We tried off and on for months to potty train, but she wasn't showing any interest. We knew she was capable of going, but she was just as happy peeing her pants. It didn't upset her at all... even after I stopped putting diapers or pull-ups on her during the day. Wet panties didn't bother her in the slightest.
Jeff came up with the idea of creating a potty crown that she could add gems to. It would be a task filling it up because it had nearly 100 spots. She would earn 1 for going pee, 3 for going poop, and an extra 1 if she went on her own without us asking.
We started it on Dec 20, and for the first few weeks, she only got an occasional gem here or there. We'd promised her that when she got her crown all filled up, we could go build a new friend at Build-A-Bear as well a go to the "haircut store" for a big kid haircut. While she was excited with these things, she still wasn't really trying to make progress on the chart.
Last week though, we got a coupon in the mail from Sonic. It had a huge picture of a waffle cone sundae on the front, and inside it showed a picture of a blue slush. She was mesmerized, and I saw opportunity! I told her that if she could go 3 days with zero accidents, we could go get that ice cream.
She took me at my word and was really to do it!
I found that she did best when she got to run around naked at home, so for several days, she didn't wear any panties or pull-ups during the day. She made quick progress on her potty chart. By the end, she was earning 10-14 gems a day!
Finally, on January 20, 2015, Chloe finished her potty crown and declared that she had POTTY POWER!!!
Because it was late in the evening when she finished, we opted for going for ice cream after dinner to celebrate, but we told her we'd make a full day of it the next day.
So yesterday, January 21, we spent the whole afternoon celebrating potty power! I know she was exhausted, but I think she had the best day ever.
We started our afternoon with a trip to the "haircut store." We went to a children's salon called Pigtails & Crewcuts. She was so excited to get to sit in the fire engine chair and choose a prize from the treasure chest afterward. I fully expected tears or at leas a little nervous hesitation, but she hopped right up there and didn't even flinch. She followed instructions so well when the stylist asked her to look down. She held super still and proved to us what a big girl she really is!
We really went big for her first haircut! They cut off enough that we were able to donate her hair to Children With Hairloss! That made me feel SO much better about losing so much of it.
After the haircut, we went to TGIFriday's. That's Jeff's favorite restaurant, and we rarely go. I was so impressed with Chloe because when we got to the restaurant, I took her into the restroom with me. She actually went potty there! When we got back to the table, we told her that she was such a big girl that she could choose her own dinner. She chose mac & cheese with mandarin oranges. :)
Finally, it was time to go to the mall for Build A Bear! She'd been saying all week that she was going to get a Ninja Turtle. I just kept hoping that she'd change her mind. LOL When we got to the mall, she practically ran straight to BAB. When we got to the store, she looked through all the animals and then carefully decided on an elephant that she named Ellie. She still stuck with her Ninja Turtle wish though, and Ellie is sporting some cool Ninja Turtle jammies & nunchucks.
That place is quite a racket though! With buying the elephant, the outfit, and a few clearance outfits, we spent $75! That was with a $5 coupon. Thank goodness I had some cash from my mom that she'd sent Chloe for Christmas. This is definitely a treat reserved for the most special occasions, and getting Potty Power definitely qualified!
After leaving Build A Bear, we stopped by the candy store (daddy's idea! LOL) for a few pieces of candy (mostly gummies). By the time we got home, she was completely wiped out. She came home and went potty (!!!), put on her jammies, watched an episode of Blue's Clues, and then it was off to bed!
All in all, it was a fabulous and VERY special day!
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