Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Raising monkeys.....






Well, not quite but when the monkeys girls scream "pee-pee mommy" it's a mad dash for the loo. Yeah...potty training. Twins. I know, you're thinking "oh, what fun". Lol. As most know our parenting style is a bit unconventional...Yes, we parent and yes, we discipline and no, I don't reward for bad behavior. Shame, shame. However our parenting works for us. Although I promised myself before bringing them home, "I AM going to have them off the bottles by 12 months, *snort* AND I AM going to have them potty trained at 18 months. *bigger snort* But, once home with our daughter's we realized we had other issues to tackle. Attachment issues. (contrary to popular belief institutionalized children do not bond instantly) We were in no hurry. They needed to know they could trust us. Forever. So, no we didn't confiscate their bottles from them at 12 months. This was our time to bond with them. They did however wean themselves off of their bottles by the time they were 18 months old. They gave it up. Ours was an easy transition. They decided. Besides I was in no hurry for them to "grow-up". Not yet. I loved nothing better than rocking them at night as they stroked my cheek. We still do this. So, it was no surprise when they initiated potty training. As I reminded my "mil" numerous times when she asked "are they potty trained"? when they're ready that's when we'll train. Not until.


These are some of the things I've learned while potty training. I had no idea how exhausting potty training was going to be. For me!!! I think I've lost five pounds with all the jumping up and down and running. Did I mention running?!?! I also understand why they were so content in their diapers!

1. Never, repeat never ever, ever leave the girls unattended together in the bathroom. On discovery of why they were so quiet I could be found face down in the toilet fishing an entire roll of paper out of toilet. To which they giggled "mommy, pee-pee". What I don't know is if they had actually pee'd in toilet. If so, this would have been "progress".


2. Don't ask ever "do you have to go potty". They always respond with a healthy "no, potty mommy". I was brought up that "No" meant no! I can see I've got my work cut out for me.


3. Be prepared to move your easy chair and kitchen into the bathroom. Just as soon as I'd sit down the other one would go running and yelling "pee-pee mommy, pee-pee". We took many meals on the pot.....



4. My girls have a future in obstacle course racing. Real talent here. Running through the house with their panties down around their ankles yelling "wipe my butt mommy"!


5. How quickly they learned to carry the piss potty above their head. Full. And not spill a drop.

6. How much I would grow to love the "bye-bye pee-pee" song the girls sang each time they used the toilet. And even more when Katie poo-poo'd. She would smile and wave "bye-bye Katie's poo-poo, bye-bye chocolate"! lol..... I'll never view chocolate quite the same.


7. How they would have to go pee-pee so intensely and splash out little more than a grasshopper! It would take them a year to fill a cup at that rate. Gives new meaning to the word "pea bladder"..........

8. How they could take off running to the loo and get to the potty, pants down, yet spray all over the floor. I too have done this( back in the day) but an all night bender....you remember, right?!

9. Or after asking (right before leaving the house) do you have to go to the potty and both say firmly"no". But after strapping them into their seats they would squeal "mommy, pee-pee". My response, "you are kidding, right"? Shit.


10. Hearing the water in the loo but discovering that they're washing their hands in the pee-pee potty!

11. How comfortable I became dragging the potty around with me like a body part....everywhere!


12. Laughing that the girls went through four rolls of toilet paper while at my parent's home. In two days! And not stop up the toilet!!


13. And my favorite...what was I thinking when I decided to take a road trip (of more than 5 minutes---in a car) in the midst of potty training. By myself. Oh, what fun!

But, we're getting there. Only diaper at nap (yes we still take an afternoon nap) and at bedtime....I can only imagine what driving will be like...g-d help us!

24 comments:

Sophie's Mom said...

Wonderful words of wisdom there. I will not leave the house without Sophia going pee FIRST (not an option in this house). She'll insist she doesn't have to, but I tell her we'll go once she does. She's reluctant... but it saves me big time to be stubborn and do it that way! She's got a decent sized bladder, and that will usually get me by until we get back home from errands.

You've got all the fun x 2 - it just makes me smile...

Sam said...

HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! They are doing so well potty-training YOU! I'm lucky. Kieren can go 3-4 hours without a potty accident! Hang in there. It will happen soon!

I see you are getting comfortable with the new program! Looks great! I'm so proud of you!!!!

*smooch* Miss you!

Kim N Jeff said...

Still laughing :) Had the pleasure of helping potty train my niece but still not the same as when they live with you...

LaLa said...

You are cracking me up!!! Good luck....I should have gotten our "pee pee in the potty" dance on video : )

Kim said...

Sounds like the girls are doing well at potty training..
LOVE all the pictures..
You are doing well at the digital scrapbooking...
I wish I could learn how to do those..
Do you print them and put them in the book for the girls??
Have a Great Evening..
Thanks for stopping by ....

redmaryjanes said...

I am so with you right now. I also get to come and see the stinky poo poo! That's the highlight of my day : )

Steffie B. said...

OMW....you totally crack me up! Love the buns pics....I will do my best to email you this weekend and help you get your pictures bigger. ;)

E. said...

When you say "we still take an afternoon nap," does that include you? If so, I'm jealous as hell!
Mazel on the potty progress. It's the lesser of two evils: you exchage the heavy diaper bag for the sprints to the nearest public (gasp) potty. When the mini-potty wasn't available we were place upon the throne backwards so we were not able to fall in. It was a habit that became commonplace at home, as well.

kerri said...

ROTFL!!
We are 14 days and counting for dry pants, only pull up at bedtime!
I just love how we can pee(no negotiating on this one)before leaving the house, soon as we reach our destination, they have to go again. We know every washroom in the province of Ontario, LOL!!
I never leave Jillian unattended in the washroom, she has emptied whole container of liquid soap in 2seconds flat,unrolled toilet paper rolls and shoved them into toilet(plugging it)and fingerpainted with toothpaste, yikes!!
Oh the stories we will be able to tell, thanks for sharing your advice, noted and appreciated.

The Byrd's Nest said...

Love those nakie little tushies! I have the same theories that you do except I haven't even attempted potty training. Lottie is almost three and 1/2 and she could do it if she wanted BUT she doesn't therefore she is not. I get SOOOOOO tired of people asking me how come she is not potty trained. Emma Jane only came home a year ago so she may not even potty until 4 1/2....who knows????

You always make me laugh!

mommy24treasures said...

the porta baby bjorne potty was goes wherever we go, saved me the time of going with them to the potty all the time. just poured it in the sink like you mentioned in your road post. We keep one out by the pool, one in the car, They have to go several times when we are at the park and thats easier.
Your babies are growing up :)

cougchick said...

As long as they are potty trained and not sucking on a bottle and/or thumb by the time they graduate from high school I think it's all good....

I'm impressed with the no spillage above the head thing. They are slick chicks...

jennifer said...

One good thing about boys is when we were on a road trip and they had to go, we'd pull over, open the side door of the van, and they would point and shoot. Nobody even had to get out of the car!

They'll get it eventually - I promise!

Maia said...

You should write a book:
The Bad Girls' Guide to Potty Training

And your potty collage? Brilliant.

Jewels of My Heart said...

Nicholas is 10 and if we don't remember to make him (empty out) before leaving it is certain we will be visiting a restroom somewhere.... and then there is me..... I could be a spokes woman for Depends some days. lol
You are a wonderful Mommy!

AmyO said...

OMG that is so funny! Olivia's gone on her potty chair twice to do #2. I throw her on it when I notice she's "pushing". She's 20 months old now...I'm not sure if she would tell me she needs to go yet. I've heard to train kids in the summer so its easier to get their clothes off, since they usually have less clothes on. So hopefully this summer Olivia will be ready so we can give it a shot :) Congrats to you!

Kristy said...

Awesome word of wisdom!!! The joys of raising twins!!! You are AWESOME!!! You make me smile every single time !!!

Love, Kristy

Yoli said...

That is so cute Rony and I love the pictures. Our girls are the same age. I have the same pee situation when I am going out. She claims she does not need to go and then once she is strapped in and around the block she claims she needs to go. Now I have a strict rule of not going out until pee has been produced.

Dianne said...

Too funny Rony, great words of wisdom! Aaah, washing their hands in the yellow stuff, lovely. It won't be long before they are totally there, I was so thrilled when our girls were 100% trained! Looks close, and they are cute as ever!
BTW I'm tagging you, from one twin mom to another.

Lauren and Ed said...

Ohhhh! I like your new collages you created. Looking good! Your girls are a riot! They would fit in well with Mia!

Julie said...

it makes my head hurt to think of potty training 2 at one time! I was lazy and just waited for Mae to tell me she wanted big girl panties. We were a month shy of being 3 but it worked.

Julie

Operationtigerlily said...

Get this: I potty trained my two in a weekend. Done. One of the few mommy duties I got right. Motivation: Doodies bigger than Dallas need not be in child's pants.

RamblingMother said...

Oh My Yes!! Oh and the touching every public potty and every thing in the public potty.

Beverly

3 Peanuts said...

Oh I laughed so hard! Potty training one is so hard...I could not imagine two at the same time! Hope you are enjoying your new job!