And Potty Training Has Begun

Wednesday was disastrous!

Thursday was miraculous

Friday...well Friday was UNBELIEVABLE...5 pees, 1 poo...all in the potty and dry after his nap...this is where the clouds open up and the angels sing "Hallelujah"

And today...he knows what he's doing and he's doing it!!!!  We are potty training baby!!!  And I am so proud of my little man and he's so proud of himself!!!!!

Well...That Worked!

So after a night of reflecting, being grateful and feeling a tad bit guitly for feeling frustrated I decided to take a different approach to potty training this morning.  I decided to try the Michelle Duggar approach...drug induced patience.  Now I know she probably doesn't do drugs but that woman is uber patient...she's always so calm and kind and speaks so softly and nothing seems to ruffle her feathers-I seriously don't know how she does it with 19 kids.  And for the record I didn't start my day off doing drugs.  I just thought I would go with the flow, be patient, speak softly, move at Lincoln pace.  All the other times we had tried potty training I'd just keep asking him and asking him and asking him and if he wanted to sit on the potty then he'd sit on the potty and if he had an accident then we'd talk about it-there was no forcing him or crying or screaming and me begging and pleading-it was very low key and we just went with the flow.  This time around I really thought that I needed to be a little more forceful and aggressive and just give him that little push to let him know that we meant business (which clearly didn't work).  We had a showing at 9:30 so the kids and I needed something to do for an hour and a half.  We headed to McD's for some breakfast and to take advantage of the McDonald's play place...Lincoln peed his pants.  It wasn't a big deal at all and he denied peeing when I asked him.  When we got home he wanted to be changed and we talked about how uncomfortable it would have been to wear wet underwear and pants.  He was hanging around naked when I asked if he needed to go pee (I decided I wasn't going to force him to sit on the potty any more and if he peed on the floor or carpet - then oh well accidents happen and we've had plenty in the past (thank God for hardwood:-)  He said no like he always does.  I brought the potty out into the living room  and asked if he wanted to sit on it while watching TV-again he said no.  A few minutes later he sat on it (with the lid on), then I told him he needed to put the lid up...he listened and sat back down on it...a few minutes later..."Mama I peed"!  Yes he did!!!!  YAHOO!!!!!!!!!!  I was so unbelievably proud!!!!!  And before his nap I told him he had two choices-1. take kitty, teddy and b and go have a nap or 2. sit on your potty and watch cartoons...of course he chose to watch cartoons and he came out to tell me he peed!  Yes!!!  And tonight before bed I told him again he had two choices (love this whole choice thing-it totally helps during melt downs too)-1. go and put your pj's on or sit in mommy and daddy's room on your potty and watch cartoons.  Sure enough a few minutes later he came out to tell us he had peed!  There were high fives and cheering!  Needless to say it was a VERY successful day...and yes I've tried this approach before with no such luck.  I think a lot of it had to do with timing (I don't think he was ready before), moving at his pace and letting him feel as if he's making the decisions!  Today was great...actually it was better than great!!! Lincoln mommy is so very proud of you!!!!!  Ahhh I feel so refreshed after yesterday and I know tomorrow will be a whole new day but I just need to follow Lincoln's lead-my stubborn, hard headed little boy!

Potty Training is Exhausting

I knew this wasn't going to be easy but this whole potty training thing is sucking the life out of me!  And tonight I am drained.  Lincoln is my stubborn, hard headed, move at his own pace type of child-he's been like that since the moment he was born!  People have been telling me when he's ready to potty train he'll let me know and I believe that to some extent.  I also believe that some children just need that little push-and that's what I am doing and I am  hoping and praying I don't scar him in the process.  Lincoln hates sitting on the potty and I feel like I am forcing him and he screams and cries and it breaks my heart but he'll hold his pee for 12 hours and that can't be good!  Even with a diaper on he wouldn't pee!  And I feel bad cause I told him not to pee in his diaper and that big boys go pee on the potty and sure enough he wakes up dry but then refuses to pee on the potty and I know his bladder is full and it's gotta be hurting!  Do I go full steam ahead and keep on him or did I back off and hope and pray he comes to me and tells me he's ready!  I really don't know what to do in this situation.  He did so good the first and second day and the last three have been exhausting and I've run out of patience. 

I took a break from writing this and looked on Kelle Hampton's blog (she's so inspiring) to read her updated blog post...it's about her friends son who's eight and has died from a sledding accident...it makes my potty training trials seem so unimportant...minor...insignificant compared to the loss this family is dealing with.  I needed that...to be reminded of what really matters...Lincoln will NOT wear diapers until he is eighteen and even if he does I will love him any way.  Tomorrow is a new day...a fresh clean slate...and we will start over with lot's of hugs, snuggles and kisses and I will encourage him and be a better mama.  I will try not to get frustrated, and I will dig deeper into the patience bucket and I will be thankful for the little things in life.  We will get through this...he will get potty trained and if not tomorrow then in the (near) future.  I am just reminded at how fragile life is and how important living each day to the fullest is!  I am blessed to have two little boys...the loves of my life and I am grateful for each and every minute I get to spend with them!  And right now I need to go kiss my babies and whisper in their little ears "Mama loves you so much."

De-Junk

I had to de-junk my closet!  I had clothes in there that I kept telling myself "I am so going to wear that again one day" and the truth is...I know I won't!  They're clothes from back in the day...before I became a mom and honestly a Guess lace midrift that laces up in the front exposing my skin probably isn't something I am going to be sporty any time soon but I'm holding onto it because it cost a lot and I think I've maybe worn it once.  There is no hope for that shirt!  I tend to do that...hold onto clothes that cost a lot, barely worn and just don't have the heart to take to MCC.  Then there's the mens Tommy Hilfiger sweater I bought because I thought it was cool...I might still need to hang onto that one. 

I think I am a hoarder at heart...everything has a memory and I have a hard time letting go...but at the same time I really really do hate junk and clutter and I much prefer organization.  I started on my closet which led me to start going through the rest of the house.  I have a huge bag of boys clothes that I need to donate and next on my list is the kitchen cabinets.  I try to clean out our closets every few months and it always seems like we have so much stuff.  I am really trying to get organized before the big move...it'll just be easier that way.  And there is something so refreshing and rejuvenating about getting rid of junk.  Once spring comes I don't want to be stuck in the house cleaning...I wanna be out walking with the kids or taking them to the park or taking them on impromptu trips to white rock.  Bring on the warm weather! 

Right now both kids have snotty noses...they are gross.  I'm not a fan of snotty nosed kids and it's the first time that both kids have had a snotty nose for more than a day...and it's the kind that runs all day long constantly...and their coughs sound like seal barks.  I was almost embarrassed when snotty nosed Lincoln started barking like a seal in the McDonald's play place...he was like the child you don't want your kid to play with.  But then the other kids started barking like seals and I didn't feel so bad.  My poor kiddies!

Day 2 of Potty Training

Today we had some potty training success.  No pee's in the morning or afternoon-that kid knows how to hold it until his diaper is on for his nap BUT we did have success after dinner!!!!  Lincoln sat on the big boy potty (and I had to fight with him to get him on there) and Teddy sat on the little potty...that seemed to work.  After a few minutes of whining and crying he started to giggle and tinkle tinkle tinkle he was peeing!   I have NO idea what the heck I am doing but I do say ALOT of this:

Me: "Lincoln do you have to pee?"
Lincoln: "No"
Me: "Lincoln do you have to pee?"
Lincoln: "No mama"
Me: "Lincoln are you sure you don't have to pee?"
Lincoln: "No"

After today I think this is going to be a long exhausting road.  That kid is stubborn...super stubborn (I wonder where he gets that from).  We'll see what tomorrow has in store for us!  Kev's going away for the day for business and the boys and I have a night planned with some McD's, movies, prv'd shows and some candy!  I'm thinking we are going to have a super fun night!

Highlights from our Maui Trip

We left for Maui on December 27-kissing Christmas good bye (along with the snow, and cold) and we were welcomed in Maui with warm, warm, hot sun!  OK the day we arrived it was cloudy but it was warm and humid and that beats the cold rain any day!

Our trip was awesome...no make that fabulous...no it was AMAZING (of course we had our melt downs and fits and tantrums but hell we were on vacation and the sun was shining)!!!!  The kids did good on the flight there and at one point the 4 of us actually napped all at once!  I'm not going to lie...it did cross my mind...a few times..."what's it like to fly without children?"  No on your lap...time to watch the in flight movie without anyone pulling out your headphones...reading trashy gossip magazines without anybody trying to eat the pages...enjoying my pretzels and coke without anyone trying to reach for it...closing my eyes and having a nap for as long as I want...savoring the plane meal (which were delcious sandwhiches by the way).  Hmm sounds heavenly but I can't complain too much...the kids did great and we were on our way to Hawaii!

We had a scare a few hours before we left...Nate swallowed glass (go Nate)!  I was vaccuming and Nate was out in the living room and when I came back in he was SURROUNDED by shattered glass (glass Christmas ball-now I know why parents by plastic ones).  And of course he was chewing away.  And I panicked.  I picked him up, yelled for Kev and shoved my fingers in his mouth to remove the glass.  I thought I had gotten it all and then i felt one more piece and Kev held him on the ground while I tried to get the piece and by then it was too late...it was gone...into his belly it went.  And I feared it would tear his insides to pieces.  Kev did some research (thank you internet) and said "kids do it all the time."  I tried not to freak out and we put him to bed and hoped and prayed it was going to be OK.  We had a scare on the plane when I went to go change his diaper...and I won't go into details but holy s^&* what the hell was I going to do a million feet up in the air.  I freakin freaked!  I knew he wasn't dieing but dear Lord my poor baby.  He wasn't in any pain and appeared happy and content.  Fast forward a few days and the little man was fine-no pain, no fussing, no more diaper incidents.  Thank God!
We love Maui!  And it's such a beautiful place to vacation with kids...no worrying about the water and heck...if they need health care-you know it's going to be top notch (and if you need to see a doctor prices start at $165 and that's depending on diagnosis)!



Like father like son!  Lincoln did great on the way there!

 



We are finally there!  It had been a LONG day!

 

One of our favorite things to do in Maui was go to the beach.  The kids loved it!  Nate loved the water and eating the sand (but then again what won't that child eat) and Lincoln loved playing in the sand (he wasn't to crazy about the water).  Lincoln and I had a sand fight-one of the many highlights of our trip!  He giggled and laughed like crazy and we both had such a good time!  Makes me wish I lived closer to the beach!




Lunch on the beach

 




My favorite picture!  Love the lady in the yellow life jacket! 
If only I could have heard the conversation between those two!

 




SAND FIGHT!!!!  Seriously he had a good time! 

 




Love this!

 

Baby Nate learned how to get his groove on-thanks to Uncle Dusty:

 

Kev and I split up the kids one day and he went with Lincoln, Brenda and Dusty to Paia for some fish and chips and Nate and I had a pool day!  This kid is a water baby!  We played in the pool and then layed out in the sun!  It was such a great day!



Love this kid!




Just can't get enough of his cute little face!



My Brother and Brenda got engaged on January 1 after taking a helicopter tour.  He proposed on a private beach...I'm sure it was magical!  That evening we went to Ruth's Chris Steakhouse to celebrate, followed by a walk on the beach!  It was a perfect night and I can't wait to celebrate with them on their wedding day!  I've considered Brenda apart of our family since the moment I met her (and I am sure everyone in my family would say the same).  Brenda is the type of girl you want your brother to marry and I am so blessed to have her as my sister in law!!!



Tourists!



Melt in your mouth!



Houston came later on and joined us!



Kevin has always wanted to scuba dive so when we went to Maui the first time in 2008 he got certified.  My dad got certified last year.  And the two of them have now become BFF's.  They went scuba diving almost every morning together and did a few boat dives.  I love that my dad and Kev have a common interest and it was so wonderful to see the two of them bonding!

And I learned how to scuba dive!  It's something I never thought I do but when the opportunity presented itself I knew I had to do it!  And I loved it!  Now I have visions of me and my boys scuba diving off the shores in Maui!  The experience was amazing!  You see the ocean from a whole new perspective...and the sound of the singing whales...heavenly!  The water that day was chopping so we didn't get to do our second dive but I know I'll scuba dive again in the near future!

Scuba dream team 2011!

Bahahahaha!

I love snorkeling but it's not easy to do when you  have two kids so when Kev and I went to the beach he stayed and watched the little ones while I did some snorkeling.  My mission: to find turtles!  I love love love seeing wild turtles and the beautiful fish.  My favorite is the spotted pusher fish!  My mom was great and watched the boys so that I could go out with my dad and Kev while they scuba dived and I snorkeled above.  The beach where we went had tons of beautiful fish!

Does anyone really ever look cool with snorkeling gear on?

He Peed!

A milestone was accomplished today...Lincoln peed on the potty!!!!!  And I can't tell you how proud I am!  He's peed on the potty before but he usually sit there for 15-20 minutes just to pee a wee little amount and then we call it a day!  But not today!  He was wearing his big boy boxer briefs, we threw some Cheerios in the toilet, I put him on the toilet and told him to push-not exactly the words I'd ever thought I'd say to my son but hey he pushed and he peed and we cheered and he was rewarded!  Just like that!  He wore a diaper for his nap and when he woke up it was dry!  Yes!  We put back on his big boy boxer briefs (say that 10 times really fast) sat on the potty and nothing...so we tried again after dinner...told him to push and he peed!  And he cheered and giggled and I was so proud and he was so proud!  We may be onto something!!!

I've tried before...hundreds of times.  We put the potty in front of the tv and he'd sit there and every now and then he'd pee.  It would be completely random.  And he'd pee on the carpet and on the floor.  And then he began to hate sitting on the potty so we stopped and we'd try again a few weeks later.  He knows when he's done #1 and #2 and when he's not wearing a diaper and has to pee he'll grab a diaper and tell me he wants one on.  And he tells me when he needs to be changed.  I knew we were getting closer and I just think that now may be the time...and if it's not we'll keep on trying and I know it'll happen once he's ready!  I just still so proud!!!  I really thought this would be alot easier and was convinced I'd have him potty trained by the time he was two.  He is Lincoln and he's stubborn and dances to the beat of his own drum (I think that's how the saying goes) and he'll move at his own pace and I have to remember that!

And how cute are these two:


Look at his face!  He knew he was in trouble...he got into the veggie
dip I left on the ground when we were having our picnic!



And if you look closing he has a piece of a hot dog in his mouth from the corn dog Lincoln left in the living room!

And this morning Lincoln had breakfast with Kitty, Teddy and "B" (blankie)-he put them there himself!

After his nap he came and lied in my arms and passed out cold! 
I got up to get something and this is how I found him!