No More Diapers for Claire {catch up from December}

You might recall our first attempt at potty training back in May.  You can read the details of that joyous occassion HERE.  It was stressful, agonizing and miserable for us.  I won't even pretend to have liked it or attempt to sugar coat---it was just awful. At that time I decided I would not be the one to push this topic.  When she was ready, she would decide on her own.  If there were a potty training camp, then by golly I would have enrolled her.  I  never in my wildest dreams imagined there could be so much emotion behind potty training.  However- at that time I was dealing with a newborn, not sleeping and the 7 day attempt ended with a VERY determined Claire throwing her training potty at me!  So- all of that to say that I was totally emotionally withdrawn from the whole topic.  I figured she could still fit in diapers for another 1-2 years and if that's what we did, then so be it.

However, the first week of December rolls around--of course it's the busiest month of the year...we have lots going on, tons of events on the calendar and we're out running errands more than ever.  Low and behold- Claire decides this is when we are going to attempt another round of potty training.

We were getting her ready for bed and putting on her diaper when she boldly announced shouted, "NO MORE DIAPERS!  I'M DONE WEARING DIAPERS.  I WANT MYYYY BIG GURL PANNIES"

I saw a look of fear wash over Kevin's face as he vividly remembered what this experience was like only months ago.  I being totally withdrawn from all emotions regarding this topic after having the potty training toilet thrown at me just looked at her and said, "OK."

We put her in her "big gurl pannies"  and put a waterproof pad under her sheet, kissed her goodnight and hoped for the best.

Well- wouldn't you know that our intelligent little two year old was able to completely recall with 100% accuracy all of the potty training terms we had practiced months ago.  Not only did she repeat them all word for word- she followed them precisely and never had an accident.

BAM- just like that - she decided to do it and she nailed it.  Once again, I have been stretched and I have learned that I am not always the one in control----sometimes it has to be on her terms and I have to understand that.  And, after 3 years I am learning how to work that to my advantage and hers too--she thinks she is the one in control which works great for her- but really I have learned how to pull the strings, LOL!  It is a fine line and she is one determined little child!

Knowing that "bling" is the key to her heart she was able to choose a piece of jewelry/hair stuff for each successful potty without an accident.  (Yes- I blew about $25 on all this junk- I mean jewelry- but that my friend is a small price to pay for my sanity and successful potty training...take it from me!)  She was racking up the bling at record speed and loving it!  She was accessorized from head to toe.

Here she is sporting 3 headbands at one time....the hearts were clips that she earned individually but it was impossible to keep them all in her hair so eventually we decorated a headband with them!

I loved seeing her pride and excitement over all of her prizes!

She read all her books to us about potty training - she had them memorized from our first round!

And now I get the added bonus of cute little moments like this one....

I'm so glad it's done.  Having her potty trained is fantastic and life changing too!  I can't believe we did it.  I'm so happy she decided to be on board!  Way to go Claire!