potty training: check! toddler bed conversion: check!

It's been a banner month here at Two Popsicles. First, Emma potty trained herself (practically!). We've had a potty out for months. On days when we weren't going out, I'd let her run around sans diaper and ask her if she wanted to go, and if she did, she could get a treat. It worked about 50% of the time. Naturally, there was lots of praise and peepee dances when she did. It was very exciting to know that she was making the connection. After that, she'd tell me that she wanted to go peepee, but it was usually after the fact, which was ok. Everything I'd heard said to let it be their choice and to not force it so I just didn't make a big deal out of it.

Well, something clicked about 2 weeks ago and all of a sudden, she just decided that she didn't want to wear diapers anymore. We were using pull ups almost exclusively at that point, so the mechanics of diaper changing was just like that of changing underwear. I bought her princess underwear one day, and after that, it was all she wanted to wear (in fact, I had to go back and get a 2nd pack in case Snow White happened to be in the washing machine!). I got nervous about what I would do if we went out, but it went swimmingly. I suppose some people think think this is a credit to parenthood, but from my perspective, this was all her. I mean, I know that kids eventually get potty trained, so it's not like it was a test for me as her mom. But she truly did this on her own. She just decided that she would rather wear the underwear, and she tells me every single time she has to go. We've had 1 accident in 10 days so far. No accidents for #2. Amazing to me. I know we'll have slipups along the way, but it's probably been one of the easier transitions we've made so far (the whole bottle/sippy cup thing was way harder!). She even goes diaper free at naptime! The only diaper she wears is at night, and she's woken up dry 8 out of the last 10 mornings so if it weren't for my unwillingness to change sheets in the middle of the night, we'd be totally diaper free. :) It's definitely a new dynamic though. I'm not entirely sure that kids out of diapers are easier than kids in diapers. I have to be prepared differently now (change of clothes at all times - including socks) and I have a potty in the back of my car. I have to scope out the bathroom upon arrival in every new venue. But we'll get the hang of that too. At least now I'll have some company when we go to the bathroom together, lol! :)

Speaking of transitions, TODAY was another big day!! Emma's always been a great sleeper, but lately naps were becoming a chore. I had taken off the front rail of her crib a few months ago and she had absolutely no interest in that. So it was a little surprise to me that she said three times this week to "make my bed little again". I wasn't entirely sure if she knew what that meant, but today at naptime I spontaneously took off the front rail and she hopped right in, as if it were an overdue lover's reunion. I threw in the princess pillowcase that cousin Morgan passed down to her this week, read a few books, told a few stories (our usual ritual), kissed her goodnight and walked out. I waited. And waited. I was expecting the thud, and the footsteps and the little buck-toothed grin at the door when she turned the handle. 1 minute went by. I couldn't believe it. Another minute went by. Surely by now I would have heard stirring. I waited another 5 minutes and all I heard was the clanking of her paci's together. After 10 minutes I bravely opened the door and O. M. G. My child is asleep, in her bed, alone, with no rail. Is it supposed to be this easy?!?! Granted, it's only day 1, but here's the proof:



Now....lest I get all cocky on you, I'm already WELL aware that the final transition will be the hardest. It will be the true test of my fortitude: The Paci. Girlfriend doesn't leave home without it, and for such an active child, it's one of the few things that physiologically slows her down. It goes in the mouth, and the eyes roll back and her whole body goes limp. That's how powerful it is. I have not made up my mind about when this iron standoff will take place. I'm certainly not ready yet. Sure, it's annoying to have to round up all 25 glow-in-the-dark silicone nubs before bedtime, and in the car, and when she goes for a bike ride, or to the playground, etc etc. But it soothes her, and that soothes me. I can't be lucky 3 times in a row to have her miraculously give it up on her own, but maybe a gradual phase out some time in the fall (coinciding with her first visit to the dentist). We'll see....for now I'm just relishing (and slightly mourning) how much my little big girl is growing up.