Two nights in a row CootieGirl has successfully used the potty with little protest. Last night’s reward was a Finding Nemo tattoo placed just above her knee, facing her direction. Tonight we’ll do it again, but with no tattoo given if she’s successful. Then I’m hoping that tomorrow morning I’ll be able to scoot her over to the potty as soon as she gets up. I would have done it this morning but it was a bit rough since we had interrupted sleep thanks to CootieBoy. I got up late because of it and knew I didn’t have time to sit with her.

So yesterday we got home from our vacation and I anxiously waited by the window for the kids to arrive home from church. The minute I heard CootieDad call out, “The kids are home!” I was out the door.

There is no joy like the hug of a child who has missed her mother. The hug she gave me when she got out of her car seat was the sweetest most wonderful hug I’ve ever had in my life. I didn’t want to let her go, and she was content to sit on my hip for about ten minutes before I finally had to put her down else have my arms fall off.

The first hour or so after Tracy left, CootieGirl thanked me for everything. And I do mean everything. “CootieGirl, is that your puzzle on the floor?” “Thank you, Mama!” “CootieGirl, can you clean up your flash cards?” “Thank you, Mama!” “CootieGirl, I missed you!” “Thank you, Mama!” It was awesome and CootieDad and I got a big kick out of it.

Towards the last couple hours before bedtime she cuddled up with CootieDad on the sofa, watching Tivo’d episodes of “Hi-5″ and “Little Einsteins”. Around 7 p.m. I had her sit on the potty, which she did with no protest. A short 10 minutes later she did her business, we put on a fresh diaper and she went back to cuddling with CootieDad. At 8 p.m. she jumped into my arms and I got her ready for bed. After I kissed her goodnight she said, “I love you, Mama.”

BEST. HOMECOMING. EVER.

I know that I shouldn’t compare my kids – each is special in their own way, blah blah blah. But this morning CootieDad and I experienced something that I just instinctively know will NOT happen with CootieBoy when he’s 2 1/2 years old.

To preface, let us compare:

1. CootieGirl loved to cuddle as an infant
1. CootieBoy HATED to be cuddled

2. When frustrated as a pre-toddler, CootieGirl would cry
2. When frustrated as a pre-toddler, CootieBoy bangs his head against the floor/wall/table/crib/mama’s shoulder/whatever he can find

3. CootieGirl didn’t throw herself to the ground in a temper tantrum until she was two years old
3. CootieBoy started early – at 14 months old

And that’s just the first three that came immediately to mind.

Cut to this morning. CootieGirl had found her lemon lollipop from last night’s Halloween candy, and had taken a few licks, causing her lips to turn yellow. As we were leaving the house, both CootieDad and I noticed it and said, “Look, her lips are yellow. CootieGirl – your lips are yellow from the lollipop!”

CootieGirl realized she didn’t bring her lollipop with her, and said plaintively, “Lollipop!”

I said, “Let’s save it for when you get home tonight. It’ll be a nice treat after school.”

Without missing a beat she said, “Okay,” and came to the car door to get into her seat.

No whining, no crying, no falling to the ground, no tantrum whatsoever.

CootieDad said something like, “Do you think we’ll get that lucky with CootieBoy?” which made me laugh. Because there is NCootieGirlWAY we’ll get that lucky with CootieBoy.