"This is entertainment, Mommy!"

For months we've been promising Edward to Jon once he gets potty trained. Here he is with his big prize! Such a look of pride!!

Well, it's not exactly what I'd describe as prime entertainment but while sitting on the potty this week, Jon David proudly said, "This is entertainment, Mommy!" You know what, I think that boy may be right. We've had a lot of laughs this week.

When I was pregnant with Jon David and having some worries about being able to have a healthy baby, I used to think to myself of people as I saw them, "There's another successful pregnancy." I have a new way of looking at people - I now think, "There's someone who has been successfully potty trained." Now, I'm having to just make some assumptions about this as I have no real way of confirming their potty status.

I've been manipulating my oldest for months saying, "Hmmm - I wonder who will be potty trained first, you or Josiah? I just wonder who will get Edward..." He would always respond with a passionate, "I am!!!" I usually would respond, "Oh really? Great - go hop on the potty." He'd ignore me and I'd once again think that he'd be graduating from high school in diapers. But, on Monday, he actually went into the bathroom and, with some help from me, went pee pee.

So, at this point, the "toothpaste is out of the tube", so to speak. We can't go back. We're committed, "in it to win it" - you know what I mean. I knew we'd be laying low last week since I wanted to be sure that he was no longer sick with the virus before venturing back into society.

Day One Progress

Day Four: much better!

If I had to give Jon David a grade, I'd give him a solid B. In fact, today he did not have any accidents which is especially impressive since we were at church for a few hours and also a few hours with our church small group. No, he did not hold it the whole time but he did successfully use the potty away from our house.

My potty training essentials: Lysol wipes, juice boxes, Diego training pants and reading materials.

I've spent more time on the floor reading books and sitting in the doorway of our downstairs bathroom than I ever thought humanly possible. Since he's not yet telling me when he has to go, I have to regularly put him on the pot. I've been peed on, had him pee in my hands (to my shock and dismay) and worried that my house smells of urine (though I do clean as we go and again before bed).


One thing I did not really bargain for - I need to also train my husband. No, not like that - he's definitely potty trained at this point in his life. But, I need to train JD to be on guard for "that look" that our boy gets as he goes to hide and poop in his training diaper and to remember to take Jon David to the potty when out. I wouldn't say that he's as hard to train as our son but it is taking some reminding on my part.

We stayed very hydrated and I let Jon David pick whatever juice boxes he wanted.

All in all, I'm proud of Jon David. He's not thrilled with potty training and fights me most times to go to the bathroom. Once we get started and I read to him, he moves on and is not upset. And little Josiah has been a dream. I put a bunch of puffs in his exersaucer and he's spent a whole lot of time stationary in there. Thank you, Josiah!

In closing, it has been A VERY LONG week but I'm so proud of my son (and myself too!).

After going through 4 pairs of big boy undies in one day, I switched back to training pants. I know it may make this process take longer but it was necessary for my sanity.