The Prize Box

So we have an entire week underway of Max in big boy underwear. And can I just report that he is doing awesome! We have continued to be on-the-go and he has completely been flexible and ready for the adventure!

I could count on one hand the amount of potty accidents he has had when it comes to pee pee. (Did I just say pee pee on this blog? I did, moving along.) He has even woken up in the middle of the night, calling our names, and after peeling off the layers, and diaper, he successfully goes pee pee in the potty.

He is coming into our room in the mornings with absolutely NOTHING on from the waist down. Quite a sight when you are still trying to wake up! Our new alarm clock is the potty flushing and Max running into our room to tell us about his pee pee on the potty.

With all the success I am sharing (because I certainly don't want to paint a picture that potty training is easy), I must be transparent and share that the biggest challenge has been Max trying to figure out how to time the poo poo for the potty. He has had many, many accidents. I am having to give myself motivational speeches (call the hubby and friends to give me motivational speeches) so I can give the Mister motivational speeches on how cool and exciting and fabulous poo poo in the potty can be.

I have resorted to incentivizing (some might call it bribing) Max with the Poo Poo Prize Box. This fancy box is chalked full of gum, pez dispensers, matchbox cars, silly bands, sweet tarts, life savers, and yes, even a ring pop. What toddler would not LOVE to pick something from the prize box as a reward for going poo poo in the potty?!

This prize box has been taunting Max the past two days. Poor buddy. Every time he would have an accident, he would look at me with his big, sad, blue eyes and say, "mommy, do I get something out of the prize box?" And I had to painfully tell him "no, you need to go poo in the potty and then we will celebrate and pick a prize out of the box!"

Well, today, was finally the day. He was quite pleased with himself and went straight for the prize he has been staring at from a distance the past two days. The Ring Pop. And he enjoyed every last lick.