Give me a P! Pee!

We're on day 5 of Potty Training and here's the score: successful trips to the potty = 70%. accidents = 30%.

Day 1 - I really had NO CLUE what I was doing. Friends told me to take him every hour or some pre-determined amount of time but it seemed like every time I escorted him to the bathroom he didn't need to go and then minutes later he'd have an accident.

Spent most of the day in the bathroom with him in the tub. bleh! Luckily my OCD self thought to jot down EVERYTHING with the time that it happened and figured out his "timeline".

Day 2 - Used the timer as a reminder of when to go. MUCH MUCH better. Cheered for the first official potty training poopy in the potty! YEAH Little Man! High Five! (((Smack!))) (wait...were his hands clean?!)

Still won't tell me when he feels like he needs to go so we had a couple of accidents. Also, stopped using the plastic underwear covers because he would be content to go in them and keep playing. Too much like a diaper I guess.

Day 3 - REALLY great day. Like clockwork and he didn't complain....too much. :)

Day 4 - One time he asked to use the potty which is HUGE! And I got a #2 out of the deal! woot woot! :D

Day 5 - Asked to use the potty first thing this morning! Yeah!

We're still using pull-ups for naptime and night diapers for overnight...that challenge will come later.

What really surprises me the most is that he hasn't asked for any M&M's! Amazing! So of course you know I've been hitting the bag...can't wait for Spring Break / Potty Training Boot Camp to be over so I can get back to the gym and work off this M&M butt!

Lessons Learned:

1. The boy will ALWAYS say he doesn't need to go when asked and only tells you he needs to go when it suits him.

2. You don't always need bribes! A big cheer is just as effective. Who knew that cheering for pee and poop could be so much fun! :D

3. Increased water intake can throw off your well planned timing...in a BIG way. :(

4. Always keep your beach towels handy...to cover the couch. see #3 above.

5. Keep a separate trash bag in the laundry room for the "special stuff".

6. If the child disappears and the house is suddenly quiet...it means he's found a "special spot"for going number two.

7. Stock up on movies BEFORE the training begins...you don't want to have to leave the house.

Which brings me to...

8. If you have a Starbucks addiction...(a) learn to make it at home. (b) find a sucker...uh hem...I mean friend, to bring you one so you don't have to leave the house. OR (c) go cold turkey...which I don't recommend because when you're potty training a toddler...the last thing you want is to be cranky because of withdrawals. :)

Hope your adventures in potty training are just as productive! :)