The First Time

Since the beginning of December we have had a pink potty chair in our bathroom.  Arianna was only about 20 months old when I purchased it, and although I had no desire to start potty training her at that time, I did want her to become comfortable and familiar with it. 

From the moment we took it out of the box, Arianna has been sitting on it pretending to relieve herself.  Fully clothed, of course, which was fine by me.

Moms on the playground, members of my online babycenter forum group, and some friends with young children, have been in a rush to potty train once our little ones turned 18 months.  Not me.  Sure changing diapers isn't the most pleasant thing in the world, but it has to be better then having to find a restroom every time you leave the house to run an errand.

Now that Arianna is two, however, I know that we need to start potty training soon.  But I'm still in no rush.  I have been planning on starting some serious potty-training towards the end of June, when Aria will be older, I'll have a lot of free time, and she'll be spending a lot of time in sundresses.  

In the meantime I thought we would continue to just get comfortable with the potty chair.  So for the past week or so, Arianna has been sitting on the potty at least once a day with no diaper, while we read a quick potty book.  (We have three - Princess Potty, Once Upon a Potty, and Where's the Poop?)  Honestly, I've expected nothing to happen other then getting accustomed to the chair.

Well today something happened. 

After a productive painting  session, I brought Arianna in the bathroom to change her clothes and clean her up.  I asked her if she wanted to sit on the potty since we were in the bathroom anyway, and she said yes.  She took off her diaper and sat down asking me to read "Princess Potty."

Halfway through the book, just as the Princess was singing her potty song, I heard something.  Shocked and confused, I looked at Arianna who seemed utterly perplexed at what was going on.  And then I realized what was happening.  "OH MY GOD!  HOORAY!!  YOU'RE DOING PEE-PEE IN THE POTTY!!  YAY, ARIANNA!!" Arianna smiled but still looked unsure.  Marc came running in.  "You peed in the potty??  Great job, Arianna!!"  I looked at Marc.  "Get the M&Ms, Daddy.  We told Arianna that when she pees in the potty she can have one."  (Not a bribe, a reward!)  We finished up in the bathroom, all the while making a huge deal about how amazing it is that she peed in the potty.

Arianna ran out of the bathroom ecstatic.  "Sasha!  Sasha! I peed in the potty!"  Sasha (our dog) did not care.  But Arianna then told both her Grandmas and they cared very much.    

I am so happy and proud of her.  But yes, a little sad.  My baby is growing up so fast!