Friday Flotsam

FREENER. FREELEE. FREEDER? Friday.

Rose Garden Babies

Do you twitch?

You know what, let me start over.

Do your muscles ever twitch, say – after a run? You know how you’ll exercise, then you slow down, sit down, and then your legs flicker all up and down with tiny electric fish under your skin?

WHAT IS THAT.

And it doesn’t happen all the time, only the first run after a little gap in running. And then you try and touch the tiny electric fish so that you feel the sparkle power, but they disappear super fast and pop up on a different part of your leg. And of course you look insane trying to catch tiny electric fish under your leg skin because all of those words I just said.

Thing is, I twitch, A LOT. I always have. Matter of fact, when I was in elementary school, I’d obsess over feeling my neck muscle twitch, and my best friend at the time (she was Laverne and I was Shirley – natch) would say, “You alive?” But it sounded like, “Yewlahve.” Really fast and together, “Yewlahve?”

Yes, Heather Lozano. I’m alive.

I constantly twitch. And not just the cliché eyelid twitch, either. I twitch e v e r y w h e r e. Even my skull twitches sometimes! I don’t know how a skull would twitch, but it does.

What does it all mean? Do flickering electric fish tell us something about our cosmic world? Do I need more calcium?

WHO AM I?

Polaroids with the Instax Mini 8

Speaking of, please tell me you’ve seen Zoolander 2.

omg.

omg.

I don’t know what it says about me that I love this stupid movie so much, but it is downright wonderful. Just like the first one, it’s so deliciously quotable. And what’s the point of a movie if you can’t quote and reference it in a blog post 15 thousand times:

“Please accept my apologies.”

“None taken.”

That is life right there, folks.

Also, we’ve been watching Murder, She Wrote lately, and I’m (of course) completely addicted. How old do you think Jessica Fletcher was during that series? I’m trying to figure it out based on her neck skin.

Backyard Movie Night!

We had our backyard movie night!

It was seriously a complete blast and I’m dying to have another one. My tiny electric fish are BONKERS FLICKY.

I snapped some of it, but I was trying to be “in the moment” blah blah yawn.

But it was honestly magical. The night air, tons of blankets, a bat flying around our house which didn’t freak me out at all, the big (sheet) screen, ALL THE MILK DUDS, ugh.

I will say, now that we’ve done it once, I’ll know how to fine tune the experience for next time. I plan on going down your movie list and making it my summer goal to have 8254563 movie nights.

I’m kidding, you guys!

8254564.

Little Nat playing the piano

Well, it pains me to say this, but I have some grueling news. I’ve been dreading the arrival of summer since their January birthdays. Because . . . the time has come.

It’s officially potty training season. 

WAAAAAAH.

I have no idea how to do this, you guys. Is there a manual? Some steps? A guide on Youtube? (gross) Or do I just stick a metal bucket and a sprinkler in the back yard and let them at it while I watch more Murder, She Wrote?

Thing is, I know Nat’s ready. While pointing to her diaper she’ll say, “Mama, potty? I need potty.” But it’s too late by then. (dudes be like, PEACE OUT.) And I know boys can take a lot longer than girls. So this is my issue in life:

Am I an idiot to even start this now, if he’s not ready? Or do I get them both started, and keep working on him until 2078? Will this take the rest of my life? Will I be chasing them around with a hose and a bottle of prune juice? Crying? Should I call a therapist now?

Never mind. I think I’ll wait until they’re at least 10.

I’m so glad we had this talk.

Stuffed animals stacked on a patio table

Weekend plans?

Besides obviously putting off p-training research, we’ll be play datin’, park datin’, pizza grubbin’, and ABC gymnastics-in’! Also known as toddler tumbling. I’m pretty much only doing this to see my kids in spandex. I mean, how else am I supposed to know if they’re really, really, ridiculously good looking?

(p.s. twitching kneecaps. it happens.)

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23 Responses to Friday Flotsam

  1. Liz June 3, 2016 at 8:18 am #
    Two words for backyard movie night: prism glasses! http://www.amazon.com/Reading-Glasses-Periscope-Eyeglasses-Spectacles/dp/B00NMBK2H0/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1464959843&sr=8-3&keywords=prism+glasses
  2. Taylor June 3, 2016 at 8:33 am #
    Your movie night looked so fun! As for Zoolander 2, I saw it in theaters and was disappointed, I wanted to love it because my brother and I were legit obsessed with the first one, but this one kinda fell flat for me :/
    • Bev Weidner June 3, 2016 at 12:08 pm #
      Reaaaaaaaaaally? Ohhh, that's so sad! Even at the part where they're in the car and Penelope says, "There's only person who could be behind this." and then Derek, "...Who?...Who are we talking about?" EVEN THEN? I laughed the whole time. I need a life.
  3. Jennifer H June 3, 2016 at 8:54 am #
    I say train her first and then she can help with him. One at a time is plenty. My son is 3 yrs 4 months and I thought I had him trained right before he was 3 but it all came unraveled when I got really sick and couldn't work with him, but I had laid a good foundation and guess what 3 weeks ago he just started using the potty, just like that, no fuss no muss. The hardest part for me has been remembering to keep a change of clothes with us. He's going to preschool in the fall and the administrator told me if he wasn't potty trained by then he would soon after school started due to peer pressure and let me tell you, that totally works! We go to the YMCA most mornings where he's playing in a room of 3 to 6 yr olds and so many of the kids kept asking him about his diaper.....so I say train Nat first by herself and then she can help motivate. Also The Goonies! Best backyard movie ever! Your backyard looks like so much fun.
  4. Marilyn @ Supper Thyme Stories June 3, 2016 at 9:20 am #
    BEV - I twitch! I had a twitch in my left arm the other week. I even took a video of it because It was so strong (IDK if that's the appropriate word there). I sent it to my nursing friends, and they suggested magnesium and lots of water. It helped! Oh and I used to watch Murder, She Wrote nonstop every summer. Lurved it.
  5. Amy June 3, 2016 at 10:00 am #
    OMGeeee, yes, the twitches! Try magnesium citrate supplements. (But if you get tummy issues, try magnesium oil spray. You just spray it directly onto your skin. It can sting or itch temporarily but after that, it's super relaxing -- like a glass of wine without the headache :)
  6. Nic Olsen June 3, 2016 at 10:21 am #
    We just went thru this with our 2yr old boy - there's a sweet maual/reference online that you can do it in 3days. THREE DAYS! We went cold turkey. Took off his diaper on the Fri morning, put it in the trash. Got him underoos with his fav characters on them (lightening McQueen, mickey, Thomas, etc) in the thoughts that he want them to stay dry. Day 1 - sooooo many accidents Day 2 - 3 accidents Day 3 - great! Not to say there hasn't been an odd accident here or there - but it's been wonderful. Big on the positive reinforcement. Not sitting him on the potty and waiting for forever. Putting the responsibility on him - you know toddlers, they like to make the rules! So I'd just remind him tell me when he needed to go. There was a sticker chart - 1 star for #1's, 3stars for #2's. Prize when the chart was filled. On Day 4 he all of a sudden became independent and wanted to pull his own underwear up/down, be in the bathroom by himself (tough kiddo, now you know how I feel!) The bonus of it being summer, you can just do the underwear and not do pants/shorts over top - less laundry! We're 2 months in and have never looked back!
    • theotherjennifer June 3, 2016 at 11:21 am #
      my best friend did this too - summer is the perfect time. and no, I don't twitch because I don't run. I'm not a fool.
  7. Angie June 3, 2016 at 10:23 am #
    Would love for you do a whole post on your movie night - what worked, what didn't. Such a fun idea!
  8. Julie June 3, 2016 at 10:32 am #
    They say (no idea who "they" are... the "experts" I guess?) you shouldn't push the potty training until your child is ready (ie. shows interest) so I would suggest you start w/ Nat & then if Will hops on the potty train, the more the merrier! It might motivate him once he sees Natalie doing it, but if not, nbd. It might actually be easier to do 1 at a time... (maybe, possibly, no idea). Good luck! Your outdoor movie night looked fabulous! And yes, I get the leg twitches once in awhile after exercising, too. I just assumed it was my muscles working/nerve endings firing.
  9. Stephanie June 3, 2016 at 11:08 am #
    I suggest you focus on Natalie's potty training since she's showing interest and then think about Will. I've heard from friends it's better on the kid & you to not force the situation. I followed that advice and has the easiest time. Why stress yourself out??
  10. Susan Spilecki June 3, 2016 at 11:31 am #
    I twitch at night. Yes to the electric fish! Can't help you on the potty training. My cat pretty much trained himself. I have stolen your last picture because it feels like my friendships. Sometimes I am the fox and sometimes I am Eeyore.
  11. Emily @ Life on Food June 3, 2016 at 11:48 am #
    Bless you with potty training. I have some time before we start...I hope. We are going to a baseball game tomorrow. I cannot wait. Also, movie night in the backyard is the coolest thing ever. Must do.
  12. Janelle June 3, 2016 at 1:01 pm #
    We just finished potty training our 2 yr 9 month old a couple months ago. Around the house in the morning or whenever we were home for extended times, we did no diapers, no underwear. Ask him if he needs to go like the bathroom like every 3 seconds. Make him sit on the potty and try to go. Did that for a couple weeks then brought out the big boy underwear (after reading some potty training books and creepy potty videos in the meantime). Let him wear his big boy underwear out of the house if he wanted to but made him pee before leaving and try right when we got to our destination. He loved his new underwear so much that he preferred those over diapers. Kept him in overnight diapers for a couple months but now he is in underwear at night too (by his choice). Just make sure they pee right when they wake up. Highly recommend two things: 1. Magnetic potty cover for your toilet, so you don't have to use the little potty and clean it out (we use ours just as a stepstool): We got this Bemis one from Home Depot: http://www.homedepot.com/p/BEMIS-NextStep-Children-s-Round-Closed-Front-Toilet-Seat-in-White-583SLOWA-000/206113101?cm_mmc=Shopping%7cTHD%7cG%7c0%7cG-BASE-PLA-D29B-Fixtures&Toilets%7c&gclid=Cj0KEQjw1cS6BRDvhtKL89em1oIBEiQAtZO5xz9JEDDfANGKHvZb90h58_APyiIaFJIZ64N7fYa-5uYaAmCx8P8HAQ&gclsrc=aw.ds This way they are comfy going on a potty and you don't need to drag little potty everywhere (gross and inconvenient). 2. Teach your son to pee standing up - no sitting on gross potties (though I guess you'll have to anyway with your daughter). Good luck!
  13. Janelle June 3, 2016 at 1:03 pm #
    Oh, and lots of candy and rewards for going in the potty at the beginning (chocolate chips, lollipops, watching a music video...)
  14. lisatberry June 3, 2016 at 4:13 pm #
    I love your outside movie night...I can't believe you watch Murder she Wrote I feel like my husband and I are the only ones watching shows from 20 years ago...I also love Columbo..
    • Liz June 3, 2016 at 4:47 pm #
      Northern Exposure!
  15. Shawnna Thompson June 3, 2016 at 6:10 pm #
    I just bought the book Oh Crap! Potty Training and the author has me convinced that the whole idea of waiting until your kid is "ready" is kind of a crock. AKA start potty training earlier than you might think. I'm only a few chapters in but so far I'm liking her approach... and her sense of humor. Muy importante! Also, I'm curious... did you end up buying or projector for your backyard? If so, can I ask which one? Kthxbai!
    • Ginny June 4, 2016 at 10:35 am #
      Oooooh yes, which one did you end up with? We've been trying to decide, and there are SO MANY.
  16. Gen June 3, 2016 at 8:22 pm #
    On the twiching thing -- it sounds a lot like benign fasciculation syndrome. I experience it after walks, but never after running for some reason.
  17. Christina June 3, 2016 at 10:35 pm #
    Potty training - do what works for you and each individual child. I've been through it twice (1 boy, 1 girl) and before I started I was inspired and highly motivated by the magical '3 day' method. Boo. To my dismay my first (boy) took 2.5 years, yes, YEARS, to finally 'get it'. The amount of washing I was doing over that time was astronomical! To my amazement, my 2nd child (girl) trained herself in about 5 days (insert sound of angels sweetly singing here). I've tried many of the tips, tricks and 'formulas' out there, but I think it's a really individual thing and what works for one may not necessarily work for the other!
  18. Cindy June 6, 2016 at 5:28 am #
    My personal trainer hubby tells me the popping feeling in my legs post-run is lactic acid releasing. My good friend Google told me this: "Lactic acid is produced during intense levels of exercise when the oxygen demands of the muscle fibers increase beyond what the blood is capable of delivering." For potty training, check out the book Oh Crap! Potty Training by Jamie Glowacki. It helped me immensely! Good luck!!
  19. Leah June 6, 2016 at 3:48 pm #
    I second Nic's comment! I highly recommend the 3 day potty training method. It is 3 days of hell--especially the first day, but then it's over. It took months and months to figure out potty training with my first...seat on top of the toilet or little potty? (SEAT. Who wants to clean two toilets? Not me.) Pull ups or no pull ups? (NO PULL UPS. They feel too much like diapers). Wait until she asks or encourage her? (ENCOURAGE. Think of what else you could buy with diaper money.) With my second, I downloaded the 3 Day ebook when he turned 2, took a day off work so we'd have three consecutive days, and he was potty trained three days later. I am a convert! I think it is important that you don't deviate from the book though, down to the language you use---making sure you say "tell me when you have to go" rather than asking repeatedly "do you have to go?" for example so they can learn to decide when it's time. Good luck!

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