Potties, Poops and Parker!

This journey began this summer when I decided I wanted to potty train Parker.  I thought it would be great to get it done before I headed back to work in September!
It was a journey, to say the least, and he took us all with him..........

It began at the cabin!  We headed out for a couple weeks right after school was over in June.  I thought it would be prefect to try then. I would be with him all day long and we would not be heading out on any day trips.  I thought it would be easy.  I tried the "Naked Method" first.  I thought I would let him be naked for a few days and that way he would feel embarrassed and/or ashamed when he pooped or peed on the floor and would therefore use the potty.  Nope, he was not ashamed or embarrassed, he just "let er go" wherever he wanted.  He did show minor signs of embarrassment if we had company; in that case he would just head out to the yard and find an appropriate place on the lawn.  This went on for days and Ryan and I basically ended up having to watch him like a hawk so that he wasn't hiding any treasures for us to find at a later date.
**As a side note, he did enjoy being naked a little bit too much too (see picture)***

I gave up on that method and thought I would try the "Big Boy Underwear Method".  This method involved me going out and buying him the best boy underwear I could find.  I bought him Cars underwear, underwear with trucks on them, underwear with every imaginable piece of  sports equipment on them, and the list goes on.  Well, it worked for the first hour.  He thought they were pretty neat until he peed in them.  Then it was a fight to have him take them off so I could wash them and then a tantrum when I put them in the washer.....I think he thought they were "broken" or something????  I would then try a different pair and the same thing would happen again.  Over and over and over and over and over.  This method wasn't working either.  A story....one day he decided that he did not want to poop in the underwear so he took them off and headed upstairs to bring them to me.  He left behind him a rabbit size turd on each stair....all the way up......nice.

I gave up on that method too and tried the "Commando Method".  This method involved him wearing clothes, but no underwear.  That would feel gross, right?  Pee running down his legs and soaking into his jeans.  Yuck??!!  Nope, he didn't mind at all.  I gave up on this method right away as I was doing WAY TOO MUCH LAUNDRY!

So, at this point it was almost the end of August and nothing had worked.  Park was still in diapers and I was tired of following him around and of scraping his poop off the lawn alongside Porter's.
I told Ryan that I had had enough and was going to take a break for a month or so.  After all I had read on the Internet that some boys didn't train until they were 3 or 3 1/2 (seriously? omg!).  Ryan told me to try for a few more days...so I did. 

I tried the "Lay Off, Mom Method".  I basically quit reminding him, quit bringing him to the potty and let him decide for himself.  A few accidents later and here we are.....diaper free!  Hallelujah!

He has done great!  He lets us know whenever "it's comin" and when it does, it does, and fast.  Another little story.....last night we were out at the lot and Parker came running over to Ryan and told Ryan he had to pee.  Ryan pulled his pants down and out came this poop, right there on the driveway!  Yup, it "was comin"!  Nothing a shovel couldn't take care of!

He still misses the potty, dribbles in his underwear on occasion, and prefers to pee in the bush.....but then, so does his Dad!!

Till next time!

Carolyn

"Firsts" All Around

September is always a bit crazy around here; however, this September has been more of a month of "firsts" at our house!  Let me share......

September, in our lives, means a lot of things.....mostly that we have to go back to work!  For Ryan and I, September means back to the classroom, back to life as a high school teacher!  For Ryan, this September meant back to work, but also back to work as Department Head of the CTS department at our school ( a first)!!  This is great for Ryan, I think he has deserved it! 

This September means ALOT of work for Ryan as well.  He had a hard time leaving the work he was doing on our FIRST new house to return to school. He is now working after school and on the weekends to try and have it done for December.....even if it is with 7 fingers.  He has done amazing things and it still shocks me how he can get so much done himself...how does he know all of these things?  I honestly do not think I know a person who KNOWS as much about everything as Ryan.  We are pretty lucky to have him.

 

September, for me, has been a roller coaster ride of emotions. 

First, I headed to the house in the city after a summer at the lake.  I LOVED my time at the lake this summer, it felt like home (maybe because I don't really have a place to call 'home' at the moment!)  We had a great time there this year with the new pool, new boat, and many friends and family visiting!  I was sad to have that come to an end.
The last weeks of summer I bought Kaylee her first back pack and first pair of "indoor shoes".  I was preparing my first baby for her first day of school.  This was where the emotion turned from sad to pretty excited for her to be at the age where she is gaining more independence! 
As school started up, I was glad to be able to see all my friends from work again.  I work with a great group of teachers and have a lot of fun with them.  I also look forward to meeting all the kids and getting my brain back on track!
Then it was time to bring Kaylee to her first day of Kindergarten....I had butterflies in my stomach for days, I was nervous for her.  I never expected to feel that way, another first!
She did amazing and I was so happy and proud of her.....she looked super cute that day too!
So, for me, September is always a mish mash of "stuff" happening.  This year, September is bitter sweet.

September for Kaylee means ONE THING - her birthday!  Little did she know that she would also be going to swimming lessons, that her Poppi would be registering her and taking her to skating lessons and that she would be starting school.....well, actually she did know about school!
We spent the time to prepare her as best we could.  My mom, her Grandma, took her shopping for her birthday and bought her many new outfits with matching headbands and jewellery!  I took her shoe shopping and got her new shoes.....she needed a box of kleenex for in the classroom...yes, she got that too (complete with butterflies and flowers on the box).  We read her books and, being a family of teachers, ensured her all would be great...she did do GREAT!  Kaylee will have many firsts this month and will continue to have them as she grows.  She will have her first day of school, her first boyfriend, her first kiss, her first break up, her first fail, her first car, and the list goes on.  All I can do is hope that my little girl grows up and handles all these firsts as she did her first day of school....her head held high!  Way to go Kaylee, some day I will thank you for all you do.

Parker's Firsts......."OH GAWD!!"  Yep, that is a first.....but he didn't stop there.  This continues to be one of his fave things to say.  On a better note, Parker has had many firsts that I am very proud of him for.  FIRST sleep with no soother, FIRST pee and poop in the potty, FIRST night in a bed, FIRST ride on the quad with only his sister, FIRST swim in the lake by himself, FIRST waterski behind the boat, FIRST fall into the lake,  FIRST poop on the grass, FIRST coloring on Nana's walls, FIRST punch at Kaylee.....okay, I should probably stop there.  Parker keeps us on our toes and is quite a little character, he is one of the best 2 year old story tellers I know!  He, in his two years, has made me laugh and made me cry, he has made me very frustrated and very proud (sometimes at the same time).  He is a very unique little guy and I still, to this day, love watching this little one sleep, not sure that will ever get old.   He will have many firsts to come...I will continue to share the censored versions!





















We are a very busy family with alot going on, a little quirky too I guess, but we love each other....ALOT (and that is not a first)!!!! 

XOXO   Ryan, Carolyn, Kaylee and Parker.......Porter too!