I used to occasionally babysit for a family in the Freak-Ass Church, who had 2 utterly whip-smart little girls. One was about 18 months, and the other was 3 and change. The 3-year-old was potty-trained -- but only to pee. She wore big-girl panties, and when she needed to poop, she put on Pull-Ups, pooped in the Pull-Ups, and then dumped the poop in the toilet.

She was very articulate and VERY sure about her plan to poop in the potty: when asked, she would explain, very solemnly, "I am 3 now. When I am 4, I will poop in the potty, but not until then, because I am 3."

One night I was babysitting her, and she told me she needed to go to the potty, because she needed help to get up on the toilet and get situated, being a small person as she was. I helped her up onto the toilet, and I didn't leave the bathroom, figuring that she would pee right away and then I'd help her down. She looked me square in the eye, and said, in that same solemn expression, "Can I have some privacy, please?"

I managed to stifle my giggles while I said, "Of course! Just call for me when you're finished." And then I went out in the hall and laughed -- silently -- for a full minute.

This conversation reminds me of a story my pediatric nursing instructor told us many years ago at Babies' Hospital in NYC. She was admitting a 4 year old girl to the hospital. It's important in that age group to ascertain the words they use to communicate their elimination needs. My professor was running through the usual words with this girl, but she acknowledged none of them. Finally, the 4-year-old puts her hands on her hips and her nose in the air and says, "I either micturate or defecate!"

we have been very lucky with potty training but I always feel so embarrassed when people ask if she sleeps through the night. I've basically just strtsd lying although now that my 2.5 month training in ga was cancelled, it is our top priority.

call me clueless but I've neverheard the word micturate before. Does it mean urinate?

call me clueless but I've neverheard the word micturate before. Does it mean urinate?

Yes. Clearly, it isn't used much.

The boys use Much Less Fancy words. Polite for them is "going to take a crap." We had a discussion about this before staying the summer next door to grandma. Now when Brendon asks to "please be excused" from the dinner table we all crack up then he adds, "because I need to go to the restroom, to do stuff." And we lose it again while I explain to mom that it is an improvement.

Sorry to interrupt the potty talk - but I must SQUEEEEEEEEEE.

I slugged into work this morning, late, grumpy. The usual. Opened e-mail and slugged through all the requests for work until I hit something odd. A message from one of my most demanding project managers. Now, I must say that while he is demanding, he knows what he wants, knows the company procedures, and is very clear in his instructions. I don't mind working with him at all - rather his requests than the half-assed requests I get from others. But I digress. His project is coming to an end. This thing has been a MONSTER. And he sent me a $200 gift certificate as a thank you for my efforts.

WOOOOOT!!! Ok, will likely spend it on kids school clothes, but still WOOOOOOOT!!!!

Happy Katie Bee Day!

I tremble at the prospect of potty training.

Our current thing is that Matilda is now (mostly) sleeping through the night (one or two brief awakenings, but a hug and a kiss and she goes right back down), but she's no longer eating solids. At least, not at home, not for me.

Her day care provider reports that she is a contented and enthusiastic eater; my mom reports no trouble at all; when I plop her in the chair, or prop her on the couch, or set her in my lap, and attempt solids, she clamps her lips, waggles her head, and then starts wailing and trying to flee. I can usually get two or three mouthfuls in her while she's sobbing, and she'll swallow them with a brief Hmmmm, that was tasty! expression interrupting the screeching, but two or three mouthfuls is it.

I'm trying not to stress, since she's eating something somewhere and she's continuing to take the bottle without a fuss and I've read from many sources that making feedings an Issue just sets you up for Issues with Food. But then I worry that I should be more worried. Someone, please, tell me it's normal.

Also, I'm madly taking notes on all the Buffista potty training techniques, and vibing hard for Owen to give his poor folks a break and get with the program before school starts.

So tired of applying for jobs.

So tired of children's television.

Trying to work up energy to take Em to stupid Treehouse.

Going mad.

I'm trying not to stress, since she's eating something somewhere and she's continuing to take the bottle without a fuss and I've read from many sources that making feedings an Issue just sets you up for Issues with Food.

In my experience, I think this is totally true. I have had two friends with little girls with major food issues (one doesn't eat anything but yogurt, pediasure and french fries). I think food and potty issues are the ultimate control issues - parents just can't make stuff go in our out of their kids.

MM, I totally sympathize. Towards the end of my time home with Ellie, I was so ready to be anywhere but home with her.