Potty Training / Rough Week

Luke is now 2 years and 3 months. He has been interested in going "potty" for quite a while. He doesn't like having a wet or dirty diaper. He would come to me and tell me immediately after the fact and want to be changed. He also woke up early in the morning, dry and would want to go when we put him on the toilet. However, I have not had the time or desire to force the issue. I have been working a lot this summer, 20-40 hours a week(way too much), and didn't think I had the time. Anyway, a few weeks ago, I thought I would start watching him to see how ready he was to start potty training. I was a little hesitant, because I had decided that if I was going to do it, I have to be consistent, and not give up after a few days.



So, on July 3rd, we were running a bunch of errands. Jared and Drew were going on the annual scout camp out. Drew is now 12 and is going on his first real Deacons/Scout trip. Dad is no longer required to come along, but is going as a merit badge counselor. Because he is doing the cooking merit badge, he did all the food. Therefore, we had a lot of planning and preparing to do before they left. The fourth of July was on a saturday, and everything was to be closed, so we had to do all the shopping, etc, on friday because they left early monday morning. To make a long story short, I decided to get Luke big boy pants while we were out.



Shopping for underwear is interesting. There are any number cartoon characters, patterns, and colors available. The aisle is about 15 feet long and 7 feet tall. At least half of it is underwear. This is just the aisle for little kids too. The older kids get their own aisles. Luke is really into Thomas the Train and Cars. So I started looking for those. Luke weighs about 25-27 lbs, and he is pretty tall. He is skinny, all of our kids have been very skinny at this age. Most are just a back with a crack, but neither Jared or I has a really large behind, so it's not in the jeans so to speak. So, I was worried that there wouldn't be any small enough. Then I dicovered they sell boxer breifs for 2 year olds. Yeah!!!! Yes, I did buy the Thomas underwear, but I only bought one package to see if they shrink. They were so big they looked like bloomers, hanging to his knees, they shrunk a little. The boxer briefs were a bit big, but they look like shorts. And they shrink. They are so cute. He looks like his older brothers in miniture. He can run around in his underwear without looking like it. He actually prefers these, so we bought a few more. He does like the "Train" unders but he prefers the boxers.



Well, back to the story. After picking out the underwear, Luke carried them around the store. He didn't not want to put them down. When we got home he was so excited, he went to the potty on his own, and brought me the underwear to put on. I was very surprised. I didn't know he was that ready. I started to seriously consider potty training. With the other kids, they got interested at this age, but I wasn't consitent enough, and they were potty trained when they were about six months older. I had heard from a friend at work that she trained her little boy by telling him he could pee on a weed in the garden. That way he learned control to go when he wanted and to aim. I thought that sounded reasonable. We trained Adam in a similar fashion. He did great, except that we didn't have a fence in our back yard and he liked to run around naked. He also dropped his drawers to pee on the neighbors grass, during an ice cream social. That was a bit awkward. Lukey loves to pee outside. Especially if he has just seen his brothers or Dad do it. Now that we have a rather large backyard, I am willing to risk it.



I started last friday, I had a whole 4 days off and didn't have any long car trips planned. He has of course had several accidents, but mostly just #2, which are gross, but are few. He gets stickers (Cars) everytime he goes, and then a car or bubbles for #2. He loves his sticker poster that he puts his stickers on and carries it around. He goes outside with the boys, but mostly on his potty chair on the toilet inside. We are teaching him to sit for now. We will work on aim later. I think Drew still prefers to sit, and Adam doesn't has the best aim still. Boys are boys, and their bathroom is still the least fun to clean. Maybe it will improve when they have to clean it on their own. He is getting better at telling me when he needs to go, and will even try to go by him self. I have worked the last few days, and grandma has had to help him. But he is doing well, and we are excited to be out of diapers, forever. What a thought. I will keep you posted.



Rough Week

Last week, July 5-12,was a very busy week. Jared and Drew were gone from Monday at 6 am to Saturday at 3 pm. I worked 30+ hours, did my meal exchange meal (spagetti), and had my Stampin' Up club night. Several things became apparent to me.



First, I work to many hours. Ten is great, 20 is on the verge of too many, but any more, and I am over the edge. My house goes to hell in a hand basket, and my children run amok. I stress about getting everything done before going to work, and making sure I have a sitter is another matter. It comes down to the fact that mom is not home. I am the best one qualified to take care of my children, and home. Everyone is happier when mom is home. Money is a great motivator, but not worth the sacrifice to my family.



Second, I do too many things. I have learned this lesson a lot this year. I am not Superwoman. I am realizing that it is okay. My family is the most important thing in my life. It is more important to spend time with my husband, and four children than to spend my efforts on other things. Even my house can wait to go on a walk or to the park with the kids. I can not do everything. It is okay to say no and not feel guilty about it. Even my exercise comes second.



Third, my husband is my best friend. I have know this for a long time. It is amazing what we take for granted, and not realize until it isn't there. Jared spent the week in the Boulder Mountains, about 2-3 hours south. When he was gone, I needed someone to talk to. I was having drama at work, and overwhelmed at home. I needed someone to be my voice of reason. I know I picked up the phone to call him about 25 times before remembering he had no phone service. My mom was a good stand in, but not the same. (Sorry Mom) I often don't have to say anything and Jared knows how I feel. He will just let me cry until I am ready to talk about things. I can get mad and say things I would never say out loud. No judgement on his part, and he will support me 100%. He does help me a lot. When I get home late, the kids are fed, and the house picked up. When I have to go in early, he gets everyone where they need to be before he leaves. I can't complain that he doesn't do anything around the house. It sucked being single Mom.



Fourth, it takes a village to raise kids. This week our ward had both scout camp and girls camp at the same time. That took about 85% of the babysitting pool out of the area. My mom was helpful with my kids, but not available the whole time. My sweet neighbor, Crystelle, helped me a ton. She kept the kids one night when my mom had to leave, and I was still at work. I ended up staying at work until 8:15 pm. Crystelle took the kids, fed them and entertained them until I got there at 8:45 pm, and then fed me as well. The next morning another neighbors son came to watch my sleeping children at 6:30 am, so I could work, again. He then took Adam, Madi and Luke back to Crystelle's at 8:30 am. She watched them until about 1:30 pm. That night, my mom stayed overnight, so I could be at work the next morning at 7 am. Then my sister-in-law, Candice, helped with the kids, and she and my mom took my children, and 8 other cousins swimming. I would have been up a creek without my village of friends and family this week.

And last but not least, prayer is sometime the only thing you have left to do. When I was at my wits end, it was midnight and I couldn't sleep. I got on my knees. I cried to my Heavenly Father for help. I felt a peace that all would be well. My husband and son were okay, the kids would be fine and so would I. I was finally able to sleep, and of course everything did end up fine.

Even though this was a rough week, I learned some very valuable life lessons. I can not do everything on my own. I can pretend to be Superwoman, but it doesn't make me have super powers. I would not have survived if it wasn't for prayer and a knowledge that I have help beyond this world. Heavenly Father does hear and answer our prayers. He knows me personally, and knows what I need to know and learn to make me a better wife and mother.