Regressions

Well, we have had some regression in both the potty training department and the cry-it-out at 2 am department (for Bennett). Austin refused to go potty or wear underwear on Monday (he kept crying to wear a diaper, so I caved, I didn't want to associate potty training with torture). Today was better- I just told him he was not wearing diapers today. This morning he had quite a few accidents and he just doesn't want to stop doing whatever he is doing to sit on the potty. He did a little better this afternoon and he had two successful pees in the potty and one outside (I did pull his pants down and he peed in the grass- it is what every other kid does here). He still hasn't really initiated that he needs to go yet, but we will get there (I hope).

Bennett has developed quite a will of his own and now has a very mad cry. At 2 am he has been screaming and if you pick him he stops and put him back in bed he screams- you can just tell he is mad. So we have been letting him cry between midnight and 5 or 6 am (he still wakes about 10 or 11 pm to eat, but that is ok for now). He was getting better, but then last night he was awake and crying on and off for close to two hours ( not screaming straight for two hours, I am not that cruel, but awake for that long). So, I am in a battle of wills and coercion with both boys in different ways...and learning lots of patience.

Another funny story:

Austin and I made an "Austin obeys God by helping" plate- that has a hand that points to one of four pictures, representing ways he helps. We can turn the hand to show how he has helped that day. One is a picture of a bowl(he takes his bowl to the sink after meals), one is a picture of Bennett (sharing toys, making him laugh when he cries), one is a picture of toys (cleaning up his toys). I will share the conversation that led up to the last picture.

Mommy "How are you kind to Bennett?"

Austin "I share with him"

Mommy "Who else can you be kind to?

Austin "Aiyis and shushus"

Mommy "That's right, how are you kind to them?"

Austin "You (meaning I) don't scream when they come to see you when you are outside"

Well, I guess that is kind to not scream when someone comes to talk to him :) Well, that last picture is of an "aiyi"- a chinese woman. WE have been working on being polite to the many people who always want to talk to the cute foriegn child outside...I guess the first step is not screaming and running away, which has happened. We have not quite moved on to actually saying hi back or answering questions, but I guess that is progress. It is hard on him and so I don't want to push him, but also want to at least be polite. Ok, pictures or video soon, I promise.