Normal people read on the toilet. My child develops plot lines.

**If you don't care about toilet humour or don't understand the finer points of potty training, then please, do yourself a favour and just skip this.**

Potty training around here has been a mixed bag of big success and epic failure. It's also being ongoing since Grace was about 18 months old.

She turned 3 in September.

Really? Potty training can take that long? FML.

I used cloth diapers when Grace was a baby. I went back to work full time when Grace was 19 months old. We were trying potty training, but she just wasn't ready. The daycare also doesn't "do" cloth diapers so we needed to make the switch to pull ups. Unfortunately, all that did was train Grace to go in her pull up and not feel wet. This thwarted any success we managed to achieve. For a looong time.

Thankfully, pee training has been mastered for almost a year. Poop? Totally different story. What is it with kids being apprehensive about that anyway?

While on vacation this September, something "clicked" and Grace started telling me she had to go to the toilet before it was too late. Yay! Well, until we got home; then it was back to accidents and extra laundry.

Recently, trips to the toilet have convinced me that my child is just messing with me.

Grace: Mommy I have to poop!

Me: OK, let's go!

...Off to toilet, prepatory application of potty seat etc... where Grace sits for exactly 3 seconds. 

Grace: I don't have to poop anymore.

Me: ::sigh:: Are you sure? Maybe you should sit a bit longer?

Grace: No, it's not ready. First it's mommy is going to read it a story and put it's PJ's on. (At least I don't have to worry about her imagination)

5 minutes later...

Grace: Mommy, I have to poop!

...Repeat above sequence 5 kaprillion times (with varying reasons as to what her poop might be doing)... 

Well, I'm a little scared I'm going to jinx myself... but? The last few days have been accident free. Not story free and certainly not without dramatics, but heh, I think she's got it.

Girl Talk Thursday: October 22, 2009

I've wanted to participate in GTT for some time now. I really thought I was going to post last week and talk about my crafty self... but other things got in the way and before I knew it, it was Wednesday. You know, YESTERDAY.

I wasn't letting this week pass me by though, because this week's topic; vices, has my name all over it.

There are a few things I can't live without. These are things I either do or consume - good for me or not, that certainly qualify as vices or weaknesses, but they also make me, me:

• Blogs: Like most of you, I read many, many blogs. I'm an internet junkie and quite simply can't get enough of what people like you write. You make me laugh, cry and have inspired me to at least attempt this rarely updated blog. And hey, look! 3 posts in one week!
• Twitter: 'nuff said
• Magazines: Mostly food and decor / design related. I cave at glossy, sexy pictures and compelling articles. Nothing beats boredom on a gloomy day better than a stack of new magazines. Problem is I also have a very hard time parting with them. To avoid ending up on an episode of Hoarders, I cull the mountains once a year and keep the best with my books.
• Eating: I have a few cravings once in a while for pure junk (a current favorite is Piri Piri potato chips - they're addictively spicy and very more-ish), mostly though, I just love really good, home-made, gourmet-like food. It's why I swear I'll always struggle with weight. I eat very healthy food! I just can't stop putting it in my mouth!
• Kitchen gadgets: If you're a store and you have a section for all things kitchen? Visa thanks you very much.
• Daydreaming: When I was a kid, I was often accused of spending too much time daydreaming and I've never really grown out f it. I can't help it. I have a never ending stream of thoughts and ideas running through my head: things I want to do, make, try, buy, invent, write, photograph, create... I start many a project and finish few. I'm gung-ho at first but then eventually get sidetracked with the next great big idea. I live a huge life! Too bad it's all in my head.
• Wine: Red, white, sparkling... As long as it's good and not crappy swill, I'm in. It goes great with friends, conversation, laughing and food! Current preference is a big red in a stemless balloon glass.

What are your vices?