Summer Begins

I’ve had an exciting week. The boys have been full of energy and are always ready to be on the move. We have focused on potty training as well as trying to begin more of an organized routine around here.

I made myself a chart to go by which includes time for Bible, reading/alphabet, math/numbers, health, art, history and activities. I tend to be too ambitious when I start things like this so I’m trying to hold back my idealistic vision and go with a realistic approach. It went pretty well this first week. The boys were cooperative and seemed to like everything we did. I did not show them the chart or tell them we are following one, I’d rather just see how it goes for a while first. We went to the library’s summer reading kick-off event and got to see Safari Greg and all his animals. On Thursday we went to Chloe’s birthday party and on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, the boys played outside with our former neighbor boys. They hooked up the hose and sprinkler and the six boys were running around, spraying each other, and having a great time. I miss having them close by. I really only followed my chart on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. It seemed to work well to have Friday as a more relaxed day. I will probably start again on Monday armed with one week’s experience, last week’s notes and a few suggestions to motivate me.

Ivan has had a monumental week. On Monday we stayed in the kitchen most of the day and I took Ivan to the potty on a constant basis. I set a timer and it got to the point that every time the timer went off he would run to the bathroom. It seems to have worked. He got a Skittle if he actually went in the potty and he stayed dry most of the day. Tuesday, he did even better and eventually told me when he had to go potty. He had a couple of accidents that afternoon. I was pretty tired during all of this, the pressure gets to me emotionally and I had a hard time with his accidents. I think I begin to feel like I’ve failed if he’s done well and then all of a sudden has an accident. I wasn’t angry with him, just myself. Anyway…each day has progressively gotten better. There’s more on his progress on his blog as well. The night before last he got me out of bed to take him to the bathroom and this morning he woke up dry. I’ve had him in a pull-up during the night and let him take naps in his underwear. So far, no accidents there. As of Thursday, he has not been given Skittles when he goes. He has made up his mind that he is a big boy who goes in the potty and hasn’t needed the added incentive. I’m so, so, so proud of him. I honestly feel like a burden is lifted in this process. I think I’ve been dreading it so long that it has hovered over me as a silent irritant.

I also have to admit that my back has been bothering me. On Tuesday it started hurting and it still hurts today. It got better for a while on Wednesday, but I had to work in the nursery that night and it got worse by the time that was over. 14 screaming babies is not good therapy. Yesterday again, it seemed to improve but it is still painful this morning and will probably take a few more days to right itself. Thankfully, I have not been crooked or completely immobile. I cannot do bed rest right now…I thought through that scenario for a minute and had to stop, as it was not improving my state of wellness. I blame potty training for this one. My expectations of myself have kept me tense and I have not responded to this as I should have. I’m still learning how to recognize when I am stressed. I honestly don’t feel it until I’m ready to explode.

In more encouraging news…IT RAINED! Yesterday, the clouds were present for a long time before finally relinquishing their bounty. It felt so good to see that rain. Listening to rain on my windows is one of my very favorite things. Today again, promises to bring us more of the lovely wetness.