Diary of a Potty-Training Mama

Rocco is going to be 3 in September. According to society, he definitely should not be wearing diapers anymore. As much as we want him to be potty-trained, I have a feeling he is not ready. Despite my gut instincts, I have decided to potty train him during Spring Break. We had read about and were suggested a 3-day crash course potty training method by many other parents, so we decided to commit to it and see how it goes.

Basically, on the morning of Day 1, you and the child throw away all diapers and Pull-Ups. From then on, it's underwear only. You do not take them to the toilet every 15 or 20 minutes, rather you keep encouraging them to keep their underwear dry and to tell you when they need to go. The hope is that the child starts taking the initiative to go to the bathroom, rather than the parents being trained to take their kid to the toilet every 15-20 minutes. With this method, there is only positive reinforcement - no discipline or negativity. Every little milestone is celebrated. Oh, and it's important that if you catch them "in the act" to rush them to the toilet. You can't leave their side for a second, in reality. Even at night time and nap time, children do not wear a diaper. By Day 4, children should, for the most part, be going on their own.

(If only it were this easy and fun...)

Here's how it went for us...

Day 1: Rocco woke up with a cold, but general happy attitude. He ate breakfast and woke up, then we took him into this room to throw away his diapers. He was happy to do so. We made a big deal about being a big boy, etc., etc. He then had an accident while sitting on the couch. We were unable to catch it in time to take him to the toilet. The next one, I was able to catch mid-pee, so I scooped him up and sat him on the toilet. He peed through his underwear into the toilet. We celebrated. The next one was a little accident in his underwear, then the rest in the toilet without underwear on-- we really, REALLY celebrated. My mom came over and Rocco proudly peed in the toilet for her-- we cheered, we danced, we sang, we gave him a cookie. He stayed dry throughout his nap, didn't have any accidents the rest of the afternoon/evening, and even stayed completely dry all night.

Day 2: Dry in the morning after going all night. We were in Seventh Heaven! He had his first pee of the day in the toilet. He then held it the rest of the morning. He refused-- REFUSED-- to go at all before his nap. We knew he'd have an accident for sure. So when he stayed dry for his entire nap, we were impressed. But, shortly after our happiness, he had an accident. I was able to catch him mid-pee, so I scooped him up and sat him on the toilet. He tried to pee more, but could not. He cried and felt bad. I hugged him, kissed him, told him that accidents happen, and put on dry underwear. He had one other accident before going to bed for the night... mostly because he refused, yet again, to have anything to do with the potty and also because Todd was helping me get Ruby ready for bed time. Anyway, as you can safely assume, Rocco peed the bed during the night and woke up wet. Oh, and he hasn't pooped since the day before Day 1.

Day 3: Feeling utterly frustrated and like a complete failure as a parent the morning of Day 3. Rocco woke up wet, but has new, dry underwear on. And... he continues to amaze me: He just looked at me and said, "Go pee in the potty?!?! Get cookies?!?!" So we RAN to the toilet, I plopped him down, and he peed! Again, another huge celebration, and, yes, we give him a mini-Oreo cookie bite for a reward. Maybe I'm not a complete failure! Uh, oh, spoke too soon. So, the next thing we know... Rocco has pooped in his underwear. I didn't leave his side for a second, so he must have done it very sneakily. Anyway, I caught him quickly after the doo-doo occurred, so we (it was a two-person job!) rushed him to the bathroom, emptied the poo from his pants to the toilet, flushed, and cleaned up. He cried the whole time-- not sure if it was because he felt ashamed, embarrassed, or scared to poop in the toilet. He is back in dry underpants... and we're playing Fireman Sam and Penny. Another victory in our corner-- he went pee in the potty again. Maybe we're onto something here! Potty training must be similar to being bi-polar... ultimate highs and lowest of lows. As evening nears on Day 3, I am feeling much more like a Super Mom than a utter failure, poor excuse for a mom. We have only had ONE ACCIDENT TODAY and it was a poop, so that doesn't really count, right? LOL!

Day 4: There is no set plan for today. The manual we read only talks about Days 1-3. I guess we say a prayer, keep prompting Rocco, stay positive, and roll with the punches. Wish us luck!

Just an Update on Us!

Ruby:
Growing like a weed! She recently transitioned into some of her 3 month clothing and size 2 diapers, so we think she is around 12 lbs. She has some rolls on her thighs and her cheeks are definitely filling out. She is getting to be so much fun--- giggling, cooing, and smiling. She is very interactive-- much more than I remember Rocco being at this age. She has started grasping and batting at the toys hanging from her play mat-- it won't be long before she is rolling over. She has also started sleeping more at night-- 4 to 6 hours at at a time, which experts claim is the most an infant under 6 months of age should sleep without eating. We're happier with more sleep-- that's for sure!

Rocco:
Rocco is still a happy, adventurous, determined, and energetic little big boy. We recently took him to a sheep ranch where there were lots of lambs-- he was totally interested in every aspect, especially the mamas and the babies, since he has a mama with a baby at home. I think we are going to start swim lessons this summer-- he loves to "swim" in the bathtub! And he will start preschool in the fall at his babysitter's house. We are going to attempt potty training over spring break... wish us luck!!!

Todd and I:
We started Weight Watchers the end of February and have both lost quite a bit of weight in that short amount of time. Todd is noticing his pants fitting looser and I am noticing a flatter tummy and smaller behind. It's awesome. We love the program and it is working wonders for us. I'm not sure exactly how much Todd has lost, but I have lost a little over 8 pounds since starting the program. I am down 35 pounds since having Ruby, which is amazing, I think! Todd has been dabbling in Craiglist trading-- I don't get into it too much-- and no treasures yet, but moving a lot of our junk, which is good. I am eagerly and somewhat nervously looking at going back to work on April 1st after a long time at home (between bed rest and maternity leave it was 5 full months!) I am excited to see the kids and work with them because I had a great group this year. This summer, I will be taking classes to earn enough credits to move across the pay scale, so Todd and I will be gozillionaires... lol. Some of Todd's family is coming down over Easter weekend to celebrate with us-- his sister, Stephanie, and his parents. I will host Easter brunch on Sunday before they take off and Rocco will be visited by the Easter Bunny. He says he wants an "Easter fire truck"-- whatever that means!

Everyone is happy and healthy on the home front! Love to friends and family reading this.

Weight Loss

Where do I begin. From the beginning, I guess.

Before I got pregnant with Rocco, I weighed roughly 125 lbs. When I delivered, I was around 175 lbs. Through breast feeding (and nothing else-- no diet or exercise) I got down to 135 lbs. I fluctuated between 135 lbs. and 140 lbs. before getting pregnant with Ruby. I was about 185 lbs. when I delivered Ruby. After breastfeeding Ruby for a few months, I lost around 25 lbs, leaving me around 160 lbs. When I plateaued there, I decided I needed to take the necessary steps in losing more weight. Although I know that I am within a normal weight for my age and height-- and feeling actually very lucky to look the way I do after two kids and no exercise/dieting-- I don't fit into my old clothes and don't feel like "me" at this weight. My goal is to eventually get back to 135 lbs. or 130 lbs.

I'm not going to lie... It seems like an impossible task to lose 30 lbs!!!

I am not a super athletic kinda gal. I am not fan of exercise. I'd rather spend my time with my kids than at the gym, to be honest. But I needed to do something. So, I joined Weight Watchers online. My thought process was, well, not well thought out. I had finally had enough and called. I knew my insurance paid for it, so I figured there was nothing to lose (except weight.) I was skeptical that it would work-- especially when it seems like this is a diet where I actually get to eat whatever I want (within reason) and feel full at the end of the day. But, I have to admit-- IT WORKS. I have my first official weigh in on Monday, but, of course, I have been on the scale every day since I started and I have already lost weight.

I have goals that are keeping me motivated:
-fitting into my old clothes and forever getting rid of my "fat clothes" that I use between having babies and losing weight
-getting a tattoo with my bestie. We have been planning this for a LONG time and have decided that we will go together once I lose this weight. I can't let her down!

In addition, Todd has decided to join me in this weight-loss adventure. He signed up for WWonline yesterday. It will be good for both of us to hold each other accountable. Plus, as the chef in our house, it will be easier to plan dinners! He, of course, will try to make it a competition. Little does he know that I always win because I gave him children :) And that reason will get me out of anything in life-- ha ha!

I am scared and nervous about this process-- it's difficult for anyone to lose weight and change their lifestyle in regards to eating especially someone who looooooooooves cooking and food and family meals. But... I'm committed to giving it my best shot. I am not promising myself anything but that.

Continue to wish us luck. I will continue to keep you posted on our HOPEFUL success!