Potty Training

Those 2 words have scared me ever since I found out I was pregnant with a boy. I don't know why, but I have been terrified. I probably could've done it a looong time ago but I was afraid that I would start and then realize that he wasn't ready and then there is no turning back. That tid bit especially terrified me. And I indeed had plenty of moments where I wanted to quit and put a diaper back on his hiney.

I am a method person. This should be no surprise to you. I am good at following directions, a total rule follower, and I do not like to stray from the plan. With babies, I am a Babywise mama, that is my method. So, when my friend Annalee recommended the 3-day method and said that it had worked for her, I was in.

Armed with jelly beans, suckers, stickers, lots of liquids and high fiber foods, the 3-day method, and many encouraging texts and phone calls, and lots of prayers from family and friends, I am proud to say that we survived. For 3 days, I said "tell mommy if you need to go potty, ok?" and "are you keeping fill in thomas or cars character here dry and clean?" more times than I can count, did more loads of laundry than I could possibly count, and didn't let Micah little booty leave my sight unless he was sleeping. Turns out, sitting at home all day is 10x more exhausting than being out and about with 2 kids. I thought I was going to lose my mind.

Here are the stats:
DAY 1: #1- 19, #2- 0, Accidents- 7
DAY 2: #1- 14, #2- 1, Accidents- 4
DAY 3: #1- 13, #2- 0, Accidents- 0

Overall, Micah did wonderful. I am so proud of him. And although the stats seem to say that he got it by day 3, days 4-6 were a different story. For us, it was more like potty training in 6 days. I might have actually lost my mind if I had stayed home for all 6 of those, though. Something about Laurel coming home and all of the attention not being on him made him regress a little on day 4. I say 6 days because Micah decided to have a little battle of the wills for poo in the potty. He held it for 6 days. Yes, 6 days. I watched him like a hawk and when he went to his poo spot (is my kid the only one that has one of these?) I scooped him up and made him sit on the potty until he did his business. Ever since then, he has done great!

While I was quite dramatic for those 3 days (and the week after if we're being honest) and felt very sorry for myself, it really could have been so much worse. The first hour of day 1 was the hardest and have 5 back-to-back accidents, it clicked for him.

We blew bubbles, we played trains, we read every Arthur book in the house, we played the goodnight moon game and chutes and ladders (toy story edition, of course), we fed Riley, we played sound bingo, we made orange play dough, we painted with watercolors, we drew pictures, we sang songs, we drank juice boxes, buzz juice, capri suns, and hot chocolate with marshmallows, we counted gold fish, we ate lots of apricots and fiber 1 bars, we jumped up and down and clapped and cheered over and over again, we celebrated with jelly beans, suckers, stickers, watching story 2, and toy story tiny toys (that I hijacked from Micah's stocking for this very occasion). Whew... I need a nap just thinking about it. For the most part, Micah does keep "Thomas, Toby, Percy, Edward, James, Lighting McQueen, and Mater" clean and dry all day, during nap, and most nights. The occasional accidents here and there does occur but for the most part, he is doing great.

Looking back over the week, I am so very proud of Micah Man and if I can toot my own horn for a second, I am proud of myself for surviving while remaining positive (as the method says). As strange as it sounds, I fell in love with my little man all over again after spending that much time with JUST him. He has such a sweet yet strong willed personality and is quite the character. I can't leave out the fact that David was a huge help when he was home, too. Most of all, I am delighted to know that I have 2 years before I have to go through this again!