I totally forgot I sent this photo to the blog...

I meant to go back and give it a title and post about it and everything, but it slipped my mind. It's very slippery, in fact. I'm surprised I don't forget more stuff. Anyhoo-
This was taken at our public library. The kids and I go every couple weeks or so to get a some new books and a new video or two. They have a kiosk that plays short previews of 4-5 featured books, with headphones so you don't annoy the other patrons. It's been a favorite of Madeleine's, and this visit was the first time Noah was interested in it. He sat in that chair and watched and listen for at least ten minutes. The headphones are ancient and enormous, and they look tremendously funny on a toddler.

We have a couple family updates that I haven't been able to get up here yet. First, I have gone to day shift! I love living like a regular person and sleeping at night like everyone else I know. 5am comes awfully early, but once I get a shower and a Diet Coke, I'm in great shape.

Second, Madeleine is wearing panties and using the potty! She's been able to use a toilet for about a year, but she would only go when she was told. It was never her idea. For the last 6 months or so, I've tried every so often to put a pair of panties on her and get her to go every 1-2 hours. She would go when I told her to, but she would still pee her pants in between, and then keep playing in wet pants. She didn't care at all she was cold and wet. Finally, about a month ago, she started telling us in the mornings she was wet and needed to be changed. So, I had a week off between my last night shift and first day shift, we weren't traveling anywhere or had appointments or anywhere to be, and I decided to give it a really good try. I kept her sippy cup full of milk and juice and had her go to the bathroom every 1-1 1/2 hours. She had one accident the first day, but otherwise remained dry. The second day, we did the same thing, and about 3 or 4 pm, she suddenly said, "Mommy, I have to go potty!" and she ran in and did her thing. The next day, I would ask/remind, and she told me "No", then about 20-30 minutes later, would announce she need to potty, and go help herself. That day, she also started pooping on the potty, without prompting and on her own. It's been three weeks, and we've had a handful of accidents (she will not go at preschool, for some reason), and she still needs a diaper at night, but otherwise, she's in panties and dry during the day. She's very proud of herself and her new panties. I bought a brand new set on the second or third day of Princess panties, and we realized when we got home they were "days of the week" panties, with the day printed on the waistband. She insists on wearing the panty of day, if it's clean. So yay! I knew she would do it when she was good and ready. As Miss Sherri said, "She just has other things to do."