Potty Training

Oh, it's been a long couple of weeks. Good, but long. Why, you ask? (not really unless you ignored my title) We started potty training a week and a half ago. Caden's been pretty good. If I take him to the bathroom every hour then we are ok. But he doesn't ever initiate wanting to go on the toilet. Quite the contrary, sometimes he's kicking and screaming not to go. Then there is #2. Everyday he goes in his pants - he hasn't made that connection yet to go in the toilet. So moms, another poll if you will. How do I help him go #2 in the potty and not his underwear? And will he initiate going to the potty by himself at some point? I realize it's only been 12 days, but it's been a long 12 days! I need to call the carpet cleaner!!
To top it all off, I started a diet. Now I'm not a big dieter. Never have been. In fact I think the only time I've ever been on one was Weight Watchers for a week. I lost 5 pounds and found out I was pregnant with Soleil. (you can't do WW while you are pregnant.) One of my dear college friends is getting married in March in Philly. We are going (yeah!), and since it's only an hour from Scott's parents, they are going to watch the kids for us. I'm excited - so fun! HOWEVER, there will a few other college friends at the wedding too. Now, maybe I am shallow, but I do not want to see these people while I am retaining this much extra weight. It's been 10 years (give or take a few) and I probably won't see them again, and this is not the lasting memory I want them to have. Vain and shallow, I know. But it's good motivation for me. My dear, dear friend Jen is a runner - like does marathons and stuff - and has graciously let me puff along beside her once a week so I can try to become more runner-ish. (Thanks to my bus accident, I run like a gimp. Seriously. I call it my whip-kick.) I will never be a runner, but I can aspire. And our swim class just started back up, so between that, running, and doing weights on Fridays, I can drop 15 pounds in 6 1/2 weeks, right? To show how serious I am about this - I SWITCHED TO DIET COKE. I can't stand Diet Dr. Pepper - I am a purist - so I had to switch to Coke. Or Pepsi - I don't care which one. But that is commitment on the highest level for me. (if you happen to own any stock in Dr Pepper, you might consider selling it. At least until mid-March when the wedding is over.) So far I am down 3 pounds. Very exciting. I'll keep you posted.
And a shout out to Diane! I am so excited you joined us bloggers now instead of stalking silently. You are hilarious, and I can't wait to see what comments you have for us all!