The Potty Training Mom

Last November, our Little Lovebug went full throttle into the potty for his first time.  He has gone several times since, however, nothing consistent.   It is now February. Stuck inside after a blizzard for 2 straight days, I figured it's time to kick this potty training into high gear!!!

Especially, since 1. He's 2 and a half, 2. We are enrolled in nursery starting in September (no diapers allowed!), 3. His obsession with only wearing Elmo diapers is a little weird, I mean like really, he ONLY wants Elmo diapers (not the other characters that come in the pack: Cookie Monster, Big Bird, Ernie or Grover.) 4. Diapers?  Ain't cheap! 'nuff said!

Little Lovebug is absolutely obsessed with these diapers that have Elmo as the main focus.
He blatantly refuses to wear any other diaper!!! Which is just ridiculous and totally impractical, so most times we have to change his diaper with him screaming that he wants this diaper!

Up to now, we've been attempting the potty a bit irregular - a tinkle here, a wee-wee there.  We have used an Elmo Potty Training chart, which (again, has been a bit irregular, mainly because of it's shoddy manufacturing - it's small and the stickers keep falling off!)

We got this potty from my Aunt, and I like the fact that the top comes off and attaches to our regular toilet. The bad thing is the plastic leaves a nasty imprint on his behind and when he tinkles, it doesn't really go down into the potty...

Whenever we try to use the potty, we read these following books:

I remember this from my childhood!  Although back then, they  had one generic character!

Yes, Little Lovebug has a slight fixation with the furry, red monster!

I placed a large order from Kohls a few weeks ago, and since I had a 30% off coupon (yea!!!,) we bought our Little Lovebug a 7 pack of underwear from the Disney Pixar Films (Cars, Toy Story, The Incredibles, Wall-E and Finding Nemo.)

So, we seem to be all set!  The following is our wee-wee log:

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2013

Woke up at 7:00am - changed diaper

8:30am - changed diaper again! Had enough of this, so put on a pair of Toy Story underwear instead!

8:35am - Momma kicks into potty training mode - brought potty down to living room for easier access, along with potty books. Put on Elmo's Potty Training DVD for the first time (thanks to a Christmas gift from Mum!)

8:45am - Big Daddy Lovebug comes down the stairs and rolls his eyes at how ambitious I am about having our son "diaper-free" for the day!  Concerned about couch.

I continually asked Little Lovebug if he had gone to the potty.(Like excessively, every 2-3 minutes!!!) 

9:15am - Agggg! I figured if we started at 8:30, then at 9:30 we'd try on the potty.  Obviously, we didn't make it that long and at 9:15 I found myself wishing I bought more Swiffer wipes... :) Moved onto underwear from Cars.

An issue I'm having is teaching Little Lovebug a phrase to say when he needs to go.  His speech formation makes it difficult for him to say the "P" sound, so "PeePee" or "Potty" just ends up sounding like "eeeee" (which could be anything from "Mickey" to "Ernie" to our dog, "Elphie," basically any word that has the long e sound at the end of the word.  We're trying "Uh-oh, gotta go" while grabbing our crotch, but "Uh-oh" can mean so many things also!  

9:50am - Ok, is this kid kidding me?  I mean, it's like a half an hour since he went and he still has a full bladder!  I mean, it's not even a tinkle!  Of course, he went a little on the couch...I just said to Big Daddy Lovebug that it's not even an hour and a half yet and I quit!  Of course I was joking, but boy, oh, boy diapers never seemed so practical! Oh, and by the way, we're now watching Elmo's Potty Time for the 3rd time...

Due to playing in our living room fort, playing in the snow and nap time, we resorted to Little Lovebug being in diapers for the next few hours. Then came our "snapping moment:"

5:30pm - Little Lovebug decided that he'd rather take his little potty upstairs again and put it over our regular toilet.  He sat and sat and sat, but to no avail.   He really wanted to wear his Finding Nemo underwear, but I refused to change him out of his Cars underwear until he went on the potty.  He insists that he's done, he's had enough and we go downstairs to have dinner. Not ever kidding - 2 minutes into dinner we hear an unmistakable "splash" on our kitchen tile.  We were so mad!!! Not at his accident of course, but at how he obviously had a full bladder, but instead of going in the potty he went our our floor.  Half of me even thinks he manipulated us into putting on his Finding Nemo underwear.  My argument remained that he's such a smart boy and it's not like he's gone before!  Great! Momma Lovebug of the year, right here!  *Cries in a corner*

The rest of the day went similarly to that, changing Little Lovebug back into his diaper around 7:30 for nighttime.  

9:00pm - While on Pinterest looking for Potty Training tips and ideas, I came across an article that basically called me an idiot from going right from diapers to underwear.  So I ordered a case of Pull-Ups from Amazon.com...I mean, I was going to need diapers soon anyway, right?

Day 1: zero pottytimes :(

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 2013

Woke up at 8:00am - changed diaper

Today was a little more lenient than the day before...chilling in bed all morning, playing in the snow, ridiculously long nap...but then, right before bath time...it happened...

7:15pm - Eating Chinese food (duh - it's Chinese New Year!!!) while watching Toy Story, Little Lovebug starts grunting and groaning.  We know it's time, but when we ask if he wants to try to go on the potty - he screams and screams: NOOOOO!!!!  Ehhh...he's interrupting dinner, anyway  I say...but, as when I go to change his diaper, I realize he hasn't actually gone yet.  So, Big Daddy Lovebug and I force (yes, I said force) him onto his potty, while he's screaming and tensing up and pushing and turning red as a tomato.  Eventually, his screaming subsides, and he once again become distracted by Toy Story on the television.  To quote Once Upon a Potty: "He sat and sat and sat and sat and sat and sat..." for a good half an hour (poor baby) and when he got up he had done both pee-pee and poo-poo in the potty!!! Or Number 1 and 2, or tinkle and doodie...whatever you call it - he did it!!! My heart is swelling with unbelievable pride!  You'd think this child won the noble peace prize the way we carried on...And this may be excessively gross, but the size of it?  You'd think a fully grown adult male had gone in this tiny potty!!!  Nevertheless, we carried it upstairs all the while gagging at the smell and the idea that one of us had to clean this now...dumped it into the regular toilet with a huge PLOP and waved "bye-bye" to it as Little Lovebug flushed it down.  Happy Little Lovebug. Check.  Flush, Wipe and Wiped Hands.  Check.  Stickers on Potty Chart.  You better believe it - check.  Ecstatic parents.  *Passes out from excitement*

Day 2: one pottytime :)

So there you have it.  Persistence.  Frustration.  Slacking.  Persistence again.  Such is a tale of Little Lovebug's potty adventures.  

To be continued... 

The Medieval Mom

As part of our New Year's resolutions to do new things and go new places, we ventured out to Medieval Times in New Jersey.  Ok, not exactly new for me...but, the last time I was there was on my 5th grade senior trip!  So...new enough!  '

My Royal Family

The Lords and Ladies of the Court

Queen, King and Adorable Prince

Go Yellow!

The "New Year, New You" Mom

Don't you just HATE making resolutions?  I know I do, and yet, in this first day of the new year (HAPPY 2013!!!) I feel this sort of obligation swelling up inside me!!!

So, here they are - my realistic 2013 goals:

* Eat healthier - a majority of 2012 focused around this goal as well, and until around September - then is was all downhill from there!  Using Spark People again (a website I just LOVE) to guide and assist! Back to calorie counting and lowering my sugar and salt intake (which has become astronomical!)  I'd also like to move our dinners back into the kitchen (we've gradually ended up back eating in the living room on a daily basis.)

* Save more money - we didn't do too bad in 2012, but with prices increasing everywhere (except our paychecks, of course!) I really want to start making a log of all money we spend.

* Learn a new instrument - as the new music teacher at my school, I'd really like to learn some basic guitar.  Big Daddy Lovebug (Santa!) got me one for Christmas, so rock on!

* Watch less television/use less computer - especially for Little Lovebug's sake.  His obsession with Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is a little crazy, and I refuse to be one of those mom's that use TV as a "babysitter."  When I'm taking a shower or cleaning is one thing, but our technology use has gotten a  bit out of hand.  I like what I did last year - 7:00 - 8:00 PM for tech free family time.  I'd like to extend it  to 6:30 - 8:00 this year.  Little at a time!!!  I have a friend who has no television in her home and I find myself envying that at times!

* Lower all around stress!!!  Me?  Stressful?  Never!!! :)

I've also taken it upon myself to set a few goals for my Little Lovebug.  I know it's partly the teacher in me, but I do feel goals are so important and his goals are age appropriate as well as part of his routine:

* Brush teeth in the morning and night (with mommy and daddy's help of course)

* Work hard on going on the potty (getting out of diapers this year!)

* Clean up all toys before bedtime (totally doable!)

* Less TV (see above!)

Let's hope for the best!  Happy New Year 2013!!!

The 2012 Mom

The ABC'S

(Alicia, Benjamin, Chris)

of 2012

A - Apple and Pumpkin Picking

We went to Lewin Farms for our annual apple picking trip!  I love the trees there, they are just the right size for Little Lovebug to pick to his hearts content.  After apple picking, we picked fresh peaches, ate roasted corn at a Farmstand, and went to dinner at one of our new favorite finds - Carrabbas. 

Our Little Lovebug got to go pumpkin picking 2 times this year - both at Green Meadows Farm.  The first time was on Columbus day with Big Daddy Lovebug and I, and the second was a few weeks later with the CUMC Playgroup.
Read and see more pictures of our Autumn adventures:
The Spooky Mom

B - Baby Isabella

It was a relatively slow year for our family and friends in the wedding/baby department (although that is most definitely changing in 2013!) so we were thrilled with the arrival of our new beautiful baby "cousin" in October - Isabella!

C - Citibank

In February, Big Daddy Lovebug got transferred to a De Nova Citibank, literally around the corner from Benny's grandparents.  That meant we got to car pool to work and Big Daddy Lovebug would spend his lunches with Little Lovebug!

D - Disney World

We spent 8 days in the happiest place on earth in late August.  We had an amazing, relaxing, beautiful time! Read more about our trip:
The Disney Princess Mom

E - Easter

Easter was on a crisp day in April.  We had plenty of Easter egg hunts and delicious goodies.  Read more here:
The Easter Bunny Mom

F - Fun Summer

Taking a break from swimming lessons for the summer, we ventured out and explored more things!  We spent 2 hours a week for a month at Alley Pond learning about different animals and different aspects of nature.

We were also fortunate to meet a new friend this summer (both for Mommy and Little Lovebug) who taught a Music Together class.  They learned repetitive songs, played different instruments and had such a good time singing and dancing!  We can't wait to go again next summer!

Hall of Science - Giant Bubbles!

NY Aquarium - exploring snowshoe crabs

Citifield - Huge Mets fans Big Daddy Lovebug and Little Lovebug had several great trips to see the Mets in action.  

Coney Island Beach - Big Daddy Lovebug and I aren't really big fans of NY Beaches, so our one trip to the beach this summer was to Coney Island.  Little Lovebug had a blast and with his shovel and pail, he was ready to conquer the sandy world.  

Forest Park Carousel - We were thrilled that the Forest Park Carousel reopened this summer after many years of being inactive.

Little Lovebug is starting to love all sports, especially golfing, basketball and bowling!! We took him to play his first game this summer!

Every year for the last few years we have gone to the Bavarian Festival at Plattduetsche Park for potato pancakes, shooting range, German dancing and tons of kiddie games.

G - Granddaddy ("A") Retired

In February, granddaddy, or "A" as he is now called by Little Lovebug, retired from being a music teacher for the Dept. of Education for the past 33 years.  He spends his days relaxing, golfing, traveling and of course, spending time with Little Lovebug, who adores him!

H - Happy New Year

We rang in the New Year (2012 that is!) in the Poconos!
Did Little Lovebug make it to midnight, you ask?  Not even close!!!

I - I Turned 2!!! 

Can not believe that my Little Lovebug turned 2 years old on July 25!!!  

We celebrated wholeheartedly - Read more here:
The Two Year Old Mom

J - JC Players Present Into the Woods

The JC Players put on Into the Woods this summer,
where I got to reprise my role as the Witch!
Click on the link for our youtube promo:
The JC Players Present INTO THE WOODS

K - Kia Sorento

When I paid of my Honda Civic in April, we thought it was a good time to get a new family vehicle (Keeping my car, of course!)  Several months later we bought a 2012 Kia Sorento, which we love!

L - Lovebug Tattoo

When I was 18, I treated myself to my first tattoo - a rose on my right shoulder blade.  As I turned 30 this year, I thought it only appropriate to commemorate this new milestone with another one - a Little Lovebug tattoo on my lower left back.  Yes, it hurt. No, I don't regret it and never will!

M - Music Teacher

When the music teacher in my school moved, it opened up a job opportunity I was unaware that I really wanted.  After being in the system comfortably for 6 years, it was a jump from 1st and 2nd grade special education teacher (and working with somebody else) to becoming a music teacher.  I wasn't sure if I even wanted to make the switch, but as I just completed the Holiday Concert in my school and know in my heart it was the right decision for me!

N - No More Speech Difficulty

At the beginning of 2012, Little Lovebug's pediatrician was a little concerned about the amount of words he seemed to be saying.  Even though I was positive that his understanding of our conversation and the world around him was clear and comprehensive, his speech was slowly developing.  We had him evaluated during the summer and he tested so high, the speech therapist said any extra help would just be silly!  Now, Little Lovebug has a vast array of words and has starting putting 2, 3 and even 4 word sentences together!  I'm still a little concerned about the formation of certain sounds, but we'll see what happens in the following year!!!  Luckily, there are books like "Benny's Big Bubble" (a Christmas gift from his aunt) to help him expand his vocabulary, learn basic words and continue forming sounds.  In addition, he LOVES his ABC's and 123's!  

O - Oh, no - the big 3-O!!!  

On April 24, I turned 30 years old!!!  Big Daddy Lovebug threw me a huge surprise birthday party with enough food to last the next two weeks!  Trivia games about 1982, Chinese AND Italian food (both my favorites!) and a massive chipwich cake - a truly wonderful surprise for me!!!  

P - Poppop

Big Ben holding Little Ben for the first time -
A very sad August 13 for us - my Poppop Ben passed away.
To read more:
The Grieving Mom

Q - Quiet - Lovebug Sleeping!!!

My obsession was taking photos of my Little Lovebug sleeping continues!
Here are some of my favorite! 

R - ROAR goes my little dragon!

Isn't he scary!!!  My Little Lovebug's third Halloween had him dressed like a dragon, to accompany my witch costume and Big Daddy Lovebug's wizard!
Read more about our Autumn festivities here:
The Spooky Mom

S - Shows 

In January we had a friend play Tigger in Winnie the Pooh's Adventures on Long Island.  It was a very cute show and Little Lovebug loved meeting the characters after the show!

I had the opportunity to take Little Lovebug to several shows this year!  Included among them were Sesame Street Live in February at Madison Square Garden (and yea! We're going again this February!)

Ringling Brothers Circus in Nassau Colosseum in March

Big Apple Circus in Cunningham Park in June

Disney On Ice (Rockin' Ever After) at Nassau Colosseum in November

Radio City Music Hall - Christmas Spectacular with the Rockettes in December 

T - Tragedies 

The last portion of this year left us with 2 huge devastating tragedies.  The first one was a natural disaster - Hurricane Sandy hit on October 29 and is what they are calling a superstorm.  It killed over 100 people and many, many (too many) people lost their homes, cars, and power.  We live very close (and know several people who lost everything) to where most of the destruction occurred.  Schools were closed for a week (which we'll have to make up in February.) Many places still remain without power and places like the NY Aquarium lost their backup generators as well.  Gas for cars became scarce and people waited 4+ hours just to fill up their cars so they could get to work.   

As much as Hurricane Sandy was a natural disaster, what happened on December 14 was the furthest thing from natural.  A very disturbed individual entered an elementary school in Sandy Hook, Connecticut and killed (murdered/massacred)26 people, most of them 6 year old children and their teachers.  It really left everyone in shock - if it could happen there, it could happen anywhere.  People  are arguing left and right about the banning of guns.  But, no matter what the decision is, it will never bring back these children.  They will never have a first love, or graduation, or spend their holidays with their families...ever again.  That's the most heartbreaking thing of all.  

U - Underwater

Little Lovebug has been taking swimming almost 2 years at this point.  While he is getting better at following directions (like running with his legs, reaching and pulling with his arms), he still hates going underwater with a passion!  I love taking him though, the Cross Island YMCA has a great program - half an hour in the gym where he can play, exercise and socialize and a half hour in the pool.  

V - Valentine's Day

Always and forever - my little Valentine!
We spent it in the Poconos, us three Lovebugs1!!

W - Wee Wee in the Potty!

In late November we had our first official success on the potty!!  It's not completely consistent at this time, but we are working on it!  I'm confident he'll graduate to pull-ups in the next few months!!!

X - X'ing X's (from Alligator's All Around)

Every night before bed, we go through our nighttime routines - milk, potty, brushing our teeth, storytime, songs and prayers.  He loves story time the best, especially these small "fits-in-his-hands" stories by the late Maurice Sendak. He's also a big fan of the toddler Brain Quest!

Y - Yelling/You are my sunshine

Who doesn't like yelling?  Not us!!!  We are one loud family!
This little one always brightens up my day, no matter what!!!

Z - Zoos

One of the best, cost effective (while making a donation) things I have bought for the last 2 years has been becoming a member of the Wildlife Conservation Society.  Unlimited access to all 4 zoos and the aquarium is the best!  It's educational, relaxing, you can stay as long as you'd like and we went to each zoo several times this year!  The picture above is from the Bronx Zoo! 

Prospect Park Zoo

Queens Zoo

Central Park Zoo

I can't believe 2012 is over!!! And with that, a very Happy 2013 to all!!! Can't wait to find out what new adventures await for us!