Prayers...

In April, 2010, when Andrew was 2 1/2, a tumor was discovered behind his eye. The tumor was removed, but it was found to be an aggressive cancer. He endured seven months of chemo and six weeks radiation. In December of 2010, the day after his last treatment, he was rushed to the ER with an almost fatal bacterial infection. He survived.

He is now seven-years-old!! I don't visit here much, because during the ordeal, this is where I dumped everything--my rage, my fear, my sadness, my ugly, my hope, my everything. But I want all of you who supported and prayed for us to hear his updates. You helped me survive, and I am deeply thankful. Every once in awhile, I will check in to let you know how he's doing. Please continue to pray that cancer will never return to his body. Thank you.



Wednesday, April 13, 2011

the devil's in the diapers

Sooo....the potty training continues.
I have suddenly become very interested and motivated in taking Andrew to the potty
 every. half. hour.
(The biggest reason happens around 3:30 each day,
right as we are leaving to pick up Aaron.)

Because, if it were left up to Andrew,
he would never step foot in the bathroom,
except maybe to "wash" his cars in the sink,
or color the toilet with markers
or talk to me.

I keep waiting for that interest to spark in him,
something to convince him that it would be much more pleasant
for him,
if he used the potty.
But so far...
nope.

I have tried bribes:
chocolate
yogurt
chocolate covered pretzels with pink sprinkles
stickers
yogurt with cherries on top....

(seriously)

None of that seems to be working.

So then I resort to competition (and shame, sigh).
"Don't you want to wear underwear before your baby cousin?
He is potty training too!"

This method is similarly ineffective.


So I try to make it kinda exciting
and encourage him to "pee on the trees"
and "water the flowers"
when we are outside.



And he does,
but only when I remind him...


I suppose I just need to wait for that, "click"
 in his own mind?
When he decides that he is done
and ready?


But for now,
it is excuses:

"The diaper made me do it. 
The diaper made me poop.
Really! It did!"

Those naughty diapers.
 (sigh)

(eating chocolate yogurt with cherries on top...)

I'm waiting for that magical
"I'm potty-trained now, Mommy!"
 moment.

And spending lots of time in the bathroom.
It will happen someday...

right?


 (And, while Andrew is outside "watering" them,
I have been practicing taking pictures of the newly bloomed flowers in my yard.)

13 comments:

  1. It will.

    Anthony took forever to potty train (he was 3.5) and Domo picked it up like it was the easiest thing in the world. As you know, every kid is different. It just feels like forever when you are in the process of potty training.

    My motto when I was potty training... Not for the weak. LMAO!!! (although after long potty days I felt weak.)

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  2. My kids all waited until they were about 3.5. Too long if you ask me, but they couldn't be convinced to go any earlier no matter what kind of bribe we offered.

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  3. Man, I hate potty training. My older two were both pee-trained long before they were poop-trained, and I seriously thought I was going to go out of my mind changing poopy diapers. Strangely, my son was easier than my daughter, and conventional wisdom says girls are easier. Who knows?? And, yep, Andrew will get it when he gets it, and your gorgeous flowers will get lots of drinks in the meantime. =>

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  4. "The diaper made me do it" lol... I actually believe him!

    I've heard people say running around bare in the summer is the way to potty train, but it never worked for my kids...

    The flowers are beautiful!

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  5. I hear ya sister! My little guy who is 3 1/2 won't even go NEAR a potty, any potty! He has some sort of weird phobia. I hate to push him and scar him for life - but come-on ALREADY.
    I am waiting and waiting and waiting for the spark too.

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  6. LOL!

    O my goodness. You just made me feel better about my own parenting fail. When he's ready he'll be ready. Remember, he's gone through a lot in the last year. (I tell myself that about my son, and I'm still waiting for it to "click" with him. Still waiting....) ;)

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  7. hi Julie! I wish I could give you some sort of specific advice but something tells me that it will just happen in due time. Hang in there my friend! It will happen.

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  8. We're still working on this too...ugh! I'm waiting for the same spark.
    Your flowers are beautiful. I love the one with the kids in the background. :)

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  9. Your photos are absolutely beautiful. Our yard is still mostly dirt -- landscaping is our summer project this year.

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  10. So if that is what I need to get my roses looking like that, I am totally hauling Bear outside- like today!

    Hang in there because you are so right- when he's ready it will happen and you are laying the seeds of foundation now, so when he is ready he will remember and know just what to do. Plus, my theory always is that if a child has gone through a serious physical/emotional strain (Andrew qualifies for both!) during a "milestone" time, then he or she might not meet that milestone when expected, but they always meet it and their timing is perfect :) I even saw this in kindergarten with some of my students and as soon as I'd get talking to the parents, I'd be like- ah ha!! and feel so much more connected to the child.

    And I just have to say the car wash, talk with you... sentence was spot on hysterical!!!!

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  11. oh, julie, i am dreading going through this with my son(s).... thank you for being so candid. love to you.

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  12. Your flowers are gorgeous.
    Can I just say that I HATE POTTY TRAINING! HATE HATE HATE!
    I don't even try to be positive.
    I feel for you. Focus on the flowers I guess.

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  13. haha! did you try the funny sticker in the toilet trick yet??? I don't know if it really works, but my mom had it for my little brother long, long time ago...

    oh and i lover your pics!

    Thanks
    Leontien

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