Potty Training (Numero 3)

This summer we decided that we needed to potty train Addy Pearl. She had been showing signs of being ready to potty train, and we could tell when she was pottying, so we knew it was time. 

Potty training child number 1 (Gretchen) is something that I don't ever want to do again. She tested every limit, and it took us an entire year to feel comfortable enough saying that she was entirely potty trained. We used the Three Day Potty Training Method, and while we loved the method, she proved that she was stubborn and strong willed. 

Potty training child number 2 (Megan) was a breeze. The girl potty trained herself right around her 2nd birthday. We just put the potty out, let her run around bottomless, and she would potty alone. 

I was really hoping that Adalyn would be just as easy as Megan, and that Addy might train herself too. It wasn't that easy, but it was definitely easier than training Gretchen!

We waited until we had moved and settled in to our new house, and we waited until we were back from our big vacation this summer. 

I was planning on starting while the big girls were away at my mom's house, but that trip kept getting changed, so I potty trained while the girls were home. This ended up working out great, because Adalyn had extra cheerleaders!

I used the 3 day method, but I followed it loosely. The method suggest that you throw away all diapers when the child wakes up in the morning. Actually, it suggest that you have the child throw them away. I knew that Addy wasn't ready to be trained for naps and night time. She had just turned two, and none of my girls have been dry at night until at least 3 1/2. Plus, I'm not worried about night time training right now. We will tackle that later. 

So, we woke up the first morning, and just left her without her diaper. Anytime she would start to have an accident, we would rush to the potty. We continued this for several days, and Adalyn did great! By the first afternoon, she could tell when she needed to potty, and we had maybe two accidents a day. 

We continued training and reinforcing over the next several days. We had to take a trip two hours away, and she even stayed dry in the car on the way there, and she pottied when we had to stop for her sisters to potty. 

The next day it was just the two of us, and I had some shopping to do. The day was difficult, and she had accidents. It was either that or we stop to run to the bathroom every 10 minutes and I knew I wouldn't get any shopping finished. 

I wasn't too stressed about that though. I think that was key. I think with the third child, you're more relaxed and you know that the one setback, won't be life threatening, like it would have been with your first child. 

Anytime we were at home, Addy would stay bottomless, and she was more and more successful, maybe having one accident per day- mostly around the time that she was upstairs playing with her sisters and I was downstairs doing laundry or picking up.

We did end up having some frustrations, when I started to put her in a pull up (for running errands out of the house) or in panties (around the house). Anytime she would have something on her bottom, she would have an accident. We're working on putting her in panties more often. 

We've had several days of her not having any accidents and her staying dry all day- if we're out running errands or if we're at home. She did however have an accident at church on Sunday, but I think that's because she's in a class of young two year old's who aren't potty trained, and her teachers have so many distractions and they're not familiar with Adalyn's signs (saying potty or holding her self.) 

She's started daycare this week, and we decided to send her in pull ups for the first few weeks. If she continues to stay dry while she's awake, then we'll start sending her in panties with lots of changes of clothes! 

I'm super proud of her and how quick she's picked up pottying! I think it also helps that my expectations aren't immediate and I know that she will get it as long as we are consistent. I feel confident enough to say that while she's with me, she's trained. Being with others will be a different story, I'm sure, but I'm also sure that within a few weeks, her teachers will be use to her style and she'll be fine there!

If you're potty training a child, I'd highly recommend that you google for the 3 Day Potty Training Method. I'd also recommend that you wait until your child is ready! Don't be afraid of accidents- skip the pull ups and undies (unless you're out of the house).

Do you have some super great potty training tips? Share them in the comments below! 

Weekly Re-Cap: Getting Adjusted

On Monday, we arrived back to Tulsa after a weekend visit to my parent's house. This was the week I thought I was well prepared for, and determined that we would get into a routine as a family of five. 

Monday went well, and we had both of the big girls in bed at a decent hour.

On Tuesday, DJ had to run a few errands and I survived the few hours that he was away. I've managed to nap every day this week, and that has really helped me adjust. It's funny that, while Addy is waking up at night 2-3 times, I don't feel exhausted, but when it comes down to it, my emotions are swinging from one end to the other, and once it's quiet in the house, i'm so ready to take a nap!

I was also determined that MC would get back into potty training, and I began rewarding her with potty treats, that I didn't have to use in June when she was willingly training on her own. We had a few accidents, but survived the day, and she was so excited to get her candy after going potty!

I'm pretty sure we had a frozen pre-prepared dinner Tuesday night, and afterwards, all of the girls had a bath and the big girls were tucked in at a decent hour.

MC decided to fall asleep on the floor, behind her door, with two of her "dede's", and with her light on. 

I enjoyed snuggling with Addy Pearl after the big girls went to bed.

Wednesday was DJ's first day back at football. He left early, and thankfully the girls didn't get me up until a little after 8, and we survived the morning. Our neighbor offered to take G with her and her girls to the mall, out to lunch, and to run a few errands. I was reminded how nice it is to have only two girls to take care of, but also how difficult it was without G around to help! 

G has been doing little helpful things, such as checking to see if Meggie actually went potty, clearing the table, and helping to clean up the living room. 

I managed to get some sewing finished on Wednesday while the little girls were down for their naps, and MC was so excited when G finally came home! MC and G both went upstairs to play and then played in MCs room, and I even managed to make homemade lasagna for dinner, get laundry done, and the bathrooms cleaned, and even made a frozen veggie lasagna for later.

I was so pleased with how Wednesday went, and thought that I could handle this mom of three thing.

But, on Thursday, I was dead wrong. The big girls woke up around 7 am and I managed to drag myself out of bed, fix MC a cup of milk, turn on the cartoons, and sleep on the couch for another hour. 

I managed to get a few things done around the house, but nothing like the day before, and MC had a few accidents while G argued about everything!

I'm pretty sure the day went from bad to worse, and by the time DJ got home, I was practically in tears.

I was determined that Friday would be a good day. I had gotten a babysitter for G and MC so I could run a few errands on my own, and knew that I needed to wake up early in order to have plenty of time to shower and get dressed. 

Addy was up at 5:30 and again at 6:30, and just as I fell back to sleep, G and MC came in at 7. (What is up with them getting up so early?) I dragged myself out of bed (again) and turned the t.v. on for the girls and took a shower.

After my shower, I managed to feed the girls breakfast, but Addy woke up and had to be fed. 

The next hour was a blur of me trying to get ready, Addy crying, MC pooping on G's floor, MC getting a spanking, crying, being put in time out, followed by me crying, G laughing at me, G going to her room, G getting a spanking, and me crying some more.

Let's just say that I was failing miserably.

I somehow managed to get dressed and feed Addy before the sitter arrived, and had everything ready to go and was even a few minutes early for my meeting!

After my meeting, Addy and I ran a quick errand, came home, and I fixed the big girls lunch. G cried because she wanted to watch the babysitter leave, but she was to interested in the t.v. to realize her sitter had left, and more tears were shed.

Addy ate while the big girls ate, and she fell asleep. I pumped and read books with the girls before nap time, and I was determined that both big girls would take a nap!

Turns out that only MC, Addy, and I napped while G played quietly upstairs and made a disaster out of her room.

I snuggled with Addy for a little bit before MC woke up, and tried to get her back down for a nap, but she was not having it!

I actually started on some sewing, but that was followed by G telling me that she didn't want to be my child anymore, and this was the worst day ever. (I silently agreed.) She decided that she would finally take a nap rather than clean her room and thankfully she woke up in a much better mood!

Addy turned two weeks old Friday. (7/19)

MC dressed up in her Minnie Mouse dress and did a little twirl for me!

And, G and I snuggled a bit after her nap since she was in a much better mood. She even told me she loved me and never wanted to leave me! (Melt my heart!!)

DJ came home to find me holding a baby that would not let me put her down, and he made G clean her room, while I held a baby and pulled leftovers out of the fridge, and then we ate dinner in shifts.

Since G did clean her room, we agreed that she could watch Teen Beach Movie and we'd have a family movie night.

I am so so so thankful that Friday evening went much better than the morning and afternoon!

I'm even more thankful that the weekend arrived and DJ was home with us for two days straight! I think having three girls is going to make me really appreciate when he comes home and jumps right in to help alleviate some of the pressure i've been feeling, and i'm sad to say this, but I even began to look forward to going back to work! Yikes! I don't want to go back to work, because that adds an entire new level to this crazy new life, but boy I could've used that break Friday!

Advice Wanted: Potty Training: Update

I want to thank everyone for the advice yesterday with Gretchen's potty training! I think it always helps to know that there are people who have gone through the exact same thing, or who make you put things into perspective!

I decided this afternoon, that I would let Gretchen color a new reward potty chart. We talked about what she would need to do in order to receive a reward. Gretchen decided that she wanted a princess toy, and I told her that she could pick it out herself. But, that she has to start pooping in the potty again, and that she couldn't have accidents. I drew 7 crowns onto her potty chart, and before bedtime we'll cover them with a sticker. I also explained that if she had an accident after we put her to bed that the sticker would be removed and would go in the trashcan. She seemed to understand, and even pooped in the potty tonight! And, she initiated it!

I think that we will also stop talking about the new baby for a while, and focus on Christmas and the three of us. I'm thankful that I'll be home for two weeks straight starting this weekend. I'm hoping that we can tackle this issue and even night time training. I'm not expecting for her to be 100% successful (especially at night), but I do expect that we improve from where we are.

Seriously, though, thank you for your advice!

Advice Wanted: Potty Training

We've been in the process of potty training Gretchen for the last year. Seriously, a week from Monday, we will have been doing this for 365 days.

I would have said in October that we were good. She was only having the occassional accident during the day. But, the week before Thanksgiving, the accidents happened and they've settled in- i'm serious, we have had at least one accident every day since that Saturday.

Gretchen does great at daycare. She had a few accidents in September, but she was getting back into the swing of things from being home all summer. I swear, she had 3 accidents that month- all on a Friday, and all in the exact same dress. Then, it got better. She was even pooping in the potty.

She stayed dry during naps for several weeks.

Now, I'll admit, night times, that's another story. I never worried about night time. I knew that developmentally at age 2, it wasn't the best possibility that she'd stay dry all night. We also got into a habit, of giving her a little milk if she woke in the middle of the night. We've almost broken that habit- but, not quite. I think she's down to peeing 1x per night. We have tried to get her up to potty before we go to bed, which just led into a melt down that she wanted milk or she wanted to sleep with us. So, i'm not worried about nights- we'll get there. I'll buy 2 packages of pull ups per month if I have to.

But, these accidents! I'm seriously at a loss, and i'm not usually this desperate for parenting advice. Let me tell you what we've tried, and then please tell me what you've tried!

1. The accidents started right before Thanksgiving. She had not been sick before the accidents.
2. Yes, I'm pregnant- we found out in September, and Gretchen knew right away. We don't talk about the baby much, but we have talked about it and she is aware.
3. My in-laws came for Thanksgiving. It was a busy time, but we were at home, not too much out of the norm.
4. Football season ended right before the accidents started, so DJ was home a little bit more.
5. We've tried punishments: the way I see it, she knows what she's suppose to do- I mean, it's been several months, so in our house, we punish. Now, I do not beat her, but she has had a very rare spanking for these accidents. She has had time outs- both in the corner, and sitting in her time out chair. She's also had to stay in her poo for a few minutes- never longer than 5 minutes, but she's never cared that she was wet or dirty down there. It has never bothered her, so we've tried to see if it would make her uncomfortable.
6. We talk about how gross it is. How she knows that she sould go in the potty. Gretchen is in love with princesses right now, so much so, that she thinks she is one. We've told her that princesses do not poop in their panties, and that when she does, she is not a princess.
7. I've talked to a preschool teacher. She suggested that we tried taking her more on a schedule. This has not worked. She still will only pee 1-3 times an evening, and if she does poop in the potty (believe me we reward this) she still has an accident later- say, when we put her to bed.
8. I've tried giving her more positive attention. We baked cookies today, we've been working on puzzles together.
9. I decided yesterday that bribery would work well- because it has in the past. So, yesterday, I told her that if she could have no more accidents that she could buy a new princess toy. I reminded her of this a lot today, and yet, she still had accidents.
10. With her accident tonight, she asked if babies poop in their pants. When we replied yes, she just laughed. I think that she is wanting to be a baby- maybe this goes back to the pregnancy.

So, that's what we've tried, that's the history, now what do we do?! Seriously, I need advice.... I'm desperate for it!

Free Potty Training DVD

Huggies is offering a FREE potty training DVD. Go here to register. Even if you aren't actively potty training, grab it up so you'll have it when you need it!

Potette Plus: Review

About a month ago, I read about the Potette Plus Potty on another blog. The blogger had stated that she was in the process of potty training her daughter. They were out shopping, and were in the dressing room, when the little girl needed to potty. The mother pulled out the Potette Potty, put on the plastic bag, and allowed her little girl to use the potty in the dressing room. After all, there was no way that they would make it to the restroom in time!

I happened upon the potty at Toys R Us, and convinced my husband that we needed it. Showing him all of its features I was able to sell him on buying it for Gretchen. There were 3 colors available: pink, blue, and green. I decided to purcahse the green potty, so we wouldn't have to re-purchase once we had a second child.

The Potette Potty doubles as a toilet and a trainer seat. It comes with a few disposable bags, and a convenient carrying bag. You may purchase extra disposable bags at Toys R Us.

Overall: I love that it comes with it's own carrying case. It easily folds and stores in our diaper bag. If you've seen my diaper bag, then you know I keep tons of stuff in there! I'm pleased that I've made room for this to fit too! Because the carrying bag, "sinches" i'm able to close the bag to keep the potty out of sight, or keep it open for a quick grab of the potty!

As a potty seat: I love that I can place this on any adult size toilet and Gretchen can sit comfortably. The "handles" flip all the way out and give Gretchen something to hold on to. The handles also fold all the way in, making it small enough to carry with us and store. I disenfect it once we get home. I love that she can sit on a public toilet without getting too many germs. This has eased my fear of public restrooms a bit!

As a potty: Wow! I'm convinced! Gretchen weighs about 30 pounds and the potty is able to securely hold her. The handles of the seat flip to a 90 degree angle. You simply take a disposable bag, which features a padded liner, and slip onto the slots in the handle to hold securely in place. Your child is then able to sit, and go into the bag. The bag easily slips off and ties. The padded liner absorbs most of the mess. I also keep other plastic bags in the diaper bag, so I do slip an extra bag around it, especially if you have to leave it in your car, or carry with you until you find a trash can. My only complaint, is that the handles need to be locked in place in order for it to hold securely, or the seat will wobble and your child may tip over. I'm able to get one in place, but typically not the other- I think I just need more practice. Also, the handles are a little difficult to unlock once they are in place. I've had to have my husband unlock it because I was afraid to break it. It will also take practice to secure the bag in a timely fashion. As you may know, you only have a minute or so before a child tells you they need to go before they actually do go! I think the cons outweigh the pros. Again, it eases my fear of public restrooms because she can use the actual potty, rather than using it as a seat, if a toilet is too nasty.

Our experience: Yes, I have to use this story, even though my daughter will be greatly embarassed when she is older! Friday night we had our school carnival. Afterwards, we needed to go to Verizon. I told DJ that Gretchen and I would stay in the car. About 20 minutes later, Gretchen had her "poopy look" on her face, and I asked if she needed to potty, which she responded "uh-huh". Knowing that Verizon didn't have a public restroom, I whipped out the potette potty, unfolded it, and attached the bag, and placed the potty on the back seat of the car. I pulled her out of the carseat, and placed her on the potty. She sat on the potty, after looking at me like I was crazy, and eventually went. I was so pleased that I could reinforce that she shouldn't go in her pull-up, and that the potty was so convenient!

If you have a potty training child, I would suggest that you purchase the potty. If I remember correctly, the potty is only around $15.00, and the bags cost about $10.00.

Potty Training: The Hits and The Misses! (prt 5)

Well, it's been 3 weeks since we've started potty training, and I wanted to post a little update about the progress Gretchen has made!

-She went all last week with only 1 minor accident at daycare!

-We went out to eat Friday night. I took Gretchen to the restroom as soon as we got there, but she would not sit on the potty. She was in a pull-up, so I knew that we'd be okay. Toward the end of dinner, she said "uh-oh Mommy, uh-oh". DJ and I looked at each other and said "she probably just peed in her pants". I thought for a few seconds about what I should do and decided to take her to the bathroom. She had a dry pull-up, so I sat her on the potty, and she pooped! I was in shock that she 1) told us 2) sat on a potty in public and 3) actually went- and it wasn't just pee; it was poop!!! This is sad, but as a mother, it ranks as one of my proudest days!

- On Monday, we came home from work/daycare, and she told me that she had to use the bathroom! She said "pee Mommy". I took her and she went!

- And, she hasn't had an accident this week at daycare!

It's amazing the progress that she's made in 3 weeks. She's getting better about sitting at home, and now she realizes when she needs to go, and even when she's gone in her pull up. I know that we aren't there yet, but I know that we'll get there... it will take baby steps; but we'll get there!

Potty Training: The Hits and The Misses! (prt 4)

Today was Gretchen's 1st day back at daycare, and my 1st day back to work after our 2 week Christmas break. Today was also day 14 of potty training!

I took Gretchen to Mrs. Michelle in her big girl undies this morning, with plenty of undies, some extra clothes, socks, and pullups. I was shocked when I went to pick her up and she was in the exact same clothes!!!!

Gretchen went potty every time today that Mrs. Michelle took her! I was so proud of her!

We headed to the Y, so I could get in a quick work out. I was so excited because the Y in our area of town has finally opened and is only 5 or so minutes from the house. Gretchen wasn't as thrilled, as it was a new place to her and she did not want to be left. I told the child care watch provider, that she was being potty trained and that she was in panties. Which sparked a ton of questions from the provider.... "will she tell me when she has to go, how will I know that she has to go, etc. ?" My answers were "no, she won't tell you, and you'll know that she has to go or has gone because there will be pee on the floor!" Don't worry, I also told her that if Gretchen had an accident to come and get me because I would clean her up and take care of it. Well, 10 minutes later she did have an accident!

I managed to finish my workout, and we headed home. DJ cooked dinner (I love my husband!) while I watched Gretchen and encouraged her to use the potty. She sat 3 times, but did not go once tonight! She did want candy for sitting; which I put away after she went to bed, because I refuse to give her m&m after m&m just for sitting on the potty. And, I did introduce a sticker chart to her..... now if I can just keep her from playing w/ the stickers!

Potty Training: The Hits and The Misses! (prt 3)

Well, we are starting back to work and daycare tomorrow, with a little girl that is still not potty trained!

I think that we are on day 13, as tomorrow will officially be the 2 week mark. Gretchen actually stayed dry through church this morning! She was in a pull up, and I tried to take her before we left, so she wouldn't go on the way home, but she refused to sit. Thankfully, she was dry when we got home, but she also fell asleep on the way home. I figured that I would rush her into the house, sit her on the potty, and then we would eat lunch. However, since she had fallen asleep, she was a bit fussy, that I had to wake her up. And, she wanted to eat! Needless to say, she wouldn't sit on the potty, and ended up going (in her pull up) during lunch. Naptime came and went, as did the afternoon. We had no successes.... I figured that's okay, I wouldn't push it. I gave her a bath after dinner. It seemed like she needed to "go", so I kept reminding her that her pee and poop go in the potty, and not to poop in the tub. After a while, she wanted out of the tub, to sit on the potty, and she went!!! So, that was our one success of the day!

Her daycare sitter actually goes to our chuch, and I ran into her this morning. I spoke with her about the potty training process, and she just told me to bring whatever I wanted, and she would do whatever she could to help! I was so relieved! I packed her bag this afternoon, and she has 7 pull ups (mostly for nap time, and 2 extra), 3 changes of clothes, 4 pairs of socks, and 3 extra outfits. I'm hoping this will suffice for tomorrow, and I'll just pack her a bag every night.

So, here's what I've concluded so far:

1. I may need to change her reinforcer. She's starting to not be so enthused about coloring while she sits on the potty. She was willing to look at books tonight, so I'll continue to keep those in the bathroom. She has a new "laptop" and that has worked well. She also gets m&m's when she actually "goes" in the potty. However, I'm thinking of seeing if stickers will work for a reinforcer, instead of candy.
2. I have to remember that every child is different. Just because there are kids younger than her that are potty trained, or kids her age that didn't take as long, doesn't meant that there isn't any hope for her. I read tonight, that it's very unlikely, she'll still be in diapers when she is 4 years old.
3. Her sitter will work with her and help her. After all, she gets paid to care for children, and that's just part of the job.
4. If she gets frustrated, and we have to take a break, then that's okay!
5. It's going to have to be her idea. She's stubborn, and like any 2 year old, she's testing her limits. It was her idea to get out of the tub tonight to sit on the potty. If I can relax and stop telling her, "tell mommy if you have to go peepee, okay?" then, she'll probably relax too. I do however like reminding her that her peepee and poopoo go in the potty. I started that today, and I think that's a good way of telling her.
6. And, she has made good progress! She is able to hold it for longer periods of time. She now knows what poopoo and peepee are, she knows what to do in the bathroom, and that's all more than what she could do 2 weeks ago when we started.

If you are in this process right now, then I wish you the best of luck! If you haven't started, then I would suggest that you read a lot and follow your child's lead. If you have any advice, please share! I'm all ears!!!

Potty Training: The Hits and The Misses! (prt 2)

Day 4 of potty training brought on Christmas Eve. We spent the day at home, and to be quite honest. I can't even remember how Gretchen did! It must not have been too bad, since I haven't a clue! We did go to Christmas Eve service at church, and she stayed dry the entire time, although, she didn't sit still! I tried to take her to the potty after the service, and she did very well sitting on the potty, but she didn't want to "go".

Day 5 was Christmas, and we decided to put a pull-up on her while we opened presents, so as not to risk an accident all over her toys, and we didn't want to interrupt camera time, since we were video taping opening the gifts! Thankfully, she stayed dry during that time, but beyond that, again, I just can't remember how well she did!

She woke up the morning of day 6 at her regular time, but was not like herself. She didn't want to stand up, she wouldn't sit on the potty, then she walked into the living room, but ended up falling down! So, we stuck a pull up back on her and put her in the bed with us, so we could all get some more sleep. Gretchen fell asleep right away, and slept until 11:00! I had left around 10 that morning, so I could hit some after Christmas sales, and left the training up to daddy. When she finally woke up, she requested "milk", and downed 2 glasses while standing in front of the fridge. Afterwards, she just sat in daddy's lap and cuddled. I finally came home around 1, and Gretchen still wasn't feeling well. And, a little while later she threw up, so off to the pediatrician we went. I'll spare all of the details, but we kept her in a pull-up that day, and didn't push the training at all. The poor girl was miserable, until around 6:00 in the evening, when she was bouncing off the walls!

On day 7, we stayed home from church. She was having more accidents, but I wasn't too discouraged.

My plan for days 8-10, was for us to stay home and work on it, while daddy drove to Arkansas to pick up his new truck. I think the one thing that Gretchen has learned, is how to hold it! She wets during the night (i'm not working on night training at this point), and won't go first thing in the morning. I will give her 1-2 glasses of milk, and then a glass of flavored water. On day 8, Gretchen was sitting at the table for lunch, and as I looked over to remind her to "tell mommy when you have to go potty" I noticed that she was sitting in a puddle of pee not even phased! On day 9, (after she held it all morning), I decided to take her to the potty before lunch and she succeeded!

Today, is day 10, and again, she held it all morning! We went out shopping for 1 1/2 this morning, and she was dry the entire time! As soon as we got home, I put her on the potty, but she would not sit. Of course, moments later, she had an accident, and continued to have them throughout the afternoon. So, we've had a discouraging day to say the least! Finally, I took her to the potty, instead of relying on her to tell me (because let's face it, she's not telling me!) and she went! We made it a huge deal, ran out to tell daddy, said "bye" to our peepee and flushed it down the potty; she even got 2 m&m's!

So, I've made a plan for tomorrow. I'm going to take her to the potty every hour, if she wants to sit, then she will. If she doesn't want to sit, then I'm not going to force her (in order to keep it positive) and then take her 30 minutes later to try again. We will definitely take her right before lunch, because she seems to go at that point consistently. And, we'll keep her in panties while she's awake. I'll continue to give her lots of fluids, in order for her to get more learning opportunities, and I think I have to change up the coloring while she's on the potty. Thankfully, she received some new toys today, so those are going in the bathroom!

Lastly, I'm praying for more hits and less misses tomorrow and in the days to come!

Potty Training: The Hits and The Misses! (prt 1)

Well, we are on day 8, of our supposed 3 day potty training plan. I guess as a parent, I've learned that you have to be flexible, take what works for you, and realize that not every plan goes as planned.

Potty training has been one of the hardest things I've had to do as a parent. Unlike most things, I had not a clue where to begin! I knew that I wanted to try to skip pull-ups and go straight to panties, but that was it!

My friend led me to a 3-day potty training method. There are numerous 3-day methods when googled.

The basic method is to have your child throw away their diapers, and put on underwear. On day 1, you do absolutly nothing. Meaning, the parent cannot do anything, except spend time with their child. When you catch your child having an accident, you rush them to the potty and have them "finish". Giving positive reinforcement when your child is successful. Day 1 for us was rough! We had about 15 accidents and had to do a few loads of laundry. Thankfully, DJ was home to clean up the messes while I played with Gretchen. He also cooked dinner that evening!

You repeat the process on days 2 and 3. The morning of day 2 wasn't as bad as day 1, we still had accidents, but not as many. Gretchen even woke up dry after her nap! On the evening of day 2, she actually made it to the potty three times in a row! We went to bed very happy that evening!

On day 3, Gretchen was able to run to the potty by herself! However, she wouldn't sit long enough, meaning she ran to the bathroom several times! I don't recall many accidents that day, and I was so pleased!

So, as the "method" promises- we should be finished with potty training! But, we aren't (sigh).

.... we continue to have many misses and just a few hits!

Potty Training begins!

We've had a relaxing weekend at home, in spite of th efact that Christmas is 5 days away! It snowed here on Saturday, so we spent the day cleaning the house and enjoying the time as a family.

Gretchen got a bath on Saturday evening, and she even let me blow dry her hair! I had to get a picture of her in front of the tree in her cute snowman pj's! (sorry I can't turn it around!) Gretchen also learned that she could color on her hand with a pen:

And, our big announcement: we begin potty training in the morning! So, I won't be around my computer as my full attention needs to focus on her. DJ and I took Gretchen to Target this afternoon, so she could pick out a package of panties and a potty training DVD.

This evening, we let her open a very early present from mommy and daddy. She did very well unwrapping her gift; which makes me excited for Christmas morning!

She received a lot of panties! I think we have at least 20 pair!

I think she's very proud to be a "big girl". She enjoyed showing off her panties to the camera. She even tried on a few pair over her diaper.

We are using a 3-day potty training method, and I just pray that we will all get the hang of it. As a parent, it's actually the most nerve-wracking thing I think I could ever do. I literally, had nightmares about it last night!

So, wish us luck, and have a wonderful week!