An answer to my question

Let me begin by saying that I talk to Evan all day long. Since he was a tiny baby, I have talked to him like I would talk to you or any other human. I point things out, I ask him questions. I had always heard that was the key to getting your child to talk himself. Little did I know that wouldn't be enough in our case, but I kept it up anyway. I chatted, inquired, pleaded, and for years he's remained silent. Until yesterday.

We were out at our favorite local playground, taking advantage of the near 50 degree temperatures. Sure, it was a bit muddy, but it was great to be outside. Evan ran and jumped and climbed for an hour, and he was having a great time. At one point, he climbed up into the high tower on the wooden play structure--you can go up these narrow stairs to a tower where you can look over the rest of the playground. Or, if you're Ev's size, you can look through the wooden slats that make up the walls, because they're pretty high.

Usually when he climbs to the top of this tower, Ev will jump up and down and yell with excitement. He thinks it's funny to be up so high with Mommy down on the ground below. This time, however, he was silent. He stood quietly at the top for several moments, and I wondered why. I said "I can see you buddy!" to let him know I was watching him. No reaction. A few more moments pass before this exchange:

Me: "Ev, what are you doing up there?"

Evan: "Poop."

This is the first time Ev has ever answered me when I've asked him anything. I thought it was funny, but I wasn't too impressed because poop is the only word he knows, besides dada. But lo and behold, when he comes down the stairs I check his pants and he has indeed pooped. What a moment. He knew it, he told me, and that was it. I found it so funny and exciting that I had to call Mike from the playground to tell him about it. It was a proud moment in our family history, poop.