I mostly spend each day living in brief gulps from one moment to the next. In between tickle fights and time outs, I also sweat it out each day on the tightrope that is PPD and all its repercussions in my family, my health, my marriage and my sense of humor. Some days are good, some days only wish they could aspire to the high ranks of pond scum, but it's all part of my life. And it's all worth it.
Mildly dehydrated isn’t that bad, right?
Ok, so potty training (again). Going well, more dry days by far than accidents, but…
The four hundred and ninety seven and a half trips to the bathroom each day are driving me crazy. CRAZY. Poops are the worst, because she’s still a little unsure so she has to give that sucker a try about FORTY-FIVE times before we have any success.Still, her ability to dole out her pee in one and two drop allotments over the course of the day is truly awe-inspiring. I get maybe 4 real bathroom breaks a day. The rest is just for kicks.
Our main level bathroom is actually a half-bath, just a powder room, really. Squeezing in there with a wiggly toddler on the left and pedestal sink on the right and a nosy 4-year-old poking in at the door is a little bit past cozy– it’s more along the lines of completely claustrophobic to the point of needing Valium.
FOUR HUNDRED AND NINETY SEVEN AND A HALF TIMES A DAY.
As proud as I am of her… is it wrong that by 2 P.M. I’m starting to refuse her liquids? “No, honey, don’t you want some Cheerios instead? Hmm? How about a cereal bar? Crackers? Anything of a deliciously absorbent quality?”.
Of course, this backfires as well, in the form of, well, less backfire, if you know what I mean. Then she gets all grumpy and traumatized when that Moment approaches, as well. Please tell me I am not the only one purposely dehydrating her child (only a little!! Just in the afternoons!! For self preservation!!).
God, I’m so ungrateful. A 2-year-old in panties and now all I want her to do is get out of the bathroom.
After my first experience with potty training I kept my toddlers on a very strict drink schedule for that very reason. It got easier down the line, especially when the younger kids could watch their older siblings going to the big kid potty. Wait until she discovers public restrooms! My kids had to use the bathroom as soon as we got into a store and every time they passed a restroom after that, sometimes 4 times during the same shopping trip! Here’s a little trick I learned with my girls, panty liners are great for catching little pittles and preventing wet spots on clothing. Just don’t leave the package within reach of younger siblings. I found my 10 month old plastered with the entire contents of a 48 count value pack… she looked like a little Kotex Mummy. Wish I had a camera back then, it would make for some good leverage today!
Comment by Jody — September 6, 2009 @ 9:36 ampanty liners! that’s brilliant! Cici already loves the public restrooms, though she almost never does anything of interest in them. it drives me BONKERS. I am totally going to use the tip, though!
Comment by Megan — September 6, 2009 @ 10:57 am