A Tale of Toby

My three year old.
The one that some how pushes all the wrong buttons. A child who melts your heart when he looks at you with his big brown puppy dog eyes. Whose laugh and smile warm your insides.
Yet the one that keeps us on our toes.
Like last night.

We've been working on potty training with Toby since the week before he turned three in March. We waited because we'd heard that it takes longer with boys and that is what we had done with Eli. Well, it's been a difficult process with Toby. This past week however, he has done great. Our new rule is that he has to change himself if he gets wet and this has worked incredibly well because it has given him responsibility for his actions and has prevented "accidents" for attention's sake.

Saturday evening he started out in green footie jammies. Then I found him in a white t-shirt with different jammie pants. No way! He had to have socks and a sweatshirt on. Remember it is winter here which means no heat and Toby never stays covered during the night. Plus he's sick right now. OK. I put socks and a sweatshirt on him and get him all tucked in, nice and warm. Until...

I always check on the kids before I go to bed. I find Toby in a white t-shirt with shorts on! No socks, no pants, no sweatshirt. Did he have an accident? Nope. The foresaken items were properly placed in the hamper. Goodness, well, that is where they are supposed to go. Again I put everything back on, wondering what would remain till morning. Amazingly he woke up with the same clothes on this time, except for a missing sock.

Now I know this is not just a "mommy blog" but since I am a mommy and this is what I do, take care of the rascals, I can't help but share stories like this. It helps remind me of the fleeting time that we have with them while they are young and it helps with my sanity.

As for Dan...he is really sick after a long day Saturday. Kids' Club then two youth groups, one early afternoon and another in the evening. Surprisingly we had pleasant weather this morning for church and a good turn out as well. Dan is now sleeping outside in the club house with both boys and I haven't heard a peep out of them since they shut the door. I'm hoping the early bedtime helps Dan and he feels better in the morning.

His big reward after filling up his first potty chart in March

Our "no more diapers" party for encouragement

He just makes you smile