Adventures in potty training

I wouldn't want any of you to consider me a tattle-tale, but let me tell you about my most recent adventure in the on-going, potty training saga.

Monday night, as we were preparing for bed, Amelia insisted that she wanted to wear underwear to bed - not a diaper. I was very hesitant, since she had had little to no success with underwear in the past, but I concented. After all, if I don't trust her to wear panties then how is she ever going to progress away from diapers?

Still, after I put Amelia in a pair of "Happy Feet" drawers I explained to her (for the 12th time, at least) that she was not to pee in her underwear. The only places it is acceptible to pee are the potty and a diaper. Amelia said that she understood. We had this same discussion at least three times before Amelia went to bed that night. Each time she assured me that she would use the potty if the need arose during the night.

I was sure that Amelia would wake me Monday night. I was hoping she would wake me to ask for help in using the potty, but I might have accepted being awoken due to a wet bed. I was not awoken all night and was extreemly pleased to see that Amelia and her sheets were dry Tuesday morning.

At least, I was thrilled until my nose told me what had actually happened. Apparently, this girl just ignored her wet bed and went back to sleep. I would have never guessed that a girl would completely ignore being wet or dirty, but Amelia couldn't care less.

I did not scold Amelia, because I do want her to one day use the potty like a big kid. But, I did explain very clearly that you cannot pee in underwear. After my talk, I heard Diana wake next door. Amelia and I went down the hall to retrieve the baby together.

As she has often done, Amelia asked to play in Diana's crib after I brought Diana down to play with her books and toys. Amelia bounced in the crib and played with the toys there until I finally decided that we all needed to go downstairs to eat. When I picked Amelia up and put her feet on the floor I noticed a large puddle in Diana's bed. I just couldn't believe it - Amelia not only wet her own bed, but she also had the nerve to wet her sister's bed. Unbelieveable!

So I guess you know how I spent my afternoon. And you may understand why I'm hesitant to push Amelia to wear her underwear. She likes her undies and wants to wear them, but because she couldn't care less about the cleanliness of her bottom I can't expect her to see underwear as a reason to use the potty.

If you've heard enough about potty training, let me tell you a funny story about something Amelia said the other day. Yesterday afternoon as I was getting Diana ready for her nap Amelia said, "She doesn't want to take a nap." I told Amelia, "That may be true, but she still has to take one." Amelia looked at me and said quietly, "That's mean!"

I thought it was sweet that Amelia was sticking up for her sister. I explained to Amelia that mommy knows best and discussed the consequences if Diana did not take a nap. She seemed to understand.

Diana is also working on her speech a little more. Yes, her sister talks for her a lot of the time, but Diana is working on singing, "Twinkle, twinkle little star." It's about the cutest thing you've ever heard, and I will do my best to get it on film at some point. She is also an expert at saying, "One more," though the phrase sounds more like, "Un mun." This phrase is very useful when you want to hear one more story before sleep or to eat one more M&M.

Lisa (an exhausted mommy)