What's the special occasion?

Since it's been a month since my last post, all 3 of you probably realize it's been a bit busy. Since my last entry, I've become even more excited about our new president, Rachel turned 16, I added another year to my age - I won't tell you which one, my mom is still trying to train the new puppy and...drum roll please... Jake has been potty trained! Cue the Hallelujah chorus!

For those of you keeping count - Jake will be four in February. Yes - 4. I know there are people out there who talk about potty training at 24 months - 12 months - 2 days - whatever. Neither one of my children has been so excited about the whole thing. Abby seemed to take off once we introduced the concept. She's never even had an accident at night. Jake, however, took about 4 months to accept that this whole peeing in the toilet thing was going to happen.

He loved the Thomas and Cars big-boy pants I got him, but he would ask me to put them on over his diaper. When I explained that, no, that wasn't an option, he was happy to walk away. And herein lies the biggest lesson I have learned about my son: he is a very independent thinker (read: damn stubborn) and perfectly happy to dig his heels in even if it means passing up something he likes. Yeah, those Cars pants are great, but totally not worth the trade-off.

I actually kind of admire how easily he would make peace with the situation. Once he made his choice, he wouldn't feel torn or regretful; he'd just continue on his way. I am also thankful that his choice finally became using the toilet. Now he argues about the Cars pants or the Spiderman pants, but it all still means I don't have to change anymore diapers!