We're potty training. *sigh*

As much as I had hoped that the little ones would eventually just train themselves (or that maybe Ethan would step up to the plate and take it on as one of his big brother duties), it never happened. So, now instead of each day being an endless stream of wet and dirty diapers, every minute of every day reeks with the sickening feeling that my favorite pottery barn rug will become the next victim in the serial soiling of just about everything....everything, that is, except the inside of the toilet.

Okay, okay, so maybe I exaggerate a little...but only a little. Tuesday was crack down day (no pun intended), with every little hiney on the toilet every 5 minutes. Asa and Julia spent the entire morning until lunch time basking in the summer sun, bare bottomed and in close proximity to the potty chair. It went well. So well, in fact, that after nap time we went back outside and this time they suckered me into letting them wear their "big boy" and "big girl" pants. Two hours and 5 pair of character undies later, I was not feeling so encouraged. I went to bed that night reminding myself "tomorrow is a new day".

Wednesday morning arrived and I opened my eyes to see a set of chocolate brown ones staring back at me.
"Good morning Princess", I murmered, "go get on the potty and we'll change into Dora panties."
You would have thought I had told her that this was the day that we were to remove her right thumb (which, by the way, is the one that is still rough and calloused because she and I can't come to an agreement about her sucking it...I say she needs to stop altogether, she doesn't agree). She stood up on my bed and performed the melting toddler trick. It's quite amazing, actually, the way a child of that age is able to make their entire body appear to become liquid, as they slowly and fluidly fall, ending up in a crumpled heap of tears and resistance. Even more amazing, however, is that the tiny little heap, looking so weak and feeble, can possess such a strong will and absolute stubborness.
"I don't want to go potty", came the muffled whine from the heap on the bed.
After bribing her with jelly beans and the promise to share my diet coke with her at breakfast (okay, so it was not my finest parenting moment) she plopped down on the potty and was able to force out a trickling tinkle.
"I went pee pee!" she exclaimed.
And so began another day of potty victories and defeats.

Now it's Thursday night. The children are nestled, all snug in their beds, with visions of potty seats dancing in their heads. I'd like to tell you that today Asa and Julia sunk a stone in the forehead of the potty training giant and sent him stumbling in defeat, but that wouldn't be true. I can report, however, that their aim is getting better and any day now we should be singing a victory chant while we hold our long awaited diaper burning party. Okay, maybe we won't go that far....but I would be willing to spring for an extra bag of jelly beans and a six pack of diet coke.....