the clouds parted, and the sun shone down...

And all the angels sang beautifully in unison. "Paaaahahahaaatty Traaaaained." 

Then there's me there dancing a jig. Maybe Irish, maybe not. I'm just flailing about like a giddy fish out of water to the beat of my own drum because IDIDNOTHAVETOBUYDIAPERSTHISWEEK. Mahgah!

This excitement lies two fold. One. Hello extra Target cash I haven't seen in four and a half years. Missed you. 

And two. Emily, my beautiful really really you sometimes make me wanna spork my ear drums stubborn Emily. You caught on so quickly. And I love how even if it's just a dribble or two, your whole face lights up and tightens into a huge grin and you can't wait to run into the next room any person is in and announce "I went pee pee in the potty!!!" I love how you now prefer to go pantless because walking by a mirror is much more fun now when you've got such a good view of your biscuits rockin' those Wonderpets briefs. 

I know many of you are nearing the end of diapers, or are right smack dab in the awesomeness that is potty training. This too shall end. Here's a few tips that really helped us. 

We followed the 3 day potty training method and what that basically told us was when you know your child is ready and when you yourself are ready to train, go 100%. Pitch all the diapers. Pitch all the pull ups. Do this together with your child. Tell her "You're a big girl now!" Bust out the big boy/big girl undies and prepare yourself for a golden day (pun very much intended.) I mentioned in my last post that Emily went through 4 pairs of undies in under an hour. I wanted to quit, put her back in a diaper fresh from the trashcan, and call it a day. But I was already an hour in. She was already starting to hate feeling of being "ew.yuck." So we moved forward. 

Remember that no diapers/pullups means just that. Not just during the day. All day. All night. Yep. Night one she soaked the bed around 5am. Was pretty upset about it, but after a quick wash up, sheet change, and successfully then going in the potty, she's had no more middle of the night accidents. It was also immensely helpful to stop liquids 2 hours before bed. Emily was used to going to bed with a sippy full of water, and we had to cut that too. 

Your child is probably going to get a little 'tude with you. Wouldn't you after being asked the same question 4933 times a day? Stick with it though. Remind them to let you know when they have to go, and ask ask ask. Look for those familiar blank stares into space or corner hiding and run them to a potty. 

Lastly, don't just have them sit on the potty until they go. They need to recognize the feeling & urge. And the first time they actually tell you they have to go, and successfully do so? Seeing your reaction & how ecstatic you are for them? It'll click. I promise. Make that celebration a big one. Have a dance party! Call Grandma! Let's make rice krispie treats! Celebrate that victory with them. And for them. 

As a mom, you know you lost your bathroom privacy rights long ago. Now there's actually a good reason for your nosy minions to be in there with you. You don't know how many times last week I said "What am I doing? Well I'm going pee pee in the big girl potty. And it's SO much fun! Look at me! I'm a big girl. Do you want to be a big girl too? This is kinda weird but hey, if it gets me out of changing your smelly bum, I'm in! Yaaaay! Peeee!" Also get your other kids involved in helping & celebrating. My heart was so happy just listening to Brooklyn tell Emmy "You can do it! I'm proud of you, big girl. Way to go, Sissy!" They'd clap and dance together, and then Brooklyn would also demand a treat for being a good helper. 

Bottom line is, your floor will be peed on. You will be too (ahh, memories of the glorious infant stage). You'll have alot of laundry to do over 72 hours. And you'll be mainly house bound. Your husband will come home and think why in the dirty hell are there multiple pairs of character underwear soapily soaking in both bathroom sinks? Just keep going! 

And soon, not only will you be pocketing that diaper cash. You'll feel so proud of your child. Of your (not so much now) baby. Wonder where the time has gone. Think about doing it again. Then remember that wad of cash in your wallet & think "Hmmm...maybe next year. Or the year after. Or um, maybe never."

p.s. Mother Nature? Now's not the time to try and go on with your sneaky tomfoolery. Jinx. Infinity and beyond times a oh my god we're sleeping through the night AND totally out of diapers?! million.