Milestone: pipi

Today, Solanne asked to go potty and she actually produced some pipi! For the past month or so, she has been interested in the potty again — well, she's been interested in the toilet (perhaps the potty is below her). It all started when she began walking around outdoors in a bathing suit, sans diaper. She would notice when she wet herself. Soon enough, she would proudly announce, "pipi!" before she actually wet. She even started noticing with her diaper on.

A few other signs that she is ready have manifested themselves: she has started wanting to dress herself (she wants to do everything herself), she wants to sit on the toilet, and she knows when she has a dirty bum. I think we may be on the road to a diaper-free era in our household. I know it's a slow road, but it's the beginning...

To those non-parents out there reading this entry, my interest in potty training or potty learning, as is more politically correct, may seem to be bordering on obsessive. There are milestones in our children's lives that as parents we celebrate more than others. Some folks are more touched by their children's first steps or their first teeth. Others may look forward to first words or the first taste of "solid" foods. But most of us, I believe, look forward to the end of diapers. No more stinky bums, no more expenses (either of the disposibles or of the cost of hot water and detergent to wash cotton nappies), no more diaper rash, no more giant bag of diapers, cloths/wipes, creams, and hand sanitizer to carry around. Ah, the freedom.