Last July vs. This July

So last year at this time we were just beginning to potty train Dylan (3rd of July to be exact). He really did well with it. We went cold turkey to undies and never went back. I was impressed because for boys he was trained really early. 2 1/4 years is very soon. He is a superstar in that regard. You tell him to do it and without too many hiccups he does it. What a big boy.

Well, tonight as I sit here the poor baby is keeping his band aid on his thumb for Dunkin' Donuts in the morning. If you ever look closely in any picture of Dylan from 2 on he always has a band aid on his right thumb. Why you ask? Its a reminder not to suck his thumb.

We started this when he went to preschool as a Cubbie Bear. We thought, "Hey, he isn't talking much, maybe its his thumb!" Well, I'm not sure that theory is true now, because Logan is a thumb sucker too and he chats up a storm at the same age Dylan was quiet, but the band aid is a way for him to keep it out. Now he definitely talks more without it. He's quite an inspiration to others too (ha!). Logan asks for one at least twice a week and Dylan's friend Morgan in school, a fellow thumb sucker, asked her mom for one a couple of times. It cracks me up.

Anyway, so he wears a band aid in the morning. If he makes it through lunch, which is about 99% of the time, he gets bubble gum. This is kind of just a given now as it really isn't difficult for him to do that. We just were lazy and haven't upped the anty.

We take the band aid off at nap time. When we introduced it, we always said, "Since we are a big boy, we only suck our thumb when we are sleeping." Then when he wakes up, most days we put another band aid on. Yes we need stock in Johnson and Johnson's!

So tonight in the bath, Greg, who has been wanting to do this for a long time, says "Dylan, if you keep your band aid on all night, we'll go get donuts in the morning." Logan of course chimes in at this point, "Donut Holes!" Dylan gets all excited saying he can do it and says, "Dunkin' Donuts." Sure the nearest donut place is 3 minutes away, but for this sweet boy we will drive the extra 10 minutes to get there. Plus, the donuts there are much better.

So I'm sitting at my computer at 10:48pm wondering what he's doing right now. We don't monitor him anymore, but he does have one in his room plugged in so I've got it set to listen to him until I go to bed. I haven't heard anything lately so I'm thinking he's done it. I wish I had a video monitor. Yes, for a 3 year old. It would be a waste of money for one night, I guess.

So far, he's only come out of his room once for a "nail problem." I took care of the hang nail, he went potty again, very slowly, and then we tucked him in again.

This is particularly hard for me because I myself was a finger sucker. I remember how hard it was to give up. I didn't fair too well. I think I did it until I was in 3rd grade and thought, "Hey, this isn't cool anymore." I loved that finger just like Dylan loves that thumb. It may sound silly to those non-suckers like Greg, but there is a real attachment there, like a favorite stuffed animal. Even my friend Robbie, a fellow thumb sucker, and I discussed this a few times.

Anyway, I'm off to pray that he can do it and gets donuts in the morning. I would be so proud of him. It really makes me want to cry because it is so hard for him to fall asleep without the thumb. He's such a trooper and really tries whatever we want him to do. Just like last July, I think this is the hardest thing we've ever tried to get him to do. I'm hoping that I can look back at this milestone, like the last one. Potty training doesn't seem that bad now. Sure, there were accidents and regression at times, but he did it. I know he can do this too!

I love you, Dylan! Good luck. Mommy is thinking of you!