Potty Party

I can't really even believe that I am able to write this post. Just as a refresher, on Sept. 17th, Aaron "announced" that it was time to put the kids in some underwear and really get going with this potty training thing. By the 22nd, Alec was basically good to "go!" He was telling us everytime he had to peepee, and was doing great!

Emma on the other hand, really had no interest in peeing on the potty (though every great once in a while, she'd humor us). She didn't want to make it her new default setting. She was comfortable with diapers, and it wasn't HER idea to use this potty thing. Anyways, I let off of her, and just focused on praising brother and helping him along.

The last few weekends, Aaron has put her in underwear again and tried to get her to comply (by freaking her out everytime she'd wet herself- she'd have a total cow...but not really want to change it by going to the potty). Last weekend, she was especially stubborn, throwing some major fits when we'd even ask her to sit down on it. We decided to dig our heels in and try to push through. After MDO on Monday, I put her back in panties, and did the same Tuesday and Wednesday. I decided I would not put a diaper on her, even if it killed me. She...and brother, went through every single pair of underwear that we have (7 for Emma, and 10 for Alec). All I did was clean up messes, and try to encourage, and deal with the knock-down-drag-out fights that Emma put up a few times. Alec wasn't having big accidents, just little whittles here and there...so I'd change them out.

Anyways, I was thinking that I just didn't have it in me to fight her much more, and I was starting to feel puny. My throat was killing me and I felt like I was coming down with something. Thursday morning, I felt so bad, that I was like "forget it, let her wear diapers...because I can't do this today." Well, I don't know what happened. I've always maintained that Emma will do what Emma wants to do when Emma is good and ready to do it...and apparently God really had mercy on me, because all of a sudden on Thursday morning when I took Alec to use the bathroom after he got up, Emma trotted in like it was no big thing, and plopped down on the potty to pee. ???? Holy smokes! After days of freaking out everytime I'd ask her if she wanted to use the potty, she voluntarily did it. I was so darn happy, and she was really proud of herself too. Ever since yesterday morning, she has either gone when brother has gone, or told us she needed to go. No accidents. No griping. No drama. I don't know what happened, but something clicked. They are really cute because they congratulate eachother when they go and they help give eachother a candy corn as a potty treat.

Now, let me just mention that they are not poopy trained. Alec will go in the toilet every once in a while, but they both have a hard time doing that on the potty. We are trying to transition them to doing that too, but I'd rather that they go and not get constipated, then try to force it and have them hold it all in. Sorry if that grosses anyone out, but its just the way it is. Kinda hard to get grossed out once you've had kids. You deal with every bodily fluid imaginable on a regular basis...sooooooo.

This has been a process that has really tested our parental ability and patience. I don't think we've had it too rough. There were a few days of insanity, but I've heard stories of kids that have taken years to potty train. I'm not saying it's done, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel. When they really are completely trained, I feel like I should have an honorary degree conferred upon me by the American Academy of Pediatrics or something. I think anyone who has potty trained a child should.