Wow!

Isn't that a man?  Enjoying a good read on the potty

Playing until he wants to "go" again

Mom, are you coming?  Had to roll up his shorts - he's getting to where he doesn't want anything to touch his knees, especially if it's wet.  Toddler speedo?

Quietly eating lunch

Well, I wasn't planning on it, but we started some relaxed potty training today.  LJ woke up and put his little seat on the potty.  I thought it was for fun, so I played along, reading while he sat.  He went "tee-tee" almost immediately, and that has pretty much been the story of the day.  There are so many approaches to potty-training, (I have been reading...too much), and the one I felt most comfortable with since LJ is young is the gradual approach.  They say to just allow them to be unclothed or in big boy pants and let them feel what it's like when they go.  Don't fuss at them or run them to the chair, just offer it as a suggestion if they don't like wetting themselves. It's supposed to be more about feeling the "sensation" than training at first.  Anyway,  I bet LJ has successfully gone on the "potty chair" about 20 times today, most of the time just wanting to read with me there, but if he started going, he immediately went to the toilet to finish.  I am wondering what I got myself into!  Our easy days of "oh, you're wet, I'll just change you" may be over.  This may be something he wants to pursue.  If that's the case and he ever gets agitated, I'll make sure to pull off.  The research says if it becomes unpleasant, just wait a while and start again.  He's not ready for #2, so I put him in a pull-up, told him he could go, and he went.  They say not to push it, so I'm keeping it slow.  Still, I am amazed. 

I went to "date night" by myself tonight and told LJ's teacher not to worry about the potty chair, just offer it as a suggestion.  When I came back, he was wet  and she said he didn't want her to go with him!  I asked him if he'd like to go, he ran to the potty and went immediately.  Since being home, he has gone twice, and we have only gone through TWO diapers (pull-ups) the whole day.  

So, that's our day for LJ.  I know I've been "bragging" the last few days, but kids amaze me.  They are SO smart!  I had no idea he was even ready.  Aside from the pottying, he was SO much fun at the pool today - couldn't slow him down.  At childcare tonight, there were lots of boys and one baby girl.  His teacher said he'd play rough and tumble with the boys, (having a blast), then run over the baby and gently rub her head.  What a fun age!!  Until you have one, you don't know -- I will never look at little toddlers the same.  Their little brains and personalities are miracles.  

As for my "night out" - I brought a book and at at a restaurant near our apartment.  It was so quiet and so nice.  My food came quickly, and then I walked on over to the movie.  I stayed around LJ because I wasn't sure how he'd do - It couldn't have worked out better: the movie theater was in the same building as him!  

I finally saw WallE.  I am in love with this character.  His eyes are the sweetest thing.  As a child, I LOVED the movie "Short Circuit", and WallE is as lovable as "Number 5" was.  The cool thing is, though - these robots couldn't talk, so you were able to infer a lot and be creative with their language.  As far as words go, they really only say their names, and I couldn't believe how entertaining and informative their motion and body language were.  If you haven't seen it, you need to try.  It was a JOY.  I may not be the authority on movies, ( In the last two years, the only other one I've seen is Alvin and the Chipmunks), but I know enough to know that this one was good!

I hope your day was great.  We miss and love you more than you know!

Love,

Jamie

P.S. If this is more than you want to know, I'll tone it down :) It's like a journal - motherhood changes everything!