Isha Is Potty Trained!!!

Here she is sporting her big girl panties!!!

I can't even tell you how excited I am about this!!! We have been diaper free since April 29th! It was a ton of work and there were times that I was crying because I wanted to give up, but in the end I am glad I stuck it out because Isha is doing awesome!!! We started out with this three day potty training method where you throw out the diapers, only wear panties (no pull ups allowed), constantly ask if their panties are dry and have them let you know if they need to go and it also includes bedtime potty training! It is really intense and we stayed home for three straight days and things were going great in the beginning, but as time went on I could see that there was a serious power struggle developing. On the third day, after a huge melt down, I decided we needed to change our strategy. I toned down the praise (all my ranting and raving about going pee in the potty had gone to Isha's head and she knew she was in control), I stopped giving rewards, and I stopped asking her if she was dry or if she had to go. I just watched her closely and decided not to stress if she peed on the floor (we are getting the carpets cleaned soon anyways) and when I could tell she really had to go I would ask her if she needed to go and if she said no then I just ignored it. Eventually she would give in and use the potty. Yesterday was our best day so far. NO accidents and she woke up dry at nap time and this morning! I know that we are still going to have some accidents and I really have to be vigilant and getting out of the house is hard because I try to schedule outings around "safe" times, but I think that after a few weeks it will be much easier!!

As exciting as this is it is also kind of bitter sweet. Don't get me wrong I am not saying that I want to go back to diapers, but this is just a huge sign that she is growing up and she is no longer a baby.