50 Ways to Leave Your Diapers

"The problem is all inside your head, she said to me
the answer is easy if you take it logically.
I'd like to help you in your struggle to be free
there must be 50 ways to leave your diapers."

Wait? That's not how the Simon and Garfunkel jam went? Yeah, so as some of my friends from Facebook know, I potty trained Landon last month. My status update was the following:

"Potty training my toddler is - without a doubt - one of the most frustrating experiences of my life. Aaaand we are only three hours in. I'd throw in the towel but I think I've used them all."

I lost my cool, more than I care to admit. In one instance, I believe my reaction was, "Landon, there is shit everywhere! You are covered in shit!" I then worked my delts to the max by suspending him as far as possible in front of my body while I carried him directly to the shower, do not pass Go. Twasn't my finest moment; I highly regret it, especially when Landon kept saying "shit, shit shit" for about 10 minutes post clean up. [Kind of like how he randomly mutters "Jesus Christ" under his breath once in a while - I never knew I said that often but I guess they are my choice words of exasperation these days?!? Seriously?]

But looking back on it, I realized two things: (1) it wasn't that bad at all. I'm so glad I stuck with it because Landon actually was quite the champ. (2) The worst part of it all was actually Anders who couldn't quite handle the shift in attention. We did the three day method where you hunker down and don't leave the house, basically staying within a 15 second radius of a toilet. I had lots of stickers, jelly beans and new toys on standby.

Lots and lots of LeapPad time. I tossed a couple new games his way whenever we'd reach a milestone.

After telling Landon he couldn't sit on the couch to watch TV while we are potty training, he made me laugh by taking up a post on the window sill behind the couch and peering over to watch his shows.

Playing some brain games on a tablet that Grandpa sent.

Books, books, and more books.

Anders offering moral support.

In the end, an immediate reward yielded the best results - my sticker chart of "a trip to the ice cream shoppe when you fill in all the spots!" was too broad and didn't sink in.

Proving that action figures can be used any time any place.

A friend comes over? More moral support.

One week in pull ups and then became Captain Underwear by week two! Accident free for three weeks! Yippeeeeee!