Potty Training 1.5 with Taryn - Let's see how this goes!
This isn't the first attempt at potty training Taryn. Our first real full blown- 2T undies bought and ready -training was in February. I was convinced that by 2 years old, Taryn could do it.
So I set aside a weekend, built her up for it (and me) and even though we were thrown off a lot with unexpected hurdles a few days before I decided I would stick to it. We could do this.
Well, 6 accidents, just a few hours and one crying- self peed on toddler later, I threw in the towel.
I felt like my body and my two year old were screaming at me, "STOP, STOP!! We're not ready!!"
So we stopped. And on went the diaper. And I went to the E.R. a few days later as the bleeding got worse.
Taryn recovered just fine- even though I think she grew a little fearful of the "big girl potty" and our unborn child was just fine, I just had a lot of extra blood that my body didn't know what to do with.
Round 1.5- I'm calling it this because we didn't quite make it through round 1... any of us.
We've watched Elmo, Bear in the Big Blue House, and many more videos about using the potty. She talked about it. She taught her stuffed animals how to use the potty, flush and wash their hands. We spent months encouraging her, explaining to her that she was a big girl. She's told me when she was dirty and has asked for me to change her several times without prompting. Good signs in my book.
It's getting hotter here and I can't bear the thought of her in a diaper any longer.
So, this weekend I decided to try again. My schedule had cleared up and I would have reinforcements around- Daddy!
I am armed with M&M's, undies & toys for when she goes.
Thursday the saggy diaper came off.
She begged for another diaper.
We talked her through it.
We all did a happy dance. She got a sticker on her chart (that I made in 3 minutes on the spot) and 2 M&M's (well, 3, really- I had to use one to get her to sit on the potty).
Within seconds she was asking for a diaper.
She wasn't done yet- I knew she was holding it. So with lots of crying, and lots of coaxing, she finally went again (only a little bit).
And then she asked for a diaper. By this time she was doing a potty dance- literally dancing an hopping around.
Her phrase for these past couple of days is, "I can't go potty!" over and over again.
At least she can kinda hold it. Big progress since February.
So we had one other success after lots of tears were shed.
I don't know anything about Potty Training.
She is obsessed with any mommy, daddy & baby trio. That day was whales, today was balloons.
On rainy days, she makes her own music. Tyson asked me how I stand the noise and I said "It's better than any screaming or crying."
Mommy daughter dates while daddy is gone. Movie & a treat!
And catching giant rain drops in our mouths. These summer storms have been unreal and very monsoon like. But at least it clears up the rest of the day and cools things down.
We were happy to read about "Free Slurpees" that day and take just a short walk across the street to get one. No line and all the machines working at 7pm.
Unheard of I'm sure on such a popular day as 7-11.
These little things make summer that much better.
And I think our new favorite park going time is around 7pm after the sun is already hiding behind the trees, the temperature has dropped just a bit, and it gives Taryn a chance to get all her wiggles out before bedtime. Another plus?
This is where we basically live during these summer days.
I felt like this year for the 4th of July, we had no idea what we were officially doing until hours before. For a week we worried about rain- but that magically didn't happen. Fireworks? Ya- we were going to play that by ear. But I was pleasantly surprised with how the day turned out.
Tyson found some "snappers" (the ones you throw on the ground & they make a really loud "POP") for $1.00 and introduced Taryn to them before we made our way to the real fireworks.
We all share the red cheeks when we get hot. At least we weren't outside all day long. We probably would have been miserable messes if we had.
It was hot but as soon as the sun set, it was not so bad. So glad we didn't arrive to the Long Bridge Park in Arlington until around 7pm.
At this exact moment, Taryn exclaimed, "WOW!" as the fireworks lit up the sky.
We took Taryn back to the Crystal City Water Park after our date a few weeks back for Family Night.
And watched Taryn splash her hands and feet in the water.
An afternoon rain storm cleared away some of the mugginess and made for a very nice evening outside.
*Would you believe that this was my 3rd outfit for the day? Hence the "I'm going comfortable" look.
We still love to play outside as long as I can come home and change my sweaty clothes. And Taryn is usually running around our house and napping in just a diaper. Anything to keep us cool.