These days we’re hit or miss with potty training in our house.  I’m not really sweating it, nor am I going super hard-core with it because she’s only 19-months-old.  Regardless, potty training has brought up interesting “conversations” with our toddler.

Sometimes they are anatomy lessons.

She knows where her bottom is.  “Ba-ba” as she calls it, as she pats her rear end.  She sits on the potty and we talk.  I explain that poo-poo comes out of her bottom and pee-pee comes out the front.  I tell her these are her “private parts” Pretty soon I’ll use the proper words anus and urethra.  I have also explained that part of her private parts are her vagina.  She just looks at me and tugs on my earring and giggles, or points at my nose and says “Mama nose!”  I laugh.  The point is, we have started the conversation.

I do not believe in using cutesy terms for private parts.  Ever.

Tracie is a sexual abuse survivor and a really inspiring woman.  She explains why cutesy terms are a bad idea better than I ever could.  Read this!!!!  I think my favorite line is “You wouldn’t tell your daughter that her nose is called a Hoo-Ha and then send her out in the world.  Then why is it okay to say that about her vagina?”

Funny thing is, I know Charlotte is listening.  Even at 1 1/2 she understands.  For example, after one of these conversations I was standing in the bathroom and felt a little hand patting my backside.  “Mama ba-ba!”

I died laughing as I picked her up thinking of all the other anatomy lessons she’ll eventually understand.

See this cute little potty?  Well folks, be glad it’s closed because MY KID CRAPPED IN IT TODAY!  Woo Hoo!  We’re so freakin’ proud.  We’ll have a little celebration tomorrow night.  Maybe some ice cream, or bran muffins.  You know, something to encourage more bowel movements.

We understand it will be slow-going since she’s only 19-months, but we’re excited.  (Oh wow.  Did you catch that explainabrag?  Sorry.  I’ve learned parents can do that.)

Oh, that’s right.  I have a blog.  My bad.  We’ve been busy.  We’re in Washington D.C. for my sister and brother-in-law’s graduation with their Masters’ Degrees.  We are having an awesome time an I swear I’ll share all our shenanigans when we get home.

In the meantime, take a cue from Charlotte and take time to enjoy your socks, or Daddy’s socks.  Whatever.

I had no idea this was going to be such a momentous weekend when  Greyson stole me away for a night to celebrate our anniversary.  We stayed at our local 5 star hotel and had the chef’s selection menu at the restaurant.  The fact that we dined sans high chair was momentous enough, never mind the foie gras.

In the past few weeks I have really tired of fighting with Charlotte over her “sprout”.  She keeps pulling it out, leaving her hair all down in her eyes.

I resigned myself to the fact that it was time for “Baby’s 1st Haircut.”

Uncle Bryce made it way more fun!  Greyson said this “Snip Its” place was “like Chuck E Cheese but you get your hair cut.”

Poor thing.  She looks like she’s about to be sacrificed.  I’m sparing you the video I took.  The crying was ridiculous as you hear my reassurances, “It’s okay, Baby!  It doesn’t hurt!”   The sweet woman who had this daunting task kept feeding her animal crackers between snips.

Her first haircut led to her first lollipop.  She has not mastered saliva swallowing.  This occasion was topped off with a toy prize and certificate complete with photo.  “Baby’s First Curl” was saved for Mama.

AND NOW…FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOMENTS IN TODDLER ACHIEVEMENTS…MAY I PRESENT….

THE POTTY!

Charlotte picked out a Sesame Street potty at the store today.  After she carefully “read” the instructions we gave it a shot.  No dice.  After her nap we tried again.

MY CHILD PEE PEED IN THE POTTY!

I know it’s silly, but we were so freakin’ proud of those few tiny little dribbles.  She’s getting so big and learning so much!  I just burst with pride when I see her experience new things and accomplish new things.  If you think about it, learning grooming like haircuts and hygiene like bathroom use are pretty big life skills.

I’m sure we’re in for some bumps along the grooming and hygiene highway and first we have to move out of Diapertown.  She will be 18 months this week.  I have no time to be sad about it.  Let’s go!

As parents we become enamored with our little babies.  Raising a baby is full of snuggles, feedings, rocking, and swaddling.  I look back on the days of Charlotte’s infancy and I get all squishy inside.  Yes there is poop and sleepless nights but it’s a perfect, sweet little one!  Right?!

Today I realized I’m raising a person.

Don’t get me wrong I was fully aware that it was a human baby I birthed 17  months ago, but something she did today made me realize she’s a PERSON.  A flawed human being.

I went to pick her up from the Waddler class today and she didn’t greet me with her usual enthusiasm.  Well, I thought, “That’s okay.  My mama-ego isn’t THAT fragile.”  (Yes it is.)  I sat on the floor at her level.  Some of her classmates toddled up to me, enthralled with my beaded necklace.  Charlotte’s good friend gave me sweet smiles, sat in my lap and cooed at every bead.  Charlotte did not like this.  It happened very fast.  She marched over to that little girl and gave her a swipe before turning on me with a swat.

::GASP::

I blurted, “CHARLOTTE!  No ma’m!  That is not nice!”  I looked at the teacher who seemed equally shocked.  (Good, it seems that’s not common.)  I turned to check out the other little girl and she was smiling and obviously not phased.  Her swipe didn’t hurt me either.  I  said, “Charlotte we do not hit our friends and you do not hit Mama!  It’s okay for another kid to sit with your Mama.”

She felt jealousy and anger like a real person.  Suddenly it became a daunting task to be the person raising and molding this little human.  I went on to stress how she should say she was sorry to her friend, but the toddler mind moves quickly and she started playing with my necklace.  I guess we’ll get to shame and empathy when she has another “human moment”.  When can we start Time-Out?  I have no idea.

::SIGH::

Raising a toddler is full of  messy dinners, squrimy baths, repeat book readings, and Elmo snuggles.  Tonight I got all squishy inside thinking about my girl.  Yes there are tantrums and food throwing, but she’s my perfect, sweet little one.  Right!?