Thursday, January 10, 2013
Monday, December 31, 2012
That's What Chloe Said - December
CUBUZ= Because
Chloe very recently started asking "Why" and answering "Because." The why got a little annoying really quickly. Here's an example of a recent Chloe conversation:
-Chloe, go to the bathroom so we can brush your teeth.
-Why?
-Because we need to brush your teeth.
-Why?
-So your teeth can be clean.
-Why?
-So they don't get cavaties and so your breath smells pretty.
-Why?
-Chloe - just get over here you little turkey!
-Why?
-Aaaahhhhh!
CUBUZ, on the other hand, never gets old. She actually said "because" once last night and I was a little sad.
Chloe's new skill of using the potty has provided her a new and powerful bedtime stalling tool. Quarter 'till 10pm we hear Chloe calling from her room, "Daddy! I want to go peepee on the potty!" As if we can turn down that request. Then she asked for a potty treat! Ha!
In the van on the way home Chloe burps.
Solana says, "excuse you."
Chloe says, "you're excused."
Chloe very recently started asking "Why" and answering "Because." The why got a little annoying really quickly. Here's an example of a recent Chloe conversation:
-Chloe, go to the bathroom so we can brush your teeth.
-Why?
-Because we need to brush your teeth.
-Why?
-So your teeth can be clean.
-Why?
-So they don't get cavaties and so your breath smells pretty.
-Why?
-Chloe - just get over here you little turkey!
-Why?
-Aaaahhhhh!
CUBUZ, on the other hand, never gets old. She actually said "because" once last night and I was a little sad.
Chloe's new skill of using the potty has provided her a new and powerful bedtime stalling tool. Quarter 'till 10pm we hear Chloe calling from her room, "Daddy! I want to go peepee on the potty!" As if we can turn down that request. Then she asked for a potty treat! Ha!
In the van on the way home Chloe burps.
Solana says, "excuse you."
Chloe says, "you're excused."
Thursday, December 27, 2012
Potty Training Day 4 and Day 5
Day 4. I have to admit, I didn't completely keep my cool over the last few days but the one time I felt annoyed and used a little too mean of a Mommy voice I'm pretty sure Chloe didn't notice. It was the time she ran away from me to hide and pee. I told her, "Noooo Chloeeee! You do NOT run away from Mommy and pee pee on your pants! That is NOT ok!" and she replied, "Why?" I just stood there in stunned silence (pretty sure my mouth was gaping) before she and I went to work cleaning. That was the end of day 2 and I wasn't feeling great about potty training at the end of Day 2. I was persistent, though, and never went back to diapers (even though the little devil on my shoulder - aka Dave Hendrickson - tried to convince me otherwise on multiple occassions). My left knee is killing me from kneeling on the hard floor to put panties on, clean messes, clean the potty chair, keeping Chloe company on the potty, etc.
A few things that I think really helped:
-Owning a home with a large floored area enclosed by really nice gates. We comfortably spent the majority of 4 days in the kitchen/fireplace room/four seasons room area and didn't worry too much about accidents. Of course, the four seasons room has carpet but it's that short hard kind and has already seen its fair share of cat pee. I wasn't too worried about cleaning that carpet. Dave also kept a fire going for two days. As a result, the fireplace room was cozy warm and filled with fun toys, potty training books, and potty training videos. It was a pretty nice potty training environment.
-Doing potty training over the winter break. No school, no appointments, and no trips anywhere to create extra stress.
-Doing the groceries and all errands before beginning potty training.
-Devoting myself to potty training. Besides cooking and maybe a little laundry I pretty much did nothing else for three days straight. Staring at Chloe's naked butt and monitoring her fluid intake/output became tiresome, for sure, but it made a big difference.
-Committing to panties and sticking to it.
-Getting Chloe involved in cleaning up of messes. She helped wipe the floor, pulled off her own soiled clothes, and took them to the washing machine. It's a natural consequence to making messes and showed her that messes don't magically disappear.
-Potty training at 3 years 4 months. She was definitely ready.
-Peanut M&M's. She never got those before and they were such a big deal. She never forgot to get her potty treat with every success. The variety of colors also made it exciting because she made a big deal about picking the color each time. "Hmmm. I waaaaant GREEN!"
-Letting her get up and walk around during extended potty visits. She was always surrounded by toys and books while sitting on the potty. Often times she wanted to switch out a toy or book and would get up to pick a new one. I would let her. If she peed on the way to get a new toy it would be a learning/teaching moment. But that never happened. Of course, I wouldn't let her doddle and stand at the dollhouse playing because that would be asking for an accident but I would let her walk to the doll house, pick out a new doll, and come back. There was a time or two when I took her pants off her ankles and we ran circles around the room together just to stretch her legs. Those were during the really long potty visits when I knew for sure that her bladder was full and wanted her to continue on the potty. Because she had some freedom and wasn't tied down to the potty she was ok with staying on the potty until she made peepee.
The results of Day 4 are as follows:
-Zero accidents
-Several potty successes
-A few extended potty trips but shorter on average than the day before
-2.5 hours playing in the snow and staying dry
-More time spent in the carpeted areas of the house
-Owning a home with a large floored area enclosed by really nice gates. We comfortably spent the majority of 4 days in the kitchen/fireplace room/four seasons room area and didn't worry too much about accidents. Of course, the four seasons room has carpet but it's that short hard kind and has already seen its fair share of cat pee. I wasn't too worried about cleaning that carpet. Dave also kept a fire going for two days. As a result, the fireplace room was cozy warm and filled with fun toys, potty training books, and potty training videos. It was a pretty nice potty training environment.
-Doing potty training over the winter break. No school, no appointments, and no trips anywhere to create extra stress.
-Doing the groceries and all errands before beginning potty training.
-Devoting myself to potty training. Besides cooking and maybe a little laundry I pretty much did nothing else for three days straight. Staring at Chloe's naked butt and monitoring her fluid intake/output became tiresome, for sure, but it made a big difference.
-Committing to panties and sticking to it.
-Getting Chloe involved in cleaning up of messes. She helped wipe the floor, pulled off her own soiled clothes, and took them to the washing machine. It's a natural consequence to making messes and showed her that messes don't magically disappear.
-Potty training at 3 years 4 months. She was definitely ready.
-Peanut M&M's. She never got those before and they were such a big deal. She never forgot to get her potty treat with every success. The variety of colors also made it exciting because she made a big deal about picking the color each time. "Hmmm. I waaaaant GREEN!"
-Letting her get up and walk around during extended potty visits. She was always surrounded by toys and books while sitting on the potty. Often times she wanted to switch out a toy or book and would get up to pick a new one. I would let her. If she peed on the way to get a new toy it would be a learning/teaching moment. But that never happened. Of course, I wouldn't let her doddle and stand at the dollhouse playing because that would be asking for an accident but I would let her walk to the doll house, pick out a new doll, and come back. There was a time or two when I took her pants off her ankles and we ran circles around the room together just to stretch her legs. Those were during the really long potty visits when I knew for sure that her bladder was full and wanted her to continue on the potty. Because she had some freedom and wasn't tied down to the potty she was ok with staying on the potty until she made peepee.
Playing in the snow on Day 4
Potty training wasn't always fun and games. This is what happened when I told Chloe it was time to come inside from playing to take a potty break. Biggest fit ever! I felt bad for making her come in from the snow so I offered her a cookie (I know, horrible) and she immediately said in the cheeriest sweetest voice ever, "Okay! I'm as happy as can be!" I couldn't help but laugh.
It looks like Solana is teaching Chloe some new tricks.
Day 5
9:00 Trip to the Dentist with Solana. Chloe went potty twice before we left. While at the dentist she opened her legs, squatted a bit, and asked to go potty. I grabbed my Potty Training Travel Bag (equiped with seat insert, clean pants and panties, and wipes), scooped her up, and ran to the bathroom. I was sure she had wet herself but she was dry and immediately went in the toilet!
11:00 My friend, Kristine, came over with her kids to sled in the snow. Chloe went #1 and #2 in the potty right before they arrived. We spent an hour outside and then went out for lunch. She has been clean all day.
I think potty training is over. We're now in maintenance phase. That wasn't nearly as bad as I had anticipated. Two tiring days where I'd much rather have been doing something else. But all in all a success. Way to go Chloe Bea! You're a big girl now!
Tuesday, December 25, 2012
Potty Training Day 3
Potty Training at Christmas
This was a common sight in our house today.
We saw great strides today! I was worried in the morning. Chloe wouldn't pee when she got up. Dave wanted to put her in a diaper for presents but I'm stubborn. No diapers during the day. Period. No exceptions. Any time she pees her pants and it's "ok" because of a diaper is a setback and I'm working too hard for setbacks. I brought fresh panties and pajamas into the fireplace room and expected an accident at some point during gifts . And I got it! I was ready, though, and we cleaned up and changed in no time.
After a wonderful morning of opening presents and breakfast I took the girls for a bath. Chloe played in the bathroom on and off the potty for a good half hour before she peed and was allowed into the tub. As exhausted as I was of staring at her little bootie I was excited at what I thought to be a turning point. As Chloe sat on the potty playing with her little toys she sort of went into a trance and said, "I'm making peepee" under her breath. I screeched with joy and sort of snapped her awake. She jumped up and looked in the potty and cheered!
I was excited because this was the first time Chloe seemed aware of the action of peeing on the potty during the action!
The rest of the day was accident free except for one half-accident. She ran to the potty and actually finished in the potty! We even went for a 40 minute family walk accident free. Finally, her 30 minute sitting stretches decreased to a couple of minutes by her final visit to the bathroom before bed!
I'm very excited! I'm not sure where we'll go from here but major strides...major strides!!! We might even be able to spend more time in the carpeted areas of our house tomorrow.
Christmas Morning
Christmas Morning is always so much fun! The girls loved all their gifts and we had a great time listening to music and feeling the lovely glow of the fire.
We can never ever accuse Solana of being an unenthusiastic gift receiver.
I finally got a sewing machine. It's only taken me two weeks to get it threaded and to sew the first stitches. Solana already put in a few orders for doll clothing and Dave has a couple of projects in the qeue.
We can never ever accuse Solana of being an unenthusiastic gift receiver.
I finally got a sewing machine. It's only taken me two weeks to get it threaded and to sew the first stitches. Solana already put in a few orders for doll clothing and Dave has a couple of projects in the qeue.
Our darling girls.
Monday, December 24, 2012
Potty Training Day 2
Today wasn't a great potty training day. We spent the entire day in the kitchen/fireplace room again. It seems like Chloe spent a LOT of time just sitting on the potty and holding it. She had a couple of accidents (versus) 10 yesterday but I somehow didn't feel like she was really getting it. She didn't have many successes in the potty. She did, indeed, do poop in her pants and I'm glad I let that happen because we avoided trauma. The day ended with a one-hour potty sitting marathon. I know it was an hour because she watched two Dora's while on the potty. Then Dave suggested we give up and bring her to the living room for some family time. I called her over and she ran away from me long enough to let loose the pee she'd been holding through two Dora adventures. I was kind of ticked.
In retrospect, I think there actually was a tiny bit of progress today. It was this: she only peed a handfull of times all day. Instead of numerous tiny ones she only had a few big ones. I think this shows bladder control is a good thing. I think I've read that somewhere...right?
I love potty training!
In retrospect, I think there actually was a tiny bit of progress today. It was this: she only peed a handfull of times all day. Instead of numerous tiny ones she only had a few big ones. I think this shows bladder control is a good thing. I think I've read that somewhere...right?
I love potty training!
Sunday, December 23, 2012
Potty Training Day 1
I meant to start potty training yesterday but came up with all kinds of perfectly valid excuses to procrastinate.
My biggest concern, though, with potty training was the fear that I'd get frustrated with Chloe and get after her for "not getting it." I'm proud to say, though, that after one day I held it together. We went through 10 pair of panties and I never once felt or acted frustrated at Chloe. Let's see how long I can maintain my saint mommy status.
Here's how the day progressed:
-We drank and sat on the potty often - about every 30 minutes or 15 minutes after drinking. She'd sit and sit and sit. Nothing would happen and then she'd pee within a couple minutes of getting off the potty.
-For the first few accidents she'd stand and pee and then tell me she had an accident. We'd say "uh oh. Oh no! That's not good. Peepee goes in the potty, etc." She'd help clean it up, take off her dirty clothes, and put them in the washing machine.
-By late morning she'd squeeze her legs together and say, "help" or "my peepee!" She'd still pee in her pants and nothing was coming out in the potty but that seemed to be some kind of progress.
-I noticed when she was about to poop and put her on the potty. She sat there for quite a while and pooped in the potty. There was blood and I'm kicking myself because I forgot to give her prunes to snack on today. I'm wondering what I should do about pooping tomorrow. I don't want to relive the horror of last year so I might just let her poop in her panties tomorrow so she has more control over the exiting of the poop. And that can be her poop accident experience.
-Chloe took a really late nap and woke up out of sorts. I let her sit on the little potty in front of the TV with a cup of chocolate milk after her nap. She sat there for a good 30 minutes and when I went to get her I could see that she had filled the potty! I was wondering if that even counted as a success since she was sort of zombied out and I don't even know if she realized what she'd done but I was excited nonetheless and wanted to celebrate. I grabbed under her arms to quickly stand her up as I began to exclaim her praises. In my excitement, though, I didn't realize that the little pot would be stuck to her butt. It came up out of the potty chair with her butt and the pee poured all over the floor! It must have been a good cup of fluid. All over her pants and panties, my socks, the potty chair, and the floor. Lovely. I'm such a dork.
That pretty much ended potty training day 1. I'm not sure why I feel compelled to document it so thoroughly. I'm sure nobody cares but me. Chloe probably won't even care when she's older. Or maybe she will and can use this to help her train her kids one day. I don't know. What I do know is that it's a big deal over here and I've been stressed about it for weeks. I'm documenting it dangit.
- I worked on our menu for the next 10 days. This is a job that takes me forever. Our day seemed to start incredibly late so I didn't even finish the menu until noon. Don't even ask me what I did before noon. I think I got out of bed at about 9:30 because Dave was a hero and let me sleep in. 9:30 to noon can go by exceedingly quickly on a Saturday.
- I took Chloe grocery shopping while Dave and Solana ran errands. We stocked up on food essentials and peanut m&m's, which would act as potty treats over the next few days.
- Chloe and I stopped at the library for potty books and videos before coming home and this somehow turned into an hour long adventure.
- We squeezed in one final family outing/adventure before putting on the panties.
My biggest concern, though, with potty training was the fear that I'd get frustrated with Chloe and get after her for "not getting it." I'm proud to say, though, that after one day I held it together. We went through 10 pair of panties and I never once felt or acted frustrated at Chloe. Let's see how long I can maintain my saint mommy status.
Here's how the day progressed:
-We drank and sat on the potty often - about every 30 minutes or 15 minutes after drinking. She'd sit and sit and sit. Nothing would happen and then she'd pee within a couple minutes of getting off the potty.
-For the first few accidents she'd stand and pee and then tell me she had an accident. We'd say "uh oh. Oh no! That's not good. Peepee goes in the potty, etc." She'd help clean it up, take off her dirty clothes, and put them in the washing machine.
-By late morning she'd squeeze her legs together and say, "help" or "my peepee!" She'd still pee in her pants and nothing was coming out in the potty but that seemed to be some kind of progress.
-I noticed when she was about to poop and put her on the potty. She sat there for quite a while and pooped in the potty. There was blood and I'm kicking myself because I forgot to give her prunes to snack on today. I'm wondering what I should do about pooping tomorrow. I don't want to relive the horror of last year so I might just let her poop in her panties tomorrow so she has more control over the exiting of the poop. And that can be her poop accident experience.
-Chloe took a really late nap and woke up out of sorts. I let her sit on the little potty in front of the TV with a cup of chocolate milk after her nap. She sat there for a good 30 minutes and when I went to get her I could see that she had filled the potty! I was wondering if that even counted as a success since she was sort of zombied out and I don't even know if she realized what she'd done but I was excited nonetheless and wanted to celebrate. I grabbed under her arms to quickly stand her up as I began to exclaim her praises. In my excitement, though, I didn't realize that the little pot would be stuck to her butt. It came up out of the potty chair with her butt and the pee poured all over the floor! It must have been a good cup of fluid. All over her pants and panties, my socks, the potty chair, and the floor. Lovely. I'm such a dork.
That pretty much ended potty training day 1. I'm not sure why I feel compelled to document it so thoroughly. I'm sure nobody cares but me. Chloe probably won't even care when she's older. Or maybe she will and can use this to help her train her kids one day. I don't know. What I do know is that it's a big deal over here and I've been stressed about it for weeks. I'm documenting it dangit.
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