The adventures in potty training...a not so perfect experience

I spent the entire day chronicling our day of potty training to share with you. My intent was to keep a record of the journey to share our successes and failures. But we've hit the end of day two and I just deleted the entire post. I refuse to drag anyone else through the misery of an entire day of misses. We did not have one.single.hit. ARG!!!

I will say we got close once and she emptied her bladder right in front of the potty, she sure did try that time and I was proud of her, but the rest of the day were just plain misses. I really had high hopes coming into today. We started the process yesterday evening and after several misses we had a huge hit and she was so proud! We'd celebrated it properly and she was just thrilled. She told me several times today that she didn't need a "baby diaper" and was excited to pick a pair of undies to wear. But regardless of yesterdays triumph, today was pretty much a failure.

The only thing that makes it possible to trudge into another day of it tomorrow is the fact that she is slowly but surely and obviously getting it. This isn't our first attempt at potty training. When Em was 18 months old she regularly used the potty, but she wasn't physically ready yet. Two other times in the last year we've made an attempt at training but ended it with frustrated parents and too much laundry. After a single day neither of us could see any reason to go forward another day. This time there are clear differences that tell us its worth continuing, even as exhausting and frustrating as it is. One, she can't stand being in the wet undies - Previously she didn't care, so this is a huge step in the right direction. Two, she is communicating with us about it. Three, she's made progress by getting close to making it a few times. I really feel like if we stick with it we will get it this time, but it could take some serious time.

My biggest fear at this point is regression. Is spending all this time and effort only to have her regress in 9 weeks when Landon arrives. I've read TONS of blogs about kiddos regressing after the birth of a sibling. Despite that...we're going to keep trying. Because we believe she's ready and it's not fair to delay her milestones due to our fear of problems down the road. No use borrowing trouble.

The blog I read a few moments ago says day two is the worst...here's hoping they're right and tomorrows better! Frankly, it can't get much worse. We are a little busier tomorrow and have gymnastics and a dinner date, so we will be forced to put on a pull-up during those outings but hopefully we can still have a successful day.

Here are a few fun items I've learned so far...

1- Potty training while pregnant is not smart. Parents deserve wine after a day of this...instead I'm indulging on milk and cookies.

2- Her laundry isn't the only extra you'll be doing. There's the towels from clean-up, socks from stepping in it, and jeans from kneeling in it while you attempt to clean it. Oy!

3- As difficult as this milestone is mentally and physically for her it is mentally exhausting for the parents. Be prepared, go to bed early, allow yourself little treats throughout the day...you're going to need them.

4- You will ask the question "do you need to tee-tee (or you're particular potty word) in the potty?" over and over all day...you will sound like a broken record. You can't help yourself. Your constant fear of the couch/bed/rug being soiled will keep you asking. Invest in some white vinegar to dab on soiled surfaces after getting it as dry as possible. The vinegar neutralizes the urine to help get rid of the smell, but you'll still need to clean the item.

5- Preggo nose + urine = BAD

6- You need LOTS of "big girl (or boy) undies to do this. The last thing you want is to run out of clean undies and be forced to revert to a diaper. We went through at least 5 pairs today, including several pairs of socks and two skirts. Again...be prepared to do laundry. Of course you can allow them to run bare bottomed, but I want her to learn to remove her undies to go...we'll work on adding the element of pants once we can handle getting our undies down in time.

7- Don't show weakness!! It's like a wild animal, if they smell your weakness, they will exploit it. You HAVE to be strong and CALM!!! It doesn't do any good to lose your cool, this has to be a positive thing for them or they'll regress. You can be somewhat disappointed though. I happened to say at one point today "Oh no, you tee-tee'd in your panties again, that makes Mommy sad". When she made it all the way to the potty the one time today and then didn't finish making it, she said "oh man...mommy sad". I have to admit I felt awful for her because she really did try, but...I think she tried harder to keep from making Mommy sad...

8- This is the one time I've wished my kid went to daycare! LOL I know several people who's daycare did the brunt of their child's potty training. I'm incredibly jealous. But glad that we're in this one together. I'll be proud that we made it through this one day :)

We have a long road ahead of us. We are very close to being "out of diapers" and long from being "potty trained" but we're working on it. And at the very least we saved ourselves a few diapers today :) Wish us luck! (and patience!!)

Life with a two year old is...

AWESOME!!!!!

It's seriously awesome. Yes, she's more opinionated, yes sometimes she pushes my buttons (she IS two!) but 98% of the time she is a dream to be around! I love it. I'd always heard of the "terrible two's" and so far they really haven't been bad at all, we're only half way through though and I've actually heard that three is worse...so we'll see!! I bet for us, three actually is worse, because she'll be having to share Mommy and not used to that.

Yea...I'm just going to pretend that's not going to be an issue for a few more weeks.

What's hilarious to me is that when Em was an infant...I LOVED having an infant! I was having so much fun with my little baby. Then when she was a creeper, I LOVED having a creeper, it was even better. I have truly loved every phase of my little girls life and each one has been better than the last. So while in another year I'll think 3 1/2 is better than where we are today...I LOVE having a two year old!

This is Emilie after I was trying to take a picture on friday to finish her most recent photo book. She literally climbed up on the table and said "my turn Mommy, take MY picture!"

Those beautiful big brown eyes get me every time! They really do, she is insanely hard to say no to!!

So these are just a few of the silly things she's done recently that make me laugh:

1- Today as I was running out the door to head to the Dr for my nasty glucose test (BLEH) she says, "Bye Mommy, drive safe!" HA! Seriously?! Apparently I say that a lot when people leave!

2- I find it hilarious that she will change the subject if we even think about discussing pottying in the big girl potty but she will run and hide to do her business. So if you're in my house and see her in her playhouse or her tent -- beware! The area is probably about to be fumigated!

Seriously...my two year changes the subject!
Tonights convo went a little something like this as I changed her diaper.
Me: "Em, I think you should go teetee and poop in the big girl potty, not in your diaper anymore"
Em: "Um...I want my monkey pajamas, not the hearts"
Sigh...happens every time!

3- If she really wants something (like candy) she will climb up very close to you and WHISPER it in your ear. Its precious! And again, very hard to say no to! And its continued because she's smart and it WORKS!

4. She is a sponge! Be careful what you say near her because she is using language I have no idea where she gets (not talking profanities, I mean grown up words I wouldn't expect to come flying out of my two year olds mouth!) And making connections. Like today when I yelled at Abbey and Em was across the house I heard..."ooooh Daddy, Abbey's in big trouble!" For a little girl that's never been in "big trouble" I couldn't help but laugh from across the house that she'd made that connection.

5. Tonight after I got her in her pajamas I said, "ok Em...what's next" "Oooh Mommy (exasperated with me), I get three books and we read books" So I went to get her milk and we sat down to read. She will quietly sit through long books and enjoy them and then after the last one she said "Ooookay, its time for bed" and got up to go to her room! LOVE IT!

Ok...I do realize none of these things are earth shattering things my two year old is doing, they aren't probably even that funny to most. But that little brown eyed girl lights up my life, she makes me laugh at every turn. And she is sooo compassionate. If I'm upset or if a friend is upset, she immediately runs to hug them. So I'll say it now like I did at every other phase...two and a half IS my favorite age thus far! I love it. She is sooo much fun right now!

But just in case I missed some fun along the way...we're about to do it ALL OVER AGAIN!! This time with a boy...oh my this Momma is in for trouble!! I have no idea what to do with a boy. NO IDEA!