I've been a little hormonal lately, but this morning I was a ball of nerves. Riley's day care provider had been out of town for 2wks and was finally back. Riley was thrilled beyond belief to go back, but there had been a lot of changes since she had been there last. Riley wasn't quite as adept at the potty 14 days ago. Now, she is full time in panties day and night.
I went through the check list in my mind ten times: spare clothes, daycare folder, check, emergency pull up...etc I had bag packed before I went to bed last night to make sure I was ready to go in the morning. I was literally sweating with anxiety when I woke up this morning. How would Riley do? It had been so long. More importantly how would D do with 3 kids in diapers and 1 using the potty? Was I asking too much? Had I done everything I could to prepare them?
In my head the worst case scenario meant pulling her out of day care until they were ready (yikes!). Nerves were rampant all the way there as I rehearsed all the things I had to make sure and explain. My stomach churned. I brought Riley in and explained she was full time in panties. That there were several spare pairs and extra clothes in the bag, but the pull-up was only for emergencies. D focused on my words like a true pro while administering snack. She was a little surprised Riley could sleep without a diaper, but she was ready this time.
I tried to get Riley to go potty before I left unsuccessfully, which only made the knot in my stomach tighter. D reassured me that they'd be fine and she had extra help today. I felt bad giving her more work. I decided I needed to take my anxiety home before it rubbed off. I thanked her again and walked out the door without my cell phone.
When I got home I had a few minutes of super anxiety over the missing phone before confirming its location. Soon, after that episode resolved itself my anxiety melted into something else. I'd been with Riley for two weeks and now she was ecstatically back in day care using the potty! I started to cry. Maybe this really is the end of the baby time. She's a little girl with a life independent from me.
I got the house picked up and had lunch with my mom it was a nice day. When I picked Riley up the report was glowing. "Riley's a rock star. She used the potty all day and even pooped twice!" I was thrilled and as it turned out not very surprised. She had one accident in 8hrs where she was just too busy, not bad. My big girl.
We're past "just in case" diapers and rewards every time she goes. I thought we'd never get there, but here we are. When we got home I took the remaining diapers out of the diaper hanger and filled it with shoes!
Potty training is one of the most difficult tasks. I think my biggest mistake was starting at 2. I wish I did it at 3. But finally no more night pull ups and she gets out of bed to use the bathroom. Success is sweet!
ReplyDeleteOh how awesome! It's bittersweet I know. Every milestone I think "That's it, he's a big boy now", but there are always more things for them to conquer. Love watching her grow, because it never ends. :)
ReplyDeleteGood job, Katie. Brava, Riley. Shoes are more fun than dipes-ask my friend who has a hundred pair of the little foot coverings !~!
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