It's Potty Time!

Note: If you're not interested in a potty training lesson or don't care to read about pee and poop, go ahead and skip this (insanely long and wordy) post!  As you can imagine, we're quite excited that Mason has reached (and conquered) this milestone, and since I use the blog as my main documentation/baby book, this is where I'll make my notes.

We've been talking about using the potty for months with Mason.  He's shown the typical signs and knows when he is going or has just gone to the bathroom.  We never fully pushed using the potty, just asked if he was interested in or wanted to.  He always said no, and we left it at that figuring that when he's ready it will happen and will be the right time. 

The biggest hurdle Mason had to overcome was sitting on the potty without being afraid/getting off...and actually making something happen. In the last month he's been peeing out of his diapers during the day making puddles on the floor (occasionally) and soaking his pants.  And peeing out of his diaper at night (even though we moved up a size) soaking his bed and waking him up (about 2-3 times a week).  He would ask before peeing if he was going to get soaked.  Or, after going he'd lay down (on the carpet or outside on the cement!) and say that he was soaked and needed his diaper changed.  Understandably, none of us involved enjoyed these particular events, and therefore we started talking more seriously about going on the potty: if you'd go on the potty, this wouldn't happen; let's go on the potty before bed so you don't have as much pee at night to wet your bed.    

After some practice time getting comfortable on the potty (above picture) and a shopping trip with mommy and Nonie where Mason drank his share of pop at Five Guys Burgers, Mason peed on the potty for the first time!  He was often keeping his diapers dry after nap time (in the evening), so we knew he could control it.  I told him not to pee after we left Canton and when we got home he sat on the potty while daddy read books and mommy sat in the bathroom with them.  Almost without thinking, Mason peed! (Thursday, March 7)  We were so excited, and so was he!  That was what he needed and over the next few days he'd sit on the potty (not without whining and crying beforehand) and eventually the pee would come out.  After a few times, he was able to learn how to make the pee come out and it didn't take him 5-10 minutes of crying and reading books to make it happen.

 I got serious about this potty business on Friday, March 15.  We were in the routine of peeing before nap and before bed, and sometimes in the morning after he woke up.  After several days of more consistently dry diapers, Friday morning was the first day in undies!  Mason was dry when he woke up (Thursday night to Friday morning) and I asked him if he wanted to wear underwear.  We didn't have anything going that day, so I knew we'd have time to talk about going to the potty and be home to keep up with it.  I didn't do the whole drink a bunch of liquids and sit on the potty all day, but I read some info from a friend who used two methods and I took my own spin from her notes.  We'd been to Target on Thursday, the day before, and picked up a new DVD for the first poop on the potty and a set of tools for the first full day of dry undies, no accidents, and poop on the potty.

Overall, the transition to underwear was pretty seamless for Mason.  As with most things with him, when he's ready or on board, it goes well and without too much strife.

On Friday (first day in undies) I asked if he wanted to wear them for nap.  I told him if he stayed dry and peed after nap, that we would get ice cream as a reward.  He did just that and was excited to go with daddy after supper to get an ice cream cone at Guerne Heights!    

Mason still wears diapers at night, but always goes to the bathroom right before bed.  Of course, being two and a half, Mason knows how to stall bedtime and often will say that he needs to pee again before getting in bed.  On this particular night (March 18) he told me he had to go again.  Since we were early on in the potty training stages, I didn't want to tell him no, so we went downstairs, he sat and peed and promptly announced to both daddy and mommy with a shrug of his shoulders, "see, I had to pee!".  Then we asked if he had to poop (since he had yet to go in the potty, with two accidents in his underwear) and he said yes.  So, we left the room and closed the door leaving just enough room to peek in...and he went!  So at 10:00 pm, we had a little party in the dining room while Daddy was trying to work! A first poop in the potty means you've gotta celebrate no matter the hour!  He earned his "first poop in the potty" present, a new Curious George DVD with the promise he could watch it the next morning. 

Mason learning the fine art of reviewing tax returns.  He was soon off to bed...

And the big day...March 19!! Mason earned his big potty present and was so excited!  His friends have this tool set and he loves to play with it, and then he saw it at Target with daddy and said he wanted it.  We didn't buy it on that trip, but when browsing the toy isles with him on Thursday looking for rewards, he spotted this, picked it up and put it in the cart.  He wanted it and I knew it was just want we'd need as incentive!  It worked and he's so happy to play with it! After a full day of staying dry, going in the potty and pooping, Mason is the proud owner of this 42 piece tool set.  And he loves it!

During those first days of potty training we talked a lot about staying dry and I'd ask him often through the day to check to make sure he was still dry.  We only gave him a "potty treat" when he went to the bathroom.  We used mini-M&Ms and they were a hit.  Mason knew what his rewards were and kept asking about them...so that method worked for us.

Now, we've had our share of accidents (more good days than bad) over the past couple weeks in underwear, but Mason is no longer wearing diapers other than to bed at night.  He has good control and I have no problem taking him to story time, music class, the grocery store, church, etc in undies.  He's been really good and I'm so impressed and proud of him! He's even starting to tell me when he has to go, rather than me just telling it's time every hour or two.  And with that, we're a diaper-free house for the next two months! It wasn't our intention to be potty-trained before the baby is born, but the timing worked out perfectly and I'm hoping it will be normal enough that Mason won't regress.  Yea!!

And there you have it...Mason Kempf's potty training saga 2013!

Easter Egg Hunt #2

Today was the annual Easter egg hunt put on by the Kidron Community Council.  Since Brian's president of KCC, we had to be there, but would have gone otherwise.  Lucky for us, today was one of the nicest days we've had all week!  It was still chilly, but the sun was shining and there wasn't any snow! (To see last year's KCC egg hunt, click this link: 2011 egg hunt and note how much Mason's changed!)

 Brian giving instructions on which age groups should hunt in what area, how many eggs to pick up, where to put your empty eggs, and to come back and enjoy pizza after finding all the eggs.

Even though Mason was pretty sure we should play on the playground first and then do the egg hunt, he was willing to find a few eggs before making time for more important things! (He really could care less about what's inside the egg, and after finding a few he's pretty much done!)

I was a little surprised...Mason wanted to take a picture with the bunny and also wanted to follow her around.  He was quite interested in it!

With my arm I'm saying, "really, you have to take a picture of me?!" It was cold enough that I needed to zip my coat up, but was just barely able to do so.  I felt pretty squeezed!!! And judging by the picture, it looks that way too.

 Enjoying pizza donated by Kidron Pizza and visiting with friends we haven't seen over the winter months.  Glad for a nice day, and fun on the playground once we were done eating!

Life Lately...(February)

I think I had this post started a few weeks ago and never finished it...some of these pictures are going on a month old!

Mason coloring and signing his Valentine's before delivering them.  He's not much for coloring or other crafts at the moment, other than craft time at the library.  When a glue stick is involved, Mason's game!

Silly boy climbed into the sink of his play kitchen.  I took a picture of him, and then he continued to "cheese" for more pictures.  He climbed in on another occasion and asked me to take a picture!

I am now 30 weeks...see what I said about being a month old?!

In an attempt to curb winter boredom, we made Nutella Cupcakes (which I wouldn't make again).  Mason was all about manning the mixer on/off switch and speed.  Big helper!

And licking...I caught him dipping the spatula into the already poured cupcake batter!!!

Mason stayed overnight at Nonie and Grandpa's house one Friday night in February and Nonie sent me this picture on Saturday morning.  Cinnamon toast in front of the tv at the piano bench...looks like a good way to start a Saturday!

You can barely see him, but Mason is posing with Corduroy and Curious George at the library.  He loves these big, life-sized stuffed animals.

Obviously Mason has learned the fine art of stuffing your face with just the right sized handful of popcorn from his grandpa (and daddy!).

Can I just say, this little boy loves shopping!  He is quite a good shopper, especially when you give him time to "play" on the things he likes:  the big holes outside of Target and the Snoopy Car at Babies R Us.  He asks to go to Babies R Us almost every day to ride the Snoopy car.  And we have to hit his favorite stores (Target, Marshall's, Old Navy, and Bed, Bath, and Beyond) or the trip's not complete! He's so funny!

Old Man Winter, we're over you!  Good thing Mason is two and very resilient - he can ride his trike in any weather AND enjoy it!

60 Degree Sunday

Last Sunday was one of those warm spring-like days that puts you in the mood for spring!  Then it also brings on the disappointment every moring when you awake to cold, rain, and gray skies! We're ready for more warm, sunny days please!  No more winter!

 We hurried home to mom and dad's house after church so that Mason and Brian could go exploring before lunch.  Heading out on their first adventure of 2013!

Mason loves to tromp around in the pasture...lucky for him, his daddy loves it just at much as he does (or more!).

Of course, Mason wanted to stomp in the creek and ended up more wet than when the adventure began!  

 Checking out the "very hollow tree", as they named it last year.  It makes Mason look so tiny!

 After lunch Mason was back outside!   He had lots of trikes and bikes to ride and didn't want to miss a minute!  He was so glad to be outside, and has since decided he needs to be outside every day, regardless of the temperature or precipitation!  We were there later in the week and although it was snowing to beat the band, Mason was outside riding his pink bike.  I couldn't stand it - it was literally awful, but he didn't mind a bit!

 Convinced mommy to take him for a spin on the car.

 After we got him to come inside, he and Nonie snuggled for a while reading books.  He's become quite the bookworm and insists on reading lots of books!  It's so hard to turn him down!

 After a nap and walk with mommy and Nonie in the stroller, Mason was back to riding his bike. In the week since he's been riding it, his his ability and comfort with the bike have improved much!  He goes much faster and can get himself going without a push.  He's going to have so much fun playing outside this summer!

Mason and his pink hand-me-down Princess bike from Myah!  We have no shame!  And he loves it, as you can see!

Easter Egg Hunt #1

In keeping with tradition, we had an Easter egg hunt with our small group on Saturday night.  Even though Easter was still two weeks away, we couldn't skip the fun activity the kids look forward to!

 It's fun to look back at the posts from 2011 and 2012 and see how the kids have changed! (Click 2011 and 2012 to see the posts.)

 Mason and Veena were much more into it this year and were excited to find eggs.  Each child had their own designated color making it easy for them to find the right amount of eggs.  This year Mason was yellow...and I think Veena was about to take one of his eggs!

 Although he knew what to do, Mason still needed a little help in spotting the eggs.  If he would have had hot pink or blue, he might have spotted them quicker.  The yellow was quite light and blended in with the grass and leaves more than the bright colored eggs.

 Showing off his egg!

This was egg #11, the last one Mason needed to find.  After daddy counted how many eggs he had in his basket and told him he found them all, Mason said, "yea, now I can go ride trike!" That's all he cared about, folks!  He had spotted several trikes and bikes in the Shue's garage and couldn't wait to go for a spin!

After the egg hunt, the kids played outside for a bit but the adults soon got cold and we all headed inside to eat supper and empty the contents of the eggs!

Insta-Life: February Edition

Life via Instagram...February style.  When adding pictures to this post, I realized I didn't upload much to good 'ole IG in February...must mean we had a pretty slow, wintery month with not much out of the ordinary to document! 

 Mason pulled his hat halfway off and then asked me if it looked funny.  Of course!  Then I took a picture and he wanted to see it for himself!

 Mason decided to play school after church one Wednesday evening.  He had so much fun telling daddy where to sit and pointing to the white board.

 It was so sunny Mason asked for Grandpa's sunglasses while riding in the truck one afternoon.

Moving right along... and trying to remember to document baby boy #2!  Don't want to start off on the wrong foot in the picture taking department before he's even born!

Brunch at Bob Evans after church on a Sunday morning.  Mama forgot the bib and was forced to contain her stress while this pancake-syrup-sticky-sausage mess occurred! As you can see, Mason thoroughly enjoyed dipping his chocolate chip pancakes into his little cup of syrup.  But he is a product of his mother and wanted to be cleaned up once he was done!

 Late night Valentine's "crafting".

 As you can see, I was feeling a bit crafty in the month of February (totally unusual) and this project tested my limits.  It was a Valentine's gift for Brian that I was trying to start and finish on my own, but I had to break down and ask him for help because I was ready to throw in the towel.  Luckily he got me back in business and the finished product is just what I was going for!

 Happy 30th Birthday daddy!

 Enjoying spending time with daddy at his office on his birthday!

 There were still traces of snow on the ground and the temperature hovered right around 32, but Mason was so happy to ride his trike outside today.  At least the sun was shining!

 No sunshine in the forecast had me feeling a little down and wishing for a visit to sunny and warm LA!

 Happy helping mixing grape juice for breakfast for supper.  He was so excited to pour and stir!

 Waiting in line at the car wash.  Although he desperately hates the car wash, he was more than happy to sit in the front with mommy to make it a little less scary.

 Two and a half year old on the left, mommy on the right.  He was so happy to help and even closed the drawer.  Mommy got a good chuckle when she opened the drawer and saw how Mason had arranged the diapers!

Books and snack time before bed - these two love it!