Things I don't want to forget

Jayden was kind of a late talker. He really didn't express himself until he was closer to 2. I think a part of it is because he seems shy. Now that he talks a lot more, I don't want to forget the words that were hard for him to say.

Kitchen. For some reason, he can't say it. I will enunciate it for him and I see him watching my mouth. But no matter how many times I correct him, he always says, chicken. That's right, chicken.

Heater. Our house is two stories, and the heating is horrible. During the winter, no matter how high we turn up the heat, the first floor is ice cold. So we have portable heaters planted throughout the house. He asked what it was one day. I told him, heater. Then one day, he says, "Mommy, I want to turn on the Peter." Peter. And again, I enunciate it for him. Sound out the H sound. He watches my mouth very carefully. But Peter still comes out.

Blue. He used to say that word very clearly. I swear before 2. Then one day he started to say Byoo. I don't know why. I don't know what happened, but he says it now.

More = mo-yore
Store = sto-yore
Door = do-yore
Please = pyease

Love that kid.

P.S. I think Harper is going to crawl soon. Go, H, go!

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!

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.