The Potty Training Chronicles: Part Two

Holy Crap!!!!!

Well, I actually should have posted this a little while ago, but you all know how it goes with me! Ruby did go poop on her potty one time, without any encouragement, or even our awareness! She was just hanging out naked, which is usual around here with me, and Aaron and I were looking at something on the computer. Ruby came in very excited saying, "I went poo-poo! I went poo-poo!" And I was of course thinking, "Oh crap!". So I said, "okay Ruby, show mama where the poo-poo is," as I was already preparing myself to the task of cleaning up poop off the floor. Needless to say, I was pretty shocked when she proudly displayed a huge turd in her potty. We were so proud of her! I wasn't expecting poop on the potty for a long time to come. I was very pleased with the progress she had made so far. Dada and I made a big fuss over her accomplishment, and she also seemed very pleased with herself.

Fast forward to today, which is probably two and a half weeks from the potty poop. There has been no more poop on the potty, or any interest to try that again. But, after a few days of regressing to not wanting to pee on the potty, Ruby is in a very good habit of always using the potty to pee. If she happens to be wearing a diaper, she takes it off to pee. This is great! The incentive of stickers and treats definitely keeps her constant. However, she will not poop! If she is not wearing a diaper, I think she might hold in her poop, because her "schedule" is not predictable any more. So far I really haven't read any advice about potty training, but perhaps now is the time to add to my repertroire of mommy tricks. We have not started to leave the house (unless for very short trips) yet without a diaper on.

Here is the open call for advice, tips, and tricks to continue on with our potty learning success!!!

The Potty Training Chronicles

Part One:

I haven't wanted to jinx it by gushing too soon, but at last we have a little girl who is going pee pee on her potty!

I was starting to think she'd be wearing diapers in her teens, because she has maintained such a vehement aversion to the potty for the better part of a year now. I have tried to remain sensitive to her feelings, while still encouraging her to try the potty, but not making a big deal out of it when she would refuse. So, just like all other milestones with Ruby, last week she just made up her mind that it was alright, and actually replied yes when I asked her if she wanted to try and sit on the potty! My first instinct was always to be very nonchalant about the whole potty thing, but this is Ruby we are talking about! The little performer that she is, she has responded very well to generous accolades and encouragement, as well as stickers to put on her potty, and.... yes, sugary treats. I never wanted to stoop so low as bribing my kid with promises of ice cream, cookies, and m&ms, but hey, whatever works. Mama can't afford diapers anymore!

We have a long road ahead, but at least we have started the journey. It is funny for me to think about, because when Ruby was a baby, she was so fiercely determined to achieve those initial physical milestones of pushing up, rolling over, standing up, and walking. She did all of those things extremely fast it blew my mind, and left me more than a little bit wanting that she would stay a "baby" just a little bit longer. Yet as a toddler, the emotional milestones of weaning and learning to use the potty have been difficult for her to fully embrace, and it seems as Aaron and I are encouraging her to become independent, she desires to remain a baby. I can identify with this mental state. Change is hard, and can be really scary for some people who are comfortable with routine and knowing what is to come next.

But I digress, Ruby is doing an excellent job at navigating this transitional time in her life, and I am so overwhelmingly proud, touched, and honored to be her mother, and witness the beauty of her blossoming spirit. One thing hasn't changed, the girl is a firecracker!