Potty Training and Contractions

LOL, I have to chuckle as I write that title. Yes, contractions (to start off the post), well, I think so? I had some Braxton Hicks last night that I had to breathe through a little more than normal, maybe about 3 of them in an hour and a half while I was sitting on the couch. I woke up in the middle of the night, as I normally do, but I was SO uncomfortable. It wasn't just my hips, but my stomach muscles ached. All I could think of was that I did some weird move in yoga last night and it was just pain from using the muscles more than normal. But then I woke up this morning to my alarm, got up to shower, and there was not the same pain I had in the middle of the night. So, now all I can think of is that I had some contractions. Either way, it's nothing to get too excited about as I obviously slept through them, but it's nice to know things are looking to progress.

My 36 week appointment was yesterday and I had been 'leaking' more than normal, so when I had my Group B Strep swab, my doctor checked that I was not leaking amniotic fluid. It came back negative, and a little part of my heart sunk, but the rest was relieved to know that this guy is still cooking. Doctor didn't check my progress, but will next Monday at my 37 week appointment, but I was okay with that because I have an ultrasound tomorrow morning that will give me a good idea of progress when they check the length of my cervix.

And on to the other part of the title; potty training. My little 2 year old has been showing more and more signs of being ready to start the process, including going potty 6 times this last weekend, and asking to go each and every time. Now, she will NOT sit on the potty to go number 2, but I don't want to push her interest aside just for that along with the fact that I know she will regress when her little brother gets here. So, we are starting, and doing our best to encourage. Mini marshmallows for successful potty trips, and we have now started a Potty Chart with special stickers to have at both daycare and at home, and when she reaches Elmo and Abby Caddabby she gets a little something 'extra' (not sure what yet). Hoping this will help, and we are just trying to be consistent with going potty when she wakes, before bedtime, and before and after nap when we can control that part. The past 3 nights she has either been dry or close to it when we get her up in the morning, so I am pretty happy about that! I still have her in diapers as I'm hesitant to rely on pull ups, so I may go out and get some big girl underwear for the weekends (and when we are home after brother arrives) and maybe that will help with her aversion to go #2 on the toilet.

I know this is such a fun topic, and so many people have so many ways of going about it, but I am proud of Elizabeth for showing interest, and even though the past 2 mornings have been a little rough getting her on the potty, when I got her there, she went, and as much as I don't want to push it, there are times she has to go, and that will be one of them. Wish us luck as we will have to tread this road a little lighter and longer than I would have wanted to with Cole arriving any time now, but I'm confident I can be a 1 diaper household by this summer for sure!