My Little Potty Trainee Trainer

I've been hesitant to post this for fear I might have to eat my words. But, here goes nothing...

We are POTTY TRAINED!

Well, technically I've been potty trained for well over 28 years now, but having successfully completed over a week of Park wearing big boy underwear is the excitement to which I'm referring. And honestly, I feel completely justified in using "we" because it really is a bit of a joint effort, what with the wiping and all.

Originally, the lack of success with pull-ups led me to assume it was time to scrap the whole effort for a few more months. But, a little over a week ago, our paths crossed with a pair of Diego underwear that changed everything.

Desperate to sport Diego across his backside, I decided to drop diapers/pull-ups cold turkey (minus while sleeping) and see where that left us. Coupling Diego with a sticker chart (that Park helped me make) gave us the makings for a very smooth transition into potty training success. And also led us back to the store for more Diego underwear, as well as contemplating buying stock in the sticker industry.

But, one week and only three accidents later, I'm once again reminded that all phases really do pass. And why worry about today what probably will not even be an issue tomorrow?

Hopefully, I'll remember my newly adopted philosophy when visiting the bathroom 3 times in the span of an hour long trip to the grocery store. And when enjoying a playground with a bathroom no closer than a 1 mile hike away. Or when stopping the car twice for potty breaks when only 45 minutes into a five hour road trip.

At least I finally have company in forcing Chris into bathroom breaks!

And can I just say how proud Park is of himself? He saw a leftover box of diapers yesterday and informed me, "That's for babies, Mommy! Let's give them to Kage." So, we called Challi to see if Baby Kage (10 months) wanted a box of size 5 diapers, and she broke the news that they would fit Krew (age 2) much better.

After getting off the phone, Park looked at me with concern in his eyes and said, "Well, Krew needs to be a big boy soon, too. Tell Cha-Cha not to worry , OK Mommy? I teach him to use the potty and flush. Krew can ride the potty train with me!"

Your Cha-Cha will be so relieved, my sweet big boy. Two tickets for the "potty train" coming right up.

Having a Pitty Potty

Are you up for a little potty talk?

This past May, Park started showing a lot of interest in, well, bathroom usages is the nicest way I know how to put it. We bought him a small potty and Chris discussed with him the basics, but being that he was about 21 months old and a boy, I really didn't foresee potty training in our near future. So, we were shocked to discover that from that day on, if his diaper was ever off when he "felt the urge" he took himself to the potty and produced.

Now, I have to admit I felt a little smug at that point. All my girlfriends had told me potty training would be a beating and to put it off until the child was either MORE than ready or needing to go to kindergarten, whichever came first. And yet, it appeared as if my sweet son had simply trained himself, at least in the urination department. Appeared being the opperative word.

Rookie Mom.

Panicking that my little baby was getting to be all grown up, I decided to hold off for a while before pursuing anything further. I was in no hurry to see him rush past another milestone and perhaps equally as important, force us to stop during long car trips. And since he only used the potty when his diaper was off, those occasions were few and far between.

Fast-forward 9 months.

A clue that it may be time to get serious about this potty training thing is my son now tells me, "I'm going to pooh-pooh. I'll be right back", as he heads off for some privacy in the closet.

Obviously, I am the pillar of perception.

But, try as I may to persuade him to take care of business on the potty, his answer always reflects something similar to that of thanks for the suggestion, Mom, but my diaper has worked well for the last 2 and 1/2 years of life, so why change up a good thing?

And although we still have "number 1" working for us when sporting the birthday suit, getting "number two" in the potty appears to be a distant dream. Which equals a slight problem when wearing the aformentioned suit around the house.

Hello Mr. Pull-Up.

While at Wal-mart buying the usual groceries and diaper supply, Park spied some Buzz Light Year pull-ups and found them to be irresistible. I agreed to buy them in lieu of the diapers, on the condition that he would keep them clean and dry. To both of which he agreed to try wholeheartedly.

He could hardly wait until we made it home to slip into his newfound undergarments and even used the potty before putting them on. While helping him get into them I began to tell him that these were special underwear made just for big boys. I explained that he wanted to keep his friend Buzz from getting wet or dirty by using the potty. I went on to tell him if he kept Buzz clean for an hour, we would get a special prize. My plan was to set the timer and ask him if he needed to potty around the thirty-minute mark.

He listened intently, with his little gaze locked on mine. At the end of my spiel he said, "OK, Mommy. I will take good care of Buzz!", and off he went to play. At the thirty minute mark I took him to the bathroom to no avail. I praised him for trying and reminded him to tell me if he needed to potty.

About 10 minutes shy of the hour marker, we were building blocks in his room when he jumped up and shouted, "OH, NO!!!"

I realized he was wet and tried to assure him that he was still learning, and we could get a new pull up and try again if he wanted.

Sadly, he shook his head no and stated very matter-of-factly, "It's too late. I drown Buzz in a fwud (flood)."

But before I could stop laughing comfort him , a huge smile replaced the formerly grim expression on his precious face.

"I know what to do!!!", he squealed with delight, "Let's build him an arc like Noah."

Judging from the fullness of that pull-up and the nastiness of the poopie that filled the one after that, Buzz may very well need a miracle to survive potty training.

And from the looks of it so far, so might I.

Perhaps we'll be taking the "more than ready or entering kindergarten" approach, after all.