Potty time!

He FINALLY went on the potty!  My three year old FINALLY went on the potty!  Sure, his baby sister was used as a prop to show him that it's "cool" to go on the potty, and sure, we bribed him with a toy he's had his eye on.  But nonetheless, he went on the potty!!!

Now I know it's a little strange to be blogging about your son's potty training.  But this is huge for our household!!  It's been a long awaited day that has been met with much resistance!

Yesterday, early evening, I was changing Gracie's diaper and before putting the clean diaper on, I sat her on the nearby CARS potty seat that is now fashionably situated in the living room where it's less threatening than by the big potty in the bathroom.  So I enthusiastically showed big brother..."See!  Gracie sits on the potty!"

It worked!  Big brother saw that "the baby" was on the potty and he wanted to go as well.  So I asked him, "Do you want to go pee-pee in the potty???" and he replied with an enthusiastic "Yeah!".  Then dad jumped in with more incentive...

"If you go to the potty like a big boy, mommy and daddy will get you the Cookie Monster toy you like from Target!"

Well, that did it!  Off came the diaper and little bare cheeks actually sat on the potty!  So we sat with him for a little while until we enthusiastically encouraged him that we could try again tomorrow morning.

So that's what we did.  He sat on the potty today about 6 different times for about 10 minutes each.  But he was patient.  And so was mommy.  And mommy cleaned carpet and "big boy underwear" today about 4 different times.  But then the big moment came!

About 3:00 today, he sat on the potty and asked for some water.  So I gave him a small glass of water and he sat and drank it until finally...pee-pee in the potty!  It's as if the kid knew the water would eventually come out, if he only sat there long enough!  He then very quickly and enthusiastically reminded mommy that he gets to go to Target and get his toy now.  So we made a trip to Target JUST for this toy.  But at this point...we're doing all we can to encourage the little dude.  And we're not above bribes.  :)  So we'll see how tomorrow goes.  Day 2, Operation: Potty Training commences in about t-minus 8 hours.

Butterflies!

Fall has finally arrived!  For our household, that means it's time to open the windows, play outside as much as we can, and take in all the joys of the cooler weather.  And every year around this time, we start seeing these beautiful butterflies around our house that are migrating south.  Yesterday we were playing outside with the kids and Isaac noticed a monarch butterfly fluttering around our front bushes.  So I grabbed my camera and we watched for a good long while until we had to make a run to the store.  It's amazing the joy and loads of fun that come to a 3-year-old simply by watching a butterfly up close and personal!  When we left for the store Isaac gave the butterfly an enthusiastic farewell..."Bye, Butterfly!!"