Just for Fun

The dread of potty training

Do you remember the days of being potty trained? If so I'd love some help on what made it "click" for you! Six months ago B was super excited about all things related to the potty (exciting I know), she would tell me "potty potty mommy" and we'd run to the bathroom where she sat on the potty grinning at me simply because she was doing a "big" girl thing. Fast forward six months and she REFUSES to go anywhere near the bathroom except to walk in and interrupt anyone who might be in there. She hates diapers, doesn't want to put them on so I've resorted to letting her pick out big girl underwear. Her favorites so far are her Tinkerbell panties (she calls them "bell panties" not having picked up on the existence of another Disney character by that name) and everytime I put them on her I have to explain that you don't pee in the Bell panties (by the way, I detest the word panties and yet its amazing what you resort to when talking to a child) and if she pees in them she has to wear diapers. I swear to you not five minutes later she'll walk up me having peed in her underwear. Yes lovely I must tell you, thankfully its either been over the tile floor or a pillow we could wash, I'm dreading the day she does it when its not so pleasant to fix. Yes potty training is going just beautifully, the favorite part of raising a toddler... uh huh, I'm not crazy enough to actually believe that but if I start to discourage now I'll never make it through. My mom's peditrican once told her (when I was not doing so well with the potty training myself at the ripe ol' age of 2) that you never see a Kindergartner who isn't potty trained... Comforting thought right? Would you like to be changing diapers for the next 3 years??? Although diapers are much easier (lets face it, there's no running to the bathroom to make it in time, car drives are never a disaster and spare clothes don't have to be toted around) its the thought of never having to spend a fortune on disposable items and less mess I actually have to deal with daily. Everyone tells me she'll just figure it out one day, well I've never been one for being patient so this should be a great test of will here. Wish me luck and I fear this will not be the only time I discuss the joy of potty time. (Such a lovely and encouraging thought!)

Introduction to B

I have a very energetic two year old girl. B is a definite tomboy, loves dirt, trucks, trains, and getting herself messy with anything she can find. She loves to play in water and would live in the bathtub or a pool if she could. She has a purple haired doll named Cora whom she adores and was adamant at wanting (prior to this any doll she was given she turned her nose up at), and mind you it HAD to be the purple haired doll, no other color would do. She takes the clothes off all of her dolls and puts all of the furniture in her dollhouse out on the porch. All of these things I'm afraid I'll forget if I don't write them down. Not only that but hopefully writing it all down will help me remember the humor in all the trials and tribulations of raising a toddler. I was terrible at documenting the first two years of her life, I have pictures, some video and a completely blank baby book. I can remember the big moments (although dates of first words, first steps, etc elude me) but I want to have something more concrete. I also want to share the fun of having a little one running around because there are days I forget the fun of it all. I'm a single mom, however it doesn't feel like it. She has a great father who's very involved and shares custody with me, she has grandparents that make life so much easier for both of us and I have a great support system that feels like a village raising this little girl. I don't think I've met a child more energetic and happy then she (however I'm her mother so I am pleasantly biased). I never thought I'd want children and then B came along and I've never wanted to go back. So enjoy the fun of going along for the ride, she's a great character to read about.