New Parent Stuff

I horrified our dear guide the other day when I told her that in America we have our children in diapers until about age three.  Anna came to us China potty trained and Mary is working very hard with us to understand it.  We see babies being carried and toddler aged children with split pants: The pants are open down the backside and nada is on underneath.  Every hour or two they are squatted over a potty (which is a hole in the floor) or sat on a child's squat pot.  They stay there until they go.  We cannot fathom the patience that must be involved in stopping what you are doing every hour or two to help them squat and also make sure they stay there until they go.  The day Anna came to us we went to the market and bought her a child's squat pot for just a few bucks.  It was obvious she knew what it was for.  It was also obvious she was good at testing if she really had to sit there.  She sat down fine but would make eye contact and stand up.  We would move toward her and she would plop back down.  Mary said sometimes children have to be held down with force until they go but Chinese have strong backs so it is ok.  I think we will manage without the restraint :).  We still have diapers on her since we are rookies at this China potty training.  She will only wet them while sleeping or if she has a chance to get in the squat position.  When we were at the park yesterday Mary said it is ok for children to squat next to a tree if they have to go.  Mental note made to absolutely go around ALL puddles.  We would have an audience if they saw us maneuver taking off her diaper cover and diaper without letting her get into a squat position.

Last night Anna had ice cream.  We suspect it was the first time with as big as her eyes got.  She wanted more and more.  She cried lots of tears yesterday when it was time to leave our room to go to supper.  Usually we tell her it is time to go bye-bye and she is so excited to get her socks and shoes on and go.  Yesterday though something went off inside of her and we have no idea what caused it.  We think it was teething related but of course wonder if there was something more.  Time will tell.  Please continue to pray for her and this immense transition.