Diary of a Potty Training Mamma Part III

Well, Zach has been doing remarkably well. So well, in fact, he loves to go wherever he can: Target, Albertsons, the playground, and any house we go to, just so he can check out the potty and say that we went there. He also loves to differentiate between the men and womens' restrooms; when he goes with mommy he says, "Use the circle restroom" and "Use the triangle"with daddy. It is very cute, but also rather annoying because I know wherever we go he must use the potty. He has only had one "real" accident when we were at a friends' house, he got so excited about the train table they had that he forgot he needed to go.

Having stated the positive, I now need some advice. Going #2 has been a different story. At first it was a little traumatic for him, and would hold it for a day before he couldn't hold it any longer. Once he had the urge it took him about 45 minutes of running around the house avoiding the potty, but knowing he needed to go. When he finally went I had to sit him down and he would just go. now he has figured that it is a lot easier to go in his pull-up after nap, and has even gone in the middle of the night a few times. How do I get him to be so thrilled to go #2 on the potty? I've tried a chart, and we even let him pick out a train at the store and told him he could open it when he did #2 on the potty. But he still is resisting. Any tips?
( I was making cupcakes for a party and Zach stole the icing lid. This face says, "What, I didn't do it?"-Gotta love it!)

Summertime.. when the livin's easy!

We have had a great summer. It has gone by so fast that I haven't had time to post each of our fun filled adventures. So here is a recap of what we've been up to this summer!

Late June: We went to Mammoth with my older sister and brother and their families . We did the hardcore camping and roughed it in a tent. We had fun fishing and hanging out with family. We hadn't even been there 2 hours when Zach ate it on the asphalt. That forehead is a magnet for falls.




Early July: We made a trip up to Fallon, NV to visit Chris' brother Brandon and his family. Zach was in heaven with their backyard and his cousin Matthew. We even got to go on a mini-field trip to their friend's dairy farm. I don't think I could get used to the smell, but it was fun to see how they get the milk.



Zach was loved soooo much by all his darling girl cousins. He is definitely a ladies man!

Sadly, we have only been to the beach twice this summer. This summer has been abnormally chilly and it has to be pretty hot for me to enjoy the beach. Hopefully it warms up here soon, Zach is finally easier to watch at the beach.


Early August: Our annual summer River Olympics trip was so much fun. Zach had his weekend with grandmas and got spoiled rotten, and Wes got to join us for some much needed one-on-one attention. As you can see the boys were scheming up another launch ramp/slip in slide.
Happy Birthday Luke:
I had to post this party my sister Sara threw for my nephew Luke. He turned 3 at the end of July and had a firefighter party. She got a real old fire truck to take the kids around the block. Along with the pizza and jumpers, the kids were in heaven. Sara really goes all out for parties, we are lucky we live close to enjoy them!

Diary of a Potty Training Mamma Part II

Day 4: Thursday, Aug 12th
Zach is really surprising me. No accidents today. Still hasn't gone #2 yet. Not sure what to do.

Day 5: Friday, Aug. 13th
Still no accidents. This is too good to be true. Still having anxiety about #2. I'm getting some prune juice or something. This kid has never gone longer than a day without going.

Day 6: Saturday, Aug 14th
YEAH we went # 2. It was a little traumatic, but he did it! We are so proud of him. I really thought it would be harder than it was, but potty training wasn't so bad. Granted we haven't ventured too far from a restroom, but he is doing great. I'd say we have a potty trained little 2 1/2 year old! Great job!

Diary of a Potty Training Mamma:

Day 1- Monday, August 9th
Woke up and told Zach he is not wearing diapers anymore and we put on his big boy undies. Showed him the toilet and said this is where we go pee and poop. Told him that whenever you need to go pull down your pants and do your business. After 6 or 7 accidents I decided this wasn't working. We put on a diaper and went to Target and let him pick out his own potty. He was so excited, we got home and tried it out. Still no success. Day 1 a total wash! :( What am I doing??

Day 2 - Tuesday, August 10th
Woke up and put big boy undies on Zach and reminded him that we go potty in the toilet and told him that if he went pee pee in the toilet he will get an m&m and if he goes poop poop he gets 2. He had a few accidents this morning and I decided to throw something new into the mix. Whenever he had an accident I calmly and sweetly told Zach, "Uh oh, let's go rinse off our pee pee" I didn't put any negative spin on it, just sort of matter-of-factly and I put him in the tub and splashed his lower half off with water. Of course he didn't like this, but after a few trips to the tub; he finally gave the potty a try. Yeah Zach! ( thanks for the tip Lisa) I didn't want to do the set the timer thing and run around after him all day forcing him to go, so I totally left it up to him. I was feeding Wes on the couch when he ran up with his little naked bum and said, "I did it!" I little nervous I ran into his room (where we put the potty while he played) and low and behold there was pee in there. MIRACLE!!! He proceeded to amaze me by doing it again two more times all by himself. I was so proud of him!
Day two was a total success!

Day 3- Wednesday, August 11th
Woke up again and put on the undies. He used the potty right away and continued to have success all morning. He did have one accident but after the rinse, he didn't have anymore today. Had to get out of the house. So we went to a fabric store with my sister. He wore a pull-up and stayed dry the entire time! WOW! Finally went poop-in his pull-up after nap-little stinker, still working on it. I think he is a little nervous about it, but I think we'll get it soon. Day 3 was a major success!

Happy birthday baby!

Chris turned 31 on Friday! Wow babe you are getting up there! Every year is another fun adventure with you, thanks for taking me along for the ride! I love you!

6 YEARS!

Tomorrow is the actual day (7-2-04), but I know I won't have time to post so I'm doing it tonight!I can't believe it has been 6 years for Chris and I. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't give thanks for this guy! How I got to be the LUCKY ONE, I'm not sure, but I must have done something right, probably before I came to this earth because I can't really put my finger on it! Anyway, this post is for you babe! Thanks for making me the happiest woman in the world. And oh yeah, giving me the absolute cutest little boys in the whole world!
* photo credit Heather D. Photography

I think I'm ready...the question is..IS ZACH?

Well, I think it's that time... time for potty training! Yeah!!!! I'm really excited to not change diapers anymore, at least Zach's that is. It is getting to be so expensive buying diapers for two kids. I'm also really nervous too. I know it will be hard at first, adjusting to the "I've gotta go right now mommy" while we are checking out in the store and other most inconvenient times, but I think I'm ready! I thought Zach was showing all the signs right around the time Wes was born but that was not going to happen. I needed to wait until I knew I could devote a lot of time to this stage. Now I'm wondering if I've missed the boat.

Does anyone have any tried and true techniques or strategies that they know work for potty training?... potty training a little boy that can barely sit still for me to put his shoes on let alone sit on the pot for a few minutes to go pee. I know this is going to be a challenge for me, although Zach surprises me all the time, maybe this will be a breeze. I need to give this cute little face more credit! I love this little boy!

Deja Vu!

I always thought the boys looked alike, but until I saw these pictures side by side I had no idea how much they really resemble each other. Zach has Wes by a few pounds in the cheeks and thighs and a little more hair, but altogether they look so much alike at this age. I had some major deja vu when I took these photos and remembered that I took some of Zach doing the same thing, when I looked at them I was so surprised. See if you can guess who is who? Answer on the bottom. (Both boys 4 months)

1


2



3
4



* Zach #1 and #3
*Wes #2 and #4

"My little brofer!"

Things have definitely changed between Zach and Wes. The love is growing!!! When Wes first came home Zach was in denial, he wanted nothing to do with the new baby, but now we love our little brother to pieces. Zach now wants to, as he says "hold baby" everyday. And he has to give him kisses on the cheeks everyday too. I'm so glad things have turned around. I was getting worried for a second. Although, I'm not getting too excited because I heard things get worse when the baby starts to get mobile, that's when real jealousy kicks in. I'm enjoying this stage while it lasts! I hope they are such good friends for life!



Wes 6 weeks old


Wes 4 1/2 months

Major Update! 4 months worth...

Like I said, Wes has not gotten as much attention in the blog world lately, so I'm catching him up. Here are a few pictures of our little peanut over the last couple months. I wish they were more creative like some of you do with the numbers next to them, but let's be honest I'm lucky to even get these ones taken!

5 months-today!!







4 months



3 months


3 months


2 months


1 month