Off Duty

It is official. After 10 1/2 years of changing a mountain of diapers we are DONE! I can hardly beleive that the diaper years are behind us. Tom and I are on a parental high everytime it dawns on us that the diapers are done. Mason has been showing signs of being ready for potty training for a while and I think I have been in denial. I was not ready to stop at every bathroom from here, to the grocery store, to the mall and back. Even having done the potty training thing a few times before, I was still intimidated by the possible accidents (and mounds of soiled laundry). After talking potty and having a potty chair available for the last few months we were ready to take the plunge. Picking out some very manly hotwheel tighty-whities and bestowing some words of encouragement ...it was time. The moment those undies went on...he was focused on the task at hand. Maybe 2 accidents in the last 2 weeks and dry through the night. I shouldn't have underestimated little Mason. Maybe God is blessing us the fourth time around. Kind of a bonus. Anyhow, dearest Mason, thank you , thank you, thank you for making it so easy. Mason is not shy....even our favorite checker at the grocery store knows of Mason's latest accomplishment. " I went potty and poo poo. I have big boy pants on." We are so proud of you Mason! Tom and I were talking about our 10 + years of diapers and came up with some amazing numbers. We figured we changed approximately 1,700 diapers per year per kid. Based on how long it took each kid to potty train, our grand total came out to 18,700 diaper. That is about $6,500 (then add in wipes). Wow. What does our carbon footprint look like?
Although I will not miss dirty diapers, I must admit, I am sad to think all of my babies are growing up and getting older at an increasingly fast rate (and so am I). For all of you still changing diapers, don't be jealous. Your time will come. But, for Tom and I we are just glad to have survived diapers.