Potty Training: The Great Unknown

If there is one thing I know with absolute certainty, it's that non-parents have no idea the glee that comes along with successful potty training moments.

I can honestly say that anyone who shared potty training stories with me in my pre-parenting days had his or her story fall on uninterested ears.

Hell, potty training stories today that aren't about my kid don't really garner a strong level of interest on my part.

This clearly doesn't keep me from sharing successful potty training stories with anyone -- including those who read this blog -- so please don't take my comments personally. I'm thrilled for those who are walking down the path toward diaper-free living, but there is something that comes along with seeing your own child succeed that is like no other.

We have been moving at a slow clip with Abby and she has been wearing "big girl potty pants" (yes, this is our lingo) for three full days. After the first day of five total accidents, we had just one yesterday and none today!

The coveted moment came when she really went on the potty for the first time this evening. I'm not going to spell it out ... I think we all know what I'm talking about.

She was so proud and we were so proud. You would have thought she just discovered the cure for cancer. I screamed even though Jack was sleeping. We danced. It was glorious.

The best part, though, was when I had to then ::ahem:: use the facilities (just No. 1 people, get your minds out of the gutter!). Abby was in the bath tub and insisted on "looking in the potty".

She then mimicked my voice inflection perfectly, saying, "Great job, Mommy, I'm so proud of you!"

Aw, shucks.

I'm not sure what was more gratifying: getting her praise or knowing that we sound that way to her.

Either way, my kid is sporting some Sofia the First and Hello! Kitty underwear and we couldn't be more proud.

I probably wasn't supposed to find this funny

We had the Little Tikes car out and Abby was "driving". She had her Minnie Mouse bubbles in the back.

Jack crept up behind her, grabbed the Minnie Mouse bubble stick and booked it with a look of sheer terror on his face ... he knew what he had just done.

Took everything I had not to bust out laughing.

As Abby screamed, "NO! JACK! THAT'S MINE!" Jack ran to me for safety, handing me the bubble stick with a look of complete satisfaction.

He had successfully hunted his prey.

Coming out of the woodwork ...

... to be sentimental.

I know I typically go for the humor angle, but this was beyond adorable and touching and I have to share.

As I told Tom, if I cried in happy moments, I would have been bawling. But I don't, so I cried on the inside.

These days, we put Jack to bed around 7:30. Abby goes to bed around 8:30. Jack has been awake when we bring Abby into the room. He gets beyond excited when we enter the room and any drowsiness he may have had dissipates.

I tuck Abby in and then I have to calm Jack down. Inevitably, he cries when I leave the room. At that point, Abby starts screaming because she wants Jack to be quiet. Attempting to explain the situation to a two-year old hasn't even occurred to me ... until today.

I decided to recruit Abby.

I walked in after the second attempt to put Jack down and I told her that he is only crying because I leave and that he would stop quickly as long as she didn't start crying.

I then told her that she would be a great big sister if she would help Jack fall asleep by reading him a book or singing him a song.

I left the room again. Jack screamed.

I started walking down the stairs and heard Abby's up-and-down inflection of telling a story.

I tiptoed back up the stairs and listened at the door. I couldn't make out what Abby was saying, but she was clearly "reading". Then I hear Jack let out a delighted giggle.

Abby then whispers excitedly to herself, "It worked! It worked!"

I was beside myself. Seriously the cutest thing that also showcased Abby's big heart and love for her brother.