Potty Training Success!!!

Well, world....it's official.  My daughter is potty trained!!!  I haven't changed a diaper in I don't know how long.  Although I guess the diaper changing stage is coming back, ready or not!  However, with Paige, I really wanted to try to get her out of diapers before Baby #2 (who we have started to call Baby No Name because we can't agree on a name for her).  Here are my sure-fire (for me, anyway) steps to a diaper free life!

Step 1: Plan To Make No Plans

I started potty training Paige after our long weekends to Syracuse for holidays, and any other trips or distractions we may have had planned, were behind us.  My advice--give it AT LEAST a week of staying home.  That means no grocery shopping trips (make plans to go without your child), no errands, no play dates, nothing.   If you keep your child home, they will not have as many distractions or fears of going in unknown potties.  And you'll be able to devote 100% of your attention to potty training.  

Step 2: Expect Accidents

Your child is going to have accidents.  Just face that as a reality before even putting a pair of underwear on her.  Arm yourself with paper towel, stain remover (pet odor and stain remover works well for carpets) and LOTS OF PATIENCE!!!  You have to remember that this is new for your child, and they are bound to have accidents, because they don't know that going wherever they are is no longer okay.  When an accident happens, clean it up, give hugs and kisses, and MOVE ON.  It probably wasn't the first, and I can guarantee it won't be the last.  

Step 3: Ditch the Diaper, and Get Excited!

When your stock of diapers is gone, it's gone.  Resolve to not buy diapers again.  Get excited about buying "Big Girl Pants" and get your little one excited too!  Take her to the store, and let her pick them out.  A side note of this step--DITCH THE PULL-UP!  They are way too much like diapers, and will not help with the potty training.  Paige wears pull-ups only at night.  I tried to start training with pull-ups, and because they feel just like a diaper it was actually setting us back.  She would tell me AFTER she peed.  If you put your child directly in underwear, they will feel when they are wet.  

Step 4: Baby Steps

Your child is a big girl now.  Just make sure that you're still understanding of the fact that they need to be introduced into any adjustment or change gradually.  I started by getting some t-shirts that were a little big on her and letting her run around bare bottomed with just her shirt on.  I also moved the potty into our den, where she spends her time playing or reading with me, and where I would be able to see her even if I was in the kitchen cooking or cleaning up.  Find the room that your child spends the most time in, and put the potty there.  For the first day or two, set a timer and make sure she's sitting on the potty every 10-20 minutes.  If she doesn't go, praise her anyway for trying.  If she has an accident shortly before or after the timer goes off, take notice and adjust your potty trips accordingly.  (Also, refer to Step #2--Accidents will happen!)  After a day or two (or however long it takes for your child to start to understand), they will begin heading toward the potty when it's time to go.  When that happens, add ONE article of clothing on her bottom...just undies.  Continue to allow her to wear just a tshirt or sweat shirt.  This will help in learning to get the the potty in time to pull down your pants, without having too much clothing to fumble with.  Gradually add her pants, and remember ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN!  Make sure you are ready and watching for signs that she has to go.  Be ready to make a mad dash to the potty.  When this phase is complete, start moving the potty slowly back into the bathroom.  I moved it a little at a time everyday, until it was back where it belongs. 

Step 5: Plan For Successful Outings

Once you're ready to venture out into the world with your newly trained pottier, make sure you set the both of you up for success.  ALWAYS pack an extra set of clothing, from head to toe.  Socks and shoes too, because some accidents can get messy!  Before you leave, try to limit as best you can the amount of liquid she consumes.  Also, make sure she sits on the potty and goes before you leave.  When I first started traveling, I invested in underpads, and put one under her when I put her in the carseat.  I also use them when I put her down for a nap.  If you are traveling to a store or other place of business, scope out the potty locations as soon as you get there.  Ask when you walk in if they have to go, and again before you leave to minimize chances of an accident....but remember--ACCIDENTS WILL HAPPEN!!!  That's why you have a change of clothes.  I also make sure I have antibacterial wipes available for the questionable bathrooms I may have to enter.  

I hope these tips have helped to at least give you hope that there is light at the end of the tunnel.  And I hope these tips will be useful in at least outlining your plan.  Remember that every child is different, and don't get frustrated if they don't get it right away.  If you've been working with your child for a few weeks, and they haven't caught on at all, take a break for a month or more if needed, and then try again. 

Here comes Baby Girl Kenny!!!

As promised, here is my play-by-play of finding out I was pregnant.

The week that Sean, Paige and I were scheduled to head to Syracuse for Thanksgiving is the week that I was to be expecting my monthly friend.  We would have been in Syracuse that day, and I wanted to test at home, so I could tell Sean privately.  So I decided against taking a test on Tuesday before we left, and figured I'd wait until AFTER I was expected to get my visitor.  I figured another couple days wouldn't change much.

When we got there, we settled in and were expecting my brother-in-law and his wife to arrive Thursday morning.  When they did, they announced that they were expecting.  At that moment, I knew I was pregnant.  Not took a test knew, but I had this gut feeling that I was going to be having my own little bundle of joy.  Sean and I talked about it and decided if we weren't, we'd stop trying to conceive for a few months, so that our family could have their moment in the sun.....this being their first child.   So we let the subject go, although inside I was churning with about a hundred different emotions.  I wanted so badly to be pregnant, but thought for sure my family would be upset, because this was their first child and I know how much you want your child to be "in the spotlight" so to speak when it comes to their birth and first few months of life. 

When we returned home from Syracuse, off I went to the drug store to purchase my own test.  I didn't say anything to Sean, I just waited for him to leave for work Monday morning.  When he did, I jumped out of bed and took the test.  My hear soared with excitement (and fear if I'm being completely honest) when the test read pregnant.  So Paige and I went to the store and purchased a shirt that said "Big Sister".  One look at the shirt and Sean knew he was going to be a Daddy again. 

We told my parents first, when we went to cut down our Christmas tree a week later.  Sean mentioned in conversation that he was going to have to watch me like a hawk to make sure I didn't trip over stumps, and they knew right away.  When I was pregnant with Paige and we went cutting down our tree, all anyone worried about was me tripping and falling over a tree stump.  My family was elated at the thought of another little grandchild to spoil.

We went back to Syracuse to celebrate Christmas and New Year's on New Year's Eve.  We put Paige's shirt on her, and when my father-in-law saw it, he was so very excited.  My Syracuse family was elated as well, and I was so happy to share this news with them.

The only people I was actually nervous about telling were my brother-in-law and sister-in-law.   I was so worried that they were going to think that we got pregnant after they told us or something, that we put off telling them until the middle of January.   We had finally decided on a day to go down and visit them at their home to exchange Christmas presents and have dinner.  Sean made the announcement and they were shocked.  I'm still not sure if they're thrilled about it, but I am happy enough for everyone, and I know in my heart that we didn't do it to take any attention away from anyone, or because anyone else was pregnant.  In fact, we were pregnant and didn't even know it when we were all together last. 

I am so very happy to be having another child.  I did, however receive another shock when I went for my big ultrasound in March.   I was so certain that this baby was a boy.  I felt so different this time, and just had a feeling that I was having a boy.  I picked out the bedding, a name, and everything.  I was ready to order the bedding as soon as we got home from our appointment.  However, my little peanut had a different agenda for me.  I had called my in-laws, and had them on speaker phone as the technician made her announcement.  My sister and stepmom were in the room with me, alongside Sean and Paige of course.  When she said "It's a Girl!"  I burst into laughter, in complete disbelief.  I am thrilled, of course, but now Sean and I cannot agree on anything....bedding, name, middle name, color scheme, you name it. 

We've gotten some choices narrowed down, but I'm just glad we have until July 29th to make these decisions.   Because Paige was such a difficult labor that resulted in a c-section (because of her size), my doctor told me I'd only be allowed to go to 39 weeks.  If I go into labor before then, I can have a VBAC, but if not, I will have a scheduled c-section at 39 weeks.  Which means as I write this I have 16 weeks and 5 days until my baby comes.  When I look at that number I honestly get nervous, you'd think I've never done this before!

I am so happy to share this news with the world.  I hope you're all just as happy to read it, whoever you are.