Convinced

OK, OK, I'm convinced - I should keep blogging! Thanks for the encouragement!

Here are today's development and thoughts...

Jonah just ran through the room saying, "Idea! Idea!" Then he picked up a step stool and took it into his bedroom. I gave him a few seconds and then followed. He had put the stool beside his crib and used it to get in - I found him cuddling his beloved dog "I.V./ Ivy" (I can't decide how to spell it, but he pronounces correctly now!) with a big grin on his face. I put the side of the crib up to lock him in and told him to call for me when he wanted to get out. Instead though, a few minutes later, I heard a thud and a cry - he had tried to climb out by himself... Not such a good idea, Jonah!

I haven't updated my blog on Jonah's potty situation... He is pretty much potty trained but there's one big catch - he has to be completely nude for that to be true!!! And nude all the time just isn't practical, and I always feel slightly uncomfortable. Ha ha. Anyway, today I gave him a nude morning. I could tell he needed to poop, but he's a little scared of doing it, and needs encouragement -- hugs, extra stories, reminders that he has done it before. I also told him today that he could paint if he pooped on the potty, so eventually he did!

So off we went to paint. I figured since his potty is red, I would choose the colors red and brown for his painting experience today. I was really amazed because once I told him why I chose those colors, he wanted 'help' to paint a potty. So, I helped him by painting a red circle. Then he used the brown and put "poo" in the potty. He wanted to do this, over and over again, asking for 'new paper' and help from me. I encouraged him to do it himself, showing 'around and around' gestures and he actually succeeded a couple times in creating an oval. That was ALWAYS followed by the brown paint - "poo" he would say. Then more "poo" or "new paper". It was very interesting for me - how he seemed to be processing it all. Eventually I turned the red paint pink and turned the brown paint to purple, but he still insisted on creating more potties and poops. Too funny! Eventually I convinced him to let me paint his hand - he loves doing handprints.

And what's the deal with kids sleeping with their bums up? My nephew is a big 'bum up sleeper' - no matter what, he ends up on his belly, knees tucked under his tummy, bum up. This afternoon he fell asleep in my arms in the rocking chair. I put him in bed, asleep, and immediately he assumed that position. For experimentation's sake, I decided to straighten his legs out, but immediately he drew them up again. I don't get it - I don't think I could sleep like that! Could you? Hmmmm... maybe I'll go try that position and see how it feels!

Oh, and "Dodah" is no more - Now it's "Nonah" - that's a little closer to "Jonah" I suppose!

And can anyone give me any advice on moving to a clothed potty trained child? Do I just need to put up with a lot of accidents for a few days until he gets it? I've gotta say, it's a little frustrating to continue changing poopy diapers when I KNOW he's capable of using the potty!!