s true. We are lucky if folks are looking where they’re supposed to look. smh
Derek is looking like “I really don’t want to do this!” LOL
LOL!!!! I was like, where is that big beautiful smile, man? *sigh*
I love the family pic! The boysare adorable as usual. Ichuckled reading that
post! That Chase is something else! lol!
LOL!!! Yeah, that Chase really is something else! For real! lol
Thanks girl!
What a tight and sweet “wrap up” of your goings ons over the past few months, Dr. Busykins!!:) LOL at being able to see the clock at night without specks:) Super!!
lol, yeah, you dont even think about how beautiful that is until you can actually do it! LOL!!!
Love the update and I can only imagine all that you have on the go. Everyone has their “horror stories” from potty training and we just went through it with our oldest. As cliche as it sounds, in time, it will all come together and Chase will be going at home as well as at daycare. Take care!
Thanks for the encouraging words, Renee. That’s just what I needed to hear. Its so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but I know its there!
Thanks to your friend for guilting you into posting an update
Don’t fight/worry about the potty training. He Chase knows how to go on his own then he’s already trained. It’s good that your keeping busy and taking your other blog to the next level but dont forget about us…here.
lmaooo @ thanks to your friend. Hahaha! You know exactly who my “friend” is.
Yeah, I will never leave ya’all for good…. there may be a few hiatuses here and there, but not going anywhere.
Hmmm, that is true. He knows how to do it. At this point the motivation to do it regularly is whats lacking. Ive gotta put some thought into that….
Awww, it’s so good to hear about your family!
Love the update and I love, love, love that family photo!
Heeey girly! Long time no chat! ((hugs))
Aww, you like the photo? I wish Bryce wasnt looking so drunken. Its okay otherwise – not our best year.
FINALLY! I was wondering how everything was going…esp the potty training. I’m sure he’ll get it in time
Yeah, i guess. *smh* lol. He asked to go twice today, which was nice. But he does it to get a treat, not cuz he really wants to do it. lol
So glad to see an update and that all is going well! That family portrait caption is classic =) I was especially interested in hearing about Lasik so thanks for including that. I think once I’m all done having LOs I’ll go for it. I hear your eyes can change slightly from childbirth and I’ve noticed a difference already since having Nia; I’m SO blind.
Yeah, my eyes got really weird while I was pregnant with Bryce. I was having spells of blurriness and distorted vision – it was scary! So yeah, i’d definitely wait.
lmaoo @ the caption. Hey… what can i say? Every year for family portraits I get myself all anxious and riled up, trying to make sure everyone and everything about the picture comes out perfect. I give up! As long as mama is looking right.