When Carson has poop, he will go to the bathroom without telling us, and usually in less than one minute (seriously), he’s done. We think part of the reason for his speed is that he holds it (usually throughout the school day) until the very last moment.

He signifies that he’s done by saying in a monotone voice, “will … you … wipe … my … butt?” Sometimes we don’t hear him (e.g. we’re in the basement and he’s upstairs), so he really has to yell.

***

For Braden’s birthday party this year, we rented out a gym, per his request, so that he and his friends could play football and basketball. Brian refereed the games.

In the football games, the kids were more organized than in the basketball games, which saw almost zero passing and kids arguing with Brian on every call.

It’s obvious Braden really, really likes playing sports. He also received two more footballs as gifts.

Journal birthday, potty training

Well, no sooner did we show excitement when Carson used the potty unprompted that he’s now refusing to use the potty anymore (yep, back to diapers). And Carson will hate us later for saying this, but he wets the bed every so often, while Braden almost never did.

At least Carson is starting to dress himself. He will pick out his own outfit and get dressed, though sometimes his shirt, pants and/or underwear are backward. He also has been putting on his own socks and shoes, so it’s starting to make Brian’s mornings a little easier.

The next step is for Carson to buckle himself into the carseat, as Braden has been doing for a while. Carson can do the top clasp, but the buckle is proving too hard (it’s even hard for us!).

Speaking of mornings, Braden is often making his own breakfast, which entails putting a frozen waffle in the toaster. (Both kids still frequently help themselves to snacks in the pantry.)

Finally, we’re happy Braden has finally learned how to tie his shoes. He just doesn’t tie them tightly enough, so he frequently is walking/running around with his laces untied.

Journal new skills, potty training

On Monday, after we put the kids to bed, we went downstairs to watch TV. We heard some footsteps upstairs, and we assumed Carson was hanging out in the hallway as he often does when he can’t fall asleep. Instead, we found him without pants or underwear. Apparently, Carson had to poop, and for the first time, he went to the toilet without prompting from us (he didn’t flush, and he still needed our help with wiping).

As Carson typically hates using the toilet since we gave up diapers a few weeks ago, this was a major accomplishment!

Journal potty training

Earlier in November, we realized Carson could climb over the wall of his crib when he appeared suddenly in the hallway after we had put him to bed. So the week before Thanksgiving, we converted his crib to a day bed. We unfortunately didn’t record when we did this for Braden, but we feel like we held out longer for Carson.

Carson didn’t sleep well in the day bed intially. On a couple nights, he asked to sleep on the floor. Then for a couple weeks, he asked to keep the overhead light on. Now he sleeps on the bed with the lights off but the door ajar and the hallway lights on.

***

During the week of Thanksgiving, we put Carson in underwear to try to potty train him, and we failed. He peed in several pairs and almost pooped in another before Kristin caught him. The only way we could get him on the training toilet was by giving him candy, though he still didn’t go.

Apparently one of the teachers in Carson’s class told him it’s time to say goodbye to diapers. Carson responded by saying goodbye to the potty! He’s so smart and funny.

We’ll try again during winter break. Right now we’re battling Carson’s unwillingness, not necessarily his inability.

Journal potty training

A couple of Fridays ago, Braden’s teachers called us because he may have eaten a peanut or something else that was in the same container. When Brian arrived, Braden seemed shaken up, but only because the teachers were so closely monitoring him.

When we got home, Braden’s eyes puffed up slightly, and the doctor’s office said to give him some Benedryl (the first sip he puked up, but he swallowed the second sip just fine) and to monitor him. Fortunately, he didn’t have any trouble breathing, and he seemed in better and better spirits as the day progressed.

We think that Braden didn’t actually eat a peanut but maybe a raisin or whatever else was in that container. In the meantime, we got another refill of his EpiPen.

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Braden no longer drinks his soy milk. This just occurred over the past week or so. He won’t tell us why he doesn’t like it anymore. He has proven he would rather be extremely thirsty than to drink even one drop of milk.

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Braden is getting better and better at potty training. At home, he’ll often head to his potty to pee (sitting down) without our prompting. He still won’t poop in the potty, though.

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Carson smiles so much more easily than Braden ever did. When we smile at Carson, he’ll often smile back. He’s also discovered his thumb, and he’s able to calm himself down by sucking on it (Braden never did this).

Journal allergies, potty training