Potty training... oh the joys of potty training. Basically there as many definitions of 'being potty trained' as there are flavors of ice cream. I don't know how anyone teaches any boy how to consistently aim and focus by the way. 'Fire Away' is a common saying around here... the joy of raising a boy. Also, in case you are wondering...pulling your pants down by any old tree and peeing is fine (according to Nate)... this can be a tree in the middle of the park or the backyard or right outside the library....we have some learning to do. BTW, he doesn't actually do that, but suggests it from time to time.
Some of you may be wondering, 'Why is she talking about potty training?, he's been potty trained for awhile' Well, true... Nate has been wearing underwear since right around 2 and basically has been potty trained (well depending on your def). My def is that he doesn't pee his pants for no reason. That being said, he was too young to be very good at pulling up his pants or some of the other little things. So yes I still went with him to the potty. Also, you couldn't make him hold it for too long at first so you'd run to find a bathroom. Always fun in big places! He still waits too long to tell you, but can hold it much longer haha.
Now, he still wore diapers at night and at nap time. So some people don't call that potty trained. I don't know. We still gave him a bedtime milk and didn't watch his liquid intake very well so why rush it. Now ( I think I even mentioned this in a previous blog, shocking since there are so few) he gave up diapers during nap time a while back. Every once in a great while he makes a mistake, but overall success! Well, the BIG news is that it's been a week without diapers at night either. His decision - he just said I don't want to wear them anymore. Ok. There has been a mistake or two, but overall better than expected. We try and keep an eye on liquids at night and hope for the best.
Now, to be fair he doesn't just go in and go to the bathroom by himself yet. We still help him with his pants and definitely wiping. So some may say he isn't fully potty trained yet ...I guess. Truth be told he might be a little lazy (or a spoiled only child) (or a mini dictator) ...Because when he isn't in a hurry he can go to the bathroom by himself and does a pretty good job. It's kind of like when it looks like the dog can't do something, but you hold up a treat and suddenly they are experts. So yes he can do it. But, sometimes he just wants it to be quick (truth be told sometimes me too... or I prefer to make sure things stay clean.. is that so wrong)
Anyway, looks like Nate is towards the end of the potty training continuum. I guess with boys there will be accidents and that whole wiping thing... ewh.. oh and snapping/buttoning pants that aren't just stretchy waistbands.
That wasn't the only change. He is officially brushing his teeth. No no no... he wasn't just not brushing his teeth, but we were using swallowable toothpaste. Probably for far longer than we should have been. I haven't really pushed the drinking out of a real cup thing... I know I know... but its not like he is going to be drinking out of a sippy cup when he is in high school. Brushing your teeth is much easier if you can take sips out of a regular cup though. Well, he has gotten better at drinking out of a cup recently so we just made the change. (This was another big boy, big change - he has been filling up a cup at the fridge and then drinking it. Drinking this way is still pretty slow for him so if he is really thirsty he grabs his sippy/straw cup)
It was funny watching him try to brush and spit at first. He would put water in his mouth and swoosh.. but then he'd swallow it. And he'd look a little surprised every time he swallowed it. You can tell in his mind he was trying hard not to swallow, but his instincts kicked in and just made him swallow. After a day or two I'm pretty sure I cracked the code and got him to finally release the water (Kevin may disagree and say he did it). Instead of making him try to form his mouth in any certain way I just said lean over and open your mouth. For some reason that just clicked and more water came out then was swallowed. Woo Hoo. Now he loves to practice. Next up, going to the dentist.... I've put that off far too long for him ... probably because of my own fears.
After having reread this once (sorry not much editing its getting late) I realize these are sure not glamorous topics. Funny how they are such a big part of overall independence though. It is a big deal to do some of this stuff and the look of confidence he gets when he is successful is pretty darn neat to witness. Parenting isn't always glamorous, but sure feels like you and your little one should be on the cover of a magazine.
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