He's a big boy now :')

Twice now, Ronan has done his #2 on the big potty! The things that seem to be working best for him are definitely underwear versus training pants, keeping a potty nearby, and not nagging him about it. Sure, he still has accidents, and we just started nighttime training two nights ago. But he's come a long way, and he's pretty proud :)

Do I have what it takes?

No, this isn't about one of a mom's big questions. This blog is "competing" in Circle of Moms Top 25 Single Mom Blogs contest :) Please click on the pink sticker ---> on the right sidebar and vote for "It Doesn't Get Better Than This," currently holding strong at #22. There are only five voting days left, so trying to keep a leg up. Here's what happens if I get in the top 25:

From Circle of Moms:
"We give our six million moms direct access to Top 25 program participants. The Top 25 winners of each list are featured on The RoundUp, Circle of Mom’s editorial channel. The feature includes a short interview, favorite posts, and a photo of each Top 25 winner. The Top 25 winners also receive a badge for their blog that links to their interview on Circle of Moms. Top 25 participants may also be invited to participate in Circle of Moms’ expert Q&A and The RoundUp editorial platform."

Thanks for your support!

And yes...

That's a VEGAN cupcake in my new title photo at my son's 3rd bday party. They were a hit ;) Recipes from Collen Patrick-Goudreau's The Joy of Vegan Baking and can also be found on my other blog, Being Vegan.

Transitioning a toddler...

I tried to publish this via email two days ago, but it got lost in cyber-space...

Did I talk about this already? I became vegan at the end of 2011, for a number of reasons: cruelty to factory-farmed animals, my health, to lose weight. As I became certain this was someone I was going to be able to commit to, I started trying vegan foods on Ronan. I never really considered him a picky eater until I was trying to substitute his favorite foods.

First came the chicken nuggets. I got a high recommendation for Gardein tenders, and bought a couple bags. I thought they were fantastic! Ronan, however, was not fooled. For two weeks (not every night, I'm not that crazy) I tried getting him to warm up but he was having none of it. Begrudged, I bought more Tyson chicken nuggets and pondered some more.

Second came the hot dogs. Ew! At least I was buying all beef franks before, and not a mixture of, well, whatever. But he wasn't fooled by Smart Dogs or Tofurkey franks either. I couldn't even get him to try more than one bite of cheez.

Then, I found vegetarian chik'n nuggets by MorningStar Farms. Why not? And...he likes them, whew! Next, a tofu scramble...victory! Homemade macaroni and cheez? Well, the noodles were a little al dente so I can't blame him for not having more than a few bites. But he did say it was good.

Why is it so important that my son is vegan, as well? Well, learning what I've learned about the way animals we consume are used and abused sends shivers down my spine...and then I've read up on the health benefits of vegetarians/vegans versus non. What better gift can I give than a life of compassion and understanding and a healthy start from here on? It took me 31 years to get it right...

Potty-training victory!

So, I think we're on week...4? of potty-training. At the end of week 3? I somehow got Ronan to stay naked from the waist down for an entire weekend. It worked! He went in the potty EVERY TIME. As a reward he got to move up from the bulky, reusable training pants into regular underwear that he picked out himself (Toy Story, Cars, and Thomas and Friends). All last week I think there were only a total of 5-6 accidents!

As of 3 days ago, he started wanting to use the potty before going to bed, even though he had a diaper on. And he's successfully making it there with #2s almost every time. This morning, he wanted to go as soon as he got up! I think we're definitely ready to start on nighttime training. He's so proud and even amazing his teachers with his progress!

My Review of Dri Nights Waterproof Mattress Protector Crib/Twin Size

Originally submitted at One Step Ahead

Potty training? Bed wetting? Our saddle-style mattress protector makes clean-up easier and its more absorbant than others! No more changing the sheets at 2:00 a.m.! Simply place over the fitted sheet and tuck in the extra-long side flaps. It stays put, yet lifts off quickly when needed (buy 2, so y...

Dri Nights Waterproof Mattress Protector Crib/Twin Size

More Than I Expected

By Heather and Ronan from Norman, OK on 3/18/2012

 

5out of 5

Pros: Portable, Easy To Set Up, Lightweight, Easily Stowed, Easily Cleaned

Best Uses: Toilet Training, Potty Use, Hygiene, Traveling

Describe Yourself: First Time Parent

This was so easy to install, and the long flaps keep it in place well. I was also surprised at how wide it is, so as my toddler moves throughout the night, he's always "covered." Easy to remove, too, when he has an accident, and I bought two so we always have a spare.

(legalese)

My Review

Originally submitted at One Step Ahead

My Son Loves It

By Heather and Ronan from Norman, OK on 3/18/2012

 

5out of 5

Pros: Easy To Use, Durable, Good Value, Quality Construction, Easy To Clean, Lightweight

Best Uses: Gift, Developmental, Travel, Everyday Use

Describe Yourself: First Time Parent

Was this a gift?: No

My son was so excited to get this new book, and we read it several times the first few days. It was fun for him to see the "big boy underwear" and that other boys use a potty just like his. And the stickers are great prizes for every triumph.

(legalese)

My Review of Dri Nights Cloth Bedwetter/Potty Training Pants BLUE 10

Originally submitted at One Step Ahead

Thanks to our new, high-tech fabric and leak-resistant fit, our green bedwetter pants are more absorbent than others on the market! Kids like the big-kid look and feel (and can pull them down in a hurry). Unlike disposable pull-ups, they're earth-friendly, economical, and chemical-free. A comfortab...

Dri Nights Cloth Bedwetter/Potty Training Pants BLUE 10

Great for Sensitive Skin

By Heather and Ronan from Norman, OK on 3/18/2012

 

4out of 5

Pros: Easily Cleaned, Portable

Best Uses: Potty Use, Toilet Training, Traveling

Describe Yourself: First Time Parent

My son can't use disposable training pants - they make him break out in an awful rash. So I decided to try these. Not only are they easy on his skin, but he can tell when he's wet before he's soaked, they're easy off and on, and we're saving tons of money during his potty training. These will definitely pay for themselves. We did have to go up a size on his pants and shorts to accommodate the bulkiness, but not a problem.

(legalese)