We Will End 2010 with...

Salvatore being potty trained!!! Yay to my smart, handsome, silly little guy who is figuring this whole "potty" thing out and for mommy who remembers each day that this is "training", not "instant success." 

 And now for our acceptance speeches:

Salvatore: "I would like to thank my mommy and daddy and abuelos, tias, and Lolo for helping me along this awkward journey to being diaper free.  I need to still tackle successfully using restrooms in public, but am sure of myself here at home each day.  I now use the potty each day on my own free will and can easily pull up and down my pants.  I will continue to use diapers at night.  I am so glad that my parents did not give up on my me or my learning process.  I feel so proud of myself when I can wave good-bye as we flush the toilet."

Shalimar: "I would like to thank the horrible rain for once making me slowly forge ahead since we were all homebound.  I would like to thank David's family for also helping out so much and for not minding if we had to dart into the bathroom in the middle of your shower (or flush the toilet) just to put him on the potty.  I would like to thank the sticker chart, although he lost interest in you after just 3 days, it helped me to organize this seemingly impossible job. I would like to also thank ahead of time the stores, friends houses, and public restrooms that we will surely have accidents in or with, so bear with us!" 

Everyone told me that at age 3, something would just CLICK  for him. Well, it did not.  I kept waiting for the click, for him to be ready, willing and able all at once and it did not happen.  I got so frustrated with the sticker chart and the silly books and feeling like I had to throw a huge party every time he went.  One step forward and two steps back would just about be the death of me, or so I thought.

One night, after tossing and turning for hours, I decided to reread old posts on my blog.  I reread the one about us taking his nighttime bottle away from him and remembered how THAT felt like the worst thing in the world to go through.  And I remembered how silly I felt afterwards for being so afraid, and for waiting so long.  Our kids need our help to get through things, over things, around things, and to grow.  So, whatever and however that looks for you with your kids or your life, go forward, don't let fear hold you down or back, and you will eventually find success!