The Potty Training Quadruplets Video Diaries: Part II

 

I’d planned on blogging our progress on potty training as it unfolded, but by the end of the day I’ve been completely “wiped out”. Teaching 4 BOYS to use the potty has been no small task. This transition has tested our patience and worn us out in a way that we haven’t experienced since the newborn stage. 

All that considered we’re over a week in now and making really great progress. #1 is Done!  And #2 is getting there…(naps and 1st thing in the morning are the only thing keeping us from getting it completely).

I know there are a lot of you who have toddlers approaching the potty training stage and might be looking for the perfect plan to conquer this milestone. I wish I had more to offer.  I looked to my quad mama friend, Gen, LOTS, as someone who has been through this with four already (3 girls and 1 boy).  However, just as no two kids are alike, neither are 2 sets of quads.  It sounds cliché, but every child truly is different and there’s not a magic formula for any child, unfortunately. 

However, I’m all about sharing our own personal experience and offering what has worked/failed for us.  The greatest thing I’ve learned so far, is ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHING.  Stress, impatience, frustration are all extremely contagious to your entire family.  Likewise a positive attitude can have a huge impact on your progress.  Celebrate every little success.  Jump up and Down. Sing a Song. Scream and Yell. Do the Potty Dance. Make an absolute fool out of yourself. (See video>) I think encouragement holds more motivational power than any tricket, sticker, or piece of candy.

Here’s how it’s all went down so far:

Pre-Booty Camp

A few days before we went all out on Booty Camp ‘10, we got the potty chairs out. Talked up the “big boy” theory. Had them try first thing in the morning and before bed, and other times if they showed interest. They were able to pick out their own underwear at the store.

Day 1

Goodbye to Diapers during the day.  They wore underwear around the house all day.  If they had 2 accidents they had to go back to diapers until they kept them dry for a stretch of time. We hunkered down, watched a couple of movies (including Elmo's Potty Time) and everyone tried to use the potty every 20-30 minutes.  Talk about an exhausting day! We introduced M&Ms or Starburst Jelly Beans for successful attempts along with noisy exaggerated celebrations. We made it to 11:30 am without an accident. There were a handful of messes throughout the day, but we were encouraged to get started and have some success on the first day.

Here’s some of the video footage (non-graphic) from our first day of “Booty Camp”:

That’s about all the “potty talk” I have in me for the day…

Thanks for your encouragement, prayers, and well wishes during this major milestone!  

Ultimate Blog Party 2010

Get your party dress (or comfy PJs) on! Grab a cupcake! Turn up the tunes!

This week (April 9th-16th) I’m participating in the “Ultimate Blog Party” over at 5minutesformom.com. You’ve heard me talk about my twin blogger friends before, and this week they are throwing a huge PARTY for bloggers and their readers.  It’s a great way to connect with other bloggers, build friendships, encourage one another through comments, and there’s crazy awesome giveaways too!  Join us!

It’s also another opportunity for me to thank YOU as readers!  You have faithfully supported and loved on our family through this journey. This blog would be an empty space without you.   Thank you for being our family behind the computer screen for over 3 years!

 

photo by: Megelaine Images 

If you are just joining us from the UBP, HUGE VIRTUAL HUGS from me, QuatroMama! I’m tickled that you’ve stopped by and would love to have you along for the ride! 4tunate is a blog about the adventures, joys, challenges, and bloopers in raising our quadruplet boys, Henry, Isaac, Brooks, and Clark.  Blogging began as a way to efficiently communicate our prayer requests and doctor appointment updates during our extremely uncertain high-risk pregnancy and has “multiplied” into something so much more!

Here’s a little video to give you a little more “up close” introduction to the family!

Be sure to introduce yourself and your blog (if you have one) in the comment section of this post.  I’d love to see what you’re up to!  And if you would like to follow our adventures feel free to subscribe to our feed and/or follow me on twitter. There’s even a 4tunate Facebook Fan Page, if you are so inclined. =)

I’m also fighting for this amazing cause right now that I’d love for you to check out!

And for an added GIVEAWAY Bonus:

To add to the party fun, I want to introduce you to some of my blogging friends! There are nine of us who each have a word hidden in their post. These nine words make up a sentence. We will each link you up to the lady who has the next word in the sentence—but keep in mind that I might not have the first word in the sentence! Once you have the sentence, e-mail it to sisterchickies@gmail.com with "UBP10" in the subject line. Each person with the correct sentence will be in a drawing to win a $40 Target gift card! Winner will be announced on all of our blogs April 19 and the winner will be e-mailed. The winner has 48 hours to respond or we'll pick someone else.

(Disclaimer: Some of us are slower than others, but we will all have our posts up by noon EDT on Friday, April 9.)

So for your next clue, visit Jill from The Diaper Diaries!

Happy Partyin’!

(As for prizes, my top pick would be the Toshiba, anything after that would be gravy!)

Q&A’s From the QuadParents: Part II

I could say more, but the video says A LOT (as in we like to ramble, and chat, and linger on, and slap our knees, while answering YOUR questions about our children).

So Without Further Ado, Part II… 

And if our answering questions created more questions (as is often the case), feel free to deposit your inquiry in our comment box. 

Or Just Tell Us How Truly Goofy We Are. 

Go Ahead.

You Know You Want To…. 

Q&A’s From The QuadParents: The Story of Us

It’s been quite some time since I’ve taken “questions from the audience”, so to ring in the New Year on 4tunate, we’ll be answering your inquiries and vlogging (video blogging) the answers. 

To Kick Off the Q&A Sessions, we’ll start with “The Story of Us”, since today marks our 7th Year Anniversary.  (Good Grief! Talk about having NO IDEA what you were in for walking down the aisle!) Pop some popcorn, recline your seat, and enjoy!

 So if you have questions that your DYING to have answered, leave us a comment here or on the 4tunate Facebook Fan Site (Are you a fan?) and we’ll do our best to conquer as many as possible in Twenty-Ten.  (Check out the FAQ posts on the link bar above to see if your question has been answered previously.)