well, ok, the potty training post:

carter has approached it in such a weird way. ava was straightforward: first she tinkled in the potty, then she pooped in the potty, then she stayed dry at night. carter pooped in the potty first, then stayed dry at night, and finally, finally we are having success with peeing. previously, i would allow him to wear diapers in certain situations--shopping, car, etc. but then when he would be in underwear, he just did not seem to have the will or inclination to go in the potty. sometimes yes, sometimes no. there was no progress--he was stuck at 50%. so, i said one day "no more diapers." -- and then i made myself remember to tell (not ask) him to "water the potty" -- after about a week of that, he is finally getting into the groove.

i sort of remember a similar scenario with ava--where i just had to say, no more.

and he has a favorite potty too, which helps.

now, if i could just retire the little red potty. but it is portable, and the big ones are not. he likes to relocate himself in the shower. with a book.

but i can affirm one thing: using the 'big boy' argument--"big boys do this, don't you want to be a big boy, blah blah blah" is risky. they can say "NO. i not want to be big boy. i want to be little baby!!" then you are in trouble.