(Un)foiled Plans.

So last week, I blabbered on about deciding what to do with my kitchen. And, well, I'm still deciding, but my plans were slightly foiled, but in a rather great way. Apparently my son decided it was high time for potty training. One morning I was changing his diaper, I sensed we had some more business to take care of, so I asked if he wanted to sit on the potty (something we hadn't really talked about or tried with him yet), and yup, he did want to sit on the potty. So off we toddled, and voila, the first time we got a #1 and #2 smack dab in there! I'd like to believe this is a small miracle in the world of potty training...

I was in near shock. You could see this light bulb turn on for him. Like "Ohhh, that's how that whole business works." Anyway, we continued for the rest of the day with 5 out of 6...in the potty. Needless to say, I was in disbelief. Potty training our daughter was, well, nothing like this. After 3 failed attempts I was convinced she would be wearing diapers to her high school grad. Finally, three months after her 3rd birthday, she figured it out. It was still a challenge, and a struggle, but she eventually got it. And I was left with a terrible taste in my mouth for potty training, figuring I would not be pushing Gabe to do any such thing, any time soon!

So this first try success has just seemed too good to be true. We are nearing the end of week one and still going strong. Gabe is still willing and very excited about his successes on the potty. He still needs some reminding, but is starting to get to the potty on his own (something that took months with Abbi).

Of course, it isn't all marshmallows and kittens (there has to be some dark side to potty training, at least in my experience), last week we were out at a Positive Discipline class for Abbi (through her school), and I plopped Gabe on the toilet there, which just happened to be automated. Well, it just happened to flush, while my little man was doing his business. Bingo. He is now absolutely terrified of flushing toilets. So while we are having great success on the little potty, big toilets are a no-go. I'm not too worried about this. We can tote around the little potty in the van, and hopefully with time, he can ease himself back into the big potty. Blasted technology.

Yes, we have the special padded seats, for each of our toilets (one Winnie the Pooh and one Diego). Yes, we have used little candies as motivators (although I find we rarely need them now, as the verbal praise seems to be enough). We've gotten him on our big toilets at home a handful of times since "the incident" but for the most part, he prefers his little potty. Can anyone offer wisdom from a similar fear their child had?

Regardless, I'm proud of our little man doing such a great job. This picture is from way back in the summer when we first showed him the little potty (yes, this is the same potty we have to tote around everywhere. Its like a mini love affair!).

Way to go Bubs!

This picture goes out to you, Katrina.