Developmental Milestones

Wow! You continue to amaze me everyday but this time I am honestly shocked. For some reason when I woke up Monday I decided it would be the day to start potty training you (mind you I only had three pairs of underwear on hand so I was not very prepared). This is a huge step since a great deal of your past abuse was centered around potty training. Since you are not able to express these emotions we only have accounts from others in your family and your reactions. Before, you were terrified to even walk into the bathroom let alone sit on the potty.

So, Monday morning, we woke up and your diaper was dry. I decided that was the day. I was going to make progress with potty training or, if things did not work out, wait a good six months before I tried again. I expected things to be difficult, to have tantrums, crying, and a lot of resistance - I under estimated you again. By the third time we went potty, every 15 minutes, you understood what the expectation was and quickly caught on to how you earned your chocolate or Dorito. Day one you only had four accidents and were very successful!!! Needless to say I could not have been happier.

I should have expected though, you would quickly learn to use this to your advantage. When in trouble today, only one day later, you would stand in front of me, squat, and pee in the middle of the floor. Hmmm.... maybe a little manipulation going on and my mom laughing at me from above!

You also decided today was the day to test your nanny. Not only did you use the potty training to your advantage and have more accidents in a two hour time then you had the last 48 hours you tested her as you did me the first five weeks - just out and out tantrums and behaviors. She is not going anywhere though, she loves you and will not leave you... You will learn this from all of us, you cannot scare us away as you have others in the past. We just keep coming back harder and raising the bar.

In five short weeks you have started to potty train, at least doubled your language, attended a birthday part, started to make friends, put on about 10 pounds, and are eating meat! The successes are huge and I need to keep reminding myself of this. I can barely remember where you were five weeks ago except the fact that within a week I was in tears from the some of the behaviors we were having.

Your walls keep coming down. You keep showing more emotion everyday and today all you wanted this morning was to sit curled up in someone's lap. You know things are different, I only wish you could express what is going through your head. The next week we will have more changes. I am going back to work and the nanny will be with you full time - four days per week. I am sure we will yet again find a balance but I am also sure this will be very difficult transition from you as you are just starting to adapt to this schedule.

I cannot wait for the adventures of tomorrow and to share in your success.

Love Mom