A Personality Bubbling Out

Isn't it fun watching little people's personalities emerge? They come out of the womb as these toothless, speechless bundles of sweet smelling goodness, and one day we notice something about their behavior that gives us a clue of what the future has in store for us all.

Wesley's first clue to us was probably when he was a few months old when we started to notice that he wanted a lot of attention. We didn't think much of it because most babies want interaction, but now I can see that was the beginning of his happy, energetic little personality bubbling out.

Now, he's almost 3 years old, and he is a busy-body! Wesley loves dumping things out, taking them apart, and making things messy, as much as possible. 

Big Boy Wesley

I began potty training Wesley by taking off all of his clothes and sitting him on the frog potty every 10-15 minutes. The first day there was little success. We continued until there were less and less accidents.

On days I was able to stay home I would try to spend as much time as we could outside. Clean up was much easier outside! However, when we wanted to venture further than the back patio, I decided to follow American customs and put some clothing on my child. We started just walking to the playground a few blocks away. Wesley would have an accident almost every time we left the house. One time he wet himself at the playground, and then dropped his pants and pooped right there in the sand. I couldn't just leave it there like some animal... So, I remembered my dad's Leave No Trace principles for the proper way of disposing waste, and I promptly dug a hole in a less played in area and used sticks to transport the waste into the hole. Then, we left as quickly as possible.

After the frog potty, we transitioned to “Thomas,” a blue clip on toilet seat. Wesley caught on quickly, and “Thomas” became an important part of the day. Transitioning to using the public restroom was tricky because Wesley would get really scared and curious at the same time in public restrooms. But, Thomas helped with that transition, and Wesley was using public restrooms (pee and poop) pretty soon.

However, whenever he needs to use the restroom he says, “THOMAS! THOMAS!” And that’s my cue to find the nearest bathroom. We had to carry Thomas around for a couple of weeks for every public restroom stop, but now we don’t use Thomas as much. Wesley learned how to climb onto the potty by himself, probably because his babysitter, Granny (Margie Hartman) isn't fast enough in helping him onto the potty.

When Wesley first started pooping on the potty he sometimes says, “There it is! Snakes!” as the poop comes out. However, he does know that snakes are also animals. I know he is going to poop because after I help him onto the potty, he will say, “Sit down!”

Doesn't he look cute in those undies!

It's Time to Potty-Train!

My son is now well past his 2nd birthday and still in diapers. I kept thinking of all the reasons to delay potty training... He is an extremely active toddler and there's no way he's going to sit or stand still long enough to pee. I read about the different potty training personalities from some psychologist expert, and my son would clearly be considered the "curious bear cub" type, which are the type that are more curious about the toilet paper dispenser than actually using the toilet correctly (and thus take significantly longer to potty train than other personality types). I also have a very inconsistent work schedule; I'm home all day some days and other days I'm gone most of the day. 

All of those reasons completely disappeared when I opened his bedroom door one day last week. I found him completely naked in his old crib. When I stepped into the room, I stepped in something soft and wet. My first thought was, "I think I just stepped in dog poop!" And then, "But, we don't have a dog!" He left a pile right in front of the door. 

But, it got even better. As I walked further into the room, he pointed at one corner of the room, and he said, "Mama!" as if he wanted me to find something else. I looked, and found another pile. I started laughing at my toddler's joke on me, but the laughter quickly stopped when he pointed at the other corner, and said, "Mama!" Another pile. 

I honestly didn't know if I should laugh or cry. I just stood there feeling perplexed about what to do next. My toddler was pacing from one end of the crib to other like a caged lion, probably because a light breeze on his naked, soiled bottom felt nice. 

I decided to keep him contained in the crib, while I consulted Google about how to clean up large amounts of poop on carpet. I soon found a website for dog owners about getting out dog poop from carpet. I figured this would be my most reputable website since dog owners would know most about dealing with fecal matter on carpets. 

I followed their instructions exactly: scrape off the poop with a brush or rag, soak the spot with Oxi-Clean, scrub the spot with a rag and soapy water. 

The instructions worked great, and not even the horrid smell remained. But, now that my son has figured out how to take off his diaper, he needs to know the fact we all know: poop belongs in the toilet.

Why Facebook Makes it Hard to be a Good Mother

I find myself on Facebook several times a day, and while I do not find much harm in scrolling through my newsfeed, I feel that it makes it harder to be a good mother. I do find some great posts topics that help me be a good mother, but not often.

These my reasons why Facebook makes it hard to be a good mother:

1. Because it provides temporary avoidance of monotonous motherly tasks such as picking up the oven mit thrown out of the drawer for the 11th time, or reuniting a lost sock with its rightful mate.

2. Because it shows the best talents of other mothers, without reminding me that all mothers have different strengths and weaknesses.

3. Because it announces all the worldly successes of my "friends," but fails to include what they have sacrificed to attain such successes.

4. Because posts that evoke strong emotion linger in my thoughts and put me in a bad mood.

5. Because it gives me a false sense of accomplishing something.

Why People Don't Make Their Beds

I finally figured it out after I became a mother! I assumed for years people didn't make their beds out of laziness or apathy. Boy was I wrong. This morning while my baby napped I started making my bed. As I made my bed, I realize that I was still very tired. Nonetheless, I pressed forward. But, as I arranged the sheets and blankets I found myself not pulling them across the bed, but pulling them over myself! My tired body won the battle and I was soon fast asleep. 

So, I came to the conclusion that people don't make their beds because they are afraid of falling asleep in them and forgetting their responsibilities!

A New Mother's Definitions:

1. Mom tired- a term used to describe a mother's exhaustion caused by her continuous efforts to provide nurture and care for her children, regardless of the level of exhaustion.

2. Morning- a continuation of nighttime marked by breakfast.

3. Nap time- a possible source of temporary silence and relaxation.

4. Pajamas- the proper attire for playing, chasing, and caring for small children.

5. Hair- an entirely useless possession that must be strictly withheld from small children, otherwise serious injury may result.

6. Germs- completely nonexistent for small children and utterly invasive for mothers.

7. Cuddles- payment received by mothers for their incessant care of their young offspring.

Why Waste Words?

Women are often told to make life simpler.
Well, here you go.
I am a new mother and I want to share my stories.

This is the beginning of my journey in motherhood.

(Written before the birth of our son)
September 8, 2013

To my son

I haven't met you yet,
But I've felt you from within.
You are a part of me.
Soon you will be out
And I will teach you much.
So much love to give.
I want you in my arms,
To watch you grow and learn.
No matter what,
I will always love you.
You will always be my son,
And I will always be your mother.
I have prepared for you
And as you grow,
Your spirit grows too.
I feel you are a tender soul.
You have quiet strength
For you are our miracle baby.
I pray for you everyday,
And I can't wait to meet you
My little one!