Dora the ... Motivator!

I don't know why I decided that today was the day. I think Target played a big role in my decision. 

Target and Dora the Explorer ... although, I will be referring to her has Dora the Motivator from now on.

Little Bird is officially on the potty train. 

This morning while at Target, we were heading yet again to the diaper aisle. I'm not sure why it took me so long to get sick of going down that aisle, but today I thought I had had enough. I asked the girls for the millionth time if they were interested in wearing underpants instead of diapers. Little Bird was shockingly enthusiastic about this time (usually she emphatically declines). Little Pie, not shockingly, said, "I can't wear underwear". 

After picking up what I hope is one of our last boxes of diapers (I'm sure I'm getting ahead of myself), we passed by a Dora display. The girls are so into her right now...quoting lines from her show, pretending they are climbing to the top of the tallest mountain, yelling at Swiper...even if they only watch her show once a week, they are just so excited about her all the time. 

I maneuvered the cart over to the display and they immediately got excited. I explained that when we got home we were going to start wearing underpants and that anyone who went pee pee and poo poo on the potty lots of times and didn't go in their underpants, could come back and pick out a Dora toy. 

Little Bird was on board immediately. Little Pie, not so much.

So during nap time I made up some Dora potty charts, and when Little Bird got up, I put her on the potty (where she produced nicely) and then plopped her in her underpants. She was so ready to go.

Little Pie repeated that she "can't" wear underpants.

Part of the reason I have been hesitating about starting the potty training is that I am not yet ready to sacrifice my "freedom" to get out of the house. I just cannot be trapped in the house. So I decided that I was not going to change my schedule at all, we were just going to go ahead with the training and whenever and wherever accidents occurred, we would just deal with them.

In fact, after the girls' "nap" today, I needed to run to the bank, post office and Lowes'. I had Little Bird use the potty before we left, although she wasn't able to go. I packed a diaper, extra undies and an extra pair of pants and we headed out the door. 

Post office drop ... still dry.

Bank drive through ... still dry.

Lowes to pick out flowers ... still dry.

I decided to risk it and stop at a Redbox to pick up a movie for myself ... still dry.

Pulled into the driveway ... still dry!!!

We all went inside so that Little Bird could use the potty (which she did successfully) and then we headed back outside to plant some flowers.

About an hour later we needed to go in (the girls to the deck) so that I could start supper. I asked Little Bird to use the potty but she said she didn't have to. I should have had her try anyway because about 10 minutes later she told me she had an accident. I was so proud of her for telling me though. 

She made it through dinner without an accident as well. 

I knew after supper would be our biggest challenge because that's when she typically goes poo poo. About 5 minutes of playing after supper, she said she needed to go poo poo, so she sat down. But nothing happened. I should have had her sit a few more minutes because about 10 minutes later she had accident #2, with a #2. 

Oh well, I think going 5 hours with only 2 accidents is pretty good for us. The fact that she made it so long without dribbling in her undies is huge progress for her. I know she can do it now. So with a little more motivation from Dora, I think that we may be able to check one potty trained girl off the list!

I hope!