Poopy in da potty! Poopy in da pottty!

Emerson pooped in the potty!

To be clear, he’s not potty trained and we aren't yet potty training.

A few weeks before Emerson’s second birthday (August), after Jason used the restroom Emerson wanted to also, so he stood and tinkled. He did this again a couple weeks later. We knew these were flukes, and weren’t really interested in potty-training Emerson at the time. And he truly wasn’t ready.

Last night, after dinner, Emerson went to his favorite pooping spot, under the table, to fill his diaper. So, I asked him if he was going under there to poop, and he told me, “yah.” So, Jason asked him if he wants to go poop in the potty, to which Emerson yells, “yah!!!” Jason got him in there and undressed quickly, and sure enough, Emerson pooped on the potty. He asked to sit on the potty a couple more times last night, with no results.

I don't expect this to go anywhere soon, but a milestone for sure! Way to go, Emerson!

(I think big-boy status may have gone to his head. He INSISTED on picking out his own shirt this morning.)

Chugga Chugga

Emerson continues to love all things “choo choo.” He has an incredible ear for train whistles that must be miles away. He’ll stop in the middle of his ongoing-chatter, become silent and hold his hand up to his ear. “Mommy, choo choo cheen.” He waits for confirmation that it is in fact a train he hears. He always hears them before we do. And we really have to listen to hear them.

When I heard about “Thomas’ Day Out” a few months ago, I knew we had to go. It’s a train ride, on the real thing. They have an engine, caboose, and passenger cars, with the engine identical to “Thomas the Train.” Honestly, I don’t love the commercialism that is Thomas the Train, and I’m glad Emerson doesn’t either. Chuggington, GeoTrax, Thomas, the Hip-Hop Train on Nick Jr. and any old generic train pleases him.

Not knowing much about it, I booked the very first train ride, at 9:45am in Lebanon, about an hour and a half from Columbus. Turns out, early is the way to do it. We arrived around 9, and had no problem seeing all the other “Day Out” stuff, since there were no lines! Emerson got to meet Sir Topham Hat. He was a little creepy, but after I gave him a high-five, Emerson walked right up and did the same. He watched the men on stilts juggling and making balloon animals. He played in the bounce houses. But his real interest was in getting on the “cheen.”

After a short wait, and the “All Aboard” announcement, we boarded Car 1! Chooooo! Chooooo! Emerson loved looking out the windows and waving at all the town people who came out and the police men directing traffic. It was about a half hour ride, 15 minutes out and 15 minutes back. He loved it. Loved loved loved it. And so did we!

As Emerson says whenever we get to our destination..."We're heeeeere."

Killing some time before the ride...he's becoming a pro with jump-jumps.

Sir Topham Hat!

Chugga chugga!

Waiting patiently...

Here we go!!!

So excited!

"Again!"

So long, Sheppards!

Sometimes, people move away. But, that doesn't mean we have to like it.

We have some very good friends, who just moved to Kansas (I know, right. Kansas!?!?!?!). Now when I say good friends, it’s not like, I’m friends with one of them, and we all hang out. Or Jason is friends with one of them, and we all hang out. Or they have a little boy, so we try to do family things together. These are some of our very best friends. Donald is someone I’ve gone to school with since 1st grade. Beth is his wife, who Jason and I have come to love. And Teddy is their little boy, just a few months younger than Emerson. We have a few close “go-to” families in Columbus for social stuff, and they are one. So, while this is a great opportunity for them, we still hate to lose them.

Teddy and Emerson’s adventures are frequent in the blog. These two sure will miss each other…

"What's a froggy say?"

The dinner table is always good times at our house. Last night, we worked through the animal sounds, which Emerson has mastered. His repertoire is always expanding, and there must be a few dozen animals. There's always a unique one or two, that he's made his own. This time, it was froggy. Take a listen.

Despicable Me

Although the last few weekends haven’t allowed for it, Jason and I have been trying for movie nights on Sunday with Emerson. This typically means heading to the basement for an OnDemand movie and bag of popcorn. His favorite so far has been Wall-E. Jason and I liked it too! His least favorite was Disney's Tarzan. Which comes as a surprise, since Emerson is part monkey.

So on Monday (Labor Day), we asked Emerson if he was ready for a movie. He quickly gathered up his favorites (Brutus blankie, a golf club, a plastic hammer-all normal movie accessories) and his sippy cup, and headed to the basement door, while asking for “Corn? Corn?”

Instead of the basement, we decided that we wanted to try the movie theater with Em. We’ve been wanting to take him to “Despicable Me”, and found a good time to go. After dinner, but before bedtime. So, off we went!

Em loved the big movie theater, and with only one other family there, we weren’t too concerned with him talking. Turns out we didn’t need to be concerned. Emerson’s love for poppycorn kept him quiet for most of the movie. There was a point about an hour in, that he wanted to stand up, and seemed a little restless, but settled right back in for the rest of the movie. He loved it! And so did we! Jason and I have only been to three movies together, ever. One when we were dating. One on a rainy day in Naples. And now this one. Definitely more movie theater outings in our future now that Emerson can go!