potty progress

i've mentioned before that we're taking the no-approach approach with the potty. i haven't felt any desire to rush things along and have been quite happy to follow bonzo's lead and just let it all unfold as it's meant to: on his timeline.

i'm not into coaxing and rewards aren't our thing either. and i certainly don't want to put any pressure on him – however subtle or overt.

i've wanted to be extra sensitive around the whole issue, honestly. it's such a vulnerable time – and adding a new baby to the scene? forget it. i didn't want to throw anything extra at my guy.

but that's not to say we never talk about it. sure we do – i just follow his lead. he was excited to get his potty and thrilled to sit on it, inspect it and play around with it. then one day, he wanted to try it for reals. so he walked right up to it and went peeps. standing up! then he didn't show much interest again for some time. which was fine. then he got interested again and started using it again. then eeeeh, not so interested again.

but he's always been enthusiastic when he is into it. he would peeps in his potty, dump it into the toilet (without even spilling – thanks bud!) and flush, then wash his hands with soap and water. then come running to find me to report, pleased as punch.

recently he started showing interest in using the big toilet so we re-outfitted his bathroom to accommodate him and i'm so glad we did. we got a stool for going peeps in the toilet and a little seat for practicing sitting for poops. his little potty has since fallen by the wayside and he's using the toilet with regularity. it's rad. i'm so stoked for him and i love watching him take real pride in himself and i love knowing that he's finding his way on his own timetable, with his own intrinsic desire to do it.

and talk about pride – today he let me know he needed to use the potty. like, as in number two, people. and he scurried off, put the seat on the toilet, climbed on up and went. previously he has shown no interest in doing this. i've always told him that he can go on the potty when he's ready but if he's more comfortable, he can go in a diaper. and he's always chosen the latter.

so these days, at home, bonz is either "naked baby" or in underpants – another recent addition he's pretty excited about. and when he's gotta go, he goes. we've had an accident or two but, we clean up and move on. easy breezy.

we haven't branched out away from the house yet. he says he's most comfortable in a diaper when we're out and about and i don't feel any need to push it. we'll get there when we get there. and i know he'll let me know when he's ready.
oh those buns. i love 'em.

playing catch-up

things have been looking a lot like this around here lately:

circa 1981

sisters. newport beach, ca.

three years old

on sunday bonzo turned three. three! oh these birthdays are bittersweet. wasn't he born yesterday?
we decided to start the day off right – presents in bed!


then we walked to breakfast just the four of us – though baby junebug slept the entire time. birthday bagels made for one happy birthday boy.

then we came home and got organized for a teeny tiny BBQ with our families that evening.

even the smallest soirees need proper decorations, though.

bonz helped me make his cake. his first birthday cake, actually. he helped me measure, sift and pour. i nearly passed out watching two cups (two cups!) of sugar go into the mixer, friends. then i made my stand-by buttercream frosting (butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla) to top it off. you know, just for some more sugar. sure i could have sourced a healthier cake recipe but i just went for it.

after it cooled, i offered bonz a taste of the shaved off bottom layer's top – he glanced at it and declined. ditto with the buttercream frosting. so after we cut the cake, i put a piece on a plate for him. he cut it up with his fork a few times then eventually picked up a bit with his hands and tried it – his first real sugary taste ever. he paused and said, "mmm. i like it." and had another bite. then he set it down and was onto the next thing. he maybe ate the equivalent of two adult bites. or even just one, really. now, if it'd been a plate of pickles it would have been a whole 'nother story! this guy doesn't seem to have a sweet tooth. ah, i wish i could say the same.

and there's that sandbox again – complete with his new birthday trucks of course.

a sandbox for bonzo

i was thinking that bonzo needed a sandbox – what better gift for a big brother with a big birthday (3!) coming up?

chooch sketched out an idea, got lumber and went to work – have i mentioned how much i love him lately? he's so rad.

with the help of bonzo (obviously) and grandpa, the coolest sandbox in the west was constructed, filled and promptly played in.

it's on the side yard between the apricot tree and one of the plum trees – totally visible from the kitchen and front room and shaded to-boot. it's perfection in a box.

bonzo routinely goes out there and digs, scoops and plays to his heart's content. i love hearing him out there talking and singing to himself, in his own rad little world. and i love sitting out there with him in the shade and scooping a little sand myself.