It's been said that three is the new two. Well, Garrett is three. His birthday was celebrated with a trip to Chucky Cheese (his choice) and then a weekend at Grammy and Papa Geno's house (our choice). We had a second party for him there with all the family and a little backyard cookout. Sara made him an awesome "Super Why" cake, his favorite spelling hero from the PBS show of same name. He absorbed the celebrations with all of the humble modesty you would expect from a three year old.
All of this fanfare, focusing on his new "three-ness", has made a strange impact on our sweet little middle baby. He seems to be making a transformation of sorts, right before our eyes. He constantly mentions that he's "three now", and he is suddenly open to trying new things he wouldn't dare mess with before. Out of the blue, he's going from baby to "big boy". He still loves his little trike and always thought of the bigwheel as something only Gavin could handle, but not anymore. It turns out his feet do reach the pedals and he can make it go. Before, when I'd prod him into getting on it, he would only quarrel with me and insist that, in his words "I'm too wittle, I'm 2!" He wouldn't even try to pedal, he would just sit and scowl. Now he can suddenly zip around the driveway on the bigwheel with an uncharacteristic reckless abandon. He is even starting to try to ride Gavin's new bike! Here's a picture of him getting ready to take Bodie on a thrill ride. They didn't get very far that time! His feet don't make the pedals go all the way around yet on that bike.
He used to be such a cautious and careful little dude, now he's a real tough guy, ready to try anything dangerous. He's standing in his chair when we're not looking, he goes flying out the back door chasing after squirrels, and he's climbing anything and everything. It's like a switch got flipped in his head that says "Now I'm three, I'm invincible!" I don't like it, but it is pretty cute. If this trend keeps up, in a couple years I'll be giving him the keys to my truck and sending him to the store for us.
In contrast, when the baby is getting too much attention, he still tries to sweep in and steal the show. Here he is messing with Bodie while we were trying to do a photo shoot for Snugfits. He gets that little baby voice and coos at him, always patting him on the head in a display of superiority. It's hilarious, although sometimes the baby is none too pleased. It's all part of growing up, I guess!
Bodie is getting 5 teeth all at once! His whole top grill is coming in. At first, just the two canines on top were showing, and he looked like a little Dracula. So cool! We were going to call him "The Count". We could've gotten him a little black cape and done some great shots for a Halloween Snugfits promotion, but its too late now. These teeth are just busting out all over.
Needless to say, he's pretty ticked off about the whole thing. He's usually a great little happy bug, but not these days. He doesn't want anything to do with food unless it's cold and squishy, like pineapple chunks or cantaloupe. Plus, he gets a fever along with it, about every two or three days. When Gavin and Garrett were teething, they got mild fevers with every new tooth, so that isn't new to us. The only thing that we found really helped with Bodie's brothers' teeth were teething tablets. They're sold at Walgreens, and can help ease the pain a little, but I don't think anything can make a kid content when he has five teeth coming in all at once. That oragel stuff is a waste of money. It just makes them drool even worse. We tried that stuff with Gavin, and I remember he just had this confused/angry look on his face. Like "Why can't I feel my mouth?" Oh yes - and popsicles help too, if you want a sticky but somewhat satisfied baby. I don't think there is any perfect answer for helping your baby through this harrowing experience.
Bodie is also grinding his new teeth. A lot. It is a godawful sound. He really seems to enjoy it so we just let it go on. He's trying out his new teeth, I guess. It probably feels pretty good! He makes the funniest faces when he's chomping. He looks like a little Popeye! I tried to catch some good pictures of this yesterday when it was warm outside. He loves to be outside, too. Probably because it's so big, and there's no ceiling. When he's outside, he just looks around at everything like he's witnessing a miracle. Its so awesome to watch. Taking him outside to roll around on a blanket is great distraction from the teething pain.
To ask Bodie, I think he would tell you he just wants to be held, and to chomp on my finger. Youch! His mouth is like a pair of vice grips sometimes. I give him a wet washcloth to bite while I hold him, but it doesn't last long. He takes it in his hand, shakes it, bites it, throws it down in disgust, and bites me. Oh well. This too shall pass.
Gavin is finally going to the bathroom on his own. I can't believe it! He just started last week, and its been over a week with only one stinky pullup. He's been using the toilet to pee pee for a few months now, that hasn't been a problem. It's the number 2 that has been the major hurdle. He's had some serious reservations about it, as if he's scared to death of sitting on the toilet. Some children with autism may never be able to use the bathroom on their own. Sara and I were seriously prepared for a lifetime of diaper changes. We had all but given up, telling each other that "Someday, he'll just start doing it on his own.... but probably not today."
We've tried everything! He never liked the little miniature potty, or at least he never would sit on it for more than a minute. We bought him a little seat that sits over the toilet bowl so he fits better on it. That was months ago. We've tried bribing him with a myriad of different candies, finally settling on these special "Spongebob Treats" (little gummy Crabby Patties). He also gets to watch his favorite 7 minute cartoon, "Mater and the Ghostlight". These rewards have been in place for him for nearly a year. I really don't know what exactly prompted him to just decide to start pooping on the toilet now. My only clue is what he said right after the first time he did it:
Almost symbolically, it was New Years day. I was in the kitchen making breakfast and the boys were both happily engaged in the office playing on Starfall.com (see previous post). Out of the blue, I heard Gavin announce "I can have a Spongebob treat and watch Mater and the Ghostlight now. No spongebob treats for Garrett." What a terrific sentence from this kid! (He's also starting to use great sentences and ask more questions. Awesome!) I dropped what I was doing and bolted to the bathroom. Gavin was still standing with his pajama pants around his ankles, admiring his creation with a great look of gratification on his face. I'll never forget it, two floaters and a sinker. Beautiful!
After cleaning up and washing hands, we celebrated with a Crabby Patty and his favorite show on the Cars dvd. Garrett sauntered in to see what all the hubbub was about, and Gavin reminded him that he couldn't have a Spongebob treat until he poops on the potty. Garrett seemed okay with that, he's got his own reservations about the potty. He loves to just sit on it, not to employ it. Gavin relishes the fact that he has reached this level of accomplishment, and can enjoy the fruits of success while Garrett cannot.
I am now convinced that the greatest motivator for potty training success is the peer group. If your friends are doing it, you will be able to do it too, right? Gavin has had better success with the potty at school (with a lot of prompting) mainly due to his friends' abilities, and Gavin's desire for same-ness. Not wanting to be left out, Gavin has succumbed to his teachers' persistent efforts. They celebrate every bathroom success with a dance and a song, so every kid in the classroom knows when someone is achieving this important skill.
I am so proud of Gavin and his new ability. It has been such a long road to get to this point, for him and for us. I hope by writing and bragging like this I'm not jinxing his progress. He has regressed in the past. We always thought that Garrett would be the first one to master the commode, and Gavin would follow in his little brother's footsteps. No sir! Our magnificent 4 year old is blazing this trail.
