Potty Time=Party Time!

Ha! That is a lie.

This weekend we decided to cut diapers, cold-turkey.

Over our Memorial Day trip, Chris and Eli went swimming. When they came back to the room, we showered Eli and I didn't put a diaper back on him. He started using the bathroom on the floor of the hotel. I quickly used the opportunity to tell Eli what was happening and rushed him to the potty! He was very proud of himself and we had many successful potty moments on the trip in the hotel.

Things were looking very optimistic. I had ordered a potty chair; it was delivered on Thursday. I thought we better put it together to make sure it fit. Eli was super excited about it. He couldn't stop talking about the man in the big truck that brought his potty...he was going to use it like on "acation" (vacation) 

He even got to help me put it together...we were both wearing our construction hats- safety first!

Oh, he LOVED it. He kept asking to use it and would just sit on it for long periods of time...sweet bliss.

This was going to be a snap...

Saturday:

Saturday we had morning plans, but we took off Eli's diaper as soon as he woke up from his afternoon nap...

It. Was. Horrible.

I wondered if Hell was close to potty-training. (I still think it might be...maybe)

Chris and I were both frustrated beyond belief. It was very time consuming. Don't plan on doing anything else while using this method...even with two adults. Set a timer and use it.

We did make it through the day with the general concept down, but Eli's enthusiasm for his beloved potty chair quickly faded, as did his interest in M&Ms.

Saturday night we had Bible Study, so we slapped on a diaper and took the kids to church. Never have I been so thankful to see those nursery doors.

Sunday:

As soon as Eli woke up we took off his diaper. A few hours later we had church, so we slapped another diaper on and went on our way. The diaper came off as soon as we got back home...and if we thought Saturday was awful, Sunday was 20X worse.

I thought about quitting. I almost cried thinking that Chris got to go to work tomorrow and I would be stuck here potty training....(man, he owes me big time though!)

There was great crying and gnashing of teeth...from everyone involved.

Monday:

As soon as Eli woke up, I took off his diaper.

We have had two accidents and eight successful potties! Woot! It has been much better...

Here are pictures from Eli's favorite reward thus far... 

Playing with the water hose! I don't know if this was the best idea, but it worked! 

If you plan to do this soon, go ahead and buy the big bag of M&Ms...oh, and don't be on a diet. M&Ms might be a good treat for you too...

Eli actually asked to hold Ileigh today, so I had to get a picture! He is just so big!

Our next reward....more of the water hose...

In conclusion:

I decided to go ahead and put underwear on him. Some say to do everything naked at first. We started out that way, but then I got paranoid that he was just going on the floor and I wasn't noticing...pretty sure that happened.

Don't watch a movie or let them sit on the couch. They will be so "into" the movie that they won't think about what they need to do.

Go ahead and buy the "Party Size" M&M bag....it is going to be a party alright.

Having something to entertain him while on the potty is helpful like a quick book or a conversation about what colors he wants his M&Ms to be. Get on his level too. Eli does much better when I am sitting on the floor in front of him talking with him than when I am standing over him.

Find great rewards for him. Eli is loving playing my guitar, spraying the water hose and watching an episode of Thomas the Train.

Push the liquids. We made lemonade for Eli to drink...whatever you can think of to help give him plenty of "opportunity" to master his new skill.

 Keep in mind, Eli is almost 2 1/2. I know he understands every single thing I am saying. He understands the concept of rewards and he can tell me what he is thinking...I can't imagine doing this earlier when I couldn't tell if he was understanding or not and he didn't have the skills to say what was going through his little head.

Set a timer...and go by it. Our two accidents today were compeletly my fault because I wasn't using my timer. We did 25 min. intervals.

It has also seemed to help when I tell him "We can't get our Cars (the type of underwear he has on) wet, so you need to tell me if you need to go use the potty."

Well, that's all I got, friends. If you are planning on doing this soon, GOOD LUCK! I will keep you updated on our progress.