Ian's 1st Potty

As normal as it is for us to go to the potty, it is a big deal for toddlers. The potty training issue has been in and out of my mind for the past couple weeks. To me, potty training is a big challenge; I have never done it before! Ian is showing some signs of readiness such as agreeing to pee in the potty and actually peeing in the potty. However, when he poops in his diaper, he tries to stay a distance away from me by making a big detour to go somewhere just to stay a distance away from me or throwing me a toy (not handing it to me to keep the distance) and asking me to go play at somewhere else. The stickiness in his diaper doesn’t seem to bother him a bit; perhaps it is a boy thing. As with everything else these days, I have to slowly talk him into agreement to let me wash his behind.

Yesterday, I asked him if he wanted to go poo poo. He did not deny and so I let him sit on the adult potty while I hold him. He has shown no interest in his baby potty and has treated it as a toy. I have spent oodles of money on colorful kid things such as plates, utensils, cell phones, toothbrush, potty, etc…and all he wants are “real” adult things. Back to the potty story…I waited for 15 minutes and there was nothing. I was excited because he has never wanted to sit on the potty for so long, so I thought something must be coming! The next thing I heard is a little thump. Yes! He has done it! I praise him by saying “hen hao” (very good) and he replied by saying “bu hao” (no good). When I tried to take a peep at what was in the potty, he pushed my head away. Okay, I had forgotten that even kids need privacy. After another 15 minutes of acting like nothing is happening while reading a magazine to him, I asked him if he was done. He nodded and quickly stood up and flushed the toilet. Flushing is his favorite part of the whole potty trip.

I was so excited that I could not wait for hubby to come home and tell him the story. I am not celebrating yet because I know more challenge is yet to come. Nonetheless, this is a milestone for Ian and I am just happy.

On a side note, Ian has joined the opposition party recently because he will oppose to everything I say. I say “hen guai” (very good boy) and he says “bu guai” (bad boy), I saw “hen hao” (very good) and he says “bu hao” (no good). Maybe this kind of reaction is just a phase. His pain threshold is very high and whenever he falls or is hurt, he wants to “be a man” and does not want my kisses or help at all.