I have done a lot of reading up on potty training. There are so many "get your kid using the potty in an unreasonably fast amount of time" methods out there. As great as they sound they just don't make sense to me. I don't know maybe the teacher in me is over thinking it or maybe the Chinese expat in me makes me uncomfortable allowing my kid to run around without pants making my house his bathroom. I'm sorry no professional carpet cleaner can make me forget per and poo all over the floor.
The major problem I have with the quick methods is the change in routine. They say get the other kids out of the house and the trainee should stay home all day without pants. My son thrives on routine so keeping him at home (unusual) without pants (all day he would ask for pants) and getting Hunter out of the house so I could focus on Zack would be difficult not to mention throwing another change in the mix. Teaching something quickly means they could lose it quickly, and teaching something in an unnatural environment isn't ideal...it's hard to transfer knowledge. Learning needs to happen in time, at the pace of the child and in an environment they understand.
I'm not saying that those 3 day methods won't work but it won't work for everyone. I have always been anti-program. No one method of anything works for everyone.
Today I bought a toddler seat for our potty (I don't want to teach Zack to use one with lights and sounds or is special just for him then have to teach him the real potty). I bought the basic white one and I don't think he even knows it's different. I am going to start with putting him on the potty when he wakes up,before nap, after nap and before bath. I won't make him sit for more than 30-45 seconds. My routine kid will quickly make it a part of his day. After a little while (weeks/days/a month), whatever time Zack needs I'll put Pull ups on him and have him use the potty more often (I'll ask him every hour). Thankfully he is pretty regular as far as #2 goes so the next step would be putting him on the potty for a longer period of time about 30 min after his morning milk (aka "go time"). If at anytime the whole potty thing becomes too much for him we will stop and take a break.
I had planned on starting this over the summer but Zack has been showing signs that he is ready and I would hate to miss the opportunity.
I will post updates every so often so #1 I can refer to this when we need to do all this again with Hunter. And #2 I can keep track of what we have and haven't tried so a year from now when Z is still in diapers we know what things to try next.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Sunday, February 24, 2013
The Milton's Lately
It seems when I get behind with my photos/blogging I end up putting it off making the "job" bigger and bigger and post 15 blogs at once with a feeling that I left something out or that I rushed through and missed a great photo. In my attempt to keep on track here is a random account of what has been going on with us lately...
Biggest thing
WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!
It's exactly the kind of house we weren't looking for...tall...narrow...small yard... garage in back. But I stumbled upon it during a late night feeding (where I did most of my preliminary house hunting...sorry to our poor Realtor who received several emails from me between the hours of 11pm and 5 am. More on that later.
Zack made his first batch of pancakes...he loves helping.
Hunter is no longer seen and not heard. He likes to be bounced and patted on the bum...most of the time. I realized that there are much fewer pictures of him this month because I am holding him most of the time. I don't mind the cuddles and I have learned to do just about everything with him in my arms (because of course, like his brother, he is not a fan of the baby bjorn...my boys seem to have very strong opinions from an early age. I wonder where they get that from?).
Big brother Zack LOVES his little brother. I was expecting the worst before H was born...I mean Zack has never liked when I hold other babies or when anyone does anything with Adam. He showed a little jealousy in the beginning but it didn't last for more than a couple days. The other day we went out just the two of us and on the way back he was asking for "da" and "be be" equally.
Zack comes up with these strange ideas and explains them to us in his own words (du, do, dis etc...) with some exaggerated motions.
Look who is almost too big for his newborn sized clothing...
Hunter is pretty thin (not as thin as Zack was, but thin for a baby) and super solid (even the doctor made a comment wondering where he is putting all that food he is eating (again like big brother). I think he holds all his fat in his cheeks.
Scott and Bethany came to visit their newest nephew...meanwhile I think Zack occupied more of their time.
Biggest thing
WE BOUGHT A HOUSE!
It's exactly the kind of house we weren't looking for...tall...narrow...small yard... garage in back. But I stumbled upon it during a late night feeding (where I did most of my preliminary house hunting...sorry to our poor Realtor who received several emails from me between the hours of 11pm and 5 am. More on that later.
Zack made his first batch of pancakes...he loves helping.
Hunter is no longer seen and not heard. He likes to be bounced and patted on the bum...most of the time. I realized that there are much fewer pictures of him this month because I am holding him most of the time. I don't mind the cuddles and I have learned to do just about everything with him in my arms (because of course, like his brother, he is not a fan of the baby bjorn...my boys seem to have very strong opinions from an early age. I wonder where they get that from?).
Zack comes up with these strange ideas and explains them to us in his own words (du, do, dis etc...) with some exaggerated motions.
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| He was hilarious trying to explain to me that he wanted me to spread his blanket on his back. |
Hunter is pretty thin (not as thin as Zack was, but thin for a baby) and super solid (even the doctor made a comment wondering where he is putting all that food he is eating (again like big brother). I think he holds all his fat in his cheeks.
Scott and Bethany came to visit their newest nephew...meanwhile I think Zack occupied more of their time.
Friday, February 15, 2013
1 Month Old
I can't believe this little guy is a month old!
He is awake a lot more during the day...
He is great at kicking and grabbing...
Which will be great since (even though big brother means well) he needs to learn some defensive moves...
Hunter is a big eater...like huge...
Which explains his major weight gain (9.5 lbs...gained 2 lb's in 3 weeks!)
I love that his little clothes fit him now...
not that he wasn't freakin' adorable before...
We love you little guy!
He is awake a lot more during the day...
He is great at kicking and grabbing...
Which will be great since (even though big brother means well) he needs to learn some defensive moves...
Which explains his major weight gain (9.5 lbs...gained 2 lb's in 3 weeks!)
I love that his little clothes fit him now...
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Zack isn't half bad either
Z-man wasn't extremely cooperative at the photo shoot (lets face it exploring a strangers playroom is much more interesting than being in pictures). This is why most of the pictures with Zack have a ball or a lolly pop.
Newborn Photo Shoot - Pinky Promise
Hunter is a pro...and he is super cute. Don't you think?
Taken by Pinky Promise Photography
Taken by Pinky Promise Photography
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| love these eyes! |
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Nursing #2
I don't know if it's common to ask the mom of a newborn how nursing is going or if people ask me because of my situation with Zack. Either way I never really like answering that question, not because it's personal but because I honestly don't know what to say.
Basically we had difficulty from the start. We met with the lactation consultant several times before leaving the hospital and she ended up recommending a nipple shield. Already we are 100% better than Zack and I were. Zack screamed bloody murder from the get go and by the time he was 2 months old he had taken a couple gulps from the source but was so distraught that he spit it all up. Hunter on the other hand wants so badly to nurse. The shield helps a lot but it still takes five minutes for him to find and latch to it. He is also very messy. Basically to nurse I need to (almost) strip down, cover the seat in blankets and sit still until he is done. There have been a few days wher he refuses completely and I pump or give formula. I also pump or use formula when we go out since the situation may not be ideal plus I have a fear of Zack running away and me having to chase him while fixing my shirt.
Major Mom Confession: I don't enjoy nursing, and I don't see it as a bonding experience. I don't hate it but I certainly don't love it. It really bothers me when people try to "help" when they didn't have any issues past week 1.
I was certain I had done my time with the pump and I figured that I couldn't possibly have nursing issues with my second child. I am thankful for the shield, my pump and formula...however what I was hoping for was the convenience of nursing and not having to wash bottles or the magical bonding moment I hear about. I love my baby. Hunter and I have plenty of bonding moments. I haven't lost hope that we will eventually work things out, but I worry that I have been drained emotionally. I was surprisingly calm as Zack screamed 8-10 times a day but I found myself on the verge of tears the other day when Hunters refusal and loud screams brought me back.
As a mom we have so many expectations of ourselves...having an enjoyable nursing experience is one of them. Even though I still have hope things will work themselves out I have allowed myself to let go of that expectation and see it as something I do for my family.
Basically we had difficulty from the start. We met with the lactation consultant several times before leaving the hospital and she ended up recommending a nipple shield. Already we are 100% better than Zack and I were. Zack screamed bloody murder from the get go and by the time he was 2 months old he had taken a couple gulps from the source but was so distraught that he spit it all up. Hunter on the other hand wants so badly to nurse. The shield helps a lot but it still takes five minutes for him to find and latch to it. He is also very messy. Basically to nurse I need to (almost) strip down, cover the seat in blankets and sit still until he is done. There have been a few days wher he refuses completely and I pump or give formula. I also pump or use formula when we go out since the situation may not be ideal plus I have a fear of Zack running away and me having to chase him while fixing my shirt.
Major Mom Confession: I don't enjoy nursing, and I don't see it as a bonding experience. I don't hate it but I certainly don't love it. It really bothers me when people try to "help" when they didn't have any issues past week 1.
I was certain I had done my time with the pump and I figured that I couldn't possibly have nursing issues with my second child. I am thankful for the shield, my pump and formula...however what I was hoping for was the convenience of nursing and not having to wash bottles or the magical bonding moment I hear about. I love my baby. Hunter and I have plenty of bonding moments. I haven't lost hope that we will eventually work things out, but I worry that I have been drained emotionally. I was surprisingly calm as Zack screamed 8-10 times a day but I found myself on the verge of tears the other day when Hunters refusal and loud screams brought me back.
As a mom we have so many expectations of ourselves...having an enjoyable nursing experience is one of them. Even though I still have hope things will work themselves out I have allowed myself to let go of that expectation and see it as something I do for my family.
Sunday, February 10, 2013
Happy Valentines Day From The Milton Boys!
Because I have such cute boys, because I am obsessed with pinterest and because I love taking pictures I thought I would have some fun with some valentines day props and picmonkey.
Here is the outcome:
I fully intended to print these out and mail to grandparents and great grandparents, however that didn't happen yet and lets be honest...it won't happen by valentines day. I still think they are super cute!
Here are some of the photo's that weren't used:
Here is the outcome:
Here are some of the photo's that weren't used:
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| How cute is Hunter's foot |
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| Zack was such a good sport |
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| Zack loves his brother |
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| I got him to hold out the flower by demonstrating and saying "ta da" . He got a kick out of the "ta da" and this is the product. |
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| Look at those eyes |
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| and again...how stinkin' cute! |
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| love his face |
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| nerdy face! |
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| awwwww |
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| Now every time I build a train track I have to put the "bay" in the center. |
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