So, here we are, a week and a half post-done with diapers day and I have to say, the results are mixed.
First off, the boy has peeing in the potty DOWN. He’s had the past 3 days pee accident free (note the qualifier, more on that later). He willingly sits on the potty and goes without complaint. I consider him to be more or less trustworthy in this respect.
Poop, oh poop. Poop isn’t going so great. After an initial poop in the potty last Wednesday, we have had no success in that respect since then. There have been a lot of cute pairs of underwear lost to the cause. We’ve had some poops in diapers (which he HATES wearing now, BTW) that some how made it out of the diaper and on to the walls, which I have to say is the single grossest thing I have ever had to deal with as a parent. So, poop and B are kind of a mess (ha ha!).
I have to say, we are kind of at a loss for what to do. If we check him mid-poop, which we often do, we immediately take him to the potty and try and get him to go. He will immediately clam up and stop pooping and hold it until he just can’t hold it anymore and it comes out in his underpants or diaper. We are terrified of giving the boy a complex, so we are nervous about forcing too much on him at once.
What’s a parent to do? Right now, we are hoping for some miracle to occur and he will just get it. I know that he is young to be potty trained (2 years, 1 month), so I am trying to not get to wrapped up about it, but I feel like he could do it if he got over whatever the problem is. I just don’t know what to do.
But, to not end on a sh!tty note (ha ha again!), I have to praise my two children for some crazy recent accomplishments. B has finally grasped language. He uses sentences, he counts, he uses pronouns. It’s crazy, it’s like over the past month he just decided that he really wanted to talk and so he did. Nuts! And little T is unbelievable. He may just be the happiest baby I have ever seen. He laughs and babbles constantly, he loves to watch his brother. And most importantly of all (for me at least), he is sleeping through the night!!!!!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Potty Wars...Day 3
Well, we are a solid three days into potty training…we’ve had some goods, we’ve had some bads.
He will go on the potty and use it. We are running at about 50%. He understands that when he goes on the potty he gets candy and treats and is very happy. We have been thoroughly encouraging and haven’t yelled at him at all (self control is waning though). We have started making him help clean up the mess when he doesn’t make it to the toilet. So, I think he gets it, on the potty good, not on the potty bad.
However, he has not successfully initiated any time on the potty. We have to remind him to sit on it and he will occasionally fuss about it if he is particularly interested in something else. He doesn’t always seem to realize that he needs to go, which leads to dribbles. Also, and this is the big stinker (both figuratively and literally), he hasn’t pooped on the potty. He has been waiting until we put his diaper on for nap or bedtime to drop the load, which kind of defeats the purpose. I’m sure at some point I am just going to have to suck it up and let him wet the bed, but man, I don’t want to clean that up.
Anyway, I feel like we are making progress, he is drier for longer and longer periods and we are going on the potty more and more. So, we are thankful for that of course, but it would have been nice if we had one of those kids who figured it out in a day. Sigh…
He will go on the potty and use it. We are running at about 50%. He understands that when he goes on the potty he gets candy and treats and is very happy. We have been thoroughly encouraging and haven’t yelled at him at all (self control is waning though). We have started making him help clean up the mess when he doesn’t make it to the toilet. So, I think he gets it, on the potty good, not on the potty bad.
However, he has not successfully initiated any time on the potty. We have to remind him to sit on it and he will occasionally fuss about it if he is particularly interested in something else. He doesn’t always seem to realize that he needs to go, which leads to dribbles. Also, and this is the big stinker (both figuratively and literally), he hasn’t pooped on the potty. He has been waiting until we put his diaper on for nap or bedtime to drop the load, which kind of defeats the purpose. I’m sure at some point I am just going to have to suck it up and let him wet the bed, but man, I don’t want to clean that up.
Anyway, I feel like we are making progress, he is drier for longer and longer periods and we are going on the potty more and more. So, we are thankful for that of course, but it would have been nice if we had one of those kids who figured it out in a day. Sigh…
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
The Battle Begins
Well, we have set a very important date. On June 20, we are starting hard core potty training. It’s just time. There are just so many reasons. The poops are just too gross for me and J to take on anymore. Diaper cost with two kids is back breaking. Plus, B is old enough and has the understanding level to make this happen.
We have made a small foray into it. We have done a couple of afternoons in underpants and B does not like how they feel when he goes to the bathroom. You’ll hear “ew, gross” from across the room and find him standing in a puddle. He hasn’t gone on the potty yet, but he did pee sitting on a chair next to the potty (I personally count this as progress). He sits on the potty multiple times a day happily.
I have done a lot of research into this and it seems there are several camps, the 24 hour camp, the let it happen on its own camp, and the high level of encouragement camp. I am not one to let it happen on its own. I love my son, but it might be when he’s in high school when he decides to go on his own. So, although, I don’t think 24 hour training is in our future, I do think that after one concentrated week, we can get there. It’s amazing how many opinions are out there on potty training.
It’s especially promising because J will be home that whole week and B just loves to do what his daddy is doing. It’s amazing how close those two have become in such a short time. Although, J does discipline him more now, B is rapidly becoming Dad’s little clone. The peals of laughter that I hear throughout the house when they are playing together just make my heart melt. I really think that B will potty train quickly just to impress his Dad.
It will be interesting to see how the next few weeks go and I will report back soon on our progress.
We have made a small foray into it. We have done a couple of afternoons in underpants and B does not like how they feel when he goes to the bathroom. You’ll hear “ew, gross” from across the room and find him standing in a puddle. He hasn’t gone on the potty yet, but he did pee sitting on a chair next to the potty (I personally count this as progress). He sits on the potty multiple times a day happily.
I have done a lot of research into this and it seems there are several camps, the 24 hour camp, the let it happen on its own camp, and the high level of encouragement camp. I am not one to let it happen on its own. I love my son, but it might be when he’s in high school when he decides to go on his own. So, although, I don’t think 24 hour training is in our future, I do think that after one concentrated week, we can get there. It’s amazing how many opinions are out there on potty training.
It’s especially promising because J will be home that whole week and B just loves to do what his daddy is doing. It’s amazing how close those two have become in such a short time. Although, J does discipline him more now, B is rapidly becoming Dad’s little clone. The peals of laughter that I hear throughout the house when they are playing together just make my heart melt. I really think that B will potty train quickly just to impress his Dad.
It will be interesting to see how the next few weeks go and I will report back soon on our progress.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
A Wonderful Life (Mostly)
Having Dad home has been absolutely wonderful. I can’t say enough how glad I am to have my husband home. It honestly feels as if a giant weight has been lifted off my shoulders and I don’t think that I smiled as much in the past 9 months than I have in the two weeks since he has been home. My boys are just loving being with their Dad and there is no happier sound that hearing my son and my husband laughing and playing together. Just melts my heart.
But, even in the wonderful haze that we have been existing in, there’s still a lot of adjustment that has to occur and it hasn’t always been easy. First, the division of chores/diapers has been a sticking point. I have tried my best not to beat the “I changed every diaper for nine months, now it’s your turn” drum, but, darn it, I did and I should get a break from the poop patrol. Also, the constant bend over and pick it up dance that goes with my husband is getting a little tiresome (the man seems to just shed clothes, there was one day I picked up no less than 6 pairs of socks).
Discipline has been another sticking point. B doesn’t always see his Dad as an authority figure (although it is getting better), which drives J nuts to no end. So, he sometimes over disciplines to try and get his point across. Needless to say, B has been spending some serious time in time out lately. Presenting a united front has been challenging. Also, Dad isn’t a let the baby cry type which undoes a lot of the hard sleep training working I have been doing. So, we have had some “discussions” (read: whispered shouting matches) about child rearing.
However, in the long run, things have been great. We took an amazing trip to Disney which let us bond as a family of four (nothing like a plane flight for family togetherness) and now that we are back home, we have been meshing even more. Like, I said, I have had a permanent grin on my face and I know that won’t be going away anytime soon.
But, even in the wonderful haze that we have been existing in, there’s still a lot of adjustment that has to occur and it hasn’t always been easy. First, the division of chores/diapers has been a sticking point. I have tried my best not to beat the “I changed every diaper for nine months, now it’s your turn” drum, but, darn it, I did and I should get a break from the poop patrol. Also, the constant bend over and pick it up dance that goes with my husband is getting a little tiresome (the man seems to just shed clothes, there was one day I picked up no less than 6 pairs of socks).
Discipline has been another sticking point. B doesn’t always see his Dad as an authority figure (although it is getting better), which drives J nuts to no end. So, he sometimes over disciplines to try and get his point across. Needless to say, B has been spending some serious time in time out lately. Presenting a united front has been challenging. Also, Dad isn’t a let the baby cry type which undoes a lot of the hard sleep training working I have been doing. So, we have had some “discussions” (read: whispered shouting matches) about child rearing.
However, in the long run, things have been great. We took an amazing trip to Disney which let us bond as a family of four (nothing like a plane flight for family togetherness) and now that we are back home, we have been meshing even more. Like, I said, I have had a permanent grin on my face and I know that won’t be going away anytime soon.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
5 More Days!
I apologize for my blogging absence, but I have been caught up in a whirlwind of preparations for the hubs return. We just can't wait!
Friday, April 29, 2011
Just Plain Pooped
All I can say is that I am just so very, very tired. T is now over two months old and, when added on to the months of no sleeping due to itchiness, it’s been a long time since I have had a good night’s sleep. I know I really shouldn’t complain, T is a good sleeper, only up once a night around 2 or 3, but still, I daydream about when I will be able to sleep for 8 hours straight (something I fear may not happen for the next 18 or so years).
Add on to this not sleeping, working full time, single parenthood (only 2 more weeks!), and general nonsense and you end up with one tired lady. I keep trying to think of ways to streamline, but nothing realistically can be cut. J suggested switching to formula, but I think that might actually be harder (it involves water procurement, measurement, blech). The pups and kitties are getting seriously neglected so there really isn’t anything I can streamline there. B needs full time attention, the stuff I have found him eating lately is highly concerning, so I can’t let him out of my sight for a second.
I am sure that people who see me at work and on the street must think I spend my nights in the ditch. My hair can only be described as a hot mess, my glasses are broken, I constantly have spit up on me somewhere…motherhood just isn’t pretty. I constantly forget what I am supposed to be doing, I have left my keys in the front door multiple times.
But, the nice thing is, I’m really enjoying my life. I love the funny things that B does and watching just how darn smart he is getting (too smart sometimes). I love the great big gummy smiles and giggles that little T gives me. The puppies are being so well behaved and are B’s best buddies. The only thing that could make all of this better is the rapidly approaching return of Dad! So even though I live in a three ring circus and my appearance shows it, I can’t complain too much (I still will though!).
Add on to this not sleeping, working full time, single parenthood (only 2 more weeks!), and general nonsense and you end up with one tired lady. I keep trying to think of ways to streamline, but nothing realistically can be cut. J suggested switching to formula, but I think that might actually be harder (it involves water procurement, measurement, blech). The pups and kitties are getting seriously neglected so there really isn’t anything I can streamline there. B needs full time attention, the stuff I have found him eating lately is highly concerning, so I can’t let him out of my sight for a second.
I am sure that people who see me at work and on the street must think I spend my nights in the ditch. My hair can only be described as a hot mess, my glasses are broken, I constantly have spit up on me somewhere…motherhood just isn’t pretty. I constantly forget what I am supposed to be doing, I have left my keys in the front door multiple times.
But, the nice thing is, I’m really enjoying my life. I love the funny things that B does and watching just how darn smart he is getting (too smart sometimes). I love the great big gummy smiles and giggles that little T gives me. The puppies are being so well behaved and are B’s best buddies. The only thing that could make all of this better is the rapidly approaching return of Dad! So even though I live in a three ring circus and my appearance shows it, I can’t complain too much (I still will though!).
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
My Little Caveman
I came to an interesting realization when B and I were battling last night. I was approaching him as I would approach an adult. I wasn’t really reasoning with him, per say, but I was expecting him to use logic that he clearly doesn’t possess. He’s nearly two and a boy (double whammy) and trying to get him to understand why he has to clean something up just wasn’t working.
I have to admit, B and I have really been at it lately. He gets frustrated when I don’t understand him or I won’t give him something that he wants. He responds to these situations by striking an inanimate object and making this horrible “aaannnhhh” noise at you. I have broken him of hitting people, but still he hits. He KNOWS that it aggravates me and will look directly at me while he does it. He has moments where he seems to be mad for no reason, just randomly striking out at things in frustration.
Anyway, last night, we were really going at it, it was bath time and B wasn’t ready to stop playing with this gear game he has. Here I was, directing him to do something, expecting him to understand that time was up, and he just wasn’t. He started throwing his toys on the floor and hitting the table. It was that moment I remembered a book I had read Happiest Toddler on the Block. In it, the author describes toddlers as cavemen (and women) that we as parents are supposed to civilize. B is a caveman. He language skills aren’t great, he is impulse and pleasure driven, and seems to have no higher level reasoning.
So, instead of battling and expecting him to make the decision for himself to behave, I simply picked him up and stated firmly that we were going to the bath and weren’t playing anymore. Sure, this lead to much crying and gnashing of teeth, but I wasn’t as frustrated and, in the end, the experience was much more pleasant all around.
Now, I’m no expert and certainly not parent of the century, but I sometimes think that parents (I am sure I do this) think too much of our children’s ability to reason and make decisions for themselves at such a young age. There have been countless times where I have seen parents trying unsuccessfully to reason with their cavemen. No more for this mommy, well at least not until he is older.
I have to admit, B and I have really been at it lately. He gets frustrated when I don’t understand him or I won’t give him something that he wants. He responds to these situations by striking an inanimate object and making this horrible “aaannnhhh” noise at you. I have broken him of hitting people, but still he hits. He KNOWS that it aggravates me and will look directly at me while he does it. He has moments where he seems to be mad for no reason, just randomly striking out at things in frustration.
Anyway, last night, we were really going at it, it was bath time and B wasn’t ready to stop playing with this gear game he has. Here I was, directing him to do something, expecting him to understand that time was up, and he just wasn’t. He started throwing his toys on the floor and hitting the table. It was that moment I remembered a book I had read Happiest Toddler on the Block. In it, the author describes toddlers as cavemen (and women) that we as parents are supposed to civilize. B is a caveman. He language skills aren’t great, he is impulse and pleasure driven, and seems to have no higher level reasoning.
So, instead of battling and expecting him to make the decision for himself to behave, I simply picked him up and stated firmly that we were going to the bath and weren’t playing anymore. Sure, this lead to much crying and gnashing of teeth, but I wasn’t as frustrated and, in the end, the experience was much more pleasant all around.
Now, I’m no expert and certainly not parent of the century, but I sometimes think that parents (I am sure I do this) think too much of our children’s ability to reason and make decisions for themselves at such a young age. There have been countless times where I have seen parents trying unsuccessfully to reason with their cavemen. No more for this mommy, well at least not until he is older.
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