Day 3 of Potty Training

Friends,

This is a monumentous day. Mr. Little Man woke up completely dry with no accident overnight!!!! Do you hear that?! It sounds like the heaven’s are opening up and angels are singing. Exaggerate much? I know. Moving on. Most people say when your kid starts waking up overnight dry that you can take it as a sign to start potty training or whatever. Mr. Little Man has not ever woken up dry to my recollection. Again, rejoicing at our house! I think we will bake cookies today. :)

He did have a minor success with Daddy this morning and then let a big ole accident fly. The key today I think will be fully emptying the bladder. He is still learning and we have got the day to do it! (And tomorrow if need be).

The above paragraphs were written in the morning and by the afternoon we had decided that this was placing too much stress on our little guy and have decided to cease and desist with the potty training. Guess what? The follow day I went to the ped to have him checked out and it turns out the kid has a double ear infection. Can we say bad time to potty train?!!? How did I miss this, you ask? I asked myself the same thing. The poor little guy did not tug at his ears at all, he had no fever, and his nose (while runny) was a clear runny (therefore, no need to concern especially in the absence of any other symptoms). Sometimes there are no good signs and we miss it. The doctor thinks he may have allergies and his ears are not draining properly and, boom, ear infection. I know there were air quality alerts, so this is not out of the realm of possibility. I feel terrible having stressed out Mr. Little Man when he was sick, but I did not know and I have to forgive myself and move on. We do this a lot as parents.

My conclusions shall be in the next post.

Blessings on your journey,

R

Day 2 of Potty Training

Hi y’all,

Day 2 of potty training went better and worse than day 1. I was not as emotional and I had Mr. Fantastic Husband Man’s help.

Overall the Mr. Chaos Little Man had two successful trips to the bathroom and only one accident. He had a little accident overnight about 3am, but was dry in the morning. :) I think the poor little guy is stressing out some about going to the bathroom and is just holding it in until his bladder reaches capacity. I was not down there for the accident, but Mr. Fantastic said it was a flood. The kid has major bladder capacity and superman like bladder control. 

Little Man being stressed out by this is the bad part, but the fact that he is aware and holding it is progress and the good part. I’d like to think that this is what Charlie Sheen meant when he talked about “winning” (though if you have seen the video you know it’s not, but let us pretend, shall we?). I feel like this is “winning!”

You only have one more day (well, there will be maintenance and I will probably post about that too--no promises) of solely potty training related posting. Enjoy!!

Blessings,

R

Potty training Day 1 of 3

Hi Y'all,

I am trying out the 3 day potty training method. So far day one has had about three successful trips to the bathroom and about 10 not successful accidents on the floor/bed.

I have to say it has been a bit tough for me having the two kiddos and trying this method. I feel extremely guilty not being able to pay nearly as much attention to my oldest. I have to tell you that I am so proud of her and that she has been a trooper. My Little Princess told me she was going to help me potty train her little brother and teach him 'how to go pee on the potty like a big boy.' I know she has gotten a bit bored, but she has been excellent, y'all. Such a proud mommy right here, right now.

On the other hand, Mr. Chaos has been living up to his name. One of the things is that we pretty much have to stick to indoor activities and he has been getting antsy. We usually go outside every day. He is having a hard time getting energy out and it is coming out a little sideways. I am trying to distract and re-direct, but this kid is stubborn (I have known that since early on). Hey, book author lady! My kid is stubborn and really wants those M&M rewards even when they are up out of sight and he just gets upset and no amount of distraction and re-direction works. This morning he seemed to be 'getting it.' Then things went to hades in a hand basket. We had naughty behavior which needed time out. Of course, the screaming-crying induced peeing in the corner. Now, I am supposed to rush him to the bathroom and sit him on the toilet and say, "Oh, no! You're Big Boys (that is what we call his underoos) are wet. Let's try to keep them dry and tell mommy when you have to go potty, ok?" To which he says, "Ok, Daddy (because everyone in our house is Daddy right now)." And then it was back to time out in another spot because that one had pee all over the place. But then that spot is not as effective because we usually do not do it there and then mommy is next to him cleaning up and then he did not get it all out so he is peeing again and again we rush to the potty and repeat.

Then, THEN, he is starting to be a wild man and I am re-directing and distracting and trying to get him to dance or play chase around the table and he picks up my ipod, very deliberately, and proceeds to throw it down on the tile. Now I am extremely upset by his behavior, and not just because this is not exactly a cheap piece technology, and I tell him in a raised voice that his behavior is unacceptable and to go to time out. Repeat the crying-screaming-peeing scenario above. I have to insert here: I rarely raise my voice and, even rarer still, full on yell at my kids--again I am pretty proud of that and I am not trying to brag just telling you what's up and that he knew mommy was NOT happy.

And the author recommends that I not let my frustration show when he has his 'accidents' and that he is indeed learning. Well, right now I am upset and things are broken and it has been a long emotional day and I am not sure if this is worth it. I have had zero help until about an hour ago. I knew this going in. I knew it would be tough and emotional for me. I did not realize how confusing this new thing would be for Mr. Little Man. He has had his share of emotion and not fully realizing what is going on (while being tired because nap time approached) has been a little stressful for him too.

I know we will be changing a lot of bedding tonight and that I probably will not have a ton of sleep. I feel a sense of foreboding about tomorrow. I am hoping and praying I am wrong. If this works and we make it through then it will be worth it. Right now I am having a hard time seeing the light at the end of this tunnel even though I know it is there.

Blessings on you in your journey,
R

Potty Training, duh, duh, dunnnnnn

Hi Y’all!

I have decided that since we have nothing going on this weekend I am attempting to potty train Mr. Chaos Little Man. He is not yet two and a half, but he has been showing a few signs of being ready. Let me tell you that I have been ready for years. Up until the last eight months or so he cried every single time you changed his diaper. I think it is because he does not like being cold, but as he is too young to use words to tell me this is my best guess. (And is that not what parenting is most of the time--your best guess?)

We will be trying the potty train in three days method (I have Monday set aside as well in case we need the extra time). Prayers, tips, funny antidotes, and comments are all appreciated and will be read in times of stress. :)

Here is my good friend’s prayer she texted me: Dear Lord, please give R patience for the longest 6 months of her life... and high tolerance for incredible amounts of poop and pee everywhere. Help her to see the humor when ‘it’ isn’t pointed into the potty and poop is streaked down the front of the toilet. Dear Lord, please help my dear friend ‘cuz she is potty training a boy!!!!!

Blessings,

R

And begin again

Hi y'all,

I posted that day 3 was quite a struggle to get to on my meal plan this time around. That night I got a mild case of food poisoning and was enduring stomach cramps when my wonderful husband told me there are no medals or prizes for enduring food poisoning just because you do not want to start over. That, my friends, was when I grabbed crackers and gatorade. I decided I would start over again today. Hey, I wanted some ice cream and a cupcake for Mother's Day. I got 'em too. :)

Well, today, day one, has been a struggle and I expect the following days will be as well. Is my health worth it? Yes. Do I want to do this? Yes and no. Does it help to have friends I can lament to? Absolutely! Do I keep reminding myself that it is only 2 weeks? Yes. Will I give in and start again? I hope not, but I definitely did not plan to last week. Sometimes things are out of your control. The important part is that you get back and try again. Read that again, because that is my main point. Did you get it? Want to explain it to me? I have to remind myself of it often in life.

Peace and blessings, friends,
R

Day 3

Hi y'all,

I decided that since my little brother is getting married one friday in July and my best friend is getting married the very next day!!! that I should probably kick my butt back into workout and eat right gear. To this end I have been getting back into the gym (even if it has only been one day a week!) and started over with my meal plan three days ago. This is the blog post where I set out my first two weeks for those of you who wanted to follow along. I am back there now.

I remember kicking butt the first three or four days when I started this last year, but this year has been a different story. Day one was a struggle and it does not seem to have let up. Let me break it down for you.

Day one--the children keep begging for fruit snacks all. day. long. The smell of said snacks triggers my want for sugar!!! This makes me grumbly and I want to have a fruit snack too and begin again the next day. I resist.

Day two--MOPS. These wonderful women bring in all sorts of food for us to munch while we conversate (apparently this is not a word according to my dictionary...) and listen to speakers or do crafts. The "food" has also been aptly described as a "carb fest." If you read that meal plan above you know that carbs are super limited these first two weeks. I really love donuts and only eat them at MOPS. Alas, I passed. However, then my good friend, K, invited the children and I to McD's for some nugs and playland time. The smell of those french fries almost. killed. me. I stayed strong.

Day three--My Little Princess has her Mother's Day celebration at preschool and there is brunch with little blueberry muffins (yum!) and fruit (double yum!) and orange juice. Again, was seriously tempted to just start over.

The only thing that has kept me on track so far is the actually the fact that these past few days have been such a struggle and I really do not want to add to this current misery. It is two weeks, dadgumit! Can all of you wait a month so that I can have my one "cheat" meal a week and I can choose accordingly? Oh, and can you inform me of this at least a week in advance so I can choose my favorite? Thanks, friends!!

Blessings,
R

P.S. Tomorrow is National Mom's Nite Out and two of my good friends Wendy at Choosing Love and Morgan at BecomingHomegrown are hosting an event at Buffalo Wild Wings that night. We can safely say that this was NOT my ideal week to start back with this meal plan!

Summertime Blues?

Hi y'all!

Today at MOPS (Mothers of Pre-Schoolers) I read an article lamenting and applauding the fact that it shall soon be bathing suit weather here once again in the great state of Arizona!

When it is 115 degrees F outside you cannot even hope to survive unless you swim or play at a splash pad--often! I liken it to be snowed in for four-six months in Minnesota with an active four year old and a toddler. For those of you who have not experienced this wonder esta no muy bueno. You go a bit (a lot!) stir crazy with the same walls, same toys, same mall walks, same McDonald's play area after so long. So, the only way to survive this heat is to get out in your bathing suit and have fun!

For those who are not "little" women I would imagine (as I am only one woman and can only guess how we feel as a whole) the words "bathing suit season" brings feelings of inadequacy and insecurity. I know I have to beat those mental lies into submission and I would venture a guess that I am not alone.

The article I read made some good points that I also found amusing. So, be ready to "throw in the towel" (into that cute beach bag!) and put on your suit because you have no excuse!

At the pool there will be (at least one!) of the following people. One, there will be that one person who never learned that white swimsuits are purely for tanning and contrasting that beautiful tan; NOT swimming. I do not need to know you that well, please. Two, there will be that gal who is in denial and swears she can fit into that medium, but will be rocking a large muffin top. Three, you have all seen that lady who is way too old to be shopping in the juniors section, however still insists on sporting one of those tiny-weeny bikinis! Four, hairy, beer belly--'nough said. Five, guys whose suits just do not fit correctly and you think they would be perfect for the plumbing profession. And, lastly, that person who thought tatooing their entire body was a great idea, an expression of themselves and art (bonus points if they are a wrinkly, older person).

Side note: It is ok to stare as long as when they catch you doing so you ask insightful questions. Where did you get that mermaid done? Local artist? What does that Chinese symbol stand for? Or make a complimentary remark. I really like how that portrait of your daughter looks so life-like. If you must be sarcastic you should probably keep those in your head. We are all thinking the same thing--You may regret all these at 75--but we don't need to express it out loud.

I swear, unless you are one of these people (and now you have no excuse, I'm calling you out!) no one will be paying attention to those extra baby pounds or winter insulation. They will all be trying to avert their eyes and avoid having a second look at the aforementioned offenders. ;)

Blessings,
R