Another Milestone

  Yes, she keeps growing up. Every milestone makes me proud that my little girl is maturing...and sad that my baby is growing so fast. This post is mainly for my memories. Non-parents may find it strange to write about night time potty training. But there may be a day when Samantha is a mommy herself and she will want to ask  me what I did as a mom. Not to mention it is really cute how excited she is about her challenge. So, I write...
  Samantha has been day trained since she was 2 and hasn't needed pull-ups for nap time since starting at St James the summer before she turned 3. We have been using them at night though. The last thing Joe and I needed to add to our hectic morning routine was washing bedding from an occasional accident. So we put it off.
  The best way to get Samantha to learn something new is to wait for her to be ready. So I brought it up a few months ago, "When are you going to sleep in big girl panties?" and waited. About a month or so later Samantha told me, "Mom, I fink I won't wear pull-ups anymore in June." Haha, June. OK, June works for me. So when June came along she remembered her promise and was ready to take on the challenge. I told her I wouldn't buy anymore now that we were in June and when they were all gone she would have to sleep in panties. We were even in Target last week and we passed the diaper aisle, "Mama, I don't need dose anymore!" 
So I made a chart and told Samantha that after 5 times of staying dry, she would earn a new toy. She was so excited!
  Well, the first night was a bust. It was not a good night to start our challenge but it just so happened to be the day we ran out of pull-ups. It was Father's Day and we spent the afternoon at a friend's house swimming so she was overly tired. I also forgot and gave her a big sippy of milk right before bed. Oops. In the morning she woke up and said, "Mama, I feel wet. I don't get a toy!" I felt so bad.
  So we tried again. This time I cut off liquids after dinner, made sure she pottied before bed, and I woke her up before Joe and I went to bed to potty one last time. Success! She did it! She was so proud. The first thing out of her mouth when she woke was, "Mama! My bed is dry!" She ran to put her sticker on her chart and talked all day of the toy she was going to earn. The next three days she stayed dry during night and nap. She talked a lot about being a big girl, not needing pull-ups, and when did she get to go to sleep again so she could earn another sticker. It was so cute!

  After 3 nights of staying dry, she had earned her 5 stickers. She ran to put the final sticker on her chart. "I'm goin to Target today! I'm gonna get a new pony!" 

  Later in the day we went to Target. "C'mon Mom! I show you to da pony aisle!" she exclaimed as she ran through the store. We found the pink aisle of girl toys and it only took a few minutes for her to make a decision. She was so proud of her accomplishment. It was a great day! On the way home she asked, "Mom, can I still get stickers for staying dry?" "Sure honey," I replied. "Well den, I'll jus keep earning stickers everyday and earning more and more toys!" Haha. I think she's got the idea!
  Although, the next chart will be a little longer...