Potty Training, Part 2

So I'm talking about potty training... of course poop will be involved.

JJ has a hard time going number 2. He has since about 11 months. Because of this, he's had a prune filled life... from juice, puree, to prune mixed with other fruit. Then there was benefiber and miralax. All not so fun. And because of some painful experiences from 15 months on, he started holding it in. I didn't realize he was doing that until I read Toddler 411! It made me so sad, especially when friends would kind of joke about it because he would run off and hide. I know it wasn't malicious, but it still hurt me. Like other parents, when my kids are in pain, I am too. But anyways. The whole point of all this is that finally... Finally!!! He went #2 on the potty without my husband and I having to chase him down, pretty much wrestle him, and get him to sit on the potty! Normally when we force him to sit, he'll cry, complain and get really angry. But last night, he finally realized it wasn't so bad! He let his dad help and he went! I feel like I'm about tear up just thinking about it. 

Potty training is not my favorite milestone. I very much hated the whole process, but to watch my son change and mature (is that the right word?) really makes it all worth it. On Facebook, I have friends who hate statuses by parents who give play by plays on their kids... on different milestones they have reached or icky things... like pooping. I get it... and I'm usually one of those parents.... But to know what we've been through for almost two years... I really want to scream it from the rooftops and tell everyone that will listen... JJ is now pooping on the potty!!!!! I love, love, love that kid!

Bumbleride Indie Twin

I purchased the Bumbleride Indie Twin (Movement Edition, Fog) a couple months ago, and I haven't really had the chance to use it. I have always been too tired or too busy to use it. And I'm also a bit chicken... In the winter, it was getting dark around 6 PM, and I'm not a fan of walking in the dark by myself. My intentions with this stroller are to walk my kids and get back into shape. Although the Indie isn't a full fledged jogging stroller (like the Bob), it can handle light jogging. And let's face it, I haven't really ran since I got married; so I thought it was a good fit. My children are always so comfortable in it. Harper seems to fall asleep pretty quickly, but Jayden likes to fight it off until the very, very end. 

The pros:

It's pretty... I don't say the same about the Bob

huge basket

Two front tires (I have that people complained about the Bob Duallie tipping over b/c of its single front wheel)

huge canopy

Adjustable footrest

Movement fabric is waterproof

Adjustable handlebar 

Great push

The cons: 

Front wheels shake when jogging; you must lock the wheels.

The model I purchased didn't come with a pump or rain cover as years passed

Buying the accessories can get expensive

Vita is discontinued (This con is really for me...a personal thing and shouldn't be taken seriously)

If I was a serious runner; I think I'd definitely get a true jogging stroller.... Just because I don't like that I have to lock wheels in order to jog. That's just my preference. I heard that the 2013 Indie Single has been updated to be more of a jogging stroller, so it can still be considered... but the Twin has not been updated at all. 

I went for a walk this past weekend with the kids and it was probably one of the most miserable walks of my life. Mostly because I had to wear my glasses; and because of the heat, they kept sliding my down my nose. It just really bothered me... plus I had a runny nose because of my darn allergies. And the wind. You'd think I lived in Chicago. During the walk, there were a few hills. And to get through it a bit faster, I tried to jog up them. Let me tell you, I run at a snail's pace. If you saw me from the road, you'd think I was walking. And the stroller shook. It bothered me that I wasn't even going that fast... a very, very, very slow jog (in high school, we called it slug). How can it not handle that pace? I will trying running with the wheels locked to give my true opinion on its jogging function. 

Even though I was miserable, I was happy to get a workout in... and c'mon. Look at how happy the kid is! It was worth it!

Potty Training

I hate potty training. I can't help it. I do! It's been a pain on my backside since I've began. I feel guilty for even saying it. But the truth is, if potty training was a person, I wouldn't be friends with him. They say that boys are harder or that some kids just train easier than others. But I think it's just luck. You just have to pick the right method at the right time. I've tried starting with Jayden before he turned two. I wanted to get him used to sitting on the potty, so I would just put him on it every night before his bath. He hated it, so we took a break. Then after two, we tried again. He still hated it and took another break. At about 2.5, we tried to focus on training but it was almost like a game to him. Even up until a month ago, we had a hard time. I pictured him being 10 and in diapers. There was no light at the end of the tunnel. Then at the recommendation of his teachers... I switched him cold turkey to undies. They told me to bring tons of clothes and they'll just do what they can to make it work. And all of the sudden it clicked for him. For that whole week he was in underwear, he went on the potty at school every hour. He had one accident on the playground and none at home. The scary thing about the transition was that after only five days, we were going on a road trip to Houston. I went back and forth on what to do... if I should put him back in the diaper, but I read it would confuse him... So I put him in underwear, packed him in the car, and crossed my fingers. I'm happy to say that there were no accidents. NONE! He even started telling me that he had to go instead of me just mechanically taking him to the potty every hour. I was beaming with pride. I can't believe how much this kid has grown. And although we have conquered the number ones.... we are still working on his number twos. :( He's getting there though, and I'm ok with that. 

Some things I'll remember for when Harper starts PT:

-Don't feel pressured to PT just because everyone else's kids are ready. It's not a race. 

-Maybe train her on the toilet instead... I hate cleaning those trainer toilets.

-Or maybe I should consider elimination communication and get her started before she knows how to complain.