Potty Training

I waited until James was three to even THINK about potty training.  I have heard too many horror stories of training boys at 2 or even 2 1/2 years, and I just didn't want to go there.  Although diapers were getting super expensive, I didn't really mind having two kids in diapers. 

But when James turned 3, it was time.

I made a mental note that we would be staying HOME for an entire week.

James would wear underwear in the daytime, and pull-ups at night.

I would remind him LOTS of times during the day, "remember to tell mommy when you have to go potty"!  The first three days were ROUGH!  I wondered if James would ever get trained.  I thought this is never going to work.  But after those three days, things started to get better.  And after just one solid week, he just about had it down!

Here is James going potty in his frog potty.  He got a little stubborn on me, so he had to do things his OWN way.  Most of the time he sat on his potty backwards.  As long as he was making it to the potty, I was ok with that.

I tried to think of lots of activities to do at home, and thank goodness it was summer so that we could be outside lots!

Riding his bike down the street in our neighborhood.

Actually, I think he is following the garbage truck as long as he can.

James and Reese both somehow "fit" in James' one seat power truck.

This became one of the kids' FAVORITE things to do at home.

When we played inside, I just laid lots of blankets on the ground for James to play on (just in case).

They sure do love each other! (most of the time ;)

One evening, we needed someone to watch the kids, and Michelle gladly offered her assistance, and braved keeping them while continuing to help potty train James and even put them to bed!

And this evening was a turning point for James.  It was the first time he actually told someone on his own without a reminder that he had to potty and then went!  Go MICHELLE!  We from then on called her the Potty Whisperer.  Hmmm....sorry Michelle, not the most attractive nickname, but something that night just clicked with James!!

By the end of the week, we started venturing a little farther from home, but still staying close.

We went over to Amber's house so the kids could swim with Taylor and Law.  James did great!

And after about one month, James suddenly started waking up dry, so we took the pull ups away, and he hasn't been in one since!!!  Hooray!!!