PEE PEE IN THE POTT-AY

It's been a long time waiting, but yes folks, that's right ... potty training has begun!



Matthew, bless his heart, has been showing us signs of his readiness for a month or so, but with Declan's arrival and all the family and friend traffic coming and going through our home, we wanted to wait until things settled down. On Monday, Matthew, Declan and I went to pick out a "big boy potty" at Babies 'R' Us. Of course, Matthew had little to no interest in selecting the potty, so mommy ended up picking one :) Afterwards, we sat and watched "Elmo's Potty Time" video - which by the way is completely entertaining even for adults - and talked about being a big boy.

On Tuesday, the plan was to sit outside on our back patio and practice using the potty; however, the strategy was a bit miffed when the monsoon decided to sweep through Indiana. So, I created a faux patio in our kitchen and set up shop. We read books, played trains, colored and sang songs while Matthew traded off between drinking water and sitting on the potty. Unfortunately, to no avail, we were unsuccessful with our first attempt. Mommy's bright idea of using a swim diaper (in lieu of training pants) left a nice, damp, yellow puddle on our white carpeting! Oh well, accidents happen. Yet, we must try, try, try again.

On Wednesday we got a late start w/ potty training, so our efforts went with little result once again. Matthew did sit on the potty again, but this time ... he wanted nothing to do with pee-peeing in it! Frankly, his reaction made me a bit nervous about whether he would ever agree to sit on the wretched thing again!

Today began in just the same way. We sat outside ALL morning (Matthew with a t-shirt on and a bare bottom) and I watched as he avoided the potty as best he could. In fact, he fought hard against sitting on it today, so desperate times called for desperate measures! Though we have special potty time stickers as a reward for when he pee-pees on the potty, I also added in an enticing "special treat" ... chocolate milk. Now, most of you already know that Matthew is not an adventurous person when it comes to food and drink. He won't touch juice. He HATES candy. He barely agrees to eat anything super sweet, but thanks to Bup-Bup's introduction of chocolate milk, this is quite a treat for him! So, when I offered chocolate milk, he was determined for the mid-afternoon refreshment. Not but twenty minutes later ... my baby boy (oops! I mean my BIG BOY) tinkled in his potty for the first time! I am sooo proud and am still glowing by my child's determination and success!


Golly ... if I'm this thrilled about his pee-peeing, just imagine what happens when he poo-poos! :)