Over a month ago, Evelyn told me one morning that she wanted to wear underwear like her friend Nathan (only she pronounces his name, naked). I was actually terrified to hear this news. I had not prepared myself mentally for the challenge of potty training. I had heard horror stories of constant accidents for weeks straight and I was not willing to go through that just yet. But at the same time, Evelyn had shown so many signs and I knew I needed to do it now. So we headed over to Walmart, bought some underwear and we were officially potty training that day.

A week prior to all of this, I had read a book on toddlers, and one of the chapters was all about potty training. The best advice I read was, as a parent you are learning to train your child to use the potty, just as much as she is being potty trained. It made me realize that Evelyn and I were both learning to do this together and that I needed to be patient with her just as she is patient with me.

Anyways, Evelyn was a champ! Don't get me wrong, we had plenty of accidents. But after 2 week straights we finally had one dry day and we celebrated!! And now it's been weeks with no accidents and I'm happy to say we haven't had 1 accident during the night. ( I had her in pull ups at night for the first couple of weeks but she insisted one night on only wearing underwear and so I let her try it and since then she continues to only wear them) Ever since she has been potty trained she has become our independent little diva. She is convinced she CAN do everything herself and attempts to, too.

Her reward for going "#2" in the potty for the first time

Things I learned while potty training:
-I became very intimate with the bathroom. I have never sat so long in a bathroom at one time waiting for my child to pee. I began to realize more than ever all the corners and spots that needed to be cleaned.
-I have never cheered so loudly for someone when they went to the bathroom
-Rewarding YOURSELF everytime your child pees is just as important as rewarding your child
-Don't walk around your house barefoot. You never know when you will step on a wet spot

Funny story with potty training:
During the early stages of potty training, I got up the courage to walk the kids to the park. I prepped Evelyn before hand that if she needed to go the bathroom that she should tell mom. We get to the park only to find out that there is no bathroom near by. And of course, Evelyn had to go to the bathroom while we were there. So I explained to her that sometimes we have to pee outside when there isn't a potty. She was not hesitant at all to "go" outside and NOW she prefers to go all natural. Many times I have been to the park only to turn around and find her squatting in the middle of the picnic area peeing. She is a pro at squatting and will be the best little camper there is!

My big, little girl!

Our next battle is her pacifier. She is ADDICTED to it and trying to wean her off it, gives me nightmares!