Pouty Time and Potty Time ... and Party Time!

As promised, I have also posted the latest pic of our little Peach Fuzz sporting his latest "Mick Jagger" look. I think the real sentiment there is "You can take the pacifier away, but I will keep making this face until you give it back pronto!"

Owen celebrated his 3rd birthday this week, which is hard to believe. Yes, those three years went fast, but I am in awe of how much has happened in that brief period. I remember looking at him as he slept in his little bouncy seat and wondering when the day would come when he would walk and talk. And, as is usually the case with most firstborns, I obsessed over how "on schedule" he was, or, in some cases, ahead of schedule... Of course, he loved celebrating with his class at preschool. We stopped at the Dunkin Donuts to get his birthday treats on the way to school, and of course I asked the man behind the counter to spare us a few Munchkins. Then, Owen said, "Hi. I went pee pee on the potty." This is his stock salutation these days. Last week, I took him for a walk around our neighborhood, and he shouted it out to all who would listen.

It makes me quite glad that he is so proud of himself when it comes to the old number one, but it seems that the old number two is proving a bit more challenging. Twice this week, Owen has walked up to me point blank and said, "Change my poop, Mom." This morning, he opened the door to his room (we keep it gated off, too), and leaned over his gate shouting, "Mom! I need a new diaper! I did poop." Now, I can't say that I'm an expert on potty training, nor can I say that I'm a purist on any one philosophy, but after a few talks with my pediatrician, I know that a few things are key: the habit of using the toilet is great to have in place before the child is aware of his physiological ability to retain urine or stool. So, in that sense, I'm glad we got Owen accustomed to the ritual of sitting on his potty at certain times of the day . It's clear that he is physiologically able to release urine into the toilet at almost any opportunity. He can pretty much pee on command as much as I can these days, which is really quite a tribute. Anyhow, I have the feeling that it will be a long road until full potty readiness arrives. Earlier this week, he woke at 2:30 am to request some potty time, but, FALSE ALARM!