Adventures In Potty Training: Good Shot

We have purchased potties.

Thud.

(Sound of my forehead banging the desk.)

I can NOT beLIEVE these kids are old enough for this!!?!

Thud.

(Sound of my fist banging the desk while my head is still down.)

I can NOT beLIEVE that there is enough caffeine in the world for me to get through this!!?!

Neither kid is showing enough readiness signs for me to launch us into our maiden voyage in potty training full throttle, so we're backing the boat trailer into the water slowly.  Introducing them, talking about them, and trying to make them a part of our everyday routine.  I have no expectation that they will do anything other than explore and begin to understand right now.  This way, any step forward is a huge success.  And failures and frustrations are going to be my norm.  For a long time.  Good times!

It's only been a few days so far.  And we've had a few accidental successes, lots of excitement...  and one good shot.  Today after baths, the kids walked back into their room with their hooded towels, and I followed close behind ready to diaper them up as fast as possible.  There's just not enough room to do this is the bathroom.  And thankfully, we've had only a handful of accidents doing this.  But today was a new thrill.

As soon as the baby gate swings shut behind us Addison starts saying, "Tinkle!"  I look for the potty that's supposed to be in there, but it's gone.  My mind races...  "It's not in the bathroom, we were just there"...  And I snatch her up, still in the towel, and start repeating, "Not yet, not yet... tinkle goes in potty" as I race around the upstairs.  Thankfully I find the potty quickly, return to the nursery and plunk Addison down.  I sit there with her and say, "Can you make the tinkle go in the potty now?"  Nothing.  And more nothing.  But before I can get her up and diaper her, I hear, "Tinkle!" from Caden.  Who has lost his towel and is standing by the tub of library books looking a little forlorn.  I don't have time to think about why, I just assume that it's because he has to go and Addison's hogging the seat.  Thankfully, nothing is happening for him, so with one eye glued to the motionless boy I snatch Sweetest Girl up, diaper her with fingers flying and dash over to get Caden to the potty.  Only to discover a large puddle.  That started about 1 cm from the edge of the bin of library books.  He seriously could not have come any closer and still missed.

The good news...  the kids are developing some awareness and skill in communicating their needs.  The bad news...  their timing is terrible.  The great news...  I didn't expect anything more, so I don't feel defeated.  I am simply thanking my lucky stars that I didn't have to pay for 20 damaged library books (or explain the damage).  And quite seriously considering buying stock in Clorox wipes.