Gummy feast

10 Jun 2011 1 Comment

by Cocktails With Hemingway in Adam, Coupons, Parenting, Pets, Potty training, Zeus

Posing with all his loot!

 

Ask and ye shall receive: those incentives spurred Adam to action with his numero dos business. Upon waking from his afternoon nap– his first day of his summer program as a ‘Mini Mozart’ left him completely drained– he excitedly announced he had to poop as he sprinted to the bathroom. “There’s a worm in my potty!” he squealed with delight. We burst into applause and showered him with hugs kisses. After we cleaned up he was escorted to the kitchen where Will presented him with five Krabby Patties, assorted gummy candies, and a Bug Juice. He was ecstatic and we were so proud of our big boy!

Overall today was the perfect summer day. All of us got a kick out of Zeus running around on our bed for a good bit before we washed the sheets. My leopard gecko is the coolest. I swear, I’ve never had a pet that wasn’t filled to the brim with personality.

Adam and I slurped our popsicles and Will turned on the water for us. It didn’t take long for the three of us to get sopping wet as we played a game of tag in the front yard. How much fun I had frolicking around like a little girl! I cannot even recall how many years it’s been since I let loose and ran through a sprinkler on a scorching day. This is something I’ll be doing at least once a week.

Patrick came over after Adam went to bed. As much as I try and distance Will from my friends [there is a reason for this- I definitely need to make a blog about my husband], I have no problem introducing him to those I am closest to. We sat around drinking tea and chatting. Summer is just a different time altogether. =)

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,

Sloane

Krabby Patties and Bug Juice

05 Jun 2011 Leave a Comment

by Cocktails With Hemingway in Adam, Motherhood, Parenting, Potty training

Incentives for pooping in the potty....

My only objective with Adam in terms of potty training is no pressure.  He’s been using the restroom for months both in his frog potty and in our toilets, even in places outside of home, so he could get acclimated to the transition without being overwhelmed.  We made the decision to keep him in diapers even though he is good at telling us when he needs to go– but ‘big boy underwear’ [which we'll sometimes allow him to wear for a bit] is a privilege for those who won’t be going to the bathroom in their pants.  I’ve always felt it was unsettling to plop a child down on the toilet and leave them their until they go.  Not to criticize anyone who does this but it’s simply not for our family.  Positive reinforcement, and our gradual approach, has worked wonders when it comes to communicating about his needs.

However, all of his business has been of the liquid variety.  Adam does his number two once a day….approximately five minutes after we put him down for his nap.  It’s his attempt to buy some time as he knows as soon as he announces his soiled diaper [one or both of us always has a monitor plugged in while he's in his nursery] we’ll rush in there to change him.  Seeing as how he must be fully potty-trained before school this fall, the time is now for him to master the art of pooping in the proper place– so we’ve upped the ante and given him and incentive of FIVE Krabby Patties and a bottle of Bug Juice.  Needless to say he’s very intrigued with the loot so here’s to hoping he gets his treat and some snazzy new big boy underwear sooner rather than later.  ;)

With infinite love, gratitude, and respect,

Sloane