Undie Hat: Potty Training, Ray Style

Yes, that's what we call an Undie Hat

Potty training is underway at our house.  Ok, so it's been going on since January.  Yep, just nine short months to get us to the underwear-while-at-home-but-not-out-in-public-yet stage.  Let me explain.  Starting in January, I would move Dexter to the Baby Bjorn potty seat for number 2.  He would just get that look in his eyes, and off he would go flying through the air in my arms, to the potty seat.  Soon after, he insisted on going on the potty every time for number 2 and would run there himself -- he seemed to hate the feeling of it in his diaper.  If we were at a friend's house or the park he would freak out and look around, lost, looking for the "teddy bear potty" (the Baby Bjorn...).  This seemed great, until it took him 20 minutes from the time he ran to the potty till we were done.  Lots of books were read and we were late to lots of morning walks with our neighbor.  I began to think, why did I start this!? 

Right as we began the move, Dexter regressed in a big way.  Instead of using the potty, he would yell "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO" and run the opposite way.  I actually had to change a few poopy diapers and I was not happy. 

Thankfully, as soon as we were settled in the new house, he was back on the wagon...I mean potty...but just for number 2.  I wasn't pushing anything at this point.  I was almost to my due date and was not interested in starting anything radical.  In fact, I wasn't even thrilled about helping him out of his pull-up and sitting down to read to him.  This involved bending and sitting close to the floor...not something a very pregnant woman wants to do!
Then, 3 weeks after Maxwell was born, Dexter found his Cars and Thomas the Tank Engine themed underwear in his room (bought back in the early Spring when I had higher hopes and more energy).  He insisted on wearing it. 

My first thought was: "ugh! I can barely walk like a normal person and am only getting 2 hours of sleep at a time...you want to potty train now!?"  But, my fear that if we didn't try when Dexter wanted to try we may have to wait another year before he was ready again, won out.  So on went the undies.

We're progressing, with BIG help from the M&M cookies from HEB.  He loves seeing what color M&M the cookie will have after each successful attempt.  I told him yesterday that we wouldn't have cookies soon...so get ready.

Maybe in another 9 months he will be ready to go out of the house without a pull-up?

At least for now he is super happy and proud of himself!

*Disclaimer:  Dexter is a very strong willed and, ahem, vibrant child.  There was a time where I had to leave every play date early because of a biting, pushing, or hitting incident.  However, I am seeing a slight glimmer of hope to this stronger personality.  For, when directed the right way (potty training for example), his strong willed-ness and his distaste for anything yucky to be on him is lending itself to a quicker potty training time.  Since I can't control the personalities of my children, it's better to just go with it, right?