A Place to Write

I taught a lesson in Sunday School last Sunday about agency's role in learning and it made me laugh a little bit. You girls are definitely teaching me agency's role in learning. My best example is with potty training. I tried twice to potty train you, Kaybree. Twice. The first time was really not much of an effort. You seemed interested so I went with it. You lost interest quickly but it frustrated me because you showed me that you COULD do it--if you wanted to. You could pee on demand, but you hated being asked to go potty. The second time I really got prepared. I sent everyone else away from the house. I bought stickers. I got a coloring book that came with a bell for you to ring when you went potty. I bought a special potty training doll for you to train while you learned. I set up a tray of treats and I was prepared to stay in doors all weekend until you were trained. Well, you got sick of that real quick. The treats became bribes. Then we needed to leave the house! It...

Happy Birthday baby girl! A year ago today I was sitting at my desk, preparing to leave for a press conference and noticing tiny contractions. I'd had my membranes stripped around 9 a.m. and I didn't think it would work to start my labor--but it did! I wasn't totally prepared for you to come but at the same time I was so anxious to meet you. So I stood at the press conference and parked far away and did all I could to encourage you to come. That evening we went to eat at Smashburger and I ate a TON even though I was clearly contracting by then. Five hours later I held you in my arms. It was a super quick, super easy labor. Just three pushes. You began breastfeeding right away like a champ and you've always been a great sleeper too. At a year old you're still smily and funny. You get cuter every day as you grow into your big blue eyes. Your eyes are bluer than Kaybree's, closer to your dad's color, but I feel like the rest of you is more me. You're st...