At some point in every child's life, he or she has a "superhero" introduced into their life. For girls, it is usually a father figure (I learned that in my Psych class at Mercyhurst) and when asked who her hero is a girl will most likely reply, "my Daddy". For boys, superheros are usually the ones that they come across on T.V. or in comics (now a days, it's movies most likely); you know, Superman, Batman, Hulk, Ironman, the list goes on and on. I, myself had a superhero as well. The Incredible Hulk. I had a Hulk doll that I carried around with me,(it was larger than an action figure and made of soft rubber instead of hard plastic, hence it was a doll) the memory is vague at best, but I do have pictures of me with it.
These days you would be hard pressed not to find superheros everywhere you look, they seem more popular now than ever before. Christian Bale is Batman (Michael Keaton used to be,Val Kilmer & George Clooney were too and before him was Adam West on T.V.). Toby McGuire is Spiderman (before him was just animated Spidey). Robert Downey Jr is Ironman (AHHHHH). Superman most recently, in the movies, was an actor who's name escapes me (before him it was Christopher Reeves and George Reeves on T.V.) And lastly, The Incredible Hulk-my childhood favorite-is now played by Edward Norton (Some other actor played him in the first film, but was not very memorable and the T.V. Hulk himself was played by Lou Ferrigno-Bill Bixby played Dr. David Banner) Of course these Superheros are actually the altar-ego of an average everyday Joe and of course, they all have a sidekick to their hero and a damsel who swoons over them; this would be the same lady that they are secretly in love with and cannot have or the one they have but cannot tell their secret too. They must also posses the ability to be strikingly handsome, be it as the hero or the Joe. It must be so hard and confusing to be a Superhero. All superheros come equipped with super powers as well: web slinging, Batmobiles, turning big and green and scary, turning into a walking automobile, the list goes on and on.
My Superhero is no exception to this rule, he is handsome and strong with great hair and a beautiful smile. He has striking blue eyes and a laugh that is contagious. And his "Joe" name is, Lucas Vaughn Wychock. His superpower? Too many to list.
I did not notice at first that Lucas was an actual superhero. I mean, I knew he was special the moment I first laid eyes on him--but how special I would later come to find out. A few years ago, we had a porch put on our house that encompasses about 3/4 and it has a roof as well. Off of mine and Steve's bedroom we have a large deck that butts up against said roof. Every so often in the Summer, I will let the kids play out on the deck while I read in the sun or do work in the room--the deck has a railing all around it and the kids know not to climb or stand on the railing.
On a particularly warm Spring day about 2 years ago, I was cleaning the house and all of the kids were playing, but Lucas was nowhere to be found. I called for him in the house. No answer. I called for him outside. No answer. I asked the girls if they saw him, they said they had not. I searched all of the rooms and when I got to mine, I noticed that the door that leads to the deck was slightly ajar; WHEW, he's just playing on the deck. I peeked out the door, no Lucas. My heart begins to pound and I start to sweat, where could he be? He fell off of the deck! Panic has settled in me and I go outside and call his name:
Me: LUCAS! LUCAS! Where are you?
Luke: I'm right here Mom.
I look to the left and there he is, on the roof, walking toward me from the front of the house. Walking ON THE ROOF.
M: What are you doing? Didn't you hear me calling for you? How long have you been out here?
L: I heard you. I was sitting up here and I saw you in the yard. I waved at you, but you didn't wave back.
I am now begging him to come to me. You see, I am afraid of heights and was literally frozen in place standing on the railing, reaching for him. He walked to me as if he was walking down the stairs, hopped the railing and was in my arms.
M: What were you thinking? You could have fallen and broken something, your leg, arm, neck. (I just hugged him tighter) Please don't ever do this again. I was so scared that something happened to you.
L: It's okay Mom. I won't fall. I can't fall. If I would feel myself falling, I would just use my webs and pull myself back up. (Yes. He even poised his hands just like his Superhero Spiderman). And Mom, besides, if you would get scared out here, I would save you because I'm your Superhero.
And he is. So move over Hulk, there is a new Superhero in my life and he goes by the name, The Woog.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Potty Training 101, 102, 103 and 104
Oh yes, it has finally arrived...Aaron is ready to be potty trained; well maybe "ready" isn't exactly the right word. FORCED. Yes. Aaron is being FORCED into potty training. And so am I-Again.
101-Potty Training the First Child
Janet was born in November of 1998; a beautiful 7 lb, 15 oz blue-eyed girl. She was what one might refer to as an "easy" baby. She kept to her schedule, eating, sleeping; she did everything by the book: rolled over, sat up, walked, talked, you get the picture. So in the Summer of 2000, we found out that we were expecting an addition to our family in the Spring-PANIC-two kids in diapers? NO WAY! When my Sister-in-law, V suggested that we potty train our toddlers together, I jumped at the chance. Never mind that my nephew M is a good 3 months older than Janet and a boy, I wasn't even thinking that there would be a difference. I was going to have a potty trained child before she turned 2. Yeah, right. You see, what I did not realize at the time was that boys can go to the bathroom anywhere, ANYWHERE and they do. At a picnic? Find a tree. At the beach?Find a tree. In the living room? Find a tree. (He had a dog and would only pee outside with him--that is V's story so I won't steal it from her)
I asked Janet's doctor what he thought about this and he told me that Summertime is a much better time to potty train than the Winter; no more than that. Oh, and he does not believe in Pull-ups. Underwear from the start, diaper at bedtime, until the child wakes up dry for 1 month. Okay.I got this. I went to Toys-R-Us after leaving his office and bought a 30 pack of diapers, a potty chair and 2 books, "Elmo Goes Potty" and "I Can Go Potty All By Myself", for Janet not me. Although, I did enjoy the Elmo book more than the other.
Girls, they are different. There is no "drop and go" with them. Everything has to be planned out, to the minute. You have to stake out the restrooms at all of the stores and restaurants. You have to know where all of the rest stops are along the highway. Mapping trips into town based solely on where all of the convenience stores are, with "usable" restrooms. Vacations? Pack the potty chair-yep, potty in the back of the van. It took about 4 months, but by the end of the year, she was potty trained. It was actually uneventful, with the exception of a few minor "accidents" here and there and I learned one valuable lesson from this experience, they make Pull-ups for a reason.
102 - Easy Peesy I am a Pro - Potty Training the Second Child
In March of 2001, Riley was born; about 3 weeks early and full of spunk. She weighed an even 7 lbs and, like her sister, had big blue eyes. She also was by the book; 2 perfect children, who could ask for anything more? In December of 2002, we found out that we would be welcoming yet another member into our home in June of the following year. I had my work cut out for me. Riley would be turning 2 in March, the baby would be here in June, it takes about 6 months to potty train, I better start now. She was 21 months-old when Training Day arrived. I went out and bought the biggest pack of Pull-ups that Wal-mart sells, dusted off the old potty chair and was off!
I remember when my niece S was small, she went to a babysitter during the day and when she was 18 months-old actually asked to go potty and that was it. She went potty. She never looked back; she put on her big girl panties, got out her potty ring and well, you know the rest. I had visions of grandeur with Riley. She was the second born, I had experience, she wanted to do everything that her big sister did. Almost everything. You see, no one bothered to tell me that the second child is TOTALLY different from the first. I should have known when Riley, at 3 months, decided that she would not nap; Janet napped for 3 hours in the morning and afternoon and still went to bed at 7:00 and slept for 12 hours. Not my precious Riley, no more naps and she went to bed at 8:00 and slept until 6:00. She was different, in more ways than one...
First off, Riley refused, yes, refused to use the potty chair in the bathroom. I thought it was the potty chair, so I went out and got a potty ring (the ones that go on the toilet and are cushioned for little hineys). Nope. She refused the ring too. It was the bathroom. She hated the bathroom. So my brilliant husband saved the day and suggested that we put the potty chair in the living room. It worked. Riley is a very social girl, always has been and apparently in her little toddler mind she must have thought that by being in the bathroom she was missing something exciting in the other room. Perhaps those quick 3 minute parties that we are famous for?
This was good. Riley was progressing nicely for the first 3 days or so and then I noticed something, she had not pooped yet. Not in the potty. Not in the Pull-up. Nowhere, no how. No poop at all. Off to the doctor...the doctor informed me that she will go poop when she is ready and if nothing happens after 5 days, give her a little prune juice and that will get things going. NOPE. NOTHING. NOT A THING. Day 7 (2 days of prune juice) and finally she went, everywhere BUT the potty. I will not be defeated. I will not give up. Day 14, I went to Wal-mart and bought a pack of diapers. In March, she turned 2 and we decided to give it another try. Almost without incident, she jumped back on the proverbial horse and had the potty mastered in about 2 months (for the most part). She was a big girl now. And in June Lucas arrived. Uh-oh...
New baby. No more attention for Riley. I know, I will go potty everywhere except on the potty. Oh yes, on the floor, in her pants, on the bed, in the car, outside EV-ER-Y-WHERE, except the potty. She would not wear a Pull-up, or underwear only a diaper. Now I had 2 kids in diapers. One of my worst fears. By the end of the Summer, however, she had re-mastered going to the bathroom and has not looked back.
The one thing I learned from this experience? When they are ready, they will go...
103 - Finally. No More Diapers - Potty Training the Third Child (the one you thought was the last)
Lucas was born in June of 2003, 10 days early and weighing in at 8 lbs, 6 ozs also with big blue eyes. This was it, our last child. A boy. Almost immediately, I began fantasizing about my world without diapers...3 beautiful children, hand-in-hand skipping down the sun strewn beach...
Slap! That would be reality. And it hit me HARD 3 years later. Back to 103.
Jump ahead to the Summer of 2005, Lucas is now 2 and his cousin J is also 2. Again, I am in cahoots with sister-in-law V and we are potty training our 2 kids together. This time, they are both boys and I got this...they can go anywhere! Anytime! Yea me! Yea Lucas! SLAP! Damn reality. It was NOT easy. He had a "thing" for bathrooms. He was not afraid of them, he just needed to go into them. All of them. Every place that we went: "I have to go potty". Not really, he just had to go and check out the facilities, talk to the ladies, use all of the soap...needless to say, we did not dine out or shop often with Lucas during this time.
While I was in the midst of training Lucas, I caught a report on the Today Show where Ann Curry was interviewing this mom that began potty training her infant at the age of 6 months. "What the...6 MONTHS!" "That's preposterous!" Apparently, there is a whole cult of women out there that devote their lives to literally holding their infants over the toilet to make "tinkle" and "poo". Again, what the...? So, I watched and listened to this crazy explain in great detail the reasoning behind this concept...it saves on landfill space. What the...? So do using cloth diapers nimrod. But then again, who has time to wash all of those diapers when you are too busy holding your infant over the toilet every fifteen minutes; wait, you could wash those diapers if you weren't holding your infant over the toilet. It gets better. When Ann asked the tough question, "how do you know that the baby has to go to the bathroom?" The mother simply and quite frankly, replied, "you can read it on their face. They tell you by the look on their face." What look would that be? The one of shear terror as you are dangling them over the toilet? Whack-a-do!
Needless to say, it was too late for me to try this little "trick" ,Lucas was 2 and weighed almost 40 pounds. It was on to plan B. Except there was no plan B. Just wait it out. It took forever and yes, I asked the doctor about this. His reply this time? No child ever went to college wearing a diaper. So I paid my $15 copay and continued on my journey...a journey that spanned almost a year. Finally, in January of 2006 I had all 3 of my kids potty trained!
And in May, I discovered that I was pregnant yet again. No lesson this time, just tears.
104 - I Have Been Changing Freaking Diapers for 11 Years - Potty Training the Fourth Child
Aaron was born in December 2006 weighing 5 lbs, he was a month early. He was tiny and beautiful. He was also a mirror image of his big sister Janet--everything by the book. That is, until he began to walk and talk. We are just beginning potty training him. He is a tough one. Very head strong and opinionated. When his babysitter had a new addition to her family in 2009, Aaron lost his status as the cute baby and has done everything in his power to regain that status with her and with us. The journey has begun and is going okay so far...this is where I end the entry. I will post the final results when they come available. Oh yeah, he has not pooped for 3 days, I'm off to buy prune juice and diapers...
101-Potty Training the First Child
Janet was born in November of 1998; a beautiful 7 lb, 15 oz blue-eyed girl. She was what one might refer to as an "easy" baby. She kept to her schedule, eating, sleeping; she did everything by the book: rolled over, sat up, walked, talked, you get the picture. So in the Summer of 2000, we found out that we were expecting an addition to our family in the Spring-PANIC-two kids in diapers? NO WAY! When my Sister-in-law, V suggested that we potty train our toddlers together, I jumped at the chance. Never mind that my nephew M is a good 3 months older than Janet and a boy, I wasn't even thinking that there would be a difference. I was going to have a potty trained child before she turned 2. Yeah, right. You see, what I did not realize at the time was that boys can go to the bathroom anywhere, ANYWHERE and they do. At a picnic? Find a tree. At the beach?Find a tree. In the living room? Find a tree. (He had a dog and would only pee outside with him--that is V's story so I won't steal it from her)
I asked Janet's doctor what he thought about this and he told me that Summertime is a much better time to potty train than the Winter; no more than that. Oh, and he does not believe in Pull-ups. Underwear from the start, diaper at bedtime, until the child wakes up dry for 1 month. Okay.I got this. I went to Toys-R-Us after leaving his office and bought a 30 pack of diapers, a potty chair and 2 books, "Elmo Goes Potty" and "I Can Go Potty All By Myself", for Janet not me. Although, I did enjoy the Elmo book more than the other.
Girls, they are different. There is no "drop and go" with them. Everything has to be planned out, to the minute. You have to stake out the restrooms at all of the stores and restaurants. You have to know where all of the rest stops are along the highway. Mapping trips into town based solely on where all of the convenience stores are, with "usable" restrooms. Vacations? Pack the potty chair-yep, potty in the back of the van. It took about 4 months, but by the end of the year, she was potty trained. It was actually uneventful, with the exception of a few minor "accidents" here and there and I learned one valuable lesson from this experience, they make Pull-ups for a reason.
102 - Easy Peesy I am a Pro - Potty Training the Second Child
In March of 2001, Riley was born; about 3 weeks early and full of spunk. She weighed an even 7 lbs and, like her sister, had big blue eyes. She also was by the book; 2 perfect children, who could ask for anything more? In December of 2002, we found out that we would be welcoming yet another member into our home in June of the following year. I had my work cut out for me. Riley would be turning 2 in March, the baby would be here in June, it takes about 6 months to potty train, I better start now. She was 21 months-old when Training Day arrived. I went out and bought the biggest pack of Pull-ups that Wal-mart sells, dusted off the old potty chair and was off!
I remember when my niece S was small, she went to a babysitter during the day and when she was 18 months-old actually asked to go potty and that was it. She went potty. She never looked back; she put on her big girl panties, got out her potty ring and well, you know the rest. I had visions of grandeur with Riley. She was the second born, I had experience, she wanted to do everything that her big sister did. Almost everything. You see, no one bothered to tell me that the second child is TOTALLY different from the first. I should have known when Riley, at 3 months, decided that she would not nap; Janet napped for 3 hours in the morning and afternoon and still went to bed at 7:00 and slept for 12 hours. Not my precious Riley, no more naps and she went to bed at 8:00 and slept until 6:00. She was different, in more ways than one...
First off, Riley refused, yes, refused to use the potty chair in the bathroom. I thought it was the potty chair, so I went out and got a potty ring (the ones that go on the toilet and are cushioned for little hineys). Nope. She refused the ring too. It was the bathroom. She hated the bathroom. So my brilliant husband saved the day and suggested that we put the potty chair in the living room. It worked. Riley is a very social girl, always has been and apparently in her little toddler mind she must have thought that by being in the bathroom she was missing something exciting in the other room. Perhaps those quick 3 minute parties that we are famous for?
This was good. Riley was progressing nicely for the first 3 days or so and then I noticed something, she had not pooped yet. Not in the potty. Not in the Pull-up. Nowhere, no how. No poop at all. Off to the doctor...the doctor informed me that she will go poop when she is ready and if nothing happens after 5 days, give her a little prune juice and that will get things going. NOPE. NOTHING. NOT A THING. Day 7 (2 days of prune juice) and finally she went, everywhere BUT the potty. I will not be defeated. I will not give up. Day 14, I went to Wal-mart and bought a pack of diapers. In March, she turned 2 and we decided to give it another try. Almost without incident, she jumped back on the proverbial horse and had the potty mastered in about 2 months (for the most part). She was a big girl now. And in June Lucas arrived. Uh-oh...
New baby. No more attention for Riley. I know, I will go potty everywhere except on the potty. Oh yes, on the floor, in her pants, on the bed, in the car, outside EV-ER-Y-WHERE, except the potty. She would not wear a Pull-up, or underwear only a diaper. Now I had 2 kids in diapers. One of my worst fears. By the end of the Summer, however, she had re-mastered going to the bathroom and has not looked back.
The one thing I learned from this experience? When they are ready, they will go...
103 - Finally. No More Diapers - Potty Training the Third Child (the one you thought was the last)
Lucas was born in June of 2003, 10 days early and weighing in at 8 lbs, 6 ozs also with big blue eyes. This was it, our last child. A boy. Almost immediately, I began fantasizing about my world without diapers...3 beautiful children, hand-in-hand skipping down the sun strewn beach...
Slap! That would be reality. And it hit me HARD 3 years later. Back to 103.
Jump ahead to the Summer of 2005, Lucas is now 2 and his cousin J is also 2. Again, I am in cahoots with sister-in-law V and we are potty training our 2 kids together. This time, they are both boys and I got this...they can go anywhere! Anytime! Yea me! Yea Lucas! SLAP! Damn reality. It was NOT easy. He had a "thing" for bathrooms. He was not afraid of them, he just needed to go into them. All of them. Every place that we went: "I have to go potty". Not really, he just had to go and check out the facilities, talk to the ladies, use all of the soap...needless to say, we did not dine out or shop often with Lucas during this time.
While I was in the midst of training Lucas, I caught a report on the Today Show where Ann Curry was interviewing this mom that began potty training her infant at the age of 6 months. "What the...6 MONTHS!" "That's preposterous!" Apparently, there is a whole cult of women out there that devote their lives to literally holding their infants over the toilet to make "tinkle" and "poo". Again, what the...? So, I watched and listened to this crazy explain in great detail the reasoning behind this concept...it saves on landfill space. What the...? So do using cloth diapers nimrod. But then again, who has time to wash all of those diapers when you are too busy holding your infant over the toilet every fifteen minutes; wait, you could wash those diapers if you weren't holding your infant over the toilet. It gets better. When Ann asked the tough question, "how do you know that the baby has to go to the bathroom?" The mother simply and quite frankly, replied, "you can read it on their face. They tell you by the look on their face." What look would that be? The one of shear terror as you are dangling them over the toilet? Whack-a-do!
Needless to say, it was too late for me to try this little "trick" ,Lucas was 2 and weighed almost 40 pounds. It was on to plan B. Except there was no plan B. Just wait it out. It took forever and yes, I asked the doctor about this. His reply this time? No child ever went to college wearing a diaper. So I paid my $15 copay and continued on my journey...a journey that spanned almost a year. Finally, in January of 2006 I had all 3 of my kids potty trained!
And in May, I discovered that I was pregnant yet again. No lesson this time, just tears.
104 - I Have Been Changing Freaking Diapers for 11 Years - Potty Training the Fourth Child
Aaron was born in December 2006 weighing 5 lbs, he was a month early. He was tiny and beautiful. He was also a mirror image of his big sister Janet--everything by the book. That is, until he began to walk and talk. We are just beginning potty training him. He is a tough one. Very head strong and opinionated. When his babysitter had a new addition to her family in 2009, Aaron lost his status as the cute baby and has done everything in his power to regain that status with her and with us. The journey has begun and is going okay so far...this is where I end the entry. I will post the final results when they come available. Oh yeah, he has not pooped for 3 days, I'm off to buy prune juice and diapers...
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