Big Just Like My Brother

I've always heard people say how the younger child will be easier to potty train because he/she always watches the older sibling(s). Not sure how much sense this ever really made, but perhaps I will cross my fingers that such a theory holds true. Braxton does have an interest in what Grayson does in the bathroom. I hear a lot of yelling by Grayson when he is in there to get Braxton away. I catch him often after Grayson is finished trying to reflush the toilet and then getting on the step stool by the sink like HE was the one who just did something spectacular (yes as parents of toddlers, using the bathroom is a spectacular thing when it happens... more so when they officially are 100% trained and you don't have to search the house looking for the "wet spot" when they come telling you they just went potty and their pants are soaked)

Seeing the interest Braxton has with his brother's bathroom habits I made a "wandering Walmart" decision to purchase a new toddler toilet seat to put on our toilet at home. Wednesday afternoon I sat him on it (much to his delight) and he probably sat there for 5 minutes just grinning from ear to ear. Of course, this means nothing else occurred, but I never expected that to happen. He is only 17 months and despite reading articles "Potty Train your Baby at 6 Months" I realize that not all babies are potty geniuses and the odds of my son being one is even less.

Thursday night it was time for a bath so I took Braxton in and got him undressed. He quickly tried to climb on the toilet so I sat him up there (probably 10 minutes this time). I spent a lot of time preventing excessive toilet paper being unrolled and put in the toilet. I finally scooped him up and stood him on the floor. Next thing I know, Braxton is lifting the toilet seat and climbing on the step stool. He stands there and sticks his belly forward (I wish I had a picture, it was so hysterical) so he could "aim". Nothing happens. Braxton looks down, then stands back up with his belly out. This repeats several times. After a couple minutes I just put him in the tub.

Absolute distress. Braxton starts crying. Not just crying, but extremely upset. Tears and everything. After about 20 seconds of this, he stops.... looks down....and starts peeing. Poor baby. Mom was just not patient enough. He obviously had the right idea and knew he could go, but he just couldn't get it coordinated in time. Maybe he will be a toilet genius afterall :-)