It's Potty Time

I do have more pictures to add to the previous photo update...but I have to pause a moment to tell you that my baby bear is becoming a big boy! On Friday afternoon at 3:00, Aaron announced that we should slap some underwear on these kids and just "see how it goes." I was like "sure," thinking "this should be interesting." Even though I knew the accidents would ensue shortly, one feels quite a lot of freedom in this regard when they know that the carpet, which has already been destroyed by water damage, will be coming up soon, when it's replaced with hardwood...and the upholstery in the living room has already been marred by it's share of snot, spitup, and Cookie whatnot. I'm not saying we live in a pigsty, I'm just saying that I have a lot less stress since I'm not worried about a house full of brand new Ethan Allen. This also came in really handy when we painted the dining room. We spattered paint on the floor, and just shrugged it off. Really liberating!

So, back to the point. Alec went through like 3 pairs of Elmo underwear in about half an hour. He would startle and say "aaaah....peepee comin' out!" At first he didn't know it was coming. Then he thought it was coming and it wasn't. He'd say he needed to go and nothing. This happened several times, and then....he actually went! Victory! After this first major victory at keeping the big boy pants dry, he was successful the REST OF THE DAY at letting us know "peepee comin' out!" and running to the potty. I was totally floored. Saturday he did excellent. Sunday, was a little setback because of church and us being out and about. Yesterday, after Mom's Day Out, he went back to being on track. I had to trade cars/kids with Daddy on my way to teach last night, and Aaron said that on the way home Alec said that he needed to go, but they were on the highway, and there was no way to get pulled over in time. Alec was pretty upset that he had to pee in his pants (he was wearing a pull up.) What a great sign. Last night, on my way home from teaching, I got a call from Alec exclaiming "I put poo poo in the potty!" Holy smokes, the mother load! Aaron even took a picture, since I missed such a momentous occasion. (I know that's weird, but it's not like I'm posting the picture.)

Today, Alec has not had any accidents. He's been great about telling me when he needs to go. I have been totally floored by his ability to pick this up so quickly.

Emma has humored us on the potty several times. She's even gone in the potty a few times, but she would much rather keep her diaper. We've tried the underwear on her, but she has totally freaked out when having an accident. We thought this would cause her to want to embrace the potty a little more, but I'm not quite sure that she can tell yet that she needs to go before it happens. So, I'm trying to give her some space and time to watch brother. I don't want her to feel pressure or failure. It has been great for Alec to do something "first." It's great for his self-esteem. He's had a great sense of accomplishment because he knows how proud we are of him. Emma will feel that too, when she feels more ready. If you know Emma, she doesn't do a whole lot of anything until she's good and ready. I have a feeling she will just decide one day that she is done with diapers...and that will be the end of that.

So anyways, after months of dreading potty training twins, and feeling very unprepared to just begin already, I'm glad that Aaron suggested we start trying for real.