I can officially announce.....

We have a potty trained little boy!!!! I feel like this has been a long process, but in reality it's only been a few months of work! I am so thrilled and looking forward to no more diapers.

This post will include stories about going #1 and #2 so if you aren't interested... stop reading NOW!!!

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Okay, for all of you mama's or interested people I will continue. We started potty training a few months after he turned 2. He rebelled and was not interested so I immediately stopped because I didn't want it to be a miserable experience for either one of us. I attempted again in September because of Tyler's persistent frustration with diapers. He got a hang of sitting and going pee and was always very excited to go. He was rewarded with stickers and other little cheap items which kept the momentum going. Other parents may object to the bribery, but hey, I think whatever works! However, he was not interested in standing or going #2. He would have his big boy underwear on and then go poop! I was able to start timing when he would go and make sure I put a pull up on him during that time. Anyways, we moved into our house in October and I was commuting from our house to my mother in laws then to my school. He would always have an accident because it was a long drive so I reverted back to pull ups. I knew it was wrong, but I could not deal with the constant accidents. I have put school on hold and in December started 100% focusing on potty training. He loves standing while peeing because he looks just like daddy. Going #2 was something we have struggled with. Up until two weeks ago, he wouldn't tell me or he would tell me and then fight with me on the toilet. It was really sad because he would just cry on the toilet and I felt so bad about it. Recently, he started telling me he had to go #2 and for the past two weeks it has been a consistent pattern of going in the toilet. I was so impressed. He was rewarded with Crystal Light Sugar free Popsicles. :) We have stopped rewarding for going pee which he was quite upset about but then forgot about it. He is also VERY good about holding it if we are driving and a toilet is not close.

We haven't had an accident in two weeks straight. He goes # 1 and # 2 before nap time and sleeps his two hours . We are still struggling with night time potty training . He usually wakes up around 1am and goes pee and rarely does he go in his bed. But, I've been told it takes a little longer for boys to grasp that so I'm not too worried. I am just ecstatic he is finally #1 and #2 potty trained!

SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WORKED FOR US

We had this book in the bathroom. He loved reading it on the toilet. It also has the cool button for flushing the toilet!

We learned that using the potty seat helped him when going #2. I am not a fan of the traditional children's potty seat. I wanted him to get use to going in the toilet so it wouldn't be an issue if we were at a store. He is able to go #2 at the store on a regular toilet but at home he uses this chair still.

These pops were on sale at Safeway for 99 cents. I grabbed a punch and they are perfect little treats for him. Sugar free, 15 calories, and cheap? I'm all over that!

Apparently, I am the most productive when sick :)

First off, I absolutely hate being sick. It has caused an EXTREME damper on my exercise schedule as well as healthy eating. I am not hungry so I am not eating, which will be frustrating when I get my appetite back. I also haven't been to the gym for two days straight. I am trying to relax so I will be well for cycle tomorrow. Please pray for me! I have a goal and this sickness cannot get the best of me.

For those of you who are updated by our families blog I probably should discuss my new desire to lose weight. This has not been a relatively new goal-in fact, I have had this goal to lose the weight since Ty was born. Being the dreamer I am, I felt like once I popped out Ty everything would magically fall off. Well it didn't. I was exclusively breast feeding so I had heard that was awesome for losing weight. Apparently that alone and eating a massive amount of calories doesn't cause you to lose weight. Darn it. About a year or so after I had him I got really into it. I got so into it I was lost about 10 lbs in a month. I was very impressed with myself and then... the dreaded plateau. Yup, I plateaued and tried for two weeks to lose and I just stayed at the same weight. I was frustrated and stopped working out and eating well. Then six months later, I had the same goal. I was doing really well for about two months then my back started hurting. I had x rays, mri's done and I found out I had arthritis and a herniated discs in my lower back. I had epidural steroid injections and it has helped a lot. But since then, I have been freaked out about working out because I do not want to overdo it.

It's not like I don't want to lose weight. I do. Believe me, I do. It is a mixed emotion with not ever being 100% into it and being scared to injure myself. But, I decided to make a goal to lose about 8 inches by Ty's birthday party. I have about 2 1/2 months to go. Which hopefully I can do. I am following a strict and fun eating plan and working out at 24 fitness. So far I have lost 1.5 inches in my thigh, upper arm, waist, hips and 2 inches in my bust. Tyler is not too happy about the latter. I have been very determined and working out has been very fun. I take the classes 24 offers which is very good for me because I can't run on the treadmill so I am able to do a structured cardio.

So wish me luck. Thanks for everyone who is keeping me motivated on facebook. I really appreciate it and it helps me keep going when working out is the last thing I want to do.

On a happier note:

I have finished the guest list and menu for Ty's birthday party. I LOVE throwing his birthday parties. This is such a rush and so much fun. This is one of my favorite parts of being a mom. We have the theme picked out and we have already started shopping for decorations and planning activities. The best part is that it will be the first time a lot of our friends and families will see our house -- in person. We are very excited to show off our first home as well as show off our cute little boy! :)