Jun 26th, 2008
Potty training for Colin
We have finally made some strides in the potty training arena. Last week I spent two incredibly frustrating days trying to get Colin to use the potty. I put underwear on him and he went through about 7 pairs in one day. I would ask if he had to pee, suggest we try and he would say no, then pee 5 minutes later. The second day was even worse, pee everywhere - dining room, chair, his room, etc so I gave up. I didn’t bother him about it the next day, but then the day after that we were outside playing in the pool and he just decided not to wear a diaper all day. I also added the stickers, M&Ms and trains as incentives and he finally got it. He used the bathroom all day, even when we went out to dinner that night. I wasn’t even asking him every 20 minutes if he had to go or not.
Since then we have had some ups and downs, some days he doesn’t want to do it at all, some days he is dry all day. He even went to the zoo and out to lunch and asked to go to the bathroom at the restaurant again. I feel like we are getting somewhere even if it cost me a few bucks in Thomas trains.
Holden has been really clingy lately. He doesn’t like the idea of being left with a baby sitter and it is pretty much the only time he cries out “Mama! Mama!” We went out for our anniversary and he was a wreck - but apparently he did get over it pretty quickly.
Today while playing outside he fell of a little kids chair on his head on the concrete patio. I was standing right next to him and freaked out. He was crying so hard. I took him inside to calm him down and then Colin runs in saying “I have to poop. I have to poop.” You have to understand that Colin hasn’t pooped on the potty yet and he knows when he does he will get Rocky the train. So Holden is crying with a big red bump on his head and Colin is screaming “I am so excited, I have to poop and I am going to get Rocky!!!!”. Colin did it and was very proud of himself, meanwhile Holden has stopped crying but doesn’t want me to put him down, so here I am holding Holden while trying to wipe Colin’s butt. Nice. Holden seemed OK after a few minutes and just kept on playing and Colin got his Rocky.
Holden has become so emotional lately. He is a big drama queen at this point. Everything is just so traumatic. If he decided he wants a sweet potato and then has to wait for it to be cooked and cooled he just falls into a puddle at my feet crying until I end up giving him the hot potato which he just shoves in his mouth. What happened to my little, sweet laid back baby? Overall though, he is still pretty good.
We have been really busy beyond just the potty training. It was our 6th anniversary last weekend and Chuck and I went putt putt golfing and out to dinner which was fun. The next day we had a “Back in Seattle” party. It was an open house BBQ from 1 to 7. It was fun to see old and new friends, but it most definitely was not relaxing. Holden had a really bad diaper rash and wanted to be held, stiff legs and all, all day. Colin was having a great time with his friends running around in the sprinkler. He was absolutely freezing, teeth chattering and still would not stop and get dressed.
This week we have gone to the zoo, the beach, a concert, play date and a birthday party and that was all in just 3 days. We have been busy working on our yard as well, but that will have to be a separate blog.
Yay for potty progress! We’ve had a few setbacks too over the past 3 weeks, but now we are down to 1 or 0 accidents a day. And every other morning this week, Sophia has been waking up with a dry pullup and going on the potty. I think it’s been helping her to have the little potty in the room where she’s playing and in her bedroom at night. Maybe it just helps remind her to think about her bladder more often. We were at Top Of The Park last night, and when we got back to the car after the event Sophia said, “I can’t hold my pee any more, guys.” So, we had her pee right there in the parking lot, which she was fine with (thank goodness). I had to go so bad that I was kind of wishing I could do the same!