The Potty

First of all, I must say that as I thought about writing this post, what came to my mind was...'should I just be writing this in my journal instead?'  I'll do that too, but I wanted to get this out there on the internet journal too. :)
Secondly, I always HATED it when people would use the word potty especially to anyone over the age of 3 and now it has become a word I probably repeat the most during the day. It's yet another one of those 'I'm eating my words' moments that I have had repeatedly as a parent.
I decided to get going on potty training with Drew mid-October for various reasons.  One being that I had a week  in there that I had totally free, I wanted to get it done (or going) before the holidays, and I thought he was understanding enough and ready. (From all that I had read/heard it seemed like a good week would get a person far...NOT FOR US.)
I'm a book person.  I like to read parenting books of all sorts.  Yep, I'm one of those that says, "well, in a book I read..." that I'm sure makes most 'seasoned' parents or other people roll their eyes.  But what I like about it is that I read different parenting books so that I can see what is out there, and then decide what will work best for me, my style, and my kids' style. Anyway, not to get too far off track...I had bought two different potty books and had done plenty of reading online.  My first mistake was that I didn't read both books all the way through before I started.  hahaah  The first book I read was one that has training suggestions according to personality, so I took the personality test of Drew and only read that section.  After 2 weeks of getting nowhere (consistently) with the potty, I read through all of the personalities and discovered that the quiz questions put Drew in a different category than he really was. So reading 'his' section gave me some new insight.  
So, after two weeks of going about it casually, I hit it hard core for another 2 weeks.  We would have good days and bad, as expected, but it just didn't seem like we were headed toward any good progress.  So I dropped it for a week (even though some books said don't, I felt encouraged by the others say do drop it if there isn't progress:).
After that week I revisited the idea but didn't push anything.  After the previous weeks, he could hold it for 2+ hours so I would have him sit after that time and started doing great!  It only took a short time on the pot before he did his business.  So this week is starting week 3 and (I hope I don't jinx myself) it's been the best week so far!!  Today he ran to the bathroom twice when he had to go...that's a big deal. :)  I'll spare you the rest of the gross details.
So here is what I have learned and want to share:
     *Treats may work great for other kids...not for Drew. (Reward yourself though:) It just caused problems.  He is seriously motivated to just make us all happy (I hope that lasts throughout his life)!
     *Showing by example with a doll or stuffed animal was awesome in the beginning.
     *I need to trust myself and my instincts. I'm usually right with my own kids.  I know them unlike anyone or book. :)  Also, I usually am right when I think he has to go eventhough he says he doesn't...that's when a lot of the accidents happen.
     *I loved reading the book about your child's personality and how that will affect potty training.  I feel like now that I have his personality more pinned down, it has helped me understand him more in general and why he does what he does, and also with disciplining him.  I'm totally going to use it with Brynn.  She is a totally different personality type and maybe treats etc will work great with her.
     *There will be accidents and that's how it is...it's fine.  Just hurry and clean it up and everyone move on. :)    I know that I'm not out of the woods yet, and that we still a lot further to go, but we have come so far and now I can actually see the light at the end of the diaper tunnel.

Anyway, not sure if you have made it through this far...it's a lot of text, but I just wanted to get that off my chest.

We love these two!

Just wanted to share some dang cute videos of my sweethearts!  I would say really in the last few weeks, Drew has become really involved or interested in Brynn, wanting to play with her and help with her.   It's so fun to see.

I love this picture because you can see Brynn is laughing/smiling too with her brother.

It was Drew's idea to give "Baby" as he calls her a ride.  He's a sweetie, and Brynn loved it!

He insisted on feeding her.

He loves to read to her.

Catching up

October 13th

Brynn 7 months and Drew 26 months

The month of October was consumed by potty training.  I bought 2 different books, read them, and had at it.  I made several mistakes along the way...big ones being that I didn't read the books all the way through.  HAHAHAH  Anyway, the progress in 4 weeks was so minimal that I was starting to go a bit nuts.

We enjoyed spending family time trick or treating Halloween night, but we didn't get good pictures of the kids that night but we did get some.  We just went around town here and it was really fun to get out and about and chit chat with the candy givers at the door for a second. :)





Brynn is growing up so fast!  She is eight months old today!  Time definitely passes faster once number 2 enters the family.  Does that mean we are having fun? Of course (when we aren't potty training).  Brynn is always all smiles and has some powerful lungs so that she isn't forgotten on the floor.  She is SO LOUD!  She army crawls like a champ and has been caught in bear crawl position and pulling herself up on her knees and even a couple of times on her feet!

We borrowed the jumper from my mom and Brynn LOVES it!

Drew is talking more and more which is fun, cute, and helpful.  He is so sweet to Brynn, most of the time. He can identify the letters B, C, D, E, I, O, P, and Y.  He can identify and say all the colors except orange.  That's a tough one for some reason.  He likes to exercise with me which is really cute.  Watching a two year try to do jumping jacks and push ups is hilarious.  He is such a sweet boy, and talented...he some how got his laundry basket into his bed without getting out of his bed...and I thought it was out of arm's reach.  Guess I was wrong.

Humoring me by taking a picture after making our ghost.

He loves being on anything with wheels.

What a helper!

Now this boy is CUTE!!! 

September Videos

Here are some videos from the happenings in Sept.  

The army crawler

It's really fun to see these two interact somewhat.  

I was in another room when I heard Drew laughing hard.  I came in to see him swinging this water bottle around in front of Brynn's face spraying her with water.  The water was gone at that point, but she was still making funny faces to make him laugh.  At first I got after him...then I paused and ran to get the camera.  :)

She's a pro!

September

At the beginning of September Drew had an allergic reaction to orange juice.  He has had the juice many times before but never has had a reaction.  He was still a happy boy but his body was COVERED in hives!

Brynn just kept practicing rolling everywhere.

Drew loves to help Andrew mow the lawn.

We love this big boy!

This girl is army crawling!!!  This is 3 months sooner than Drew.  This girl is going to keep me on my toes.  (Every time I went to take a picture this day, her tongue would pop out!)

Loving the yard and outside space.

Practicing sitting up!

6 MONTHS OLD and sitting officially.

Buddies!

August Videos

Here are some videos for your entertainment...mainly for family that cares. :)

I love watching Drew interact with Brynn.  They will have so much fun together when they can really play.

Happy Birthday, Buddy!!  (My battery ran out during the shot.)

2 year old cousins hanging out at the farm.  Matthew was being a ham.

Eating oatmeal gruel, but chewing it like a steak.

Check out his skills!

August

The month of August was tiring!  Brynn started waking up 2 to 3 times a night.  You may be thinking, "big deal, Bridgette," but the beautiful babe had been sleeping 10-12 at night for probably over a month.   Therefore, I felt like a zombie and I hope these new wrinkles/bags under my eyes go away once I get sleep again. (Or it's just part of being 30 now.:)  

This month we also packed up our house and moved to the country.  I'll post pictures of the house later.  We moved into my grandparent's house that is out on the farm by my parent's.  We were able to stay out here for the last week of August.

Drew loves smoothies...good way to get lots of fruits in him.

 Drew loves dirt and rocks.

Brynn hanging out on the porch while Drew plays in dirt.

 Drew hanging out with his bears.

 Drew's birthday cake...it was supposed to be WAY different (a roadway) which I was sad about, but I don't want to go into the story...there is always next year.

 Hanging out with the cousins in Grandpa Quinn's pond. (All two year olds.)

 The new view from my kitchen window.

Brynn is now rolling all over.

Backing Up

The last week of July we went to Utah for a family reunion with Andrew's family. We made it in 12 hours which was a surprise to us.  The kids did great.  It was fun to see Drew be with all of his cousins and it was great for us to see that side of the family too!

 

Bonding over snacks.

You would never guess that Madeline is only 2 months older than Drew by the way she talks!!  

A trip to the Dino Museum

California cousins Gwen and Natalia

LOVE LOVE Drew's face in this one!!

Got to see a friend of mine while we were there!  So fun to see Lindsay and meet little David.

Heading back home in style!