Potty training update....and another first!

So, what's the verdict?? Well, we aren't 100%, "never gonna have an accident" potty trained....but we're pretty darn close and he is doing GREAT! He is at the point of being very consistent in telling me when he has to go, but not in holding it or waiting if we aren't really close to a bathroom. I've been putting pull-ups on him when we are away from the house, although I could probably get away with undies....just not ready to take that step yet. Just this morning, we were out running errands from 9:00-1:00 and he didn't have an accident! He told me he had to go while in Target, went pee-pee in Target...then told me he had to go when we got home. Overall, I think the plan was WONDERFUL! I think it has definitely made him aware of the whole potty process. Are we in the "accident-free" zone---probably not, but we're totally okay with that! We'll keep working over the next few weeks and eventually be 100% undies! :)

Look at this big boy! Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, eating breakfast, and playing with his favorites (McQueen, Thomas, and various other cars, trucks, and tractors)---and of course, he's in big boy undies! :)

On a side note, most of you know my craziness with peanut allergies. Being a teacher, I see and hear about HORRIBLE reactions to peanuts all the time, so I waited and waited and waited to give Cameron peanut butter. I finally caved and let him have peanut butter yesterday and boy did he LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! Oh my, he couldn't get enough! And with no reaction...we can safely say--we aren't going to be living in a peanut-free zone! yipee! :) And of course b/c I document and take pictures of everything Cameron does--here are a few shots of his first bites of PB crackers! Yummy! :)

One of my new favorite pictures...I just love that adorable little face! :)

Potty training----3-day style!

Ok, so I know a few posts back I said I was holding off on potty training for the moment....but after much thought, consideration, and research...I decided to jump back on the wagon and transform Cameron from a diaper-wearing baby...into a Hanes-wearing big boy! So, I researched and read NON-stop until I figured out what I think is the *best* method. Everything I read said the sooner you potty train, the better...especially for head-strong, independent children. In fact, the research says that 22 months is the perfect and best age to potty train. Since Cameron is 23, nearing 24 months...I went for it. The 3 of us made a trip to Target, bought LOTS of undies, stickers, treats, and prizes for the prize box...and went for it. The first step of our method: THROW AWAY ALL DIAPERS!!! The reason--> so Mommy didn't have a crutch..or fall-back plan in case potty training became a nightmare. We are in it for the long haul!

Cameron helped me, saying "bye bye diaper," as we threw away each diaper!

So long diapers!!!!!!!!

What I also didn't mention is this method guarantees potty training in 3 days, yes you read that correctly...potty trained in 3-days! That's my kind of plan! :) The most important idea of this method is that the trainer (ie. Mommy) is glued to the trainee's (ie Cameron) side ALL day for the 3-day period. It has been a MESSY and EXHAUSTING start, but I see improvements by the hour.

Day One: We spent a lot of time playing with cars, trains, watching our favorite red monster, making cupcakes, and reading. We didn't leave the house! It has actually been WONDERFUL to spend all this one-on-one, direct time with Cameron. I have literally been by his side the entire time!

He earned his first prize from the prize box yesterday morning for going pee-pee in the potty for the first time without an accident! As you can see, cars and trains are a favorite--especially Lightening McQueen and Thomas! :) Mommy has many more McQueens, trains, and Elmo treats in the prize box! ;)

We are now mid-Day 2 and what a change it has been. Cameron IMMEDIATELY recognizes that he has to pee-pee and starts running towards the potty with a little encouragement from Mommy. We started the day yesterday on his little potty...but have moved to the big potty today. He seems to like it MUCH better...which will make things MUCH easier when we travel and our out and about with errands and such. The trick we use--sitting on the potty BACKWARDS, so he feels much more secure and steady! Another trick, M & M's & stickers! :)

Another HUGE thing with this method is NO DIAPERS---even for naps and nightime. So far, so good. He stayed dry during nap yesterday and dry last night...only had a little dribble this morning b/c we didn't make it to the potty quick enough. He is napping now, so we'll see what happens.

It has definitely been a roller coaster couple of days, but we're gonna keep plugging away until he masters it! :)

As I said before, he LOVES all of his cars, trains, and tractors. They seem to follow us EVERYWHERE lately:

Window sills

On the stairs...

Breakfast, lunch, snack, and dinner! We have all these lovely guests at the table for each meal! :)

Riding around in my police car...of course!

Basically, anywhere you find Cameron...you'll find some, if not ALL of these tractors, trains, and cars. He seems to find a unique way of transporting them from place to place. :)
I'll keep you posted on potty training progress! Wish us luck and keep us in your thoughts :)

More water play....

iceSunday was very cloudy, but warm outside...so we enjoyed the afternoon in the pool & playing with water. Cameron loves, loves, loves his police car...so I thought it would be fun to wash it with some soap and water. It was covered in paint handprints, dirt, and spilled juice...so it was in need of a bath. Cameron enjoyed washing it....but not as much as he loved chasing Sadie around with the sponge trying to give her a bath! Silly boy!

Back in the pool after cleaning his police car....of course Sadie is right by his side!

Quick smile for Mommy! :)

More water fun....and my little surprise!

We have been BUSY this week! We have had playdates, trips to an indoor playhouse, pool time, park time, visits to Chick-fil-A, and many, many more things AND I am going to a children's festival tomorrow morning! I'm one busy boy! Here are a few pictures from today :)

Finishing up my milk from breakfast in my new snazzy shirt that Nana Bauss sent me! :)

Like I said on my previous post, it has been VERY hot here during the day. Hence the reason for all the indoor playdates and activities....so we decided to go out and play in the pool as soon as we were finished with breakfast. It was still H-O-T, but at least it was a little cloudy so it wasn't AS BAD as it has been! Cameron LOVED splashing water, pouring water on his head, and all over Sadie--very typical water play for Cameron! :)

Loving that water! Splash, splash! :)

Guess what Mommy bought me??? Here I am opening the box......

big smiles and all........ ....I got new Elmo shoes!! I can put them on ALL by myself and want to wear them all the time--I guess Mommy needs to find more clothes to match red!! :)

As soon as he opened them, he screamed "ELMO-SHOES-ELMO-SHOES," then immediately sat down and put them on! :-) Many times since, he just randomly runs over to me and touches his shoes, says "Elmo-shoes," then gives me a giant hug! I think he likes his surprise! :)

It's H-O-T!!

Boy, has it been hot this week--in the 90's everyday! We have been enjoying lots of water/pool time and indoor activities. The pool is a favorite for Cameron and Sadie, but we've found many indoor things we like also! Potty training is hit-or-miss...he started to get a little upset, so I backed off quite a bit. He still tells me when he has to go, I'm just not pressuring him to go to the potty every hour right now. He isn't even 2....I've got PLENTY of time! :)

Splish-splashin' in the water!

Cute face here...I snapped the picture just as he was saying "ooooooooh pooool, happy!"
More splashing!

One of our FAVORITE indoor activities--visiting Barnes & Noble playing with the train table. He absolutely loves it. Mommy gets to enjoy Starbucks while Cameron plays--perfect!
He just loves, loves, loves this! I'm definitely looking for a train table to add to the birthday wish list! :)

I think I hear someone waking up from nap! ENJOY!

Happy Monday!!

Happy Monday everyone! I say that with a little *sigh* because we have officially started potty training. Today is Day #1 in big boy underwear! So far, only 2 accidents this morning....so we'll keep you posted how the rest of the day and week go. :) Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Smiling and being silly at breakfast!

Cleaning crew, coming through! After breakfast--playing outside with Elmo vaccuum!
And...of course, under the table...gotta make sure you get all those crumbs!

Back to potty training--the ONLY way I can get him to sit for longer than 5 seconds...watching either Elmo's song or Ernie's song on my iPhone. Haha!

Still smiling at lunch! He is VERY happy today! :)

A little artist!

We have had a busy day already! The weather is BEAUTIFUL here-sunny, light wind, not too hot-PERFECT! So, we spent most of our morning outside. We went to the park after breakfast. Cameron had so much fun on the slides. He is FINALLY going down every slide all by himself, but he loves for Mommy to "chase" him down the slide. He thinks it is SO funny when Mommy goes down the slide--such a sweet little giggle.

After we got home, we watched Sesame Street...then headed back outside for painting & puzzles. The pictures below show Cameron painting one last flower pot--I wonder who it's gonna be for???

We painted with brushes & car wheels! Fun!

He truly is a little artist and loves to paint!

Water fun with Miss Sadie!

Cameron and Sadie LOVED playing with the water! Cameron laughed and giggled for at least 20 minutes STRAIGHT! Here is a short clip of our 2 babies enjoying the water on a HOT, HOT day!

Mommy's big helper!

Cameron & Mommy are slowly getting back into a routine of Mommy/Daddy rules---which has made it very pleasant being around a toddler that isn't have 15 tantrums a day! :) He just LOVES helping me in the kitchen, so I decided to make muffins this morning. He helped with everything: stirring, pouring, and putting the muffin cups in the pan--such a big boy!

Such a big boy--that he thinks he HAS to sit at the table with Mommy & Daddy. No more high chair for Cameron!
Sad face because Mommy said, "no salt on your muffins." :)

We've also played with puzzles outside today, took Sadie on a walk, and watched Sesame Street. Busy morning...so it's nap time for Cameron! :)

Now that we are back to a routine, daily posts and pictures shouldn't be a problem. Keep checking back for daily updates on our little man!

Outdoors Boy!

While we were in North Carolina, we went to a park--complete with creeks, trails, rocks, and dirt--everything a little boy loves! Cameron had a BLAST!

He loved exploring!

He loved hiking----splashing in mud and collecting flowers along the way!
He even drank from his very own Thermos!

Words cannot begin to describe how much he loved the creek. The water was a little cold, but that didn't stop Cameron. Even a few trips and falls didn't upset him for long...he is definitely an outdoors boy!

I didn't get too many shots of our park trip b/c I was busy keeping up with Cameron! More pictures from our NC adventures soon! :-)

ENJOY!