The Potty Chronicles

As many of my IRL (in-real-life) friends can attest too - potty training has been, shall we say, difficult. I've been attempting to get J to use the potty since he was about 3-1/2 years old. No go. I've been trying on and off over the last six months to get him interested in the potty.

I've tried all the tricks - trust me. We've tried "coloring the water." We've tried chocolate and sticker rewards. We've tried "commando potty training" where J ran around in just a long T-shirt. Nothing really stuck. I even went out & bought him some new Thomas trains as incentives. He couldn't actually play with them, but they were sitting in plain site waiting for him to start using the potty.

I even pulled out the big guns & told him I would convert their Winnie-the-Pooh themed bedroom (he shares with N - the other train nut) into a Thomas the Tank Engine wonderland complete with bunk beds!! No go.

Then something clicked yesterday. I put him in a pair of undies with a pair of training pants (the old-fashioned rubber kind) over them. He used the potty ALL day with NO accidents!!! Woo-hoo!! Although, I should probably point out that he has the bladder of a camel & held it all in until 4 o'clock in the afternoon!!!!! It's truly amazing to me how he can go that long.

This morning he woke up dry & wearing a Pull-Up & chose to use the potty. He did choose not to use the potty right before we left for church & while at church (which is why I had him in a Pull-Up). However, after his nap not only did he do pee in the potty but the other bodily function as well!!!!! Blow me over with a feather! Amazingly his tummy started feeling better immediately after that little accomplishment. ;-)

Needless to say, I'm very proud of my little man and absolutely thrilled with the fact that I will now have a break of changing diapers/Pull-Ups for the first time in eleven years!!!! I have never had a break even with the age gaps of my boys since they have all been late trainers.

Sorting Fun

Since yesterday worked so well with the beans & measuring, I decided to try out this game today with J. I participated in an activity bag swap last year. Sad to say I have used them very little with poor J & that was the whole reason I did the swap! ::sigh::

This was a very cute & easy game. There were tiny plastic cups with a colored bead glued in to the center of it. Then there was a bag of beads that J had to sort & match colors with. He caught on quite quickly & had a great time with it.

In fact, he appeared to be having so much fun that N had to join in with him as soon as he was done with his school. I'm learning that there are very few messes when J is doing this by himself. It's only when N feels he has to join in that things get out of hand! ::grin::

Potty Training - Day #3

Yesterday I was tired & irritable so I didn't want to deal with a cranky three year old who doesn't want to wear anything but Pull-Ups. He was in his undies briefly in the AM, but I left him in his Pull-Ups for the rest of the day. Today was a different story. I'm well rested & ready to continue the battle of wills.

Linda, you had asked in comments if I was training him to stand up first. Well, not exactly - it just sort of happened that way the first time. :-)

Today we were on Day #3. He sat in the living room - on his little potty - off & on for almost 1-1/2 hours. He'd get up, say he had to go, sit for 10 minutes or so, get up, etc. & so on. I finally just stripped him. THAT went over well - NOPE! He was running around in his T-shirt bawling that he wanted to be dressed! Slightly comical - now....

He sat down once again. I knew he had to go & since he was seriously crying about not having any pants on, I figured this was IT. I made sure all appropriate parts where pointing DOWN (LOL) & I have to tell you - I SO wish I could have captured his face on camera. ROFL!!!! The sheer look of surprise that came across his face was SO comical that I did laugh but then, so did he - after he was all done. So proud. He got a high 5 & a cookie. Good day for a three year old. :-)

So Far This Week

Monday

• Got up & made myself do my 2 mile walking video. Didn't want to but felt better after I did it.
• Headed to my parents for a cook-out & visit.
• Swung by Wal-Mart on the way (well, not really, went 30 minutes in the opposite direction as there is NOTHING "on the way" to my parents) to pick up a hanging flower for my Mom as a belated Mother's Day gift
• Visited for a bit - hung out with both my sisters for a change (I'm one of five kiddos). My younger sister took all the nephews for a ride on my Mom's "Gator" which they LOVED. Ate lots of good food. Chatted. Had fun.
• Got home to find Hubby & B back from their hiking trip - and my kitchen trashed from their lunch cook-out. I do love him -seriously! LOL
• Cleaned up kitchen, hung out together, it was nice.

Tuesday

• Began the day putting J in "real" undies. He wasn't impressed.
• Forced myself to do the 2 mile walking video again.
• Changed two wet set of clothing but I think J's starting to get it.
• Put him down for his nap.
• Headed out 3:00 to get groceries & to meet my MIL for help to buy a new bike!!!
• Did Wal-Mart groceries.
• Met up with MIL & went back in to Wal-Mart. Tried 3 bikes out & found a keeper. A Schwinn. Good price. Rides like a DREAM! My last bike was found in a dumpster at my FIL's work. Needless to say this new one works MUCH better!
• Went to the grocery store with kids & MIL. She willingly took them with her on her rounds. I got to shop alone. Bliss.
• Got home - put groceries away & made dinner.
• MIL came over & watched boys so I could try out new bike. Bliss. LOL Went the full six miles, but almost had to bail due to a really low blood sugar. Able to get it up with glucose tabs & slowly headed home. Successfully managed to ride almost all the way UP our driveway (1/4 mile UP hill) on the new one. Usually I manage 10 feet. Love it.
• Hubby got home late. Watched a little TV & went to bed early.

Today

• Got up way to early with J. Made breakfast (Donut muffins - yum!).
• After breakfast & Bible study crawled back to bed.
• Chatted with hubby while he finished getting ready. Went back to sleep.
• Slept WAY later than normal. No exercise - yet.
• Put J back in undies today. Still not overly impressed.
• Hung out. Played on PC. Boys played outside until the rain started.
• J woke up from nap dry (in a Pull-Up). Sat on potty for four stories. Nothing. Back in undies.
• About 30 minutes later J back on potty for another few stories. Nothing.
• About 30 minutes later he comes to tell me he "has to go potty!" We run to bathroom. He looks a little wet but wants to stand by "big potty, Mommy!" SUCCESS!!!!! Much celebration to be had in bathroom this afternoon. High 5's handed out. :-) He may end up being the easiest one yet!!!
• Spotted a robin's nest that we can sort of see outside the bathroom window.
• Rainy day - a game of Settler's will be happening tonight. Fun.