The $5 Discount

Any regular follower of this blog, or my life, may well be aware that one of my worst fears about the prospect of motherhood was potty training. Prior to agreeing to the whole 'let's pull the goalie' plan, I first made Scott swear in blood that he alone would fully potty train any and all children that might result from a 'score' on his part. We already had a similar pact involving all things dead, decaying and defecating in our lives. Mice, rotten food, dog crap all over the living room – these things rested entirely within his domain. I posses a gag-reflex so sensitive that a mere early morning whiff of day-old dishes can send me into a whirl of retching.

But then, Scott took this new job, leaving me to potty train the toddler alone. Five months after first embarking on this quest, I got a note home from school a few weeks ago that Sawyer is officially "Potty Trained." That means a weekly reduction in rates of $5! Okay - not that exciting really, but I could have framed and hung that note on the wall, thrilled as I was about it. (Why didn't I save that note?)

Okay, the Jelly Bellies helped. And the toy trucks. And the puzzles. And the Buzz Lightyear Underoos. I certainly didn't have one of those children of playgroup legend that takes his diaper off one day and never uses another. I relied heavily on bribery. And ultimatums. We've had our share of setbacks these last few months. But, I haven't used a nighttime diaper on Sawyer in a week, and he's dropping the kids off a the pool like a champ. I think we're over the biggest hurdles at least. So cocky am I feeling over the whole thing, I'm ready to start potty training Arden!