Potty Training

Knowing that Michaela will be my only child, I have been reluctant for her to outgrow babyish things. As exciting as it has been to see her grow and change, there has been an undercurrent in my heart of sadness that babyhood goes by as quickly as it does. Nevertheless, she is now nearly two-and-a-half, and we are at the beginnings of POTTY TRAINING! Seems like such a huge milestone that I just had to capitalize it.

I have decided that when she's potty trained, we can remove the changing table from her bedroom. I'll probably also remove the crib at that point. We co-sleep and she'll probably transition from my bed to her own twin bed next summer - if she's ready to do so. The upside is that getting rid of the changing table and the crib will allow me to put all of her toys in her bedroom instead of having them in the living room. Mommy like!

I used to read each new month's chapter in What to Expect the Toddler Years, but it's been months since I've done so. I really have no idea what my go-to book says about potty training, but I have seen a few things on the Internet that made sense to me.

The first thing that makes sense to me is to hold off on potty training until the child is ready. It's about her, not me. And quite frankly, I do not mind changing diapers all that much. Seems like "accidents" due to premature potty training efforts would be more stressful for us both than continuing to have her wear diapers. So we started talking frequently about going potty in the toilet over the summer, and I let Michaela flush the toilet. She thinks that's lots of fun. About a month ago I purchased a training potty for her to have at Grammy and Papa's house, and we ordered pull-up diapers with Dora the Explorer on them. Most recently we acquired a seat for our toilet at home so that she feels more secure. I think my next move is to get some panties for her that she will be excited about wearing. Perhaps they'll have Dora on them...

Michaela knows that every time she goes on the potty instead of in her diapers that she will get a gummy bear. That has been very motivating to her, but she still only thinks about it when she thinks about it. Know what I mean?

I have heard that devoting several days to potty training by staying home and having the child go bare is a quick way to finish the job, but as a working mom that can't happen until I have some time off. I am hopeful that she will be potty trained by the end of the year - if she's ready, of course.

And Then It Was Fall

I thought I'd blog more often over the summer, but I just didn't have the time or desire to do so. Michaela and I were so busy with all of our summer activities. I had some thoughts and ideas for posts, but just felt apathetic about whether or not to share them here. It was a wonderful summer. Then before I knew it, I had to report back to work.

We have adjusted well to our new routine. I think this has been the easiest transition back to work since I had Michaela. She typically sleeps in until I'm just about done getting ready for work - so much easier than most mornings last year when she was a bit fussy and clingy. Now I get her up about thirty minutes before we need to leave. I hope that will continue, but with the upcoming time change it might not.

I have a good class of fifth graders, and a new teaching partner with whom I have a good friendship. It helps that we have a similar approach to teaching, and a shared worldview. She wasn't thrilled about moving up to fifth grade, but we make a good team.

Michaela is continuing to take swim lessons with Papa twice a week. She has become a swimmer! Two weeks ago she was promoted to the advanced Parent & Me class. Sadly, I was not there. It was sure to be the first of many times I will not be there for special moments. Such is the life of a working mom. Anyway, it has been exciting to watch her go from telling me that she was "all done" throughout her earliest lessons, to not wanting to get out of the pool. She swims underwater, floats on her back, and climbs out of the pool on her own. I'm very proud of her.

Grammy just started taking Michaela to two classes through her city's parks and recreation department. One day a week, Michaela takes a dance class for toddlers, and another day she does art and music for toddlers. Turns out I should not send her in cute new outfits for that class. Thankfully it was washable paint!

I hope to spend more time here in the near future. Life isn't at all what I thought it would be when I married Michael, but God has blessed me in unexpected ways. In continuing to blog, I hope to encourage others who have experienced loss more recently that God is good all the time, and He will take care of His own. 

Kauai 2013

Make your own free scrapbooking design We had the best time in Kauai with my parents. Like all trips to Hawaii, it was over much too soon. Some of the highlights were: Flying first class to Lihue (thanks, Dad!). Our oceanfront view. Smith's Tropical Paradise Luau. The train ride around the Kilohana Plantation. A boat ride up the Wailua River to the Fern Grotto. Dinner at Oasis on the Beach and Duke's Kauai - amazing views. And, of course, there is the lovely scenery, the chickens that are everywhere, the roar of the ocean, gentle rain showers, tropical flora, shave ice, and that aloha spirit. Michaela was a great traveler (she gets that from her daddy). She called our condo "Grammy's House in Kauai". So cute! She loved making sandcastles on the beach with Grammy, but wasn't too excited about getting into the ocean water. Mommy had a great time, and I'm trying to figure out how we can go back next summer.