Sunday, January 24, 2010

One Down, One To Go

Hunter will be 3 in March, and  he still uses the two things that are "supposed to" be gone by the time your kid turns 3...diapers and pacis.  My plan had always been to potty train first and then get rid of the pacis.  Hunter just loves his pacis so, so much that I was dreading the day I had to rip him of that joy. 

But we are going nowhere fast with the potty training.  He'll sit on it...He'll stare down into it to make sure nothing's coming out...He loves to flush it...Two or three times he's let some drops of pee enter into it.  That's as far as it goes, though. 

So last week James and I decided the kid is probably still going to be in diapers on his 3rd birthday. (Even though I keep telling him they don't make diapers for 3 year olds to which he responds, "I use potty in March."  Right.  Because he has such a good understanding of what March is.) So our only choice is to take away the beloved pacis.

Today we took him to the store to exchange the pacis for a toy (thanks Julie!  got that idea from you!).  Here's how it went...

Once we pulled into the Target parking lot, we let him have all four of his pacis.  Of course he had to smell them for a while.  (I know it's strange, but he does this every night to put himself to sleep...sucks on one and smells the other.  Sometimes he'll even balance the one he's smelling on his nose instead of holding it up with his hand.  I love his quirkiness).

When we got to the toy section, we went up and down all of the aisles and he pointed out different toys that caught his eye.  First he saw a handy manny computer.  Then a firetruck...

Then a gumball machine...

And several other toys that I didn't photograph and of course now can't remember.  Ultimately, he decided he wanted the handy manny laptop computer.  So we went back to it and took him out of the shopping cart so he could leave his pacis on the shelf and pick up his new toy.  He was really excited, but had no idea at this point that the pacis were gone forever...
We started to walk away, and he exclaimed, "My pacis!!!" as he ran over to grab them and quickly put one in his mouth...
(Of course he chose the only one that was touching the nasty Target shelf to put into his mouth.)

We explained that the pacis were staying there and we were taking the laptop home instead because he was such a big boy! and big boys don't need pacis! and we were so, so proud of him!!!  Surprisingly that seemed to satisfy him and he waved bye bye to his favorite night-time friends...

I was surprsingly emotional throughout this entire process...literally choking back tears y'all.  I was not prepared in any way for this reaction, but just kept thinking how proud I was of him and how hard this must be for him and most of all how I cannot even believe that my sweet little boy is old enough to get rid of his pacis.  How did this happen?  When did he get so old?


When we got home, James and I put away the groceries, and when we were done, this is how I found H...
Where better to use your new computer than at the computer desk?

Bedtime went pretty well tonight.  He pulled out some new stall tactics that he's never used before, but we got through them quickly.  I lost count after the 8th time of asking for his pacis.  He never broke down, though, and I really did feel so proud of him when I closed his bedroom door.  I love that kid so much.  He makes my heart happy.  Proud and happy.

10 comments:

Crazy May Days said...

Oh Carole, I am SO proud of you and Hunter!!! Molly did great but I cried right along with Gabe that first night! I tell you... these little guys are SO resilient. Take away my comfort and I would pout for weeks! Glad it worked so great for you!

Kaitlin L. said...

Great job, Hunter! So, did you really just leave the pacis there, or did you swing back by to throw them out? So funny! Logan didn't potty train until after 3, either - and, it was definitely much easier when something "clicked" and it literally took a couple of days!

Anonymous said...

I love that he says "I use potty in March" Hilarious!

Trina said...

Wow, that got to me, made my heart cry. Your Dad took Katie's away when she was about 2 1/2. I remember it so well. We were all in the living room on the floor and he told her that we needed to give them to the garbage man. I don't remember why he told her that we had to cut them up, but he helped her with the scissors and in two pieces that went..well four, she had two pacis. Then they threw them in the trash and took them out for the garbage man. I was emotional too, but she did so well that night and every night after. I am so very proud of Hunter and of you!

Mom

Rikki said...

this story made me choke up too, carole. charlie took his night-time bottle till about 2 1/2...we finally phased it out, but i was still sad for him. he's not potty trained either, by the way. we'll see how long that one takes!

Katie said...

Vanesa was potty trained just 2 months before she turned 3. Zack was potty trained several months after he turned 3. It will happen, when he's ready. From my experience, boys are harder to train than girls. So proud of Hunter, it sounds like he did great!

abby said...

Act like you don't care if he ever uses the potty! This works in my house with Leah. Anything she knows I want her do she refuses... waits until she thinks I don't care anymore and then does whatever it is. :)

I don't want to think about the day we have to give up the beloved STOPPER. Love this story and these pictures. Priceless!

Unknown said...

That was sad, but happy at the same time. As moms, all these milestones just mean our babies are growing up and that is bittersweet. I let Max stay in diapers way too long b/c I wanted him to stay a baby for as long as possible. It worked out...when we finally potty trained (4 months after he turned 3) it was super.super easy. We didn't have any accidents or him regressing. Another mom had once told me to wait until they are 3 and it is less stressful...so true. By this time undies with characters mean something to them and serves as a good motivator. So just wait...hakuna matata...no worries.

Brandie said...

OMG Carole, that was a super sad post!! Taking pacis away is very hard, good job to you both and of course Hunter!!

Marcy said...

Yay, Hunter! What a big boy! Too bad I can't take my kid's thumbs away... Love you and your fam!