Pee Pee in the Pot-tay!

Today was an exciting day. We had a couple of our friends over last night to watch the Ohio State football game (don't even get me started on how bad we looked!). Our friends have a son who's just six months older than Josh (we'll call him B). It's amazing at how much six little months can make a difference. When they were younger - I would constantly compare Josh to B trying to see if he's "normal" and on track like the other kids... We all do it...

Well, B is potty training. We've seen that Josh is ready to start, but were introducing it slowly. He tells us he has to go, but is then afraid to actually sit on the pot. I think after "seeing" B use the potty yesterday (or seeing the praise he got when he was finished) sparked some motivation in Josh.

Shortly after I woke up, Josh said, "potty mommy." Of course, I was thinking, "ok, we'll go to the potty and he'll be afraid to do anything." I sat him down and waited... and waited... and waited...

He'd stand up and look in there, sit down again, stand up again. The third time he sat down, he stood up about 30 seconds later and said "all done." I, of course being the skeptical encouraging mother that I am, checked to see if any business was truly done.

To my surprise, there was actually pee in the potty! A celebration followed. I called my husband up the stairs, we hugged him and congratulated his accomplishment. Josh then just looked at me with a "so what" expression on his face. I could imagine him saying, "big deal, you pee in the potty every day and I don't give you a high five."

Now, I'm just hoping we can keep this going... Let the fun begin!

Toasty Buns

Well, this week was challenging... I had a pretty bad head cold (which I was finally able to kick just in time for the weekend) accompanied by a lovely case of larygitis. Meanwhile, I worked about 50+ hours and gave a two hour presentation. What's the one thing you hate to be when you have a cold? Being cold!


I'm such a freeze baby. The weather went from beautiful and warm fall weather, to typically cold Cleveland fall weather in the matter of a day. Cleveland is known for the weather changing at the drop of a hat. At lunchtime it's beautiful and sunny - just warm enough for the sun to heat up your car so you're good to go without a jacket. And by 5:00, it's cold again. The sun went away (of course because it's only ever nice outside when you're at work and unable to enjoy it) and now you need to warm up- and fast!
After having worked 11 hours with a cold, sniffles, and aches, I race out to the car in the light rain and fridgid temps. The heated seats warmed me up so quickly I didn't even have time to sit in the car and complain about how cold it had gotten!

Music to My Ears

Have you ever heard an old song on the radio that you haven’t heard in years, turned the volume up and jammed until the song was over – whether or not you were still driving? I love music. In the morning my favorite songs get my ready for the daily grind. In the evening, music helps me relax and unwind.

When I picked up the Traverse last Friday, I had to make sure I brought my CD book with me. I knew this car would have a great sound system so I wanted to make sure I could really enjoy it by listening to my favorite songs. It’s been 5 days and I haven’t even opened the CD book. I don’t understand how, after all these years, this music fanatic has survived without XM radio!

Right after I picked up the car, I really put it to the test and drove down to North Canton for a visit with my best friend. If you’re from Cleveland, and have driven down 77 South before, you know this drive is not an exciting one. The road is typically lined with orange barrels which means the drive will consist of the speed limit going from 65 to 50, then back to 65, then when you get into Akron, back down to 55.

Chevy seriously thought of everything when putting this car together. One of my favorite features (which means it must be really cool because there are so many!) is the volume “control.” I’m sure there’s a way fancier name for it, but it’s one of those things that makes you go – “why didn’t I think of that?!”

So, I’m driving down the road, approaching the entrance ramp to the highway. You know what happens next: I accelerate and turn up the music since the sound of the engine and the noise from the highway drown out the awesome song that’s playing. Wait, no, I can still hear it… how’d that happen?

The Traverse automatically adjusts the volume when you accelerate! I think this is the coolest thing ever! So when you get on the highway or accelerate, the volume goes up just enough to compensate for the noise. When you decelerate (or when you’re getting off the highway, pulling up the the traffic light on the exit ramp) the volume re-adjusts so you’re not one of those people blaring their music to the high heavens for everyone to hear.

The combination of these two super cool features made my 75 minute voyage to Canton seem to be over in the blink of an eye. I jammed to the 90s on 9 and relived the first decade of the 21st century on Pop2K (yes, I’m a girl who likes the stereotypical pop music). I was having so much fun in the car that I almost didn’t want to get out of it when I got there. Luckily, when I got to my friend’s apartment, she wasn’t quite home yet so I got to hear a few more songs and weened myself from the radio.

Now, if only we could invent a TV that does the same thing for when those loud, annoying commercials come on…