Breakthrough

We've had quite the breakthrough with Andrew and potty training. Last Wednesday I finally decided that that little kid just needed a little extra nudge in the right direction. If given the chance, I think most of us really would have preferred to stay in diapers as it's rather convenient--no need to get up in the middle of a blog posting brain wave! But, alas, it is necessary to all be potty trained. If not for environment (think of all those Huggies piling up in land fills...) then for the good feeling of accomplishment knowing that we have at least some control over our body. (Yes, I need to go to bed, but I'm getting there...)

Anyway, I decided that I will no longer put Andrew in diapers during the day. No matter what. I just needed to find the right enticement for him. The chocolate chips just weren't doing the trick, and I was eating too many. A friend mentioned that she does a potty sticker chart. Ok. But what for a prize? Then, I found a sticker chart of trucks. How could Andrew resist that? AND I told him if he filled in all the stickers, then he could get a new car! (A Toyota Sienna or a Honda Odyssey...?) Well, that sparked the fires of determination in that little kid. We were on our way!

Then, Thursday, he got an ear infection. Poor little guy was a droopy little limp noodle all day. I was tempted to put the diapers back on for convenience sake. I didn't, though. Friday, Saturday, Sunday AND Monday he did not make it to the toilet ONCE. *Sigh of frustration placed here* I was proud of myself, though. With my other kids, I admit that I did freak out about it. I KNEW that they knew better and yet they didn't! I would ask if he needed to go, he'd say no, then about 4 seconds later I'd find him in a puddle. grrrr. But, I just picked him up and carried him to the bathroom for a sit and a shower. Yea me! Plus the little reminder, 'Ok, Andrew, where do we go potty???' "In the toilet!" 'Good boy'

Finally, Monday night, AFTER he was dressed for bed AND in his diaper, he says to me, "Mommy, I need to go potty!" And he did! He woke up dry the next morning! AND he has not wet his pants once since. He even got me up at 3:30 this morning to go potty! I'm trying to decide if I'm excited about that one, however. I suppose I should be, since it means that I'll have less sheets to wash eventually, but I don't do well when I don't sleep. Most of us don't do well when we don't sleep. Andrew is the hard one when he wakes up. He'll get up at 3:30, then 4, then 4:30, then 5...etc...just to come and ask me if it's morning yet. Oh well. At least he's potty training well now. The sleep will come again...I think. In the meantime, go Andrew! (Literally)