Finally!!

It's been a long time coming but I am happy and very proud to announce that Carter is potty trained!!!! He still has to wear a pull-up at night, but has everything else down. He tells us when he needs to go, or just walks to the bathroom by himself and goes. There are sometimes we wish he was a little less independent. Like when he went number 2 in the potty but didn't tell us tell we found out later when he had no underwear on, just fleece pajama pants, and little pieces of fuzz attached to his bottom mixed in with everything else. But hey at least is he doing it!!!!

Sleepy Head

This picture was taken a couple weeks ago, I had just forgotten about it. We were trying to keep the boys up all day as we were going to Heather's house that night and wanted them to fall asleep quickly there. Carter was having a little snack when I heard some snoring. I looked over and here was Carter. He still can't quite make it all day without a nap.

A quick potty training brag on him - the other morning at 6 am he came into our room saying he had to go potty. His pull-up was still dry and he went right away. Then he went back to sleep - can't get much better than that!

Potty Training Update

We have had our good days and out bad days. On Saturday Carter was just being stubborn. I would put him on the potty and we would sit there for 10-15 minutes just for him to get off and have an accident 5 minutes late. So we made him a potty chart and on Sunday he was perfect - not a single accident even when we were out and about. Today I had to work so we went to church. He was acting stubborn all morning nut only had one accident and one success. He is also waking up dry in the morning and after nap. I am very optimistic that he is going to get this down in no time as long as his stubbornness doesn't get in the way.

I have a lot more to catch up on - the boys have the greatest conversations these days. Hopefully I can get to them (and still remember them) this week!

Third Time has to be a Charm

For the third and FINAL time, we are potty training Carter. We were talking about it at dinner last night (we were going to start this morning) and he decided he wanted to wear big boy pants NOW. So we head upstairs, put his underwear on and haven't looked back. Since he did so well last time I am thinking this should be fairly easy. He had one accident last night, but then stayed dry in the car as we drove around for an hour or so. Today no accidents at all and he wanted to stay in his big boys pants during nap, so hopefully this will go well. He isn't telling me when he has to go but I have noticed that times that I insist he at least tries and he fights me on it are the times he really doesn't need to go. So I am thinking he gets it. Either way we are sticking it out this time - no turning back no matter what happens.

Back At It....

Ok I am going to try to finally play catch up on this blog. Before we went to St Louis we took the boys to a Sky Sox game. Carter had earned it on his potty chart* and Tyler has all of a sudden become obsessed with baseball once again so we thought it was a great time. Not sure if it was the cold weather or what but after one inning Carter was ready to go home. Tyler loved watching Sox the Fox once again and remembered all his antics from last year. And also like last year he was terrified with the fox came close to him. We let the boys jump on the bounce house in the kids zone and walked around the park for a bit before we headed home at the 6th inning. We are hoping they start enjoying the games more as we are going to a Rockies game for Mothers day, and would like to stay more than the first inning.

*On a potty training note, Carter was doing a great job. However then his two year molars came in which meant some tummy problems so he went back to pull-ups for the St Louis trip and since then I haven't had the energy to start up again. However yesterday morning he woke up and went straight to the potty all by himself so he is ready. I just need to be.

At It Again

I am off most of this week for Spring Break, which makes the perfect opportunity for potty training Carter. He has been in underwear, expect nights, since Sunday morning and so far is doing very well. Only two accidents so far and he is showing signs of improving every time he goes. He has a potty chart and has already received his first prize - a Popsicle. I am hopeful that he will continue to have successes and we can have no kid in diapers for at least a couple months.

Tyler also has a new chart - a getting himself dressed chart. This morning he came into the bathroom where I was with Carter totally dressed by himself - not much left of a baby in him at all anymore.

Home Again

On Tuesday I was busy trying to get laundry done, things packed, and getting ready to leave the next day. Opa decided to take the boys over to Chick-fil-a to play. The boys had a great time. They got to drink juice (almost unheard of) and play for an hour (usually 20 minutes). Needless to say Opa wore them out and they were tired. Carter actually fell asleep on me right before nap time. During nap time Opa took over kid duty once again so that Oma, Great-Grandma, and I could go out and see a movie. It was a very nice break.


When we got back, Tyler had a few meltdowns over one of his new toys, but then changed around so that we could go to Red Robin for dinner. We all had a great time at Oma and Opa's but I think we are all ready to get back to our routine and to see Daddy again!

Wednesday morning was full of more meltdowns and overall not listening from both boys. However once lunch time came around they were back to their usual selves. We all went to Chick-fil-a again for the boys to run around and a quick lunch before heading out. We said good bye to Great Grandma and headed to the airport right at nap time.

This time the airport experience was much more stressful. Since I was traveling alone with both boys and both of their car seats, my mom got an escort pass to help me to the gate. However between them labeling one of our suitcases with the wrong name, the power going off making us wait in security that much longer, all while the boys were having meltdowns in the middle of the airport, I was at my breaking point. When we got to the gate I had to talk to the agent as our seats were not together. The agent then informed me that they wouldn't let me pre-board either. After almost half the plane was boarded she finally got our seats together and told me I could go ahead and board. Unfortunately I still had to let Tyler go potty and change Carter. Once we were on the plane the flight went very well. The boy slept for half of the flight and then watched Cars on the way home. Justin got a pass to meet us at the gate and the boys were so happy to see him! Once we got home we let the boys play a little bit and then we all crashed - only Justin made it up til midnight to ring in the new year.

Today we have been lounging and the boys, besides waking up t 4:30, seem to be adjusting back at home pretty smoothly. Carter is also in underwear today! Since I am off for four straight days we thought we would just see how he does. He has had 3 successes and one half accident. He was also dry after nap time, but went in his pull up right before we made it to the potty. He loves his Thomas underwear and seems to be getting the hang of it already. We will see how tomorrow goes!

At It Again

Carter wants to do everything Tyler does...and I mean everything. Lately he has been requesting to go to the potty every time Tyler does, and he goes. At church when they tell him they need to change his diaper he says "no I go potty". So we have been taking him more and about 50% of the time he goes. About 75% of the time when he needs to poop he tells us and then goes in the potty. At church when they bring him he wants to go so badly he says "no mess in diaper" and doesn't want to get up until he goes. I am going slower with Carter, as I am thinking this may just be a quick phase. He is in pull-ups, other wised known as glorified diapers. However it makes it easier and he is proud of them. I don't see us going to underwear for a while. Oma mentioned to me that hopefully Carter doesn't think potty training also means getting a big boy bed - I didn't even think of that and agreed. I like him in his crib.

Then tonight happened. We put the boys to bed and not 2 minutes later we heard the door open. It was Tyler and we put him back to bed. A minute later we hear him out of his bed again. Justin goes up there to find Tyler in his bed and Carter out of his crib. I go up there and ask Carter to show me how he got out. He quickly climbed out like he had done it a hundred times before. The boys thought it was so funny that Carter could get out. One time Justin went up there Carter was sitting in Tyler's bed and they were talking. After about 3 more trips up there putting Carter back in bed (he even came out of the room a couple of times) they both finally went to sleep. This is something I totally wasn't ready for. Time to convert the crib to the toddler bed I guess. Carter sure is trying to keep up with Tyler as best as he can.

Dare I Say......

Tyler is potty trained! I finally feel comfortable saying that Tyler is officially potty trained - at least day time. He tells us when he needs to go now, even when we are driving in the car, he stays dry during naps, and he even stands up sometimes now! (man he is going to hate me when he is older). I am pretty sure he would be night trained as well, but I just don't quite have the energy for that right now, maybe after his birthday. I am so proud of him! Way to go Bug!

Butterflies?

So there I (Justin) was….minding my own business Wednesday night when it happened. Meredith asked a question I’d never imagined I would have to answer: “On Saturday, do you want to take the boys to the Butterfly Pavilion?”

Animal instinct kicked in. Like a solitary zebra on the African Savannah that’s just caught the scent of a hungry lion in the searing, hot breeze I froze in hopes that the savage beast would not see me.

Then it came again. Closer this time.

“Honey, I asked if you want to take the boys to the Butterfly Pavilion on Saturday.”
Still frozen, I glanced to my left but saw only fangs and hair. Knowing there was no chance to outrun the menace I tired diplomacy. “Do I really have a choice?”

So as we were discussing our departure time for Saturday morning I had a thought: I still have to take Tyler to a game for completing a line on his potty chart. Knowing that the Sky Sox were not in town and the Rockies would not be back in town until Monday I thought I might be able to salvage part of my Saturday. I suggested we go to the Denver Broncos training camp. We could pass it off as a football game for Tyler and kill two birds with one stone (but no butterflies, that would be frowned upon).

On the way to Denver we asked talked Tyler into putting the butterflies on hold long enough to go watch some football. When we arrived we had to take care of first things first – Tyler went potty in the port-a-potty. This chart is really working some magic with this kid. He’ll pee anywhere but his pants at this point!

We grabbed a seat on the ground (they don’t have bleachers around the practice field) behind one endzone and watched the Donkeys, er Broncos, run plays from midfield. The boy’s favorite part was the long pass plays, seeing the ball and players running towards us. Tyler told us several times that he wanted to catch a ball. But alas, being professionals, nobody overthrew their receiver by the 30 yards that would have been necessary for Tyler to have a shot at catching a ball. Later we moved to the other endzone to watch them practice their red zone offense.

As they wrapped up practice we headed out to see some butterflies and other critters. After stops to see stick bugs, bees and two inch long cockroaches the boys declined the opportunity to hold a tarantula, but did enjoy seeing mommy hold it. We checked out some starfish and horseshoe crabs and said hello to Nemo and Dorie (as far as the boys knew anyway) before reaching the marquee attraction….butterflies.

We made two trips around the pavilion; a greenhouse filled with tropical plants and humidity, as butterflies buzzed the tower repeatedly and lounged on branches and railings.

The boys really enjoyed searching through the plants and finding butterflies of all different sizes and colors. After we left the pavillion the boys climbed on a replica of a honeycomb and a rope spider web. On the way out I asked Tyler what his favorite part was. Without hesitation he said “the butterflies.”

Despite my early apprehension I had a lot of fun seeing them running around, exploring the pavilion and marveling over the butterflies and looking at the birds and turtles. We finished off with lunch before the boys fell asleep in the car on the way home. Overall it was a fun day…even it was centered on butterflies.

Potty Chart Update

So I know that posting this will probably make Tyler do the opposite, but I am so proud of him and need to write this down so I can remember it in the coming weeks. We started the Potty Chart and Tyler seemed to like it, but didn't really get it. Until Yesterday.

We were at Church yesterday and he went potty in the potty 4 times and even pooped once. I don't remember the last time he did that so I was very excited. What made me even more excited was that he told me twice when he had to go! Today was the same story. He wasn't in my class so he tried for the other teachers but never went. However as soon as they dropped him off to me he told me he had to go and went. So far he has enjoyed two popsicles and is working on an ice cream cone. I hope this good streak lasts a while, but either way I am enjoying the break of laundry while I can!

Updated to say that he received his ice cream! Way to go Tyler!