Potty Training - Part 1 (2-27-13)

I'm sure many would say this is overdue, but we have started the potty training process for Cole. We are hoping that by waiting until now it will go smoothly and omit the need for constant reminders to use the potty. If we don't see improvement in 3 days we are quitting and will try again later. He is not quite 3 and half, which according to our pediatrician, is the golden age. Cole is used to sitting on the potty before his bath each night but he generally is very uninterested in the whole process. Yesterday his school was cancelled so Kristin decided to take advantage of 2 full days at home and dove in. She bought a pee rug that Cole carries around and sits on, so at least things shouldn't get too messy.

We decided to post several blogs chronicling this journey for us and Cole. The dates in parenthesis in the title are the actual dates of the potty training. We never know when we will actually get around to posting.




Pee rug



Over prepared for accidents



Kinda funny, Cole seems to think that if he goes no diaper he might as well go with nothing else. He insisted on taking off his jammie shirt when we put the undies on him.



Per usual, Hen is his partner in crime so if Cole is on the pee rug, Henry wants to be too. He also takes turns sitting on the potty.



This is a dream scenario - a toilet in the living room or TV in the bathroom. Either way, sounds like a great stinker tinker.

Day 1 went pretty well. Cole had 2 accidents that he didn't make it to the potty. Otherwise he was able to catch himself and finish on the potty. He did wise up to the fact that we were pushing water and started to refuse to drink. So we will head out and buy some juice as a special potty training treat for Day 2.

Other weekend fun

Well, this was actually last week and not over the weekend, but Great Grandma and Normal Grandpa came over. Grandpa took off our broken faucet and installed the new one. Then we had a pizza party. Cole really liked to help his Grandpa. Grandpa was still working when it was time for Cole to go to bed, so he kept running downstairs to "check on Grandpa" and would ask Grandpa how he was doing or if he needed help.

We cashed in a Christmas gift card and went to Toys R Us. Cole had fun picking out a toy - he was very serious the entire trip and was weighing his options. He finally decided he would like a race track. So far it has been a big hit and keeps both boys entertained.

I spent the majority of Sunday with Cole. He helped me clean an apartment and get a lease signed at the apartment building. He was a great little helper. He would pop into whatever room I was in and say, "I love you Dad" and then head back out to continue "cleaning." I have to say, most people I work with don't give me a single "I love you" throughout the day.

We ended up having McDonald's for an early lunch. I also gave him a dollar, which he proudly told Normal Grammie that he "earned a dollar." Luckily he did not realize he earned about $0.33 cents per hour. Pretty poor rate.

Dollar in the pocket for safe keeping

Later that day while Henry was napping, Cole and I both got into a little NASCAR for the first time. He really enjoyed the racing, so I DVR'd some more races. We'll see if it sticks.

"I love this new race car show"

Tripoli Shrine Circus Extravaganza

Saturday morning we took the boys to the circus. We arrived one hour early to spend some time down on the floor, up close to the animals. They were offering camel and elephant rides. Kristin kept asking Cole if he wanted to ride an elephant - luckily he said no because we later realized an elephant ride was $15 (!)...for a trot around a not so big ring.

Before the circus started we got cozy in our seats with 10am hot dogs, cookies and soft pretzels - anything to keep the boys occupied while we waited.

The entry parade had bagpipes and motorcycles and scared Henry to sobs. Poor guy has never liked loud noises.

Luckily the first act was the tigers and he quickly decided to copy the crowd and clap.

 

I think the boys liked the circus but we left at intermission. They were getting antsy and it was lunch/naptime. Henry also kept letting go of some stinky farts. I was really worried I was going to lift him up and realize I was covered in shit (like the Target poop). In the end, I'm happy enough it lasted long enough not to be a total waste of money.

Busy weekend

We had the busiest of busy weekends. On Friday we went out with friends and the boys stayed with Normal Grammie and Bampa. Fun was had by all. A special shout out to Dustin who apparently "hates" our blogging and got unreasonably mad when he discovered that I was wearing an old shirt of his that Kristin took for me from their Goodwill pile. This photo is for you D$.

I look so happy without kids around.

My sister and her family were in town from Ohio so we spent the rest of the weekend at my parent's getting our fill of cousin time. Henry was putting on a show for everyone, he was really quite the ham. He is constantly jumping and spinning and falling down. It is surprisingly fun to watch his antics and the more attention and laughs he got the wilder he became.  Cousin Walt also taught Henry some tae kwon do, so now Henry extends his arm with his little fist out and runs into you and screams. This should be very useful when he starts school.

Some pics...


Cole playing Bampa's guitar. I'm not sure Normal Grandpa would have allowed Cole to bang on his guitar. Either way, we are hopeful that between two musically talented grandpa's the boys stand a chance to be in a band (and get some).

Henry being weird and taking a much needed break, with a snack of course

Henry "bamming" Normal Grandpa in the nose

Wresting with a 7 year old is hard on the back

Pretty Princess (check out the earrings) with BF Dan's niece. 

Fun game of Hungry Hungry Hippos with cousins

Cole's favorite and too small rocket jammies. He is insisting that I can be the only one to sew up the holes. So I guess I'm working on that tonight.

V-Day Party

I got home a little late from work, but with enough time to enjoy a little Valentine's Day celebration with the family before bath and bed. Kristin made the kids each a basket filled with toys and candy. They got some Pez candy, which made me quite jealous (but then I ate Henry's). Kristin and the boys got me a card, a travel coffee mug and some (not so good) candy, but at least she tried. And I really can't complain since I got Kristin a big bunch of nothing. In my defense, no presents was the plan. I felt a little bad since she was the only one at the party without a Valentine's present; although, it probably wasn't her first time in that position.

 

 

Cole sent us this little mouse valentine that he made in school. It came in the mail and he was so excited for us to open it.

 

Target Oopsy Poopsy

I got a great text from Kristin today (see below). For once, I am actually happy to be at work. Too bad for Kristin, her and her poop hair will be sleeping on the couch tonight.

"New outfit for Hen at Target...he shit himself up to his neck. I used an entire container of wipes to clean him up. Threw away everything he was wearing, socks included. I have shit on my jacket and I think in my hair."



Hen looks like he knows he did something.

Landlording and Hot dogs - A Nice Little Saturday

Cole was my little helper on Saturday. He came along to help me show an apartment, although "help" is a stretch. While the people were looking at the apartment, Cole kept pointing out holes and spots on the walls and marks on the kitchen floor. I don't think I will be hearing back from them. And I have a long list of repairs to make now.

Cole acting as impatient as his Father, waiting for the prospective tenant to arrive.

We played a little hide and seek while we waited. Cole is the worst hide and seek player. While in the same room, he just turned around in the corner of the room to hide. Not to mention the light up boots. Yeah, I see you buddy.

After the showing, we enjoyed a nice Home Depot lunch.

This is actually Cole's first hot dog. When we got home he told Kristin all about his warm hot dog and bun and how it was in his belly now. I guess I will call that a hot dog success.

Henry loves wearing these glasses. Hopefully he won't have his mother's eyes and actually require them in the near future.

 

Below are a couple videos of how Henry gets down. He loves to just spin around and fall down and throw things, which I guess is probably about 90% of kids his age but the throwing stuff still seems like such a jerk move.

 

 

 

 

Other weekend events included a trip to Bayshore for soft pretzels and errands and a Super bowl party. Surprisingly I took no pictures of these activities. Cole loves going to Jason's house to watch football with the guys and Jason's Mom (a.k.a. his wife, April). Cole was also a huge fan of Beyonce's halftime show. He danced. Henry was a terror all party and just ran around in circles looking as if he was going to fall at any moment and crack his skull open. Pretty typical behavior for all.