Dare I say it?

George is potty trained. It has been 2 months since we started this journey, and the last two weeks have been completely accident free. The last month has been relatively free of accidents with one or two a week.

(Caveat:  He is not completely done with night training. We only make it through the night about 50% of the time without having to change the sheets. I think this will get better once we actually transition him out of the crib. Still holding strong on that.)

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We made a personal choice to try to have George potty trained before DC gets here in June. With her, we will DEFINITELY wait until she is ready to start this process. With George though, we figured trying six months out from her due date gave us some time to see if he could handle it, and then time to accept that we may have two in diapers if he couldn’t. We felt we needed to try to avoid that many diapers if we could, so we started training without George being “ready.” Although, do you really ever know when they are ready for the next thing?

We decided to use the Three Day Method. This is where you go cold turkey on diapers and put them straight into underwear. No pull-ups, just underwear. You basically barricade your family in your house for three days straight to start training them. It is all about positive talk and helping them understand the feeling of going to the bathroom. It is not done by a timer or anything like that. You make sure they are really hydrated, and just watch them like a hawk and run to the bathroom when they are making signs/tell you they need to go (or carry them as they are going to try to finish on the toilet). It’s a lot about how you phrase things as well to make it seem like your child has the control in this situation and how awesome they are doing at this new skill.

Here are some general comments/observations about the process and some advice from one parent to another.

• Buy tons of underwear, and splurge on the character ones. It seems silly to pay that much for kids’ underwear, but it is worth it. George was much more invested in the beginning because he was wearing Paw Patrol. Also there may be times that you throw underwear away because you just can’t deal with what came out of their body. It’s ok. Remember you bought lots.
• More than likely you or your child will fall in a puddle of pee. I don’t know how many times I almost wiped out the first few days when we rushed George to the bathroom as he was midstream.
• God bless anyone doing this with carpet.
• Your dogs will go nuts anytime you say the word “potty,” which is about every five minutes. They think that it is their time to go outside too. It was a loud and messy weekend at first.
• Every kid is different. The method we used said not to read books while going, but this is the only way that I can get him to go before bed now. We followed her verbatim the first week, but then we made adjustments to fit George’s personality. We read about cranes and like magic every single night, he goes in that damn potty. We may have also bribed him a few times. Him knowing chocolate was at the end of the pee stream was worth it some days, and it did not hinder the process for us. Know your kid and what will work best for them. He was motivated by books, suckers and chocolate.

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• George has been an exception to most training stories, and he only had poop accidents when he got the stomach bug last week, and they were all during his sleep. He has never pooped on the floor and always tells us when the poop is on it’s way. (The stomach bug was the exception since he had diarrhea. We may have had the diaper show back up a few times show because he was basically a faucet out of his butt. Sometimes you have to do what you have to do to survive.) Overall though, George has done better with the poop side of things than pee. We feel pretty fortunate that the pooping part has come easy for him because that generally is not the case for everyone.
• Have extra clothes in your bag and in your car. Also check that what you have is seasonal. We may have had our kid in shorts when it snowed because I accidentally grabbed jean shorts instead of pants as the back up clothes…whoops.
• We started off using a potty chair, but after the first week we realized if we ever wanted to go in public again, he would have to start using the big toilet so we have since ditched the chair for the actual toilet.
• If you have a boy, you will have to physically hold their penis while they pee at times. A whole other level of parenting. Otherwise you have pee everywhere, which I hear is in my future anyway with a little boy.
• George’s favorite part of all of this seems to be telling us the play by play of what is happening. He loves telling us about his penis, farts, and what hole his poop comes from.
• Make sure that you pick a time to start this when you don’t have a lot going on. We picked a 4-day weekend to start it where we did nothing but follow George around our house cleaning up pee. I really recommend doing 4 days instead of just 3 with this method, especially if you are working parents. We also knew we would not be traveling with him most of this spring so we could keep his schedule as consistent as possible. These two months were a time where there weren’t a lot of parties or big town events we would be missing if we elected to stay home to contain the mess. No one wants to bring the kid who pees everywhere to a party. We stayed home a lot!
• You should buy stock in paper towels. We went through so many rolls that first month.
• You want to curse all the time. That first week I wanted to quit so many times and thought I was the worst mom. All the curses. I was so upset that he didn’t “get” it in three days, I thought we did something wrong when all these reviews were saying this method was magic and no accidents happened after the third day. It’s taken two months people for me to be confident in his bowel movements. Fortunately some sweet mommas brought me down off the ledge with reassurance that we didn’t fail, and poor Tom dealt with my hormonal doubt like a champ..
• On another note, this is not recommended when you are pregnant. Potty Training is exhausting by itself, but add a growing belly and hormones to the mix-Whew! There is a lot of quick action, bending, carrying, and chasing that happens in the early days. But duty called to get this done!
• I am pretty sure that I cheered louder for George successfully going in the bathroom than I did for Clemson and the Royals winning their most recent titles. You just get so jazzed about poop you can hardly contain yourself! George and I may have also texted Tom poop in the potty pictures in the beginning because we were so excited.

I am really proud of George because while it didn’t go as quickly as 3 days, I still feel like he picked this up fairly quickly. I am happy that we have had a few months where we don’t have to buy diapers before DC gets here. While it is still a lot of work to make sure he is successful, it has been totally worth it to get him trained before Sister is here.

Every kid is different, and they will go through this training at different rates using different methods. This is a HARD thing for a family to accomplish. There will be tears (from all parties), tantrums (from all parties), and it’s just utterly disgusting. AND it is a whole family effort. Everyone that takes care of your child has to be on board with the method you choose. You know your kid the best, and it’s ok if it isn’t magically done in three days. Some get it right away, some take a little more loving care to learn this. If you think about it, George eliminated freely into a diaper for 2.5 years. I should not have gotten so upset that that wasn’t undone in a matter of three days.

So here’s to all you parents that are in this yucky time with us.

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This definitely reaffirms Tom and I’s decision never to adopt a dog that isn’t already potty trained.

Here are just some random tidbits from this week.

Everyone in the Whitener household came down with some stomach illness this week. George threw up all night Sunday for who knows why. Tom threw up all night Tuesday due to food poisoning. Wednesday, morning sickness welcomed me into my third trimester like a truck running into a wall. I did not throw up, but I felt like it even when I would talk. Super fun week trying to make sure we all don’t die.

I had a student rub my belly without asking. She had her face all up next to my stomach. Fortunately, I like this student. However, I have only met with her a couple times. It was an awkward moment for sure, that I didn’t really know how to react to, except shock.

One day this week, I had all of my student appointments no show. Four different students decided to be rude on the same day and not come meet with me without any notice. I hate that it wastes my day waiting around for them and then trying to follow up with them after the fact. Manners folks.

I have picked out all the paint colors for the new rooms. I really tried not to have them all gray, which was my original plan. Picking them out has got me itching to get in there. They put all the electrical and plumbing in this week so we are moving along.

I do a lot of academic coaching in my job. We reach out to students at various points of the year when we know there are issues, such as right now with midterms. Our faculty report student grades at this time, so I can see anyone who is getting a D or an F in a class right now. Our office reaches out to all the students in this category. I specifically will call any student who is getting more than three Ds or Fs to talk about their plan for the last half of the semester. We hope it to be more intentional with a conversation about their options and reality of the situation since it is generally harder to raise that many poor grades in 8 weeks time. Every semester, it surprises me a)how many students have no clue and are in shock that they have an F or b) they truly believe that they can pull 5 Fs to 5 Bs and refuse any help or guidance. Astonishing.

Tonight, I cut George’s hair all by myself. I have only ever cut my own bangs, so I was extremely nervous to do this. It grows so fast, I hate to take a little boy to the barber every month. So I took a swing at it tonight to just get it off his neck and out of his eyes. We’ll see how much I damaged his sweet looks tomorrow. He went straight to the bath and then straight to bed, but I got this nice comb over before I finished reading his night time books.

What has your week been like?

We have come to the end of the road for Nick’s heart my friends. Finally. Here are my thoughts on this week’s episode.

• I do love Nick’s family. And how cool for his sister Bella to get this paid vacation at her age.
• It is weird to me that they refer to his relationships with Andi and Kaitlyn in “seasons.” I mean, yes, it was a season of the Bachelor, but if he is really serious about it wouldn’t it be a relationship?
• Nick is getting into his own head, but hopefully he can convince himself to take a risk.
• Raven with his family was anti-climatic.
• Oh Chris you are so stirring the pot with your one liners on the drama. I think they are playing his past rejections up for production value.
• Bella does not seem impressed with Vanessa.
• Ok that is not a Clemson ring.
• Haha Nick’s sister telling Nick to speak up for Vanessa. Come on Nick, at least seem interested.
• Oh so this is the first moment that Vanessa said that she may leave Montreal.
• No love is not enough to make a relationship last. I love his dad’s answer. They [his parents] really do seem like great people.
• Everyone is crying on this family meet up.
• I hope Vanessa likes Christmas. I would be weirded out by this date.
• Vanessa saying that she isn’t comfortable with the idea that her relationship may be slightly greater than Raven’s is what normal people would say in a normal situation. Vanessa, girl, you have to know what you signed up for. You are competing for Nick’s heart. There are going to be rankings…
• I think Nick explained himself very well about why he is guarding himself and not being as open with Vanessa. But it also seems very sly to tell her he doesn’t think about the other women when he is with her. Because that makes this whole scenario of dating other women at the same time ok.
• These relationships are so different.
• He called Raven “my love.” I feel like he is a little more relaxed with her.
• He picks up Raven all the time.
• So Raven and Nick haven’t talked about where they would move. Would she uproot her shop? I doubt Nick would move to her small town.
• No big deal. Just some husky puppies. SO MUCH FUN!
• This conversation with Raven seems very friendzone when he was talking about his stress with not wanting to hurt either of them. Forget the comment of not bringing up other women…
• Ok now they are getting back on track to a romantic relationship.
• He doesn’t seem as reserved with Raven has he is with Vanessa.
• I think he picks Raven, or is that what they want me to think?
• Do you think they think of the most random mundane tasks to tape Nick doing for these pensive moments like putting logs on the fire and walking through a snowy forest?
• How awesome that they get these rings from Neil Lane. Big honkers too.
• Raven’s dress is gorgeous. I love that they get styled for this episode. How lucky is that?
• Ahhhh Raven is first…does that mean she isn’t the one?
• I don’t know what is happening. I can’t read him.
• He needs to stop Raven talking about her family if he doesn’t see this happening.
• I am impressed that she kept it together while he breaks her heart. She is one classy broad.
• What! You break her heart and then make her go outside without her coat.
• Oh Raven, you are still young. You will find someone! Don’t give up on looking.
• Well Vanessa has been one of my favorites since the beginning.
• Ok Vanessa, can you deal with the compromise aspect? It can’t just be Nick who compromises. You become a team.
• I hope that they can stop being stubborn and hard headed to make this work. But I hope that she isn’t watching the season back because she is going to be pissed about Raven’s fantasy suite date.
• He sure does love to pick up women.
• So now comes the decision if I stay up another hour to watch the After the Final Rose. (of course I stayed up)
• Raven was so perfect in her responses at the AFR.
• It will be interesting to see her in Paradise.
• Vanessa doesn’t hold anything back.
• As I said, it is good that Vanessa didn’t watch the fantasy suites.
• Hey couples fight. It’s better that they leave everything on the table.
• Wow, I didn’t think she would move to the US. Will they settle in LA?
• I think they are so stubborn they will make it all work. But they are focusing so much on the arguing. They are very defensive and seem like they do not like each other much.
• I am not ok with Nick being on DWTS, but hopefully they can get through more of the fame. I am just tired of seeing him. However, maybe we will see a different side of him since he won’t be focusing on “love.” This will be his 5th reality show though…
• What’s with all the women wearing black?
• Rachel is so poised. I am wondering where the drama is going to be this season with her?
• We all love you Rachel!
• I would be so pissed if I was Rachel and they sprung the start of the season on me. I would have died. No ability to prep myself mentally.
• Also how awkward is it that she is doing it in front of a live audience? Again, I would be mortified.
• So how is this going to work? She is meeting several of these guys and then there is a break for the rest? Does she start right now and get whisked away to the mansion? She will be thinking about these men until it starts and envisioning relationships with these specific men. Do they get their phones taken away now so they can’t text or internet search one another? I don’t get it.
• Oh good the racism comments have already started not even minutes into the start of her season.
• “You look good and smell good?” This is painful to watch.
• I can’t catch all their names! They don’t have the little screen titles. What are their professions?
• That also was not the most dramatic thing that has ever happened on a After the Final Rose. Do they not remember Jason Mesnick surprising us all by dumping Melissa and going back to Molly? Seriously Chris.
• I hate this. Why do I continue watching this show? Because I have no self-control over witnessing the drama, that’s why.

It’s the Women Tell All Week, which is one of my favorite episodes. And we saw how the other two overnights went.

• So that weird montage of Raven frolicking around Finland is insinuating that they did it. This is odd.
• That cross country skiing looks awful.
• I don’t understand how Nick and Rachel aren’t together after this date…They seem like the most natural couple. I mean he says that he is falling for her too. I am so confused.
• Why is this ice bath even a thing? I am enjoying watching their reactions walking back. I don’t think the ice bath is a fear Nick. It is just stupid.
• I don’t think that Vanessa and Nick will end up together for the sake that they both want to stay in their own countries.
• That ring on Vanessa’s finger looks like a Clemson class ring…And i just spent a ridiculous amount of time trying to find out where she went to school.
• And now we all can breathe with Rachel off. Answers NICK!
• You are giving me nothing Nick. We all know Rachel is amazing. What happened?
• I think Nick likes a difficult woman-both Raven and Vanessa bring their own drama.
• I apparently didn’t have much thought about this episode…
• But now comes the “Women Tell All”
• I need to find people who are at these watch parties to watch the show with. But they need to do all the planning and theming; I will just show up.
• Oh my goodness these sorority women went CRAZY…
• Those clear plastic chairs look so uncomfortable.
• Alexis admits that she was a shark. Thank goodness.
• Haha Chris trying to get these women to calm down…this is insane. I don’t even know where to look.
• I don’t think that Taylor was bullying Corinne at all, but I don’t want her to be my counselor with how she conducted herself.
• I still don’t know how I feel about Liz. I agree that she shouldn’t be shamed for having sex with Nick, but I still feel like some of this is an act. I don’t know, it’s just odd.
• I would agree that Corinne read into things a little too much. And yes, Corinne you did talk bad about people…
• Taylor does seem a little stuck up, just saying.
• I feel like they gave Corinne more time to say her piece..
• Ok now, they are defending Taylor.
• Jazmine, no not everyone calls everyone bitches.
• Everyone didn’t take naps during rose ceremonies, Corinne.
• Taylor and Corinne are both not seeing what each other are ACTUALLY saying…
• Why is Jazmine trying to make piece with Corinne but making waves with Taylor?
• Corinne is living in her own world and doesn’t take other people’s perspectives into account. It doesn’t help when the whole focus of the women tell all was her.
• Kristina’s interview was beautiful. And yes Liz was right we should be building each other up and not fighting because their is something so much greater. That is like a smack in the face for sure.
• Yea two and ones are not ideal, but that is part of this experience that you SIGNED UP for. I think Nick handled his response to Danielle’s comments well.
• Rachel is gorgeous! I am so excited for her, and that is so awesome that the women are so supportive of her. It looks like no one thought ill of her.
• And Astrid’s comment about taking the left-overs was great!
• Nick and Rachel are still adorable together.
• In the previews, they are totally playing up that Nick can’t make up his mind and may end up alone, which is his biggest fear. One more week guys.

Favorites: I could not care less at this point. I go back and forth on who will end up with the final rose. Parts of me think Vanessa because I have loved her from the beginning, but I don’t think the relationship will last on account that they both won’t move to another country. Raven, I think has potential to get the rose but I just don’t see the longevity there either.