Oh, the fun we have!

I love staying home again. I forgot, sort of, how much I like being home with a toddler during the day. Maybe it's because I know she is my last two year old. Maybe, it's because this last year was so stressful, and took me away from home more than I liked. Whatever the reason, I am enjoying everyday with my little Ella Mae.

Hide-N-Seek

Mr. Potato Head Time!

Ft. Worth children's and Science Museum

I have had the most fun playing hide-and-seek, and twirling with her as she spins in one of her many princess dresses. I never know from one minute to the next which princess she will be. She bounces from Sofia, to Sleeping Beauty, to Cinderella, to Belle, and on and on. Last week we went to the Ft. Worth Science and Children's Museum with some friends of ours. We had so much fun, and she took an awesome nap afterward!

I love that every day is a new adventure for her. This week I pulled out the bucket of bubbles that I bought on dirt cheap clearance back in September. I kinda stuck them in my closet and forgot about them. I found them the other day, and we had a great time making a big bubbly mess.
I can't wait to see what we will do next week.

Bubble Blowing

The awesome bubble kit I got on major clearance

The New and Improved Carmella Mae (potty training in one day)

I am completely amazed at how well Carmella has done this week at potty training, and it is all due to this book, Potty Training in Less than a Day, by Nathan H. Azrin.  Follow the link to the Good Reads review of this book.

 My big girl.

I've know for a while that Carmella was ready to join the ranks of the toilet users, but with my crazy school life, and with her going to babysitters four days a week, I felt like I should wait until school was over. So I spent weeks psyching myself up for what was to come, telling myself every time I bought diapers that this was coming, so get ready! Santa brought her training underwear in her stocking, and the week after Christmas we hit it and hit it hard. I made the customary "Potty Chart" complete with smiley face and star stickers. Monday morning we began. We talked about going on the potty, we sat on the potty. We sang songs, and read books while sitting on the potty waiting for the big Moment. After one week of doing this everyday, we had exactly four stickers on our chart. She was defiant, resistant, and just plain angry at me for making her do this.

Now, let's step back a moment. In another house-- the house of my friend, Nicole -- potty training began for her two year old during the same week.  I watched with amazement, and I will admit, some envy as she was posting on Facebook about how well her daughter was doing.  After only three days, they were ready to go out into the world with her new potty skills, and she had only had one accident while trying to get on the potty. She just didn't make it in time.  I couldn't believe it!  How is this even possible? Nicole kindly let me in on her little secret:  the book, Potty Training in Less Than a Day.

She lent it to me on Sunday.  I read the entire thing Sunday night.  Monday morning I was out gathering my supplies of treats and candies, as well as a lot of drinks I know Carmella likes. I think Jason and the girls were a little jealous they weren't potty training when they saw all the spoils I had brought home.

Tuesday morning at 8:00, we began. The book recommended a quiet house free from distractions, so it was good that school started for the others that day. After all the girls were off at school, I set everything up in the kitchen, and I spent the day with Carmella.  Just the two of us.  She taught her dolly to go potty. She scolded the dolly when she had an "accident".

 Her baby she named Ella Mae.

 She loved getting her treats for having dry pants, and she was so excited to drink her root beer, and Kool-aide. We went through the steps over and over again. When she wet her pants, I took her through the steps just like the book explains. She didn't like it, but she understood it. By 2:00 she was refusing the drinks I was pushing on her. I thought, "Oh no! She's on to me!" She actually started getting tired of the candy, and we had to switch to pickles as her reward toward the end, but by 5:00, when Jason got home, this girl was potty trained. I could hardly believe it. Jason was speechless as he watched her walk over to her potty by herself, pull down her undies, do her business, wipe, pull up her own undies, and dispose of the pee in the toilet.

 The potty spot.

 This was all done by herself, with no assistance from me at all. He could not believe what he was seeing, I could hardly contain my excitement! She has continued to do this all week without even one accident. She has even been getting up from her naps dry, and has been using the potty after she wakes up in the morning.

 Our arsenal of undies.

 Taking care of her business!

The thing is, as much as I love her new independence and skills, I am surprised at how much stronger our relationship is. Spending the entire day with her was wonderful. She had my undivided attention for the entire day, and she ate it up. Since Tuesday, she and I have played so much more than normal. She is helping me do chores around the house, and helping me cook. She is attached to me in a way she wasn't  before, and she wants little to do with Jason. Normally this would be exhausting to me, but it hasn't been at all. I've been loving the extra time and attention from her too. She is my last, she is my baby, and she is only going to be two for a few more months. I am grateful I have this time to spend with her.

I am so proud of my Carmella Mae, who, by the way, has informed me this week that she wants to be called Ella Mae.

I love my Ella Mae,  Potty training extraordinaire!