No DIAPER Day

As many of you may know, I've been struggling to help Lukas get potty trained. It has not been fun and I think I stress and worry about it more than I should. I get so worried about him being the only one that isn't potty trained, that I feel the pressure and then it makes it un-fun for him! So I dug up the courage to try again this week. I tried a different approach than I had before. (I tried the potty watch, charts galore, prizes, bribes, candy, toys, you name it, I tried it). So this time around I talked up a "no diaper day" where he didn't have to wear his diaper and he could wear his favorite underwear for however long he wanted. He didn't have to sit on the potty if he didn't want to and when he was ready to put his diaper on again, he could, but then "no diaper day" would be over. He went to bed that night thinking about it and when he woke up the next morning he came running downstairs and said, "Mommy, my potty toys are waiting for me on 'no diaper day'." (I left a couple of toys that I bought for him when he was potty trained out so he could see them in the bathroom). Well, I must say that I am SO proud of Lukas. It took about 2 1/2 hours of sitting in the bathroom, reading books, talking, singing, drinking milk/water/juice, playing with his toys until FINALLY he went on his own. I was so excited and I make THE biggest deal about it! I think I might have even teared up with joy! I wasn't expecting much, so I told him he could be done for the day if he wanted. He put some pull-ups on and went to watch some cartoons. A minute later he said, "I think I have to go!" So he went in and sat on the potty for a few minutes. It was a false alarm, but again I'm oozing with joy that he even cares. I left for a second and I see him run in the bathroom. He went ALL BY HIMSELF! Again, I freaked out and spoiled him with candy and hugs and kisses! He did this all day! We called everyone...daddy, Mindy, Nana, Emily. I was in heaven and I thought my day had finally come! However, it was short-lived b/c his cousins were coming over that night and he got a bit distracted for a day or so. But, he knows how to do it now and every day he'll come to me and say "Mommy, I peed in the potty, are you proud of me?" He isn't completley potty-trained, but this is a huge step from where we were. I still am weary of letting him wear underwear outside of the house. Accidents are bound to happen, but I'm easing into it. Way to go LUKAS!