For starters, big news in case you haven't heard. We are moving from Kansas City to Chicago. Not sure of an exact date for the little one and me, but hubby has to report to work pretty soon. Kiddo and I will move once the house sells.
My cousin is in Kansas City right now for the Plaza Art Fair. (Go see his stuff, he's amazing! Thomas Spake.) Anywho, we decided to go down to see his booth and have dinner as a family. As I sat there in the restaurant of our either second or third date, I looked at my husband, looked down at my own attire, and had a funny realization. We were both wearing the same shirts we wore on our first date, the first time we met face to face! And we were on the Plaza, where we had that first date. Only this time, we were with our sweet son. And it was probably the last time we'd be there, at least as residents of this kind city.
We had an amazing time together as a family. We walked around and enjoyed the beautiful art. Our son got to pet and play with lots of dogs. Then, we discovered the piece de resistance...live music! Yep, as soon as the music started, our son wanted to bolt straight towards it. I took him over and he went right towards the stage. He was strumming his imaginary guitar, dancing, jumping, high fiving, and making general merriment for more than half an hour. He was so sleepy by the time we got home that he plopped straight down onto his bed. He refused to budge and kept saying "Night night," with a smile. So I changed his clothes while he laid there. Needless to say, he fell asleep rather quickly.
It was kind of nice to say good-bye to the city where we met in the place and even the clothes in which we met. I am going to miss the incredible friends I've made, though I plan to keep them in my life. But I'm looking forward to the new adventure that awaits our little family in the new city.
Friday, September 21, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Intimidating New Adventure
My knucklehead is 2 years, 4 months old. Lately, it's been pretty annoying with him in bed because he keeps waking up soaked. I've changed his sheet three times in less than 24 hours. He'll wake up crying and screaming "Ow, ow, ow!" (Even though it doesn't actually cause him pain.)
All that to say, I began wondering if he kept soaking himself because he was holding it in so long that once he did urinate, it was too much too fast for a diaper to contain. So...I decided to embark on the scariest mommy-adventure to date for me. I'm going to attempt to potty train.
Trying to teach him to walk or talk or jump have all been things that, for the most part it's easy to demonstrate. But how do I teach him to understand the urges and physiology of the bladder and bowel? How do I teach him to communicate, either through words or signs, his urges? How do I convey that it's ok to stop playing or wake up at night to satisfy those urges?
We went to the store this morning to buy potties, training pants, and disinfecting wipes! When checking out, the cashier asked, "How are you?" "Terrified to my very core," I replied. "And you?" I'm trying to approach this with patience and without pushing too much. The main advice I've continually received from other mommies is, "They'll do it when they're ready." I think physically he's capable of holding it. Now I just have to associate words with internal sensations and actions.
After getting home from a morning walk with friends, I sat Jackson on the potty and said, "go potty!" Needless to say, he didn't. I put him down for his nap and kept an extra close eye on the monitor in hopes that I could rush him to the potty as soon as he woke up. He woke up wet. Three additional attempts took place. I tried it both in the little kiddie potty and the adapted seat on the toilet. Every time, his attention span was about 30 seconds at best. I had kind of resigned myself to "not ready yet; try again next week; at least he's been introduced to the terms and equipment."
I asked him if he wanted to go potty before I put him in the bath. He said no. I undressed him and noticed his diaper, put on almost two hours prior, was bone dry. He played in the bath and afterwards, I offered again for him to try to the potty. One last attempt before bedtime. He didn't say no, so I asked him which he wanted to try. He indicated the big one, so I put the seat on the toilet and set him up there, stark naked. I told him to just relax. So he grabbed the football magazine on the back of the stool and leaned back. I laughed, but he was actually sitting quite patiently and relaxed. After a few minutes, a small tinkling sound occurred, very briefly, then stopped almost as suddenly. He looked at me, not sure if he'd done something right or wrong. I burst into a grin, clapped, and told him, "Good job!" After that, he flashed me a toothy grin and giggled. I think he stopped peeing as abruptly as he did from sheer shock.
But I am so proud that Day One, our very first attempt at potty training, ended on a high note and a success. I will definitely continue to try again tomorrow. And I'm thrilled that he is now at least introduced to the sensation of intentional urination and peeing on a potty. My baby's not a baby anymore!
All that to say, I began wondering if he kept soaking himself because he was holding it in so long that once he did urinate, it was too much too fast for a diaper to contain. So...I decided to embark on the scariest mommy-adventure to date for me. I'm going to attempt to potty train.
Trying to teach him to walk or talk or jump have all been things that, for the most part it's easy to demonstrate. But how do I teach him to understand the urges and physiology of the bladder and bowel? How do I teach him to communicate, either through words or signs, his urges? How do I convey that it's ok to stop playing or wake up at night to satisfy those urges?
We went to the store this morning to buy potties, training pants, and disinfecting wipes! When checking out, the cashier asked, "How are you?" "Terrified to my very core," I replied. "And you?" I'm trying to approach this with patience and without pushing too much. The main advice I've continually received from other mommies is, "They'll do it when they're ready." I think physically he's capable of holding it. Now I just have to associate words with internal sensations and actions.
After getting home from a morning walk with friends, I sat Jackson on the potty and said, "go potty!" Needless to say, he didn't. I put him down for his nap and kept an extra close eye on the monitor in hopes that I could rush him to the potty as soon as he woke up. He woke up wet. Three additional attempts took place. I tried it both in the little kiddie potty and the adapted seat on the toilet. Every time, his attention span was about 30 seconds at best. I had kind of resigned myself to "not ready yet; try again next week; at least he's been introduced to the terms and equipment."
I asked him if he wanted to go potty before I put him in the bath. He said no. I undressed him and noticed his diaper, put on almost two hours prior, was bone dry. He played in the bath and afterwards, I offered again for him to try to the potty. One last attempt before bedtime. He didn't say no, so I asked him which he wanted to try. He indicated the big one, so I put the seat on the toilet and set him up there, stark naked. I told him to just relax. So he grabbed the football magazine on the back of the stool and leaned back. I laughed, but he was actually sitting quite patiently and relaxed. After a few minutes, a small tinkling sound occurred, very briefly, then stopped almost as suddenly. He looked at me, not sure if he'd done something right or wrong. I burst into a grin, clapped, and told him, "Good job!" After that, he flashed me a toothy grin and giggled. I think he stopped peeing as abruptly as he did from sheer shock.
But I am so proud that Day One, our very first attempt at potty training, ended on a high note and a success. I will definitely continue to try again tomorrow. And I'm thrilled that he is now at least introduced to the sensation of intentional urination and peeing on a potty. My baby's not a baby anymore!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)