Potty Training - Day 1

We're actually on Day 3 now but these pictures are from their very first day. And as a disclaimer, we're not "officially" potty training, they're still wearing diapers (and probably will be for a long time) but we've informally begun the potty training process. And I have a feeling it's going to be a long, long process. I still have my doubts about whether they're ready or not yet and my biggest fear is that potty-training will drag on for a year and a half (ughhhh) but we're starting slow and planning to see how it goes.

Brandon had been asking me a lot recently when I was going to start potty training them. I thought "When am I going to start potty training them? Am I in this all by myself?" Pretty much since he's not here some nights and when he is, he's studying. So I gave him fair warning that if he comes home and the house isn't tidied up or the made-from-scratch dinners suddenly stop, it's because potty training eats up a huge chunk of my day. I never realized how many times each day kids have to try and use the potty. Or how long they need to sit there to make anything happen! And we've only just begun!

The first day, we saw no action whatsoever and I was ready to throw in the towel already, convinced that it was indeed way too soon to start trying. But yesterday, Cullen gave me the boost of confidence I needed to continue when he peed in the potty for the first time ever! I think it was actually an accident but I'll take what I can get at this point. He was incredibly proud of himself and repeatedly pointed to it and shouted "Cu-hen pee pee in potty!" Then it was time for his reward (a few M&M's) and he was literally shaking with excitement as I handed his candy to him. Jack asked for "em ems" too and was a little crushed when I told him he only got one for trying. It's becoming apparent to me that Cullen is a little more excited about potty training than his brother. Jack seems to have no interest other than sitting on the potty a few times a day in order to collect his single M&M. But we're only a few days in so far, hopefully he'll get into it soon!

And as additional incentive to stay dry and use the potty, I let them wear their Thomas underwear around the backyard for a little while on Monday. These pictures were taken as soon as they put them on. Good thing because the underwear lasted all of 90 seconds once we got outside. At least they waited til they were outside though :-)