Lucy’s potty training was going fantastically — hardly any messes, consistent peeing in the potty and sometimes even on the toilet — but leaving the house was a huge problem.

My loud-noise-fearing daughter refused to even discuss going pee-pee on a toilet in any restaurant or store. You know those toilets with the long silver handle that don’t have a back tank and flush right into the floor? Generally pretty loud because of the bottom suction?

Lucy’s been terrified of them since she was wee. So the thought of sitting on one was panic-inducing for my poor girl.

This resulted in a few awful public accidents: After repeated asking around potty time if she needed to go, are you sure you don’t have to go, you must have to go?, Lucy would just…pee herself. And pee? Not in a diaper? Soaks everything. So we were back to a full diaper bag, with multiple sets of clean clothes, socks, even shoes.

But one day at the zoo — after many trips to public washrooms with me showing not ALL toilets were loud, and those that were we didn’t have to flush when she was in there — she built up enough courage and trust to go. And I tell you…the celebration in the squeezed toilet stall was epic. I didn’t care who heard me or the looks I’d get, my girl went pee-pee on a big public potty, and damnit she knew how awesome that was.

After reaching that milestone, the hunt was on to find a traveling potty seat. I found it a few days later in Sprawl-Mart: The (gotta love this…) Cushie Tushie Traveller by baby U. Around $12. Folds up well, is padded, comes with a washable bag. Did I mention the damn thing is padded?! Geesh.

It works perfect, and Lucy has never complained about being pinched or fallen in or anything. An excellent investment that will easily carry into the next baby.

Our next potty training challenge: Getting her to poop in the potty, and not in her nap time diaper. Suggestions?

On Sarah’s advice, we picked up a pair of Kushie’s training pants last week.

If you’re looking for a travel solution for your potty training toddler, I’d highly recommend them:

• we’ve had two full pees in them while out and about, and they’ve held everything with no leaks (albeit, she was standing both times — but the outside layer was dry, so I’m sure they’d have held if she was sitting)
• easy to clean: wash and dry, just like normal underwear
• they fit great under regular clothes, and are no more padded than a diaper (less, even)
• reduce rash because they’re 100% cotton
• great price: under $7 at Sprawl-Mart
• accessible at national retailers
• cute patterns!
  

And…I can’t believe there’s so much to say about this issue. I can’t get over how much gear you need, just like any other stage of child development. It’s crazy. We’re still on the hunt for a travel potty (after a ridiculous amount of reading about pinching butt cheeks, cleanliness, stability handles and storage — WHO KNEW?!?! — we want this one), but to buy it in Canada and get it shipped is almost as much as a full-size potty.

Gonna wait on that until she’s more trained, because after 12 pairs of underwear, the training pants, the potty and the extra laundry in the past two weeks — let alone diapers and wipes and creams — I think I can safely say we’ve spent more money on my child’s butt in the past 2.5 years than we have on anything else. Ever. Except our house. Maybe.

Good thing she’s cute.

On the advice of my friend Other C, a few months ago I picked up The Potty Book for Girls.

Other C said it really helped connect the dots for her daughter — who is just a month older than Lucy — and solidify the concept of potty training.

I have to say she was absolutely right.

The little girl in the book, Hannah, is about Lucy’s age, loves hot pink, and is still quite content to do her business in her diaper. But once she starts sitting and trying and having accidents, she realizes how great and freeing it is not to wear diapers anymore.

And then — oooohhh, the climax! — Hannah goes pee-pee AND poop on the potty and her parents take her to pick out her own underwear! Eeeee! Can you feel the excitement, people?!

Lucy loves it. Whenever we talk about the potty and being a big girl and wearing underwear, she always says, “Like Hannah!” or, “Lucy did it just like Hannah!” Obviously the book has really made an impression with her.

The book came with an animated version of the story on DVD, along with a bunch of great songs (there’s one for boys, too). We watch this a lot, as well as Elmo’s Potty Time. The Elmo movie we’ve had forever, and certain parts have really stuck with Lucy: The boy trying hard to pour milk but making a mess until he finally gets it, the kitten climbing up the big stairs, the girl washing her hands. A great tool.

As for the type of potty, we had one misstep along the way. The first potty I bought a year ago had little handles on the top to help toddlers…hold on? brace? push? and Lucy’s chubby little butt would get stuck when she tried to stand up. The poor kid would be all hunched over, staggering, with a plastic seat stuck to her arse. It was absolutely hilarious, but obviously not working. Thankfully the good ol’ people at Sprawl-Mart took it back no problems — albiet with some shared snickering as Lucy sat in the cart looking at us blankly.

I broke down and invested in much more sturdy, multi-use, no-handled one with a padded seat no less: The Comfy Cushy from Safety 1st. It comes apart to go onto the toilet, and can also be used as a step stool. The padded ring has a built-in, uh, splash guard for the male species, but flips over for girls.

Well worth the money — I think I paid around $30? — for its ease of use, functionality and longevity for multiple kids of both sexes.

Any books or tools or tips to share? We are by no means settling on just this. I’ve liked that so far we haven’t had to use any “things” — treats, candy, stickers — to get Lucy to use the potty. Talking about being a big girl who doesn’t need diapers anymore — unlike her soon-to-be-born little sister, who will — is a huge help. We just haven’t reached that level of coercion need yet, but lordhelpus we have yet to broach the subject of pooping…