EC: Day 8-14

So I have decided to stretch out these blogs and write about the last week. I think writing everyday was too much as my blogs would be something along the lines of “today Jude peed”. I believe it has been a week since I last wrote. I am currently at work and figure now is a good time to write because I have time without a child trying to push every button. This week has had ups and downs regarding EC. Jude has been doing great with peeing on cue. I love making a big deal about it too, when he does pee because I am so proud of him. He smiles and points and the pee or at his “goods”. Pooping on the other hand has been a little rough. His pooping schedule has changed and sometimes varies from day to day so it is hard to catch it. Sometimes he doesn’t show any signs of grunting or that he has to poop. There were times when I wanted to just give up and let him revert back to diapers but then I think of how far we have come, the bonding we have shared during this process AND the fact that even though we still have misses we have probably cut our diaper consumption in half! Plus, when we decide to have another baby we will ONLY have one baby in diapers!

I realize some weeks are going to be great and some aren’t going to be so great. This week was hard to let him be DF because there was always something going on, he was with another caregiver, or we were on an outing. I plan to resume his regular naked freedom this week. I hope those who are reading this do not think that I have failed because he is not completely out of diapers. This may take weeks or even months, but although the goal of being diaper free is sweet, I am enjoying the time that I am able to spend with him. I have been blessed with all the other mom and forums regarding EC, it’s trials and triumphs. It is those women that give me the push to continue on when I do not feel like cleaning any misses and when I really want to take the easy way out. To hear their stories and their own struggles and advice is great tool to keep us all focused.

EC: Day 7

Eh, Monday, my least favorite day.  Only because I am stuck at work but lets just get it over with and move on with the rest of the week.  It has been a complete week since starting the EC process and I am having a blast with it.  Day 7 showed some vast improvements and Jude has managed to turn some skeptics into believers. :) 
Jude woke me up around 8 with a huge grin on his face, ready to start his day.  Off came the diaper and I set him into the bathtub.  A quick little pshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh and on cue he went pee.  I was so proud of him and he seems pretty proud of himself.  He ate some eggs for breakfast and I was sure he was needing to poop since he only pooped once the day before.  We sat on the toilet and tried to read Curious George, but Jude just wanted to "play catch" .  After about 5 minutes  he protested to get down.  The one thing about EC is listening to your child.  If they are done or are not feeling it, listen to them and give them some space away from the potty.  If the baby/child is forced to stay on the potty because " they have to go" they will start to associate the toilet with negative behaviors and feelings and good luck getting them to cooperate on the toilet.  So with that said, we played for a little bit and then I got him ready for a church date with his Tia Melissa.  Rather than have someone else deal with his misses, especially out in public he was placed in a diaper and sent off.  I did advise my sister that he had not pooped in 24 hours so he might need to go.  I was able to get some laundry done while he was gone and after church was over I received a call from my sister informing me that Jude went pee on the toilet at church and my sister cued him with the pshhhhhhh sound.  I was very proud.  It is good to know that he is really associating peeing with that sound and not just associating it with ME making a noise.  This is great news for all of his care givers.  The three of us (myself, sister and Jude) went to lunch and then Jude and I came home, had another great pee catch, put his boxer brief chonies on and took a nap.   He did not pee AT ALL his while 3 hour nap.  This is great news. His bladder is starting to recognize its own capabilities.  After the nap it was another good pee catch.  There were about 3 misses of urine for the next 4 hours and I am assuming he had a ot built up from his nap.  But still no poop.  Now that it has been 24+ hours I began to rule out constipation for the lack of bowel movement.  It would either all come out soon or we might have to have some diuretic fruit.  To no avail did he poop while DF.  Later that night David took him for a walk so I was able to do some uninterrupted dishes and a diaper was put on for catches.  When they came back it was time for a bath.  As I, the cat, tried to catch my mouse of a child, who was laughing as he moved faster and faster, noticed that he had just pooped.  We were both distracted there wasn't any time for " uh uh".  But a bath was given and it was time for bed.  As I mentioned before nighttime EC is on pause for now so we will be putting diapers on Jude at night.  I am however, now, considering switching to cloth diapers during this new adventure and if anyone has any that would fit a 23 pounder I would love some!!!