Photo Friday-Gusties Will Shine Tonight

While he's always looked cute in his U of M Gopher gear and the Harvard onesie Nanny bought him was adorable, I'm pretty sure he'll be a Gustie when he grows up--- he's heard that's where all the smart kids go.

He looks pleased to follow in his Mommy's footsteps.

And We're Potty Training....

Seeing as how the two year mark is quickly approaching (someone hold me), we've decided to start loosely introducing Tyson to potty training. The kid already tells us when he's pooped, gets out diapers and wipes for us, and actually helps to wipe himself. I'm convinced that if we don't start the training now we'll end up buying Tyson diapers for the rest of his life-he'll just eventually start changing himself. I'm pretty sure a ten year old in diapers won't be cute. Even if he can change himself.

We've had the potty in his room since he turned 1 and he's actually been pretty receptive to it. He's eager to sit on it and claps for himself when he goes in it. He's gone pee in it twenty or more times and has even managed to poop on it twice. I checked and that qualifies him as a child prodigy. That said, I'm fairly sure that up until a few weeks ago any results we achieved were mere coincidences.

In an effort to vamp up the introduction to the potty, we created a potty chart for Tyson that now sits in his room next to the potty. I divided the chart into three sections so it will hopefully grow with him as we start to focus more and more on training. The first section is for peeing, the second is for pooping and the third is for staying dry during a nap/night. If Tyson successfully completes any of the above he gets a sticker to put on his chart. We had considered giving Tyson a small candy when he went, but found that most of his "successes" were coming at night-right before bed. Giving him candy before bed seemed like we were rewarding one battle, but creating another. I like sleeping, so, luckily for us, stickers are just as cool as candy in our house.

I've also made a concentrated effort to allow Tyson into the bathroom with me when I go. It's awkward to pee with a toddler watching you, but he does clap for me when I finish.

We decided to work potty time into our routine. For now, we are only opting to focus on the potty before bed and naps. If he asks to go other times we'll certainly let him, but we're only asking him to sit on it before bed and naps. We usually read books to him while he's sitting on it while constantly reminding him to put his pee-pee/poopy in the potty.

The results thus far?

Two stickers in two weeks. I realize that this doesn't seem like much, but I'm actually more proud of those stickers than any of the twenty mere coincidences he achieved prior to now. He finally seems like he understands what he's supposed to be doing when he sits on the potty. He focuses on trying to go rather than being surprised when he actually does.

After a few months of this, we plan on having a potty weekend devoted to full time training complete with books, big boy undies, constant sitting on the potty and rewards. I'll be sure to document this weekend so I can properly embarrass the crap out of Tyson when he gets older. Let's just hope the crap that I embarrass out of him ends up in a potty instead of a diaper by that time.

August

Despite the recent lack of posts and what the below pictures might lead you to believe, we haven't fled the state to join a carnival. We also haven't purchased a petting zoo. Or a goat. If we start to seriously consider any of the above, I'll let you know in advance so you can buy stock in hand sanitizer and guarantee yourself an early retirement.

August was spent keeping Tyson entertained by letting him pet random animals. Dirty animals are like crack for a toddler. Honestly, if we would have let him, he could have stayed in any of the below places for hours. Possibly days. Next time we need a babysitter, I'm considering hiring a cow.

Our first stop was the MN Zoo. In the past, we've only taken Tyson to the Como Zoo-it's free, a bit smaller and easier to maneuver with a toddler, and oh, did I mention it's free? While the Como Zoo is nice, we were well aware of the difference the price of admission can make after spending the afternoon at the MN Zoo. The animals there didn't look sad (big plus for me). They also had interactive exhibits that allowed Tyson to pet barn animals and touch sharks. REALLY, we were able to TOUCH sharks. Daddy and I were equally as impressed as Tyson was.

Next, we visited the petting zoo at Woodbury Days. Petting zoos are odd. And kind of gross. Tyson was able to pet a chicken, a turtle, a goat, a cow, a lama, and a sheep. A few items to note about the petting zoo; the chicken and the turtle shared a coop/cage, the lama looked like it might not make it to the next stop, and the cow was "sleeping" for a really long period of time.

Finally, we made our annual mecca to the State Fair. The State Fair with an almost 2 year old was SO much more fun than the State Fair was with an almost 1 year old. Tyson was so enamored by everything we saw. And ate. He loved the cinnamon rolls for breakfast as much as he loved counting the pigs in the barn. And his smiley face chicken fingers were just about as much as watching the horsies run.

We have no future plans that involve goats, horses, or pigs. Tyson is a bit depressed. I'm breathing a sigh of relief and packing away the Purrell for awhile. Hopefully the down time will help me to be more timely with blogging. We've got a birthday approaching and I need to make sure the cuteness of this time is appropriately documented.