Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Return and Report

Subject: Mr. Squishy 

Objective: Using the potty to go "wet" and "stinkers"

Preparation: For two months the subject has informed his superiors that his diaper needs to be changed. Sometimes subject advises of the imminent arrival of wet and stinkers. Has expressed interest in What Big Brothers Are Doing. Very excited about being a "big boy."

Previous Experience: Little Prince went through several "trial runs" until he was three years and eight months. Then his superiors had trouble finding diapers in his size (explanation: in Brazil, they potty train at one years old. Diapers size three and up are impossible to find.) When his superiors buckled down and said We Are Growing Up Today, there were accusations of child abuse. Two months later, Sunshine trained himself. He was not quite two.

DAY ONE

5:00AM - Wake up. Feeling very cheerful and ready to take on The Big Bad Toilet. Exercise. Scriptures. Shower. Make bed. Conquer the world.

7:00AM - Mr. Squishy wakes up. We are so excited. We talk about not using diapers anymore. He chooses a pair of Finding Nemo underwear, and marches proudly to breakfast.

7:30 AM - Breakfast over. We sit on the potty and read Dr. Seuss. He thinks this is the coolest thing ever. But nothing happens other than he sits on the potty and reads Dr. Seuss. This is okay. We're good.

7:40 AM - He wets his pants. Feelings: still cheerful.

7:45 AM - Big glass of milk

8:00 AM - More milk

8:30 AM - Big glass of water

8:40 AM - Sit on toilet and read Dr. Seuss. That's about it.

8:45 AM - He wets his pants. We're still cheerful.

9:00 - 10:00 AM - We play with play dough. Big glass of water. Feelin' good. Sunshine thinks Operation Train Little Brother is the greatest idea in the world - we get to stay home and play all day.

10:00 AM - Sits on toilet and read Dr. Seuss. Nothin'.

10:05 AM - Go for a walk. We stay within a five-house radius to the toilet. 

10:45 AM - Sits on toilet and read Dr. Seuss. I am not discouraged.

11:00 AM - He wets his pants. It's okay.

11:20 AM - Lunch. He scores a big glass of chocolate milk. This is the best day ever.

12:00 PM - Sits on toilet and reads Dr. Seuss. He is starting to get tired of sitting on the toilet. There are tears.

12:30 PM - He wets his pants. We put on a pull-up in preparation for bed. He really loves his pull-up.

1:00 - 4:00 PM - Naptime. I do not worry about potty training in the slightest.

4:00 PM - He wakes up. He is not happy about putting on underwear. I insist. There are LOTS of tears. He sits on the toilet and we sing Popcorn Popping very loudly. More tears.

4:30 PM - He runs to me saying, "Mommy! Stink! Mommy! Stink!" I am thrilled. We run to the toilet. It is occupied. Mr. Squishy poops his pants. Not happy about more underwear.

5:30 PM - Dinner. More chocolate milk.

6:00 PM - He sits on the toilet. Very, very sad boy.

6:15 PM - He wets his pants. I am starting to wonder if he is, in fact, NOT READY.

7:30 PM - Bedtime. He actually hugs his diaper.

12 comments:

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Oh my...I'm not sure who I want to hug more, him or you! What a day!

Jocelyn Christensen said...

Ha!!!! Well, you lasted longer than we did yesterday. I gave in around 11am! ;0

kristi said...

I don't know, maybe he just isn't quite ready after all :(

Qait said...

Aw, don't give up! Of course, you're the best judge (with his help) of whether or not he's ready! It does require some adjustment! :)
Sounds like a tiring day. Kind of silly how no matter how many times we do it and get loads of advice from all the millions of others who have done it, there's not one fail-proof method that matches each kid. Which means sometimes it's plain HARD!
We had one day where my son pooped his pants 6 times regardless how often I plopped him on the potty. (Yeah, I don't know how he had that much poop in him either). So hang in there!
Your patience level sounds much more..."matured" than mine.

The Prices said...

I HATE potty training! I'm amazed that I have done it three times and even more amazed that I don't think I could tell someone else how to do it. Good luck!

janel said...

Ha!!!! Best play-by-play of potty training ever. This too shall pass.

Kazzy said...

Hugged his diaper? That is just too dang cute.

Morgan Hagey said...

Meh. I hate potty training. I hate it so so so much!

Julie said...

Good luck to you and the Squishter. We'll be attempting that whole patty train thing again soon.

Jenny P. said...

After the obnoxiously long experience I've just been through potty training my three year old, I feel your pain. I hate potty training with a flying purple passion. I will wish it short for you. If that's even possible. Hang in there!

Tobi said...

Poor Mr. Squishy! I think he was feeling a little frustrated by the end of the day. I hope things work our for both of you! Only you can decide if he is ready to proceed or not.

P.S. I can't believe you get up at 5 am. I get up at 6:30 and every morning I feel like it will break me. You know getting up that early and all.

melissabastow said...

One of my kids cheered and danced when we finally pulled out the diaper of exasperation. (While I was busy crying.) I pretty much LOATHE potty training.