Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Potty training has begun!

Sort of. Twice this week, after a diaper change but before the new diaper was put on, I've asked Xander if he wants to sit on the potty and both times he peed. After it happened today, I put a pair of Thomas underwear on him and told him Thomas didn't want to be peed or pooped on. I've heard of success stories with similar tactics. It didn't work with him. After he wet himself about a half hour later, I stripped him completely and let him run around outside with nothing on. Then he decided to try on his sister's new boots. What a photo opportunity:



(Last time I tried to put a nude or semi-nude picture of my child on their blog, it got removed, so this has, obviously, been edited).

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Stinky man

Xander had his annual evaluation for the Early Intervention program last week. He qualified again for speech, but just barely, primarily because he was too shy to speak more than one word at once. I'm sure that if he'd spoken the way he really can speak, he wouldn't have qualified, but I think it's nice for him to get the services. It can't hurt, right?

Anyway, they evaluate everything, not just speech, including cognitive ability and motor skills. What I found highly amusing is that he was evaluated at the 15 month level for toileting skills because not only does he not show any interest in potty training, he will willingly sit in a dirty diaper without wanting to be changed. In fact, I reported to the woman evaluating him that he actually turns and runs when I suggest he needs a diaper change or when I come at him with wipes and diaper in hand.

I bring this up now because there is that oh-so-familiar stench wafting over to me from little stinky man.

What he doesn't realize is that his diaper days are numbered. My #1 goal this summer is POTTY TRAINING. I've been changing diapers for 5 1/2 years. I'm really ready to be done. I don't care what his stance is.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Huh. How about that?

Xander's napping has generally (knock on wood) been getting better. He--reluctantly--will go down for a nap most days (compared to his sister who fought it every day of her life), and for only the last month or so, actually sleeps 1.5-2 hours without waking up at all. Still, the initial going down part is still a struggle.

Today, I just didn't want to spend an hour begging him or forcing him to go to sleep. Late naps are just as bad as no nap. So, after about 15 minutes, I said, "Okay, if you don't want to nap today, you don't have to."

"No!" he said.

My hopes rose. "You want to take a nap?" He nodded, with a grumpy expression on his face.

Interesting, I thought. "Well, you have to lay down and be quiet if you want to nap." Shockingly, he obeyed.

He popped up a few times, and I repeated that a nap was optional, and soon enough, he was asleep.

Reverse psychology actually works. Who knew?

Friday, May 8, 2009

Guess what?

I know this may come as a startling revelation, but Xander likes trains! Specifically Thomas the Tank Engine.

Things I have bought in the last few months with Thomas' image*:
sneakers
jacket
books
blanket
knapsack
trains
pajamas
and, in a moment of insanity, underwear

I will also most likely be buying a Thomas bathing suit, when I come across one.

Train related things I have bought;
diaper covers (okay, that was more for me than him)
puzzle

And then there's the huge set of trains and tracks we have on long term loan from Kristin.

Gooooo trains!

*this doesn't even count all the Thomas stuff he got at Christmas, per my suggestion

Sunday, May 3, 2009

Xander is

2 years, 4 months and 9 days. Only 7 months and 22 days until he's out of his terrible twos. Until then, God help us all.

(conveniently ignoring the fact that most parents agree 3's are worse than 2's).