Potty in Progress

So, it's been a few days since I last updated on our potty training progress. I am happy to report that - WE ARE MAKING GREAT PROGRESS! Today, he has begun telling me when he has to go pee-pee. I couldn't be happier or prouder, while at the same time, I could just laugh at myself at how easy it was.

It was a combination of things that turned the tide for us. First, I lightened up. I resigned to the fact that this was going to take time. I stopped trying to fit within some ridiculous criteria, that alone did wonders. Once Little Leo realized there was no pressure or he didn't feel my stress and/or the stress being projected on him, he began to really cooperate.

Secondly, I saw the light come on with him. I really did. I know the exact moment things changed for him, and since that moment he has made leaps and bounds. A few days ago, he made a really good pee-pee in the toilet and I got really excited for him. I said, "Mommy is so happy" and he picked up on that one little statement. He said, "Mommy happy?" Once I explained how happy Mommy was when he peed in the toilet, he just wanted to keep pleasing me...so typical of a 2 year old, but sweet as all get-out. Since then, things have continuously improved.

We still have work to do and we still have accidents but it's getting better...and Mommy is very happy.

Closing Remarks

Well this past week has been long and hard, very long and hard. Are we potty trained yet? Not even close. Have I seen a regression in both effort and successes on his part? Yes. Am I going to give up and throw in the towel, really remains as the BIG question...the answer is, no. I am not going to give up nor will I be throwing in any towels.

I have concluded this though, I was putting WAY too much pressure on both him and me. This is the reason I think we are having a reversal of progress. Yes, I did cave in and put some pull ups on him and yes he totally thought they were diapers, but the reality is I do have to leave the house. For both his sanity and mine, we had to get out of here. Sadly, I must admit, I have not enjoyed my son in this past week, I have been utterly fixated on him, but I have not stopped to really enjoy him as I lived in constant fear of an "accident".

So, after talking to every one and their mother, I decided to call my mother. She, as always, gave me some really good advice. She said take a breather, step back for a few days and try again. She said at this point, the two of us just need some down time and she was totally right. I admit, I cried my eyes out on the phone with her and she quickly pointed out, potty training isn't supposed to be this painful.

I have decided to stop listening to everyone who keeps telling me how their kids were potty trained in a day or a week or something like that. To those people, I envy you. That however, just will not be the case here. Like most things in my life, slow and steady apparently will be the pace for me. I am resigned to the fact that training is going to take me months. I will give it 2 months before I decide to quit. Universally, that is what is recommended in all my research. I think that is a good measure.

Lastly, I have concluded the demands of motherhood are equally matched by the age of the child. When they are newborns, they sleep, eat and poop. Life is easy, though at the time it seems awfully difficult. They get a little bigger, maybe they get sick or begin teething and things get a little more difficult. They become toddlers and discover their independence making things even more difficult...then comes potty training and you realize this is motherhood. Once you become comfortable in one phase of life, they quickly move on to something else. Slowly you realize, this is just how it's always going to be, you've never been a mother before and everything will always be new and consequently harder the first time around...then if you're lucky enough, you'll get to do it a second time and you'll find what worked for the first one may not work the second time. So to Lisa, Iris and eventually Kailey, I have no advice for you. Find what works for you and go with that and when that doesn't work, try something else.

Day 4 & 5

So you take one step forward and two steps back, that is how the saying goes right? Well then, why does it seem as though we've taken 3 steps backward? Utter frustration...that's about where I'm at. After our zero accident day, we had a 3 accident day. Which I know really isn't that bad, but that's only because the other times I gave in and used the water because I knew he was holding his pee. Twice I caught him beginning to do "#2" and ran him to the toilet only to have him stop immediately and NEVER do his business.

We had our tax appointment last night so my in-laws (bless their hearts and souls) offered to take care of him for us so we wouldn't have to put a pull-up or a diaper on. So how did it go, you ask? He peed in my FIL's hands. That's right, you read it right, he. peed. in. my. father. in. law's. hands.

He will only do pee on his own when he first wakes up in the morning or right after his nap, when he's been holding it for a while. Otherwise, he doesn't want much to do with the toilet anymore. So I've tried waiting longer in between pee breaks, what happened with that you ask? He. peed. on. my. door. Yes, that's right. He pulled down his underwear's and peed on the door. I can't even tell Leonard about that. He'd want to get the HazMat team over and sterilize the entire house. So last night he told my MIL when he needed to go but they didn't make it to the toilet in time, and this morning he took it upon himself to pee on the wall, so I think that might be progress whether I like it or not. Also, he did poop in the toilet this morning successfully.

The problem now just remains how do I get him to go pee in the toilet on our regular potty breaks. I've tried cheerios, reading books, standing up with water running in the back ground, I've tried warm water in a cup and sticking his hands in it, I've tried playing with toys in warm water immediately before a potty break and he couldn't care any less for any of it.

I have to leave the house soon, there is no other option, but I am at a loss. I wonder if I should put things on the back burner for a while, or should I break down and do pull-ups but all that just feels like copping out and failing...which I don't do gracefully. I've invested a lot of time already and don't want to make this week a worthless effort. Oh, what to do? what to do? I've got to get groceries soon....

Day 3

Well, we have had 0 accidents today...that's right, I said 0, as in "zero". We are still a half hour out from bed time and he is drinking a cup of juice at the moment, so yes, there is potential for error but I am quite pleased with the day. He is wearing the same underwear I put on him this morning.

Two things, though...number 1 I've slowly realized I am going to have to eventually leave the house and that scares me. I don't think I want to use Pull-Ups, although, I have to admit I see the desire there. I am just scared he will think they are diapers and we will revert back.

Number 2 - the water trick. Yes, it has worked wonders and is the primary reason we haven't had so many accidents because it gets him to release his urine as he should...but he now only goes pee if I use the water. So I think tomorrow I will ditch the water and go back to having regular accidents until he learns to pee on his own.

I'll let you know how tomorrow goes.

Day 2

Today was SO MUCH better. Things are clicking now, and we have been much more successful today. We saw improvement last night, which came right in the nick of time. I was beginning to feel incredibly doubtful that we were going to accomplish anything. I said some majorly desperate prayers last night, not for a miracle but for patience and the confidence that was quickly fading. This morning I awoke with a renewed conviction to power through. I had already resolved to try for the remainder of the week and if by Saturday we hadn't seen any significant improvement, then I would hold off until summer.

But you know what? We've only had 2 accidents today. He has put two-and-two together and he understands to hold his urine now, and he has figured out how to release it. My husband, my hero, had the best idea ever this morning, and poured warm water on his tummy to help things along. Since this discovery, I have been consistent, going to the rest room every 40 minutes to an hour. I read his body signals and within 10 minutes after he has any liquids we take a pee-pee break.

It's been working. I won't say that we are over the worst of it, because I just don't see how that could be possible, but I will say we are improving. My spirits are improved, my confidence is improved and he already pooped himself...how much worse can it get right? I can totally do this!

Day 1

I HATE POTTY TRAINING!

We have only just begun, we are merely 1/2 way through the first day and boy does it BLOW! This morning was a disaster. We had 6 accidents in that short period of time, I've done 2 loads of laundry and 1 load with the rugs and I was never happier for nap time when I was able to put on a diaper.

On the plus side however, Leonard hates being wet. That if nothing else is in my favor. We did get one potty in the toilet. So, inspite of myself, I am hopeful. I am hating every second of this, but I am hopeful.

My Big Fear

Potty training. It scares the bijeebees out of me. I have been putting it off and putting it off, trying to convince myself that Little Leonard just isn't ready for it. However, the reality is, he is ready; it's me who is not.

In theory, I am all set. I have a Lightning McQueen potty chair, a potty chart, stickers for rewards and big boy underwear with all his favorite things on them. I've asked around, gotten as much advice as any one woman needs, it's just a matter of doing at this point. Yet, I am still paralyzed with fear. I am trying to convince myself it can't be much different or harder than house training my dogs. Still, that is not enough to make me take the plunge.

So here it is...I am committing myself to start on Monday. I'll follow up with you, my 4 devoted readers and keep you posted along the way.

Who knows, it could make for some interesting reading.

The Great Space Race

Years ago, I wrote a paper entitled "The Great Space Race" I had to choose any topic and argue its irrationality. Upon some intensive Internet research, I finally stumbled across the moon-landing and all the crazy "evidence" supporting its falsehood and chose that. I got an "A" on the paper, and in the process, had great fun with the topic. Since then, I've always argued against the moon landing, and beg the question, 'why has it not been done again?'

While I enjoy taking the stance that it never happened, I know it really did. Some people, get very passionate about it, like my brother Juan for instance, and I find it just funny to ruffle the feathers.

Last night, Leonard went to some aerospace award banquet. The guests of honor were Captain Sully, the miracle pilot from the Hudson River landing and none other than Neil Armstrong...from the moon landing. Well, Leonard being Leonard not having a shy bone in his body takes it upon himself to walk up, introduce himself to Mr. Armstrong, shake his hand and say, 'Mr. Armstrong, my wife doesn't believe you actually landed on the moon how do you suggest I set her straight?'

I died.

Mr. Armstrong simply replied, 'I get that a lot, you tell your wife, I was there'.

I continue to die to this very moment. When Leonard informed me of his conversation, I was in total disbelief. I said, 'You know I think that's all a joke right? I know that they really landed on the moon!' He said, 'No. I thought you were serious this whole time.'

Oh, how embarrassing. One of the modern world's greatest achievers and he has to think I am some ignorant schmuck.

Post Secret

A few months back I discovered this blog, it's called Post Secret, they even publish books. Basically, each Sunday the author uploads all these secrets that anybody can send in. He just chooses a handful of secrets at random and publishes them for all the world to see. All secrets are anonymous, of course and are totally random. You see all sorts of things come up on this blog.

I read it every week and it is my guilty pleasure. Check it out sometime....

Parental discretion is advised.

http://postsecret.blogspot.com/

Time Travel

What is it about music that can stir old memories and make them so vivid? When my Dad died, I listened to Guns N Roses "Don't Cry" over and over again. The lyrics made me feel as though my Dad were talking me through my grief. Silly, I know, but I cried myself through that song many a time. I remember my girlfriend telling me about when her sister died, she did the same thing with a particular song.

Today, that song came on the radio as I drove and I nearly had to pull over. I was transported to a whole other time and place. I haven't heard that song since that time and I was bombarded with memories and feelings I haven't felt in so long. I had forgotten how utterly consumed with grief I was and how much guilt I carried with me during that time.

I just wonder, what song 10 years from now will remind me of all the joy I am experiencing in my home now and do all the same things again...