Potty Time: Day 3 Recap

Day 3:

All day it was just her and I because Hubs had to work so you can already see where this is going. She wore me out, running back and forth to the potty by 10 am.  I assumed that by Day 3 she would pretty much get it and run to the potty every chance she could, but boy was I wrong. She turned to holding it in. She would release some pee where she stood and when I ran her to the bathroom she would sit down for two seconds, hop up and say, "All Done." I was getting upset because I thought all of my efforts the entire weekend were for nothing. I was also scared that she would hurt herself holding it in, but I was reassured that this would happen and that she is just trying to get used to this new concept. 

By the time her dad came home I was exhausted and eager to tell him about the day and the challenges we faced. Once he started taking her and talking to her she went like clock work. She made me out to be a liar. Or better yet she was showing off for daddy. I don't care as long as I knew that she had it. I must say that all in all this was an experience and we accomplished the main goal, to get her to recognize when she has to go to the potty. It took a lot of patience and teamwork, but we did it. We now have a semi potty trained one year old. She is wearing her big girl panties. She is growing up.

Potty Time: Day 2 Recap

Day 2:

The morning started the same lecture and the releasing of the diaper. This time I ventured off a little and put panties on her because it was a little cool in the house and I did not have space heaters as the program calls for. It wasn't such a bad idea, but Rhy Boogie liked the free aspect better and pulled them off immediately. So I just let her rock like that. One thing we learned from Day 2 is timing. Hubs figured out that after giving her something to eat or drink we wait 30 minutes and then put her on the potty. Within those 30 minutes we would ask her every 10-15 minutes if she needed to pee pee. Of course she would say no, but when she was ready she would start to pause every couple of seconds. That is how I knew she was trying to hold it. 

There was one draw back today and that was at one point she began to pee on the floor and I ran to her and rushed her to the potty. I scared the heck out of her and she was terrified to get on the potty afterwards. My mom had to coax her back on and get her comfortable. She did not want me anywhere near her when she got on the potty. I was upset a little, but I understood. Rhy Boogie and I made up and we were a working team again. 

Potty Time: Day 1 Recap

Whew! We got through it. We did it. Potty Training has officially started and I am super proud of the progress I already see with the 3 Day Potty Training Program. Rhy Boogie is such a quick learner and she was actually a good sport most of the time. Here is a recap:

Day 1:

We woke up Saturday morning around 7:30, immediately I took Rhy Boogie's diaper off and told her that from today on she will not be wearing a diaper. I told her that when she feels like she has to go potty (she already knew what going to the potty was) she needs to let mommy and daddy know or run to the bathroom. Of course she just stared at me. It was the funniest thing ever, but she got it.

I felt like giving up time and time again, but I knew that I had to keep going for her. Plus I did not want to confuse her or force her to hate the potty. I just simply took a deep breath and pushed through it. I have been peed on more than I can count, but towards the end of the night she recognized the sensation of having to pee pee. She would tense up and look at me. I would rush her to the bathroom and she would finish there. I was so happy and excited that she was getting it.

Day 1 was a process, but we got through it and came out on top. Proud of our little one and ourselves. If you are on day 1 the one thing that I can say is have patience. It is the most trying day of the whole process, but you can do it. I have faith in you like I had in myself and my husband. Stay tuned for Day 2 and Day 3.

Preparing for Baby Number 2

OMG! OMG!OMG! Someone please give me a baby between the ages of 0 to about 6 months to borrow for just a teeny bit, like maybe a week or two. I promise I will give him or her back. I have a serious case of what society likes to call, "Baby Fever". I want another little ball of joy bouncing around the house again. But the timing is so off right now. I still want to enjoy my little Rhy Boogie just a little more, but the baby fever is kicking in. Rhy Boogie is only one and to have another one at this time is probably not the best idea seeing as how she is about to be two in less than four months, that will be too many milestones (good & bad) to go through with two kids. I do know that I want them to be close in age, but I'm not sure how close. My husband shutters at the mere mentioning of another kid so I am left to dream alone.

All I can do for now is plan and make sure we are super ready for baby number two.  I put together a little checklist on some preliminary preparations for another baby. If you have any more to add to the list please feel free to leave them in the comment section and I will add them.

It's Potty Time

 Let me be the first to say I was not ready for this day at all, but it's here and as I begin to plan and figure out my method I am getting more and more excited. My baby is growing up and it makes me so sad. I cannot believe I have an almost 2 year old on my hands. Someone slap me please. I have researched every method from A to Z and I think I am most comfortable with the 3 Day Potty Training strategy outlined in Julie Fellom's diaper free toddler's program. Some of you may have heard of this and for those of you that have not heard of this method click here for a more in depth explanation: 3 Day Potty Training.

Some may frown on this because they believe it rushes the baby into potty training. I disagree because the first thing that is required is that you be ready and your toddler is showing signs of readiness. I am a lets get this done type of individual so this method is perfect for me. Rhy Boogie has been showing signs since she was 15 months, but I was not ready. Not in the least bit. I need to be prepared and I wasn't. But I am now. Equipped with all of my materials and I'm ready for battle. I will be documenting her progress and my feelings on it all so please stay tuned. Day one starts on January 18, 2014. Wish me luck!

*Please excuse the blurry Iphone pics

Kanye West's Lesson Learned

As we may know, Kanye West is under investigation for allegedly hitting an 18 year old man for shouting racial slurs at Kim Kardashian and threatening her life. If you have not heard about this you can get the full story here. I understand that racism still exists in this day and age, but as the receiver of it all one must know how to handle it. Kanye was enraged as anyone would have been, believe me I probably would have been angry as hell, but going after the attacker who didn't physically put their hands on you is not the way to handle it. I'm not in no way shape or form trying to throw Kanye West under the bus. I'm just learning from his actions and teaching my child how to handle these situations.

I'm not usually the one to put celebrities in bad light, but this story brought up a lot of questions and fears for my child. In just a few short months Rhy Boogie will begin her journey in school; she will  be going to daycare. Of course I'm not expecting crazy antics of this kind to come about, but you never know. I just want to make sure Rhy Boogie is equipped and ready to handle this type of situation in the proper way.  As an African American I have had my share of racist comments thrown my way, but as a classy and self-respecting individual I handled every situation with dignity. Here are a few ways that I plan to teach Rhy Boogie how to handle this type of situations and bullying.

6 Ways to Handle Bullying:

*Remember you are not the problem there is nothing wrong with you. It is the bully that has the problem.

*Treat others as you would like to be treated.

*Be confident

*Tell someone

*If you can, walk away

*Don't try to control the uncontrollable.

Be Greater

I took a look in the mirror the other day and I began to see all of my imperfections. Yes I got depressed a little, but not for long. I realized that when ever a new year comes along you begin to see all of the "New Year, New Me" topics. It makes you pick at the negative things about yourself and what you need to improve. Look I'm all about improving, but at this point I'm pretty happy and if there is anything I want to improve on it is the things that are pushing me forward. For example, my family life, my marriage, my business, and my friendships. Flaws will always be there and improvement on them is always best, but sometimes we need to take a step back and pat ourselves on the back. Take our successes and improve on them. Make them ten times better than they already are. This all may sound crazy but while all is up and happy I want it to stay that way. If my flaws are not detrimental to my health, then I'm not going to worry about them. Not yet. Maybe during the summer. So be happy loves. Enjoy what makes you thrive. Push to be greater than you already are. Life is too short.