Potty Training

I wasn't sure when to start potty training Hannah.  Everyone had different advice based on their experiences, and every kid is different!  I felt like she was showing some signs in the fall, but I didn't want to start her then because I figured a new baby was enough chaos!  Plus, she had only just turned two, so I really didn't want to push it.  So, I said we would start in January.  When January came, I really didn't know where to begin even though I've read several articles on potty training.  How do you explain to a two year old that she needs to sit on the potty and go?

But, I decided to go ahead and give Hannah a bag of goodies that I have been collecting for awhile.  She has received some potty-training books as gifts, and I have picked up some underwear when I have seen them on clearance.  Her favorite treats are cookies and m&m's so I had some of those from Christmas, and I put them in the bag as well.  I started by putting underwear on her one morning, and she and I basically sat in the bathroom until she went potty on the potty.  It was about 45 minutes.  We just read books and played games until she went.  I don't think she knew what she was doing but I made a big deal out of it anyway.  But then, we were basically done for the day.  She wanted to put a diaper back on and I was taking care of a new baby, so what can I say, I gave in easily.  I really didn't know what else to do.
 
We didn't do much for the next few weeks except talk about it, let her sit on the potty occasionally, and let her try on underwear here and there.  I even ordered another case of diapers because it didn't look like anything would be happening any time soon, and I was ok with that. 

Then, last Thursday, she asked if she could sit on the potty, and I told her I would give her m&m's if she went potty, so she went in, sat down, and went.  I was kind of surprised and I think she was a little too.  She said, "I did it, mommy!"  We put underwear on her, and later that night, she did it again when I took her, but she also had several accidents.  We picked it back up the next day.  I took her several times throughout the morning and she went right away each time!  She was really funny because she asked me to leave the room almost every time.  By "asking," I mean she yelled, "Go, mommy, go!" while pointing harshly at me!  Where does a 2 year old develop a sense of modesty, especially from her mom who's been wiping her bottom eight times a day for the last couple of years?  Either way, I was just glad she started to figure it out. 

For the first two days, Josh and I were just constantly running her to the bathroom.  It was exhausting, and my main thought was that diapers were a lot easier than this!  But then, she started being able to go longer in between and tell us when she needed to go.  It has been almost a full week, and I can't believe how much progress she has made!  She has even been dry through the night a few times and has gone all by herself a few times!  Don't get me wrong, we've had several accidents, but progress is progress!  I'm guessing we'll still be using pull-ups for awhile during sleeping, but other than that, it's underwear from here on out! Am I naive to think it will just get better from here on out?  Either way, this mama is glad to once again have just one child in diapers!