Two Big Changes for a Two Year Old

Riley sure is keeping us busy around here lately.  It wasn't enough for us to have to deal with our first baby starting kindergarten and our second baby turning two in the same week.  No, no.  Riley decided she was also done with her crib.  Fun stuff.

About three weeks ago, Riley was not herself at bedtime.  Crying, calling for us, just acting strange.  She felt a little clammy to me, so I was worried she wasn't feeling well and took her out of her crib to rock her.  Big mistake.  She was up a lot that night, and the next, and pretty soon, she was refusing to get in her crib at all.  Bedtime consisted of her clinging to us, screaming, trying to climb out, and insisting she wanted to sleep on the floor.  So, that's what we did for a week or so.  I was hoping it was a phase that would pass, but no such luck.  And so, months before I wanted it to happen, we ended up getting Riley her big girl bed.

I spent hours scouring the internet for the perfect bedding.  I finally found something I loved and that was reasonable at Bed Bath and Beyond, so we headed to the store to order it (so I could use the coupon) and of course, Riley found one that she loved instead.  I tried convincing her to get the one I wanted, but she kept pointing to this saying, 'I like this one.'  So, the two year old won.  She picked out her bedding and was really excited!

 

Funny how a bed can make someone seem so little, yet so grown up, all at the same time.

So, how are we doing?  Well...the first week was rough.  Bedtime was taking at least 60 minutes, if not longer.  She didn't listen quite like her brother did when we said, 'You can't get off the bed by yourself.'  In true Riley fashion, she took that as a challenge and was jumping from her bed, giggling through it all.  We're finally to the point of naps going smoothly, but bedtime still takes a while.  She wants us to lay with her, and we go in frequently to check on her.  The transition to the new bed does mean an even earlier wake up time for Riley.  More fun for all.  We'll get there...one day at a time.

 And as if switching to a big bed wasn't enough to remind me that my baby isn't quite a baby anymore, little Miss Riley decided she was ready to use the potty.  We'd walk in a room and find her completely naked and telling us she wanted to go potty.  Again, something I was not ready for.  I know some moms enjoy getting past the diaper phase, but potty training is not exactly my favorite phase.  It makes life quite complicated!  But, we decided to spend our four day weekend jumping into it.  What were we thinking??? 

We went to the pool Friday morning, and when Riley woke up from nap, we put her into panties and she helped put her diapers away.  She did so good on Friday.  Not a single accident!

Saturday, she had an accident early in the morning, but we had to get Gavin to tennis lessons still so we powered through and headed out.  Brave, I know.  She did good while we were gone, but ended the day with two poop accidents added to her score.

This morning has been challenging.  The newness has wore off, the potty has lost its appeal.  We're keeping our eyes on the prize though.  No going back now...that will just confuse her, I'm sure.  So, we'll see how this ends up.  We're home for the day today and tomorrow, and hopefully by Tuesday when we're back to our school routine we'll be doing well.  Fingers crossed!

Diaper Free for ONE MONTH!

It has officially been one month since we started potty training, which means one month of NO DIAPERS!  That's just an awesome feeling knowing I don't have to buy diapers.  We do still buy Pull-Ups for naptime and bedtime, but that means we're spending about $10 per month rather than $40!  


So, how is he doing?  Honestly, much better than I expected him to do but we still have room to improve.  He is constantly yelling all day long, "I have to go pee pee!"  It's really cute actually.  What really makes me smile are the times he tells me he wants to do it himself and not to come in with him, but a couple minutes later he's yelling he needs help.  There have been a couple times that I've been in the bathroom getting ready and he has gone in by himself and gone potty, and then brings me his pants to put back on.  He's such a big boy!  We have an accident or two a week, he's never had an accident in public, and he's only wet himself once while in his carseat.  Not too bad!


But, like I said....room to improve!  The kid still poops in his underwear (or waits for naptime when I put a Pull-Up on him) every.single.time.  If I see him trying to go and run him to the potty, he immediately stops and says he is all done.  I'm not quite sure what to do to get over this, but from what I hear it's very common for boys in particular so I know it will be a phase that we eventually get past.  


My favorite part of this process??? Seeing his cute little tush in some super adorable undies!

Wordless Wednesday

Fattening Weekend

I'm afraid to even step on the scale this week....I know it's not going to be good.  First of all, I was having a Tastefully Simple party at my house this weekend.  At one point, my RSVP list was at 21.  I prepared TONS of food (more than for a typical party) and unfortunately had TONS of last minute cancellations and no-shows.  It was quite shocking and frustrating, and meant that I have TONS of leftovers I've been eating.  (But, I still had fun with the few people that showed up and got to know some of my fellow Hip Mamas!)

On top of that, we finally had a Poop Party at our house yesterday.  It was quite the traumatic experience after days of not pooping at all, but Gavin finally did it!  That meant....chocolate chip cookies!  Blah!  Just thinking of how many I've eaten today makes me sick.  I have to get back on track....Soon!

The last week has been crazy.  My allergies have been the worst they've been so far this year, we were potty training and I picked up babysitting days for both Gracie and Jake.  So, needless to say, I haven't been taking many photos.  I'll get back on track with that, too.  First, I need a nap!

It's Already Been/Only Been 5 Days!

This potty training thing is exhausting!  Part of me feels like, "Wow!  We haven't used a single diaper in 5 days!"  But then another part of me feels like, "Seriously....it's only been 5 days???"  He is doing better.  Still, Monday was our last 'no accident' day, but he also doesn't get as emotional about the whole poop thing.  He's still not going on the potty, but he's not screaming and crying either.  We'll get there....I say a million times a day, "Tell me if you have to go potty, Gavin."  I need a tape recorder set to repeat!  And I'll hear him say one thing and think he said another.  Like this morning....he's eating a waffle and he said, "I sticky," but I went running to him and said, "You pee peed?"  I think I'm going crazy!

Yesterday, our coffeemaker broke.  Jarrod offered to pick one up on his way home, but then I realized I had not left the house since last Friday.  I needed to go!  I couldn't wait until I could go to Walmart last night...you know you're a mom when you look forward to a trip to Walmart alone, huh?  While there, I picked up a few Hot Wheels cars.  We started a sticker chart a couple days ago and then realized I hadn't planned ahead and didn't have prizes for him.  Luckily, I had a few things in my closet he hadn't seen.  When he first got a new book, Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, (how had I not read this book to my son before?  I must be a terrible teacher!) he didn't seem too impressed, but he then was repeating the phrases in bed, so I think he liked it.  Yesterday, he got window markers, something I hadn't shared with him out of fear he'd think all markers for the windows, but potty training got the best of me and he was allowed to use them last night.  I also bought some cookie dough so we could have a quick and easy celebration when he does decide to poop on the potty.  I almost bought Reece's Peanut Butter cups after a great tip from Angie V., but then I was afraid they'd blow my diet! :)

Today we have to go out in public for the first time in underwear!  To be honest, I'm terrified.  So much so, that last night I didn't sleep well at all because I kept dreaming about what I would do when Gavin has an accident in public.  Obviously I have a couple changes of clothes in his diaper bag, but then I imagine him standing in a puddle of pee....and how do I clean that up?  Then, I'd dream that we make it to the bathroom only for him to get frightened by the automatic flushers or the adult-sized toilets.  Note to self: get sticky notes to put over the flusher's sensor. 

As you can see....my life revolves around pee and poop these days.  I'll let you know how our first trip out of the house goes.  Then, another test will be tomorrow, when Daddy has to take him out of the house alone for the first time.  I have a Tastefully Simple party here so Jarrod's on duty.  We'll see how that goes!

Potty Training

On Sunday, we decided to try a 3-Day Potty Training method I had read about.  Gavin has been showing more and more signs he was ready, but I wanted to wait until after our drive to St. Louis, and then I had to find 3 days in a row that I could devote almost entirely to him.  So, we picked Sept. 12, 13, and 14. 

The first day - eh, it was so-so.  I was feeling AWFUL thanks for allergies.  At one point, I sent Jarrod out to the store (for the 2nd time that day) to get me some medicine, and he came back to find me on the playroom floor with my eyes closed (because they hurt so much...not because I was sleeping) while Gavin played at the train table.  We had 4 or 5 accidents that day.  I cleaned up pee off the playroom floor....his chair for his blue table....some throw pillows....  But, we had some successes as well.

Day 2 - at naptime, he'd had no accidents!  The best part was he told me 5 times that morning he had to go potty.  The guidelines were really big on not saying, "Do you have to go potty?" which I was bad at remembering.  But we got through...and the rest of the night was the same!  He stayed dry and told me when he had to pee ALL DAY!  I was so excited.

Day 3 - at naptime....same as day 2!  No accidents.  I thought it was going to be easy!  But, then he had to poop.  I could tell he had to poop, and asked him if he wanted to go sit on the potty and he freaked out.  He peed in his pants 3 times in 3 hours, and I think it was because he was afraid if he sat on the potty he'd poop. 

So, technically we're 'done' with the 3 Day Potty Training method, but clearly not potty trained.  Today, was the same thing....he did well until it was obvious he had to poop and then the accidents started.  Finally, after a battle around lunchtime, he did poop....in his underwear.  And, the cries while I changed him were heartbreaking.  He sounded so terrified!  I've got to get this poop-fear out of him.  Since he's pooped at lunchtime, we've had no accidents.

I know many moms are reading this....if you have any tips or pieces of advice, I'd love to hear them!  Leave me a comment or email me.  I'm so worried about Friday!  He has his first Moms and Tots class at the rec so we actually have to leave the house!  Yikes!

Do you see what I see?

Yep, the cutest little underwear ever!  They only lasted 30 minutes maybe, and then he wanted a diaper back on.  But, we're taking baby steps. :)  How cute is this tiny hiney?

Some updates

Happy Monday!  We had a great weekend.  It's HOT and HUMID here.  I can't remember when we last saw a day that wasn't in the 90s, so a forecast of 87 tomorrow sounds heavenly!  We spent time this weekend playing in the pool - you know, Gavin's blow up pool.  :)  You do what you can!  :)

I've been asked how Gavin's potty training is going.  Well, it's not really going anywhere.  We had a few good days, but now the only real time he's interested in using the potty is right before his bath.  He now has 9 pair of underwear, but when I show them to him and tell him we're going to wear them, he throws a fit.  So, we're just waiting for now.  I did get an eBook this weekend called 3 Day Potty Training.  It's interesting....I'm trying to decide if I want to try it or not.  The author swears if I follow her technique, he'll be fully potty trained in 3 days.  Hmmm....

As for me, remember a while back how I talked about how I was going to come here and lose all this weight?  Well, it hasn't happened.  Unfortunately, when I started watching Gracie, I stopped going to the rec like I should.  They have strange child care hours, so that also makes it difficult.  Plus, since I hurt my back again, it's not fun to work out.  I decided I had to get back on track so I signed up for Spark People.  It's like Weight Watchers and you track your food intake and exercise, but it's free.  Well, I put in my height and weight, and it came back with me in the overweight category.  Nice....  There's a 34 lb range of "average" weights for my height, and I'm not even in that average.  I really have to get serious! It's time for a change.  Let's hope I can stay motivated. 

Sometimes the unexpected is a good thing

You may remember a while back I talked about starting potty training. Yeah, that wasn't going over so well. Gavin never wanted to sit on it, and I didn't force him. I knew that this was ultimately going to be his decision and on his time. So, yesterday, when he kept trying to take his diaper off, I asked him if he wanted to sit on the potty, full expecting him to say, "No, Mom!" but he said yes! So off we went, and HE WENT POTTY! I couldn't believe it. We couldn't wait to tell Daddy when he got home.

Gavin got a chocolate chip for going in the potty. When he asked for more, I told him he only could have a chocolate chip when he went potty, and he of course wanted to go again. I think he peed in the the potty 3 times in the 10 minutes because he wanted more chocolate chips. But, it seems to be working. All day yesterday, we went through one pull-up. I put a diaper on him at naptime, and he woke up soaked, which I was expecting. But, so far this morning, he's kept his pull-up dry! When did he get so big???

And yes, I took pictures! Don't all moms take pictures? :)

Yes, in this photo, his potty is in our room. I wasn't expecting him to want to sit on the potty, so I tried to encourage him the first time by bringing it to him so he could still see what was going on with Handy Manny. :)

The beginning of Potty Training

A few weeks ago, Jarrod was getting Gavin ready for his bath. He was undressing him, getting the water to the right temp....clearly not paying much attention. Gavin kept saying, "Pee pee, pee pee" over and over. Jarrod kept responding to him with something like, "Yes, that's your pee pee." Well, what Gavin was really trying to tell him was that he was peeing on the floor.

So, we decided to introduce potty training. He was really excited about the potty seat we got; but this was really the only time he sat on it. And he didn't even pee in it. I didn't like this seat after we got it together, so we took it back and are still on the search for a seat I like. But, in the meantime, Gavin watches a DVD from the library daily called "Go Potty Go!" and constantly walks around saying "Potty Power!" and talking about the potty. Unfortunately for now, he talks the talk, but doesn't walk the walk! :)