Break Through!

Dear Michela,

Today is day 5 of operation big girl potty.  You have been diaper free all week!!!  At night and nap you wear your training pants that are basically diapers disguised at big girl undies but we'll say you're diaper free.  :)

On day 3 you started having accidents that ended in success.  What I mean is that almost every time you had a success you started out having an accident on the floor, stopping mid-pee, and finishing in the potty.  Daddy or I rushed you to the potty each time you started and we were surprised that you were able to stop yourself and finish in the potty.

Today - day 5 - you had two pure successes in the potty.  Once before nap and once after.  (It's only 3:00 so you may have another success before the day is out.)  Before your nap when you needed to pee, you did a potty dance where you held your crotch and walked around a bit.  Daddy suggested that you sit on the potty and after another wiggle you decided that was a good idea.  You sat down and peed!  YAY!  After nap you were helping me make a smoothie.  I was putting strawberries in the blender while you were standing on a stool next to me.  You didn't say anything and I didn't say anything.  You simply climbed off the stool and sat on your potty to pee!  YAY!  I am so proud of you Michela Grace!

Things I have learned this week:

1) Naked training is the way to go.  When we're at home, you're naked from the waist down.  It's sort of like the new bikes without pedals.  You learn to balance before you learn how to pedal.  With naked training you learn how to recognize the urge to pee and make it to the potty in time.  You don't have to worry about fiddling with underwear.  Don't worry when we're out and about you wear loose fitting clothing so you're not running around the grocery store naked.

2) It is very important to remember to bring the diaper bag when leaving the house.  :)  Daddy took you and your sister to the store this morning and forgot the diaper bag.  You had an accident.  Oops!

3) It may be silly to cheer for Daddy and I when we pee but it has proven to be helpful in helping you get excited about the potty.

4) Bring the potty to with you where ever you go.  If we hang out in the family room, the potty is in the family room.  If we head to your bedroom, the potty goes too.  If we go to the backyard, the potty comes along.  You recognize when you have to pee at the point of near explosion so it's good to have the potty right there.

5)  You inherited my bladder of steal and can go without peeing for hours!

Keep up the great work Michela!

With all my love,

Mommy