He Did It.

This is HUGE!  Gatlin is potty-trained.  This is a big milestone for any child, I know, but this was quite the feat for my little guy.  I have to start from the beginning because I know one day that he will read this.   About a year and a half ago, Gatlin had a really nasty yeast infection, which is very common in our family my kiddos have all battled them, and when we were finally able to get rid of it he stopped going to the bathroom.  And so it all began, He would hold in his bowels, stop eating, get more infections, and let's face it he was a MISERABLE little boy.  (Can you blame him? Poor kid)  The only way we could get you to go was to provide asisstance (enemas, suppositories, stool softener, fiber, etc.)  And there were still times that he would not go.  There was a lot of anger, frustration, and even tears on my part.  I just wanted him to be "normal" and just go to the bathroom.  I was talking to Matt one day and he told me that it wouldn't hurt Gatlin to give him an enema every day if he needed it.  At this point an enema was the only thing that worked.  Really?  Ok, I can do that.  We talked some more and realized that we really needed to increase his fiber and make sure that he was drinking more water.  Gatlin is a very, very picky eater.  His diet consists of bread, yogurt, sometimes an apple, and bananas.  This all he eats.  I got up the next day and decided that I was going to take charge of the little runt and he was going to go to the bathroom.  I went and bought some enemas, I found these awesome gummy fiber vitamins, and of course M & M's to reward him for going.  I watched his diet closer, started giving him fiber 3 times a day, and created a calmer bathroom routine.  The next morning, the potty training began. It wasn't easy at all and there were days I just wanted to quit but I knew for my sanity and his health we just had to keep pushing forward.  Needless to say, it took some time and A LOT of patience but each day got a little easier and easier.  I know that Gatlin has autism and right now is non-verbal but he understands and hears every word I say to him.  That is one of the biggest mis-conceptions about autism is that they don't understand and are just in their own little world.  An autistic child understands every word and learns just like a "normal" child.  They just can't get the information back out.  I knew this and used it to my advantage.   I started to see the understanding in his eyes and knew he was getting it.  Anytime he would go, we would make a big deal even Gabriel would clap for him.   One day, he got down off the toilet clapped his hands and was able to say "Yay!" My heart just swelled in my chest and a sense of relief and accomplishment over came me.  Together, we were climbing this mountain and we were making it to the bottom.  I know this is such a silly thing to be so happy about but for our family these kinds of things are big.  I am so proud of my little buddy and think he looks pretty darn cute running around in his new big boy underware!  Now, if only the Lord can give me even more strength to potty-train his brother.  That is a different story and will have to wait for another post.