Oh Poop.

Alternate Title: "Why I've Had To Alter My Vocabulary Forever And Will Likely Never Look At Chocolate Ice Cream Quite The Same Way Ever Again."

Obviously the first title won out for the sake of brevity, but the alternate title is certainly more accurate. We're still deep in the trenches when it comes to potty learning, but one thing my boys have learned (and learned well) is the power of a well-timed poop joke.

• • • • • • • 

Not my kids, but close. Oh, so close.

When we were still using diapers full-time, my boys would nearly always refer to a poopy diaper as a "surprise" (helpful hint: it was almost never a surprise). On occasion a particularly spectacular poop would be referred to as a "sheetcake" – my boys eat a lot and poop well, so use your imagination here (please). In either case, I often hear one or the other while in the throes of unfastening a diaper.

You might recall that M. and I bought the boys a water table as part of our Canada Day festivities, but in the interest of keeping our national holiday poop-free I'll admit I left out part of the story.

As M. was ushering the boys outside that day to see said water table for the first time he said, "Mommy and Daddy got you a surprise!". The news was met with a bit of a confused pause until Nate piped up in his sweetly inquisitive voice and guessed "sheetcake?".

Which basically means I now refer to any and all surprises as "a treat" because... well, I think the kids thought we were about to present them with poop. Possibly a really spectacular one, but er... that's even worse. Wow. Great fodder for later but I'm not sure where I went wrong on the concept of "surprises".

• • • • • • • 

As for why I will likely never look at chocolate ice cream quite the same way again...

... the answer can be found here. In the event that you are squeamish, the link does not contain poop of any kind, but rather my boys (inspired) musings over dessert last night.

I promised I wouldn't say (outright) who was responsible for this particular debacle so I won't, but it wasn't me this time. It might however be someone who thought teaching the boys this caper was "a very uncouth" sort of thing to do (see comments).

Oh, irony.

- L.

Potty Learning: The Try, Try, Try Again Edition

Gamma Rita arrived last Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning we hit the ground running with Operation Potty Learning: Third Time's The Charm. Today was Day 5 of our venture and while not much has been happening in the potties per se, we're encouraged nonetheless.

My boys have typically been enthusiastic potty sitters for the most part, especially if there are books involved and most especially if stories are being read aloud. On the third day of our venture into Potty-Learning-Or-Bust, we visited the library and came across a great find.

Ian's New Potty was an instant hit and Nate and Seth love hearing all about Ian and his big-boy adventures. It was a timely find too since this time around we decided to skip the Pull-Ups and went straight for the big-boy underpants. Coincidentally, Ian also wears big-boy underpants while learning to use the potty and by a stroke of complete luck he also has a red potty.

I've easily read the story at least 15 times by now, but my boys are always eager to hear what Ian will be doing next (hint: we've learned more from this book than just potty-related things).

In the past 5 days (but especially the last 3) we've learned:

• Big-boy underpants are awesome.

• Accidents happen, but wet underpants don't feel very nice.

• How to hold it until Mommy nearly starts to worry.

• Sometimes how to say "Potty!" in time, even if a trip to the potty doesn't actually result in anything before we're "All done!" with said potty (usually followed by an accident and some wet underpants that don't feel very nice).

• How to eat a big-boy sandwich! Not potty-related, but Ian eats a big-boy sandwich in the book (because he is a big boy of course) and if nothing else comes of this venture I think the days of cubing up a sandwich into pieces are finally over – to which I breathe a huge sigh of relief.

I'm taking all of the above as positive signs and I think all we need at this point is a break-through in production.

Gamma Rita made an excellent observation today while we were both feeling a little discouraged over 5 days of no one actually doing anything in the potties:

"If we knew in advance that there'd be a breakthrough 3 weeks from now – even though it would be 3 weeks from now – we'd keep going and not even give this a second thought."

And aside from being perfectly true, I have a feeling it's what's going to keep us going. I'm 100% sure my boys are at least having a good time and at least 95% sure that they are really and truly ready to give up the diapers. Also, I have a good feeling about things this time around.

Maybe it's the summer weather or maybe it's that Gamma Rita showed up with a plan and so far it's not been a complete disaster at least.

Or maybe it's as simple as those big-boy underpants. I did mention they were a hit after all.

Of course, I might have left out a few details about why they're such a hit. 

And once again, I find myself with yet another post that would not be complete without a little of this: 

"FORE-STAINS!"

Really and truly, I can't believe I never saw that one coming, but I sure did make a mad dash for the camera this morning.

- L.

Happy New Year Everyone!

It's a new year and new things are already afoot at the OP. Check it out!

– 'Dis my awesome new chair, everyone!
– I not sure how I end up here, but there is toys so is OK I guess.

– Is not only functional, but stylish too. Potty is thing of beauty and it even come in my color!
– I check out unsecured floor grate and contemplate how to distract Mommy long enough to chuck toys down to mysterious "below" place.

– Cannot say enough good things about 'dis potty, everyone. Is sort of thing that puts a fellow in a mood to write poem, if you know what I mean.
– Since Mommy still looking, I take a moment to admire your strategic use of bath letters instead.

– OK. Here is poem everyone. Remember to be kind. I is sensitive guy after all.

"Potty red, Potty bright, 
I visit you both day and night. 

You has a shield to catch the sprinkles, 

While I sit and make my tinkles." 

– Er... I think my look say it all so you not have to, everyone.

• • • • • • •

Mommy note: The boys are loving their new potties and "potty time". We're keeping it pretty low-key and offering potty time a few times per day which, so far, is being met with much enthusiasm.

Nate was a little (read: VERY) reluctant until Seth sat down. After that, he couldn't get on the potty fast enough. The pics are from our very first trial run 3 days ago and I'm still laughing looking at them. Seth already looks like a seasoned pro and Nate is looking so uncertain about things, but tolerating the whole ordeal because he would never, ever want to miss out on anything his brother is doing.

PS. I know I mentioned Nate's belly-button in an earlier post, but the Pahk pics really didn't do it justice. These photos do. I mean it when I say I've never seen a more spectacular outtie. Seriously, it's like an extra appendage and for someone with a Touching Finger who loves buttons of all kinds, a "bebo" like that couldn't have happened to a better guy. He's pretty proud of it too!