Potty training...a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it.

We have rapidly moved from just generally being interested in the potty to actual, real potty training - with results! This has all been led by Jack - I didn't want to push him before baby came, since he's already going through so many changes. I didn't pressure him, didn't put a label on the process, and I was happy to oblige if he asked but I wasn't going to force him to use the potty.

He's had his little Elmo potty in our bathroom for a long time (almost a year now.) He would use it from time to time, but usually just said "no, I don't have to go potty" if you asked him. We were at Target the other day, and he saw a coloring book with a poster, stickers, and a whole story about Elmo learning to use the potty. He immediately asked for it, and we've been using it for two days now with great success!

Our chart after two days. Keep in mind that he was in school
most of the day Thursday, and it's not yet noon on Friday. Pretty good!

 He loves the idea of getting stickers each time he goes, and I had to explain that you only get stickers if you ACTUALLY put something in the potty (otherwise he'd just ask to go over and over again!) He did great, and spent all day yesterday dry as a bone. We aren't nearly ready for overnight training yet, but this is a very good start.

He woke up this morning and asked to use "Daddy's potty." As you probably know, Justin has been in China for a few weeks now and he is coming home tonight. I think Jack is so excited, he can't wait to see Justin and share his newfound skills. However, Jack is still very small for his age and he has a lot of trouble with big potty seats, both at our house and out in public. He either falls in, or has to hold onto me, which means he can't aim if you know what I mean. Anyway, after a very successful morning constitutional on his Elmo potty, off we went to Target (again) to get him a little seat for Daddy's potty.

He picked this one out himself, and it's awesome because it comes with a little hook to hang it on the wall. So now he can do pretty much everything by himself - I just have to get him a better stepstool for that bathroom.

They do teach him to use the potty at school, and take him to use their bathrooms at regular intervals. He's exclusively in pull-ups now (no more diapers!), even at night. I don't make a big deal if he has an accident or uses his pull-ups, but he gets upset and tells me immediately after he's wet. The next step will be a weekend at home in nothing but underwear...everyone tells me cold turkey works the best. Maybe in March when Justin's in China again, Jack and I will focus solely on potty training. It's just hard now because it's cold outside, and we have all carpet in our house (eek!)

I am so proud of our little man - he's growing up right before my very eyes!