PT Update

Well, we are half way through day four of potty training.  I have to say it has gone far better than my expectations but the minute I type that I fear I will hear a cry and find someone with a wet bed.  We had two outings Saturday and the first was a potty success.  There was one accident at our friend's house on Saturday night right after trying more than once but with two beautiful girls distracting him, it's not wonder Ben couldn't warn us. :)
There was only one accident yesterday and so far there has been only that one poop accident within hours of starting this whole exhausting journey.  Yesterday also included a successful trip to the park.  
This morning we ventured for a standard length trip to the grocery store and had success there too in terms of no accidents.  I'm knocking on the desk as I type this but Ben is now napping in the same Cookie Monster underwear he started the day in-whoo hoo!  He even woke up dry this morning but we will need to be dry overnight for a couple weeks straight before taking the diapers off at night.


To fill our time today as there was no swimming, Ben helped me make muffins.  Today was the first time he stuck his finger in while we were stirring and then stood dancing in the kitchen saying, "um num num num num!!" I told him it wasn't polite to stick our fingers in our baking but then let him have his first bowl to lick..........

3 spoons are always better than 1

 

Ben found several sunny spots around the house today and soaked up some sun.  He would say, "warm, warm" and roll around.  I can't blame him and look forward to a life of pool-side sun soaking with my little man. :)

Full disclosure:
I think some things need to be noted here both for history's sake and for any Moms reading who might not have attempted this yet and might have unfair expectations.  Ben does not tell us explicitly when he has to go.  There is a look and sometimes a grab and though he will sometimes repeat "pot" or "potty" when questioned, there is A LOT of parental involvement at this stage of the game. We probably try to go more often than he needs and we do pull his pants down and set him on the potty.  We are making progress on his helping with the pants up and down and with words and reminders.

I keep thinking about how this really is training and how were not just training him how to go, but how to have more body control and to be aware of what's going on.  For now, what free time (without watching him like a hawk) we did have is lessened and Ben's totally free play comes after a successful visit to the potty.  After four days I do feel like we can integrate this into our lives and not go crazy.  We are definitely "in it to win it," with no turning back now.  I feel like I might have a change of underwear and pants in my purse forever but I know that too shall pass.  The extra time and attention it has required so far is beyond fair trade for not battling to keep hands out of poopy diapers and for all those diapers not in the landfill.  (Did I mention that one poop accident on Friday cemented for me that I COULD NOT have handled cloth diapers?)
We have the big 2 1/2 yr update coming this weekend so let's hope for all our sakes that that is the last mention of potty training on this blog for a while!!!