My Dearest Belle,
A few months before you turned two, you used the potty for the first time. It was an exciting moment for all of us. You said you wanted to try it, sat down, pushed a bit, smiled, and said you were “all done”. I didn’t think you actually did anything, and then, there it was:
You had pooped in the potty!
We were over the moon! Maybe this was your time! You could be potty trained before you hit your second birthday!
It didn’t happen that way.
We, along with your grandparents and all the teachers are daycare were counting down the days until you would be out of diapers. You are smart, capable, and such a quick-learner… we thought once you got around to it, you would be able to catch on quickly. Unfortunately, for the next few months, you were open to peeing on the toilet once in a while, but whenever you had to poop, you would announce the need, then vehemently refuse to use the toilet. It was as if you were scared to do it. So, since you turned two, daycare has been actively trying to convince you that using the toilet is a great thing - that diapers are for babies, and you were no baby! You’re an 언니 now!
You gladly took the title… but rejected the toilet.
Then one day, grandma called while she was babysitting, and told me the amazing news: You had pooped in the toilet! It took 20 minutes of sitting there singing and chatting with you, but you did it! So she took off your diaper and had you in only your pants for the rest of the day, only putting your diaper back on when it was time for your nap. This was the cue that papa and I were waiting for. It was a long weekend (Juneteenth), and this was going to be the icing on papa’s Father’s Day weekend. We had dinner plans at 친할아버지 & 친할머니’s home for Father’s Day, but we cancelled all other plans and decided to do what we did with all other big milestones in your life: just pull the plug and take the plunge. I bought and stored some pee pads a few days before, so we packed some in your diaper bag, covered your car seat with one, and took off for dinner.
You did amazing at dinner. You told us when you had to pee - even if it was a little trickle! Then, you got distracted by the TV, so you ended up peeing a BIG puddle in your booster chair. You were about to cry, but we were quick to remind you that you had JUST begun practicing using the toilet, and these accidents are okay. You didn’t mean to pee in your pants, but now that you had, you can remember just how uncomfortable it is. We hoped that this would be a reminder to you each time that you should hold it until you can pee in a toilet. We cleaned you, and got you into some clean pants, and you were happy and continued to use the toilet for the rest of the night.
When it was time for us to leave, we got you washed up and ready for bed at their home to make the transition easier once we got home. You didn’t want to wear your diapers again, but we explained that you had to wear diapers when you were sleeping - but only when you’re sleeping.
The next day, I brought you out of your crib, took off your diaper, and put you in a fresh pair of pants. You were so excited about not wearing your diaper… it was so cute! Then, we prepared ourselves for a lockdown weekend. Throughout the day, you kept papa and me busy with NUMEROUS trips to the bathroom, but you didn’t have a SINGLE accident the whole day! I had to go to work on Monday, but papa took the day off to stay home with you. The usual practice is to spend the morning with you, then get you ready, bring you to my office, get lunch together as a family, then take you home for a nap. This long weekend, however, was a different story: all outings would have to be put on hold.
And yet again, you didn’t have a single accident on Monday! Papa and I were over the moon!!!
I texted your daycare to let them know that you would be attending school on Tuesday sans diapers. Instead, you would be wearing something you had been looking forward to wearing for a LONG time: Disney princess underwear!!!
I packed a number of extra pants along with a few underwear in your school bag, and I was overcome with pride at how you so easily excel at everything we throw at you. You truly are an amazing person. Recently, we started something we call “affirmation time” in the evenings. We sit together and recite:
I am strong.
I am beautiful.
I am smart.
I am kind.
I am loved.
There are so many more that I can add to this list with confidence:
You are brave…
You are empathetic…
You are witty…
You are goofy…
You are precious…
You are bright…
You are wonderful…
…but there is only so much time allotted for bedtime prep.
The week is about to end, and you’ve yet to have an accident. I am so immensely proud of you, and all that it took for you to reach this milestone in your life!
Love always,
Mama