We started Abbie's potty training journey in early April, and two months later I finally feel like she's nearing the time when we can officially declare her "potty trained" - woohoo!  I am so proud of my big girl! :)

Week 1 (April 4-10)
Got in the habit of sitting on the potty regularly.  Abbie started out very grumpy about potty training, "Don't make me do this!"  Stickers unsuccessfully used as motivation.

Week 2 (April 11-17)
First potty success on April 11 - hooray! - after starting to use lollipops as motivation.  Around 10 potty successes this week!  We had lots of cheering and clapping sessions! :)

Week 3 (April 18-24)
Initiated sitting on the potty several times!  On average 2-3 potty successes each day this week!  Had a set back on Wednesday, April 20 as she got diarrhea (after getting 5 lollipops in the morning for successes).  Realized lollipop motivation had to go (too much sugar!) and started using M&Ms as motivation (much less daily sugar intake).  After a couple days she got back in her potty routine again.

Week 4 (April 25-May 1)
First potty success in a public restroom on April 28 (twice in one morning) - woohoo! - after finally remembering to bring the M&Ms with us as motivation.  On average 4-5 potty successes each day this week!

Week 5-6 (May 2-15)
Began initiating sitting on the potty several times each day!  Completely comfortable going on any potty.  On average 6-7 potty successes each day and only 2-3 accidents per day!

Week 7 (May 16-22)
First poo-poo potty success on Monday, May 16 - hooray!  Initiates going to the potty consistently!  On average 6-7 potty successes each day and only 1-2 accidents per day!

Week 8 (May 23-29)
Initiates consistently and accidents only occasionally!  Hooray for the potty trained princess! :)

While talking about things that happen in the bathroom, today Abbie decided to help mommy clean the toilet..ugh!  Abbie came sheepishly toddling over to me covered in blue soap this afternoon!  I followed the blue soapy footprints to Christian's bathroom where I discovered the toilet filled with toilet bowl scrubbies and blue toilet water all over the floor - gross!

I freaked out, so Abbie grabbed some toilet paper to help clean up the mess!  A sweet thought, but of course then I had little bits of toilet paper to clean up too - yuck!  Christian said, "Mom, I think we should put Abbie in a box and send her to Kathrine's [his best friend] house.  We can pick her up in 100 days."  Oh my - I laughed so hard! :)

Abbie then discovered that her hands and feet were blue! 
"Look at my blue hands Mommy!"

And her feet are still blue even after being scrubbed down! 
Oh my funny little smurfette! :)

This morning during our church's worship service the children sang a special Mother's Day song.  They sang "Mommy Loves Me" to the tune of "Jesus Loves Me."  Christian is just too cute singing, dancing, and looking behind him (haha - not exactly sure why) beside his best friend, Kathrine.  The lyrics are below the video - enjoy! :)

Mommy Loves Me
Mommy loves me this I know
For she always tells me so
Hugs and kisses she gives me
When I fall and scrape my knee
Yes, Mommy loves me
Yes, Mommy loves me
Yes, Mommy loves me
She always tells me so

Jesus Loves Me
Jesus loves me this I know
For the Bible tells me so
Little ones to Him belong
They are week but He is strong
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
The Bible tells me so

The below video contains our Mother's Day Performance bloopers!

Blooper #1:  Greg led worship this morning and was on stage moving music stands when Christian spotted him, shouted "Daddy!" and ran on stage to give him a hug - too cute!

Blooper #2:  Since I was front and center videotaping the performance, I assigned a teen sitting in the second row to look after Abbie.  As soon as Abbie spotted Greg and Christian on stage she squealed "Daddy!" and ran up after them faster than she could be cached!  Abbie was mistaken for one of the children singing and was lined up with the other kids.  I had to have Greg run back on stage to retrieve her!  Haha - I love the memories! :)

We are thrilled to announce that we have been officially approved for adoption!  Our letter came in the mail today to officially inform us that our organization has received all of the necessary paperwork and we have been approved as an adoptive home as of May 4, 2011!  I will always remember Mother's Day 2011! :)

What does it mean that we have been approved for adoption?
It means that our profile has been added to our organization's pool of adoptive families and is available to be viewed by women who desire to place their unborn child up for adoption.

How long will it take to be placed with a baby? 
It could be 2 months or 2 years.  It all depends on when/if a birth mom chooses us.  If a birth mom chooses us after she has delivered her baby in the hospital, then we will most likely meet our baby within 2 weeks.  If a birth mom chooses us when she is 2 months away from her due date, then we will most likely meet our baby in a little over 2 months.  If a birth mom chooses not to select parents for her baby (perhaps she feels this process is too painful and decides to simply allow the agency to select a good family for her), then the agency chooses the family who has been waiting the longest and that family has typically been waiting around 18 months.

Please pray for God's perfect timing as we wait for the newest little Vruggink to join our family.

Please pray for us to have patience as we wait for the phone call that will change our lives and the life of our baby.  It's such a strange feeling to be ready to have new baby within 2 weeks and also knowing we may have to wait 2 years.

Please pray for our unborn child's safety and physical development as he/she develops in his/her birthmom's womb.

Please pray for our child's birthmom to have the strength and courage to choose life and our family for her baby.

Please pray for God's peace to surround as and our baby's birthmom throughout the adoption process.

Today the kiddos and I went to the Westbury Gardens
(compliments of our free library passes) - hooray!

Abbie's Cheese Smile
Abbie smiles with squinty eyes when she's really happy - we call it her cheese smile. :)  In this case Abbie was smiling because she picked a tiny purple flour for me...shhh...don't tell!  I thanked her for my beautiful flower and then we had a little talk about not picking anymore flowers while at the garden.

Flower Garden

Abbie looking over the garden fountain with her friend, Ryan.