Potty Training

Bailey's first time going #1 on the potty actually occurred last year, March 2010, while we were living at the condo on Camelot. She sat on the little plastic potty chair and peed on the toilet paper that she already put in the bowl.

We started seriously working on it around the beginning of March 2011 at 2 years, 8 months. We had some big girl underwear (elmo- and princess-themed) and if we were home she would have them on. We still used a diaper when we would go out on some errands or be in the car. There were many accidents, of course. Her daycare at the ELC also encouraged us to send her in underwear, with extra clothes of course, and they have helped her along the way as well. They go to the bathroom in groups and I think having Bailey see the other kids use the potty has encouraged her to do it herself.

Now, it is the end of April, baby Cookie will be here in about 3 weeks, and Bailey is doing so well! She is letting us know when she has to go: "I have to go potty." And we get up and run to the bathroom with her. She can pull her pants and underwear down, hop up on the stool and sits down and goes pee-pee. We still cheer and clap and she gets a big smile on her face. We have stopped doing treats (2 M&M's) for #1, and have saved those for #2. Up until about 2 weeks ago, she wouldn't tell us she had to go #2. She would tell us AFTER she had already gone in her underwear. But 2 days ago, she told me, "Mama, I have to go poop!" and I started to run to the bathroom with her but she stopped. She turned to me and said she could do it herself. She came out a few minutes later and I went to check how she did. She had gone poop, wiped, and pulled her underwear and pants up. She showed me in the toilet that she went. She just needed to flush and wash her hands! Daddy and I are so proud of her. And the timing couldn't be better...