The potty & the shower in one week!

Well, Madeline has mastered two of life's major activities... the potty and the shower. On Sunday, the 1st, I told Madeline I was going to take a shower. She popped right up and gave that surprised expression that she gives, and I asked her if she would like to take a shower with me (fully expecting her to say no) and she said "yes!". She followed me upstairs into the bathroom. Well, we squeezed ourselves into the shower and she had a grand time. She got her hair washed, she washed her body, and then proceeded to play in the water and finger draw on the glass door while I finished up. She hangs out in the shower while I dry off, then it's her turn. She usually wants to stay in the shower longer and just play in the water, but I always remind her there is always tomorrow, and she gives in. Madeline has taken a shower with me every day since except one - Grammie & PopPop were here for pumpkin picking.

So, yesterday, I decided it was time for Madeline to be put to the test. To see just how much control she has over her bladder. After changing her morning diaper, I stripped her of pants and set her free. She didn't mind at all running around without any pants on. I told her to let me know when she had to pee so she wouldn't get messy. She agreed. Well, a short while later she told me she had to poop. So, I told her to go to her potty. She did, and SUCCESS! We have yet to actually poop in the potty, but we have had total success with peeing. She sits down on her potty and holds your hands in hers. It's like a bonding moment. Very precious. She wears her princess pull-ups at night, and changes into underpants (Strawberry Shortcake) in the day. I think we will be shopping for some more underpants tomorrow.

So, we have had a very eventful couple of weeks. She is doing very well in gymnastics and swim class too. She has mastered the balance beam, can hang from her legs on the bar, and her tumbling is admired by all at the playgroup! Last week, she went under the water in swim class, and today she insisted on trying to swim alone. She sank, of course, but she wasn't too bothered by it. She's gone under the water multiple times now without any issues. She's getting really good at paddling and kicking and, jumping off the side is getting easier too. Her instructors are impressed, and suggest more advanced classes, but we are still inclined to keep her on the straight and narrow. There is no need to rush her, especially if she is still having so much fun at this pace.

That's all for now.