Monday, September 14, 2009

The Potty Chronicles


Since my experience in potty training my O was relatively easy, I fully expected that Joseph would be a licensed driver before he abandoned his dependence on diapers- that just seems to be the way parenting works.

Needless to say, my common mistake of underestimating my little guy once again revealed itself.

He was easier to train than O.....kind of.

After one morning, he knew exactly what to do and when to do it. After two days (and one accident at the always distracting park....where the poor slide will never be the same), he had mastered not only getting himself to a potty, but the always elusive art of "holding it". I couldn't have been prouder....even bragging a bit to anyone who hadn't seen the witnessed crime at the park.

Of course, bragging is always the kiss of death.

What my eagerness to believe and my mommy euphoria kept me from foreseeing was the all important passing of the poop. That has been, shall we say, not so easy.

He doesn't have accidents. He doesn't scream and cry. He doesn't do anything.....which is exactly the problem.

My little ray of sunshine has what we might call poop anxiety.

I know, I know.... who doesn't these days?

Nevertheless, my little keeper holds it as long as he can, hand over tush and full of squirmy dancing, before he finally gives in....an ordeal that takes entirely too long and too much pleading. Not only that, he'll maintain days of resistance before he cannot hold it anymore. Points for resilience, but horrible on all other counts.

So why share these trials in output? I'm looking for advice. The problem isn't about diet (he lives on blueberries, grapes, and water) and it isn't about accidents (he doesn't want to go anywhere).

The problem is simply about letting go.

Help, please.

Quote of the Day

"If there were no schools to take the children away from home part of the time, the insane asylums would be filled with mothers." ~Edgar W. Howe

Picture of the Day




The First Day of School

Friday, September 11, 2009

Picture of the Day


Summer's End

A Top 10 List of Excuses


So I have been deliberating on whether or not to finally bury the blog, which hasn't been so much neglected as completely abandoned. Though I plan to give one more go of regular blogging, me reasons for my most recent slogging are pretty extensive.


Consider the following:


10) The effort. I'm an "all or nothing" kind of person, which means I start something new with a cannonball and lots of enthusiasm. As the new endeavor gets boring, or taxing, or even obligatory, I choose to abandon it instead of giving my less than best effort.


9) Exercise. That's right....it can be a bad thing (sorry, Susan). For our anniversary, I gave my husband one of the few things he's always begged of me that I'd never agreed to until this eighth year of our marital bliss: the opportunity to work out together on a regular basis. Worried that his need to be "helpful" would trigger my need to hurt him (I hate being told what to do), I had always resisted his pleas. This year, however, my motivation to get back in shape and also find the perfect gift for my man coincided and we've been spending our evenings P90Xing ourselves (at least the truncated version). The good side? I've never been in better shape. The bad side? Less time to blog, or work, or raise my arms above my head....ouch.


8) Work. After finishing the last book, I jumped into the role of literary agent in attempting to help my Aussie friend get published stateside. Again, less time for blogging.


7) Creativity. I just haven't had a lot to say, though there's been plenty on my mind. It seems like every week I hear of some bad news to befall a friend, which means worry has become an all too regular habit. Needless to say, my prayer list has never been longer and my emotions have never felt so raw. The handful of friends struggling with tough times know who they are, and now they know how much I think of them.....and love them too.


6) Joseph is two years old.


5) Moving. Though nothing is pushing us out, we do want to move eastward before O starts kindergarten and gets ingrained in a school system. Needless to say, my desire to maintain clean carpet lines care of the vacuum is not at all reasonable during the day (see #6).


4) Writing. I do enjoy blogging, but I have returned to writing for myself as much as I can....which isn't much at all (see #9, 8, and 7). Anyway, after ghostwriting three books, it's high time I pulled off the mask and started putting my own names on some things.


3) Twilight. Why I ever decided to start reading the Twilight series is beyond me (a desire for some mindless reading, perhaps?), but I am finishing the fourth book in the series and it's only been a month. Obsessed much? I hate to admit I love it....and now I can't wait for the next movie.


2) Children. With so much time taken up by so many different things, I'm doing my best to give my all to the people who matter most. My energies go to them first, and then to exercise, and then to work, and then to writing, and then to.....what was that other thing? Oh yes, blogging.


1) Sometimes you just need a break.


Monday, August 24, 2009

Picture of the Day


Walking: Check
Talking: Check
Potty Trained: Check
First Nobel Prize: The judging was rigged
Licensed Driver: He's workign on it