Fantastic pottying day!

Today, almost as if out of nowhere, Taylor let me know EVERY time she needed to go potty (in her usual squeaky fashion). And she used the proper facilities every time, save one when we were out on a long walk in the neighborhood. That means she stayed dry and nearly diaper free from 6am to 8pm. She's now happily sleeping away in her toddler bed (which is super awesome as well!).

What a fabulous day. I hope we continue in this fashion, though I don't want to set my hopes too high. We've started a new family routine (new waking time, planned meals, putting Taylor down early, etc) and it seems to be working out really well. One week down!

On the pot

For the last couple of weeks Taylor has been practicing sitting on her potties (a green one in the living room and a pink one in the bathroom). She usually doesn't do anything when she's sitting on them (besides maybe pretending to pee while signaling "toilet" to me), but I've been thrilled just to see her make the association with the object and part of its function.

This morning Taylor and I woke up and headed in the bathroom to do our business. When I sat down on the toilet, she situated herself on her new pink potty.

Then, Taylor pooped on her potty all by herself! Wooohoooo!

She was having so much fun on the potty, she didn't want me to take her off to wipe her bum. As soon as I finished cleaning her off, she went right back to sitting on the potty and was upset when I tried to leave the bathroom before she was done playing.

I hope this is a sign of great things to come.

She's almost got it

I turned from my computer just now to find Taylor sitting on her little green potty, making her squeaking pushing noises (which usual indicates her need to eliminate), and signing "toilet" to me. It was adorable - more so for the fact that she was still wearing her undies and leggings.

However, she didn't actually go! Strange. But she obviously has the concept down. She's now bare bum and will likely leave a puddle on the floor...unless (fingers crossed) she gets it right this time and makes it to the potty again.

Potty! potty! potty! potty!

I'm rooting her on.

Christmas day

What a fun Christmas - our first as a family of three! Besides all the presents and food and movies (which were great), we had a lot of fun dressing up Taylor as a little "Santa baby" and then stuffing her in a stocking on the fireplace.

She matches Grandma

The best stocking stuffer ever

(Don't worry, she wasn't really hanging from the mantle. Mark was holding her up with one arm from behind the couch.)

Taylor did a few new things today too! This afternoon was the first time she actual signaled to me that she needed to go to the bathroom and when I took her she pooped in the toilet. Woohoo! Now it really is Elimination COMMUNICATION. So exciting.

Second, we taught her how to clap her hand against her mouth while talking to make a funny staccato noice. She loves it and initiates it herself.

And third, while watching Home Alone this evening we got to the part where Kevin looks in the bathroom mirror, puts on aftershave, and yells AHHHH! Taylor perked up and started yelling AHHHH along with him.

Over the last few days she seems to have learned how to blow out her nose to rid herself of boogers and how to use a tissue to wipe her nose. Very valuable skills, especially for the winter season. She also likes to bark with the dogs by saying "Bah! Bah!" whenever they are on their guard.

Tonight we need to get everything ready to go for our long drive to Omaha - at least 11 hours. We hope to leave before 8am so we can arrive at a reasonable hour. Keep us in your prayers. It'll probably be a bit slick and snowy when we get further north.

Playing with Daddy and her new game pad

Snuggling with Mama