Bottom line...

A year ago William showed some early interest in the using the toilet, but his curiosity quickly was replaced by a deep and encompassing disdain for all things potty. Two favorite exchanges on the topic:

1) One morning last summer, I asked William (as I often did) if perhaps that morning he'd like to wear his underpants instead of a diaper. With clenched baby teeth, tense reddening face, and veins somehow actually quivering from his chubby little boy neck, he bellowed out in staccato, "I - NO - YIKE - BIG BOY PANTS!!!"  It was clear at that point that he felt somewhat passionate about the topic.

2) Just a month or two ago, Josiah and I were asking William when he might be ready to wear big boy pants. "Maybe when you're 4?" asked Josiah. "No," William replied. "Maybe 5?" "No." Getting exasperated, Josiah said, "Well William, what about when you're a grown up man, like Daddy?" The reply: "I wear a big big diaper when I'm a Daddy. NO big boy pants."  Case closed.

Well, in a happy turn of events (that required a somewhat unbecoming mixture of coercion and bribery on my part, I'll admit), last weekend William agreed to don the despised big boy pants. Ellie the elephant and Daddy-Q (yes, that's the turtle's name) were decked out in solidarity...and had to be run to the toilet several times lest they wee on the couch or carpet! Daddy-Q's undies provided full-shell coverage, as you can see.

Anyway, the week has involved ups and downs, but we're pleased with the progress.