an attempt at potty training

Ever since Addie was around 18 months she has shown signs of being ready for potty training.  Our only obstacle was getting her to stay sitting for over a minute! But it seems that the last month or two she has digressed and so after talking with her pediatrician during Jojo ' s dr visit, we decided to really try.

And so we bought big girl panties to help encourage the process. Daddy went to work and I dove right into the process. At first Addie was scared of the big toilet seat cover, so we used the small portable seat and she seemed to do better. I used a bubble gun to keep her on the seat for a few minutes at a time. I tried the 3 day method, so nothing but t-shirt. I'm not going to lie, the first day was really disheartening with the many accidents. So the next day we went to the dollar store to buy toys and candy to try to help with the process. And it seemed to work! So as the stickers added on her children chart, and days went by without major accidents, I was so excited, exhausted but excited.  Day 4 we put on big girl panties, went to the Hogle Zoo, no accidents, success with the big seat on the public toilets! I seriously thought we had it nailed!

We went to church on day 5, a little bit nervous but with the success of the zoo, I knew we'd be fine. And she did great! No success at church, but no accidents either. I did put diapers on her for naps and nighttime. Anyways, that night she threw tantrums and did not want to get on the seat, either one. The next day, such a challenge to get her on the seat and that was purely just to be rewarded an d then sh would get off.....again for day 8 from the start of training.

So joe and I decided to take a break from training and attempt it a little later. I was so disheartened!  So much work, emotions, and cleaning for nothing.
But that's ok. Unfortunately Addie is a lot like me, stubborn and the more you push, the more I dig in with my heels. Anyways she went back to wearing diapers without blinking.....and so hopefully next time will be pure success. I think I will try to set a timer next time. So that way she hears it, she knows it's time. And it's not necessarily me sayi ng it's time....I've read loads of blogs and articles on how to potty train. Never would I thought I'd have studied and worked so hard on something like this. Lol, like I've said multiple times, parenting is hard! Why did I decide to post about this? Maybe to h fee LP myself or even my kids that I felt the same frustrations  too. And we survived (at least I'm praying we survive). I told my sister the other day, that kids bring out the worst in me. I never thought I was a bad person until toddlers.....

But there are good times too. The other day while in tears I was telling Joe it would be nice is once in awhile adieu would give me a hug or a kiss. Th is would melt my heart and make things better. Th e next day she did just th at, and it did. It melted this heart and brought tears to my eyes. I love my kids a lot. I do! They are the cutest, most amazing thi ng s of creation, and at the same time the most frustrating, disobedient, whiny hoodlums too.

Such is life! And I'm grateful for these two hoodlums I have been blessed with and given the responsibility of raising. Many days I feel overwhelmed and unworthy, but they are gifts.