It occurred to me last week that summer was almost over. That means preschool, learning groups, swimming lessons, and dance start soon. I realized I need to stop putting off potty training Ella (just having a baby was a good excuse, but it's waning now that he's 2 1/2 months old!) and use these last few lazy days of summer to get 'er done!
We procured the necessary supplies and started talking it up. Ella loves Hello Kitty so we decided upon a Hello kitty potty party to make it fun. She went down for a nap, excited to wake up and get started.
Is she not adorable?
This is how we have looked for about the last 5 days.
It's always so weird to see the kids' cute buns without a diaper.
Here's the rest of the story if you want it:
Ella is stubborn. I staked out 3-4 days to stay home and practice all day. The first afternoon she was super excited, but the learning curve was steep. I gave her a huge glass of lemonade and she peed about 6 times, half in the potty, half out. It definitely made it clear to her what happens when you don't sit on the potty. The next day she started digging her heels in. She still wanted to sit on the potty but didn't want to go. The fun was fading and she didn't want to when I asked, but then she would have an accident a few minutes later. I was getting frustrated but I tried to keep anger out of the equation and just let natural consequences to the teaching. I read in a book that it's important to reward being
dry as well as actually peeing on the potty, so I started asking her periodically and giving her chocolate chips if she was dry. We also started putting undies on a teddy bear and teaching the teddy bear how to go potty, even giving him the rewards if he did it right. That made it fun again and she could see the whole process.
The third day was the hardest. She was so stubborn. She refused to go for any kind of reward, even handing the sucker back to me and giving up going to the park. She hid in a corner and peed on the carpet a few times. I was at my wits end. She would not even sit on the potty. I guess it was good bladder practice because she would hold it for hours and then have an accident. Mike thought we should stop and try again later, but I knew she was ready. She is old enough and smart enough, she was just being plain stubborn. I felt like giving up would teach her she could win the battle. Plus I think she would keep asking to wear her Hello Kitty underwear and be confused.
The fourth day I was resigned to a battle of wills. I wasn't going to give up and I was willing to just deal with it. I was also more distracted because we had plans to go somewhere, so I wasn't harping on her as much. We went on our merry way with no accidents, but when we got home at lunchtime she had to go so bad she ran to the potty and did it without me asking.
Unbelievably, from then on it's been smooth sailing. She cracked the system and we found our cruising speed. I ask occasionally but trust her answer, and she runs to the potty and goes when she needs to independently. She wakes up from naps dry and has even gone #2 in the potty 3 times.
Lessons learned:
1. Don't give up.
2. Don't get mad.
3. Every kid is different. Maddie is a people pleaser and wanted to do it for me. She soaked up the attention and wanted the guidance. Ella wants to do it all by herself when she is ready.
4. Schedule a pedicure with friends for day 4. You will need some sanity. (Thanks Jo!!!!)
YAY FOR ELLA!!!!!!!!
Late summer is delicious. I love the thunderstorms, lightning, rainbows, pink sunsets, sunflowers... and especially all of the above in an evening.
I also love our neighborhood. We have gorgeous views, green fields, quiet streets (good for novice bike riders), and awesome neighbors. There are many close by that already feel like good friends, people you would do anything for and they would do anything for you. There are some cute kids that Maddie is making friends with. Twice this week she ran one or two doors down with hair flying behind her and a huge grin... We've never had neighbor friends like this, and it pulled my heart strings a little to allow her this new independence. It also brought sweet back memories of growing up and playing with friends down the street.
The best thing about living here is that I can fall in love with it with wild abandon. I don't have to hold anything back because it's temporary, like I've always had to as a renter. This home is ours to make memories and get as sentimentally attached as I want.
The yard is going to be my sanctuary. We have put so much sweat into it already, we are really going to appreciate it when it's (semi) done. I guess it will never really be done, but grass will definitely make it more enjoyable!
Mike is almost done with the monster sprinkler system. Yesterday he bought the super computer clock and wired it all up. I have been most impressed with his abilities... he is quite the plumber, electrician, and handyman all in one. Our neighbor commented the other day (after one of his many entire days outside) that he is a hard worker! Topsoil, curbing, and hydroseed are in our near future.
The girls love playing outside constantly.
I have to end with a note about Tyler. He is getting so interactive with the world... he smiles, goos, holds and explores toys, and even giggled the other day. We just love him!
