Potty Training: Day 2

Ok, it's getting a little better.

I realized that yesterday was such a disaster because I didn't know what I was doing.

Today we've had a couple of hits, and a couple of misses. It's getting better because I am trying to "read" her expressions and it's actually working! She gets really freaked out when she has an accident, but I just comfort her and tell her that we'll try again next time.

This has to be one of the hardest parts of motherhood. Everyone think positive potty thoughts for Iman.

*Those who are completely disgusted... I will post other stuff soon, potty updates will appear once a week :)

The Sum(mer) of All Fears

The administration at school decided that we've all had enough, and started summer vacation early. So I am officially off from today, which also means that potty training was pre-poned.

As of two hours ago, Iman has been diaper free, but it's not going too well...

Our record:
2 hours, 3 accidents

:(

Enough said?

T minus 5 days...

As the 29th approaches, I'm trying to sort out my strategy. Those of you that don't know, and those of you who have forgotten, the 29th is the day I start potty training Iman. Why the 29th? Because I'm off for summer holidays and it gives me the full day with Iman to run back and forth from the bathroom.

The good news is that I heard another success story from friends of ours.
Their record: 10 days, 1 accident

Today Iman and I went out and bought some "potty training" paraphernalia. I let her choose "big girl panties" and her own potty. I've managed to get hold of two great books about pooping, which we'll start reading tonight.

So we're 5 days away, and I'm feeling pretty good about the upcoming adventure. Here are some picture of Iman posing in her new purchase... the only thing is, she still doesn't know where her undies go!

Happy Father's Day

Iman and I surprised her dad today. We stopped by his office with his favorite lunch and dessert!

Happy Father's Day to all the Dad's out there!

WHAAAAAAAT??

Omair has forbidden me to post this. In fact, he said that if I put this on line, he's going to start his own blog where he talks about all the stupid things that I say and do (he's welcome to do that, because both him and I know there won't be much to post :)

Ha ha ha

Ok, ego tripping aside, you HAVE to hear this...

Omair over indulges Iman with chocolates and chips and all kind of junk food. I usually take a back seat on this, because he knows when to stop. But over the last few days I had noticed that this "junky" business was shifting to candy. Plain and simple sugar and chemicals. Yesterday morning started with Omair giving her "Fizz Candy"... just to see how she would react (those unfamiliar with the term, fizz candy is flavored crystals and when you put them in your mouth, they pop and fizzle and do all kinds of wierd things). Later that day I find both dad and daughter each licking their own white stick. A white stick made of God knows what!

So I tactfully said to Omair... "what do you think this crap does to her teeth?"

He nonchalantly replied... "what difference does it make? It's her milk teeth, they're going to fall out anyways."

Need I say more?

Meeting Moms

Last weekend we went to a 2 year old girl’s birthday, and got the chance to meet 5 other moms who had 2-year old girls. It was one of the most exciting days of late! Not only did Iman have a blast… I got the chance to sit and chat with women who were looking at life through the same window as me!

We shared our own stories of child raising, we talked about our problems and moments of triumph. For the first time in a long time I felt I was in the right place. We talked about working vs. staying at home, we discussed what we feed our kids, we talked about Barney and the Tweenies (it was funny because the British women didn’t know Barney and the American women didn’t know the Tweenies!). We talked about healthy snacks, we talked about viral colds and effective home remedies. We laughed at each others stories of motherhood.

And we watched our girls play together.

It was a fun day.

Taking the next step

Motherhood is very tricky. Every time you think you have it down... something changes.

The past few months have been great in our household. We've had a solid routine set with Iman, and she's happy with it, which means that we're happy with it; and when you have a system set with your child, it makes your days (and nights) so much easier. But every now and then, when you feel secure in your schedule, things have to change.

After having crossed the bridge of Iman's second birthday, we are faced with the looming task of POTTY TRAINING!!

This was a long time coming... LONG LONG LONG LONG LONG time coming.

I have been told off by just about everyone I know. The elder women of my family look at me with shame as I lug around diapers. Back home it seems that everyones kid is potty trained at birth! Here are some honest testaments of some real life mothers...

"My child was peeing in the toilet by 3 months"
"My child could tell me by a year that he had to go"
"My child had a special way of letting me know"

and my favorite...

"My child never wore diapers, I trained her from day 1"

OH MY GOD, how are these women doing it??? I am petrified of this next step. I know I have to start training her some day... and that "some day" is my biggest fear!

BUT, I have set the date. June 29th is when I start potty training Iman.

Reason?
#1 Because school ends on the 28th and after that I have a solid consistent day with Iman, allowing her to pee all over the house (which is the EXACT reason why potty training freaks me out)
#2 Because on July 13th I travel to go back home for some weddings, and I will not face the grandmother duo without some training under my belt!

If anyone has any advice, please feel free to share. I think that in all my experiences as a mother, this is the one that scares the bejeezus out of me.