Years ago, I loved being in front of the camera. Nowadays, it’s a rarity that you’ll see me. I can’t say there’s some super deep thing to speak of, I simply enjoy creativity and being able to get that creativity from others. A few years back, I purchased a camera, with the goal of getting into photography. I think I have to credit my daughter for that obsession. I loved capturing her–my Mini Muse! Anyway, as life happened, I stepped away from the camera for a while, only to pick it back up once starting Jillian’s YouTube Channel and creating my blog. I think I mentioned before that most of the photographs I post were taken by me, and so I have decided to share more of that with you. Welcome to The Coleture Visual Art Studio.
Practice Makes Perfect
Pamela of Pamela Premiere Photography in New Orleans, Louisiana, photographed by The Coleture Visual Art Studio.
I take no ones profession for granted. I am always working to perfect all my crafts. Photography is no different. In order to reacclimate myself into the world as a photographer (along with my other hats), my friend and personal photographer, Pamela of Pamela Premiere Photography, and I decided to do a joint venture for the Christmas holidays. We offered holiday mini sessions for one day at a rate of $120, even including a Christmas Card design.
It was fun! And I’m happy we were able to add a little value to a few families during the holidays that didn’t break the bank for any of us. We will likely do another one again, soon, so be on the lookout for an announcement. In the meantime, please reach out to me if you’d like to book a session. We are only shooting outdoors, and all shoots will be socially distanced per COVID-19 restrictions.
The Coleture Visual Art Studio in Action
Stilling a moment so it lasts forever.
The Coleture Visual Art Studio
Thank you for tuning in. And we welcome you to book your next session with The Coleture Visual Art Studio.
How do you encourage your toddler to use the potty?
This photo was taken in a bathroom…where he did not use the potty. *insert eyeroll here*
Potty-training is not for the faint of heart, at least in my household. I can tell you now, I was not built for this. My son is the cutest little boy in the world. I find myself frequently looking over his baby pictures. It’s hard to believe three years have passed, since he completed our family. Now that he is 3, his personality is blooming. He is smart, and he is just soooo sweet! But how is it possible to be so sweet and so stubborn at the same time? Like, who raised you? (Don’t answer that). Introducing, Timothy II-the Potty User Refuser.
First, let me give you a little background on my son. He loves vehicles! Timmy talks a lot, but is quite bashful around others. He doesn’t like to take naps, but turn on a Marvel movie, and he will sit quietly to watch it, until he falls asleep. A honey bun AND a cup of milk is his “morning coffee,” and he refuses to begin his day without them.
.
The second photo gives you some insight on what happened that time we didn’t have his honey bun and gave him a donut, instead.
Tall for his age, most people thought he was 4 when he was 2. He knows lots of words, shapes, and colors. He shows an interest in numbers and can actually count a little. Flashes of stubbornness present themselves when you ask him to answer questions about any of those things. Ask him to show you a letter, and this guy has an eyeroll only God can teach, IF he chooses to acknowledge you were speaking to him in the first place.
Back to potty-training.
So, we really tried to get ahead of this. Like other proactive parents, we tried getting him acclimated to sitting on the potty early on. And the few times that he used it unknowingly, we celebrated him. We were so proud of ourselves. Really thought we were just on top of things. If only you could’ve witnessed our excitement! Oh, but little did we know what was in store for us.
Just made a year and he’s on the potty.
Soon, he understood that it was “pee pee” or “poo poo” in the potty because we would show it to him. We continued to cheer him on when he used it. Like all little people who receive praise, he ate it up! We just knew these were signs that he would be using the potty on his own in the near future. Can you hear the sound of us tooting our own horns? We also read books and watch (present tense) the potty-training episodes of some of his favorite shows and characters. Guess who could care less?
On his Third Birthday, still not potty-trained, and living his best life.
Suddenly, every time we put him on the potty, he fought to get off– screaming and crying, arms flailing all over the place. As Timmy got a little older, we bought him underwear. Oh, and not just any old underwear, either. He has boxer briefs! He has vehicle underwear, Dinosaur underwear, he even has Spiderman underwear! I mean, no holds barred on choosing the most fashionable of boxers. None of it matters. Eventually, we stopped [attempting to] put him on the “big potty,” and started using his little potty. We tried making it as comfortable as possible.
The potty is in the living room, for goodness sake!
Next, came the bribes. You get your “bunny” (as he affectionately refers to honey buns), when you sit on the potty. Guys, he is steadfast in his lack of desire to use the potty. Timmy will sit on the potty, not use it, eat his “bunny,” and get up. Then, it could take an hour, but he will gladly pee and/or poo in his underwear. So long as he does not have to sit on the potty, he can take it. It’s downright astonishing (and disgusting)!
The other day, I put underwear on him. I asked him a million times if he needed to pee pee. He said no, each and every time. By the time I made him go sit on the potty, which wasn’t long after me asking, he had peed on one of my pillows in my bed. Whhhhyyyy? After throwing my pillow out, I began to “potty shame” him. I said that everyone in the house uses the potty, except him. And I started singing about him needing to use the potty. See below for results.
Can you hear the meltdown through these pictures?
People often say that “boys are the hardest to potty-train,” but I wouldn’t know by comparing to my daughter… because she was no walk in the park. She was the type of kid who would have you sitting with her in the bathroom for an hour and a half, only to use it on the floor as soon as you take her off of it. This behavior was frequent, so we knew it was intentional. Timmy, on the other hand, doesn’t even try. He will wait as long as he can, until you give up on having him sit there and/or questioning him about it.
He will potty on the floor, on the stairs, on my favorite rug, in his bed—anywhere but the potty.
Though, he’s very aware of when he needs to use the potty, he will only use it when forced to sit on it. And he may tinkle a little and STILL pee on something else five minutes later. The crazy part is, he has the nerve to be embarrassed and sad after you ask him if he used it on himself. BUT. YOU. KNOW. EXACTLY. WHAT. YOU. ARE. DOING. Someone please make it make sense!
Look how close the potty is. Ask me where he peed.
Am I alone in this fight? Are there any other parents that have children like this?!
Since Timmy is mostly with me, I have been running lead on potty-training, and I am at my wit’s end! I asked family and friends for help and tips. My parents even stepped in to help when the kids stayed with them during the last few school breaks (prior to the Rona). There was no change.
In the meantime, I began searching online for potty-training solutions for stubborn kids, but didn’t find much we hadn’t tried. I did come across this hilarious article called, “My 3-Year-Old is Potty-Training. He Almost Ended Me.” It was eerily familiar, except his kid may be a bit more of a prankster than mine. At any rate, I could totally relate to the author’s experience.
You will never guess what happened next!
Finally, a miracle happened! I don’t know if my son knew I was writing this article about him or not, but what I can tell you is this: On the afternoon of Monday, April 20, 2020, Timothy II, the Potty User Refuser actually USED THE POTTY! He still won’t go in and use it without me, and he will only “pee” in the potty, but he has used it every day since then. Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a new potty user in our home. I’d like to now introudce you to Timothy II, Potty User.
He kept unbuttoning his shirt one day in the French Quarter. So this is him while we shopped.lol #feelinghimself
Strolling down memory lane. #stillfeelinghimself
Any interesting potty-training moments or stories with the toddler in your life? Comment down below or shoot us a message about it.
We have not been compensated for any products mentioned in this article. If you are interested in Timothy II representing your product, brand, or work, please contact us here or email Jolandra@TheColeture.com.
Before we head out of the door for any occasion, I have to make sure my children look neat, nothing on their clothes, and most importantly, that I snap a gazillion pictures. Sometimes, my picture-taking can cause us to run behind, but it’s like a Jedi mind trick or something. I honestly cannot help myself. I always want to capture these moments—these forever memories—that one day, will seem so distant.
Timmy’s first time at one of Jillian’s favorite places to hang out.
I know I’m not the only Mommy-razzi
around here, so no judging.
I learned early on that if you don’t get a good picture as soon as you’re leaving the house, you probably won’t ever get one. If you, indeed, do get a good picture later on, the child(ren)’s clothes have at least one stain. It’s inevitable! I just like to see my hard work come to fruition. Let me have my pictures!lol So here’s to introducing two of the world’s most beautiful, lovable little humans, Jillian and Timothy II.
