Wardrobe Change

Parenting is full of moments where a seemingly insignificant day suddenly has huge meaning. Today, I took Riley to Target to get socks. She seemed in tune with the kind of day we were going to have because she insisted on wearing her Easter dress.

We were a little cranky from the heat as we lumbered into our favorite store with a short list: socks and barrettes for Riley, socks for Mommy, cereal, milk and crackers. Shoot, as I write this I remembered I was supposed to get dryer sheets (I'm going to have to stock up on laundry supplies). I digress, socks are always next to underwear (although, am I the only one who always looks by the shoes?) which got me thinking.

Yes, I would do it. I would buy real underwear. It was one more leap of faith. One more tiny step outside my comfort zone. If we're going to get serious about potty training we have to get serious. Just like sleeping in her own bed or weaning her I had to commit out loud (or make a gesture) to cement my decision. I have to push past all my overwhelming emotions about my only baby growing up and let her.

She's clearly ready for this so it was time for me to get on board. Her potty reward stickers sheet is a little over half empty, she holds it through naps, she's peed in the potty at all different times of day and at least once she even pooped in the potty. We are at a threshold where I either keep her in diapers and reliant on me or I turn over some control with pull-ups and panties.

This morning my poor girl had held it all night and in a sleepy haze had peed in her diaper until it was soaked and pee flowed out onto the bed. A rude awakening, for sure. She was so upset. "Mom-ma!" she wailed "pee-pee. guck (yuck)". Yeah. it was time to get serious. We just got over the late bed wetting stage with Isaac and I'm so tired of washing linens, but if you're going to make an omelet you have to break a few eggs. So, it will go: daily linen and pee-pee clothes washing and rugs that need shampooing. Thank God we have so much tile.

She's so proud strutting around with her Minnie Mouse panties on under her Easter dress today. It kills me how natural it seems. She went down for her first nap with underwear instead of a diaper. I couldn't bear to even suggest a pull-up she was so proud. Where's my baby? She's a little girl and she's just going to keep needing me less and less. Every time I'm proud of her accomplishments I'll be holding back tears because I'm so happy and so sad.