For this week's installment of Message to Future Parents, I'll be discussing the diaper change.

Over the course of the past 6 1/2 months, the boy has gone through a few phases with regards to his feelings about having his diaper changed. As a newborn, he would scream bloody murder as soon as he sensed it was coming. The screaming would not cease until the diaper change was complete.

A month or so in, he started to warm up to it. By 3 months, we're pretty sure he preferred to be sans diaper. He seemed to be at his happiest while half-naked on the changing table. And this was just fine with us, as it made diaper changes very easy.

Recently, his newfound mobility and awareness have made diaper changes a bit more of a challenge. I refer to the experience as Diaper Wrestling.

I bring the boy up to his changing table and lay him down. I make light of removing his little baby pants and socks by making corresponding sound effects.

Important Note: If you suspect poop, and I cannot stress this enough, remove the socks. If it's just a wet diaper, removal of socks is not typically necessary.

I have found that keeping the boy entertained/engaged is the key to victory (with regards to the sound effects). I gently pull back one tab, then the other. With precision and speed, I grab both of his ankles and raise his legs. Up to this point, fun levels are still high, and there is little resistance.

I'll spare you any details on cleaning, as it is generally pretty gross and uneventful. (Just note that if there is poop and you lose your grasp on the legs, you might as well give up and start preparing for bath time.) The challenge begins when it is time to put the fresh diaper on. By now, he has realized that he rather enjoys airing out, and he's not quite ready to be dressed again. While maintaining the sweetest little face, the squirming begins. Squirming quickly turns into a hurried attempt to get onto his side or stomach.

Once he gets to his side, I use verbal trickery to get him to curiously roll back. I quickly grab his ankles and lift, sliding the fresh diaper underneath. This next part is where it typically goes downhill. I can hold onto his legs log enough to bring the diaper between them, but in order to fasten it, I need both hands. The moment I let go of his legs, he firmly plants them down, lifts his butt, then inches his body up in the direction of his head. At this time, i have to grab his legs again, put the diaper back again. After two or three such cycles, I finally pin his legs down with one hand, and hold the diaper in place with the other. There is a dramatic pause, during which we both are anticipating each other's next move. Knowing that I only have two hands, he begins twisting his upper body. I move the hand from his diaper, exposing him long enough for him to make his ultimate move.

When you unexpectedly get hit with a stream of urine, you would think that you would immediately know it. Really though, it's body-temperature liquid hitting you without a lot of force behind it. It feels similar to something just brushing up against your arm. A few seconds later, you realize that "something" is really pee. By then, it is too late. Defeated, I half-heartedly grab a nearby cloth to cover him and prevent further damage. (Presumably this is slightly easier with girls, as they can't easily urinate on their surroundings.) At this point, he realizes he has won, and he allows me to put a new fresh diaper on properly.

My advice is this: prepare yourself and the surrounding area for pee. If you have a boy, you will get peed on, there is no avoiding it. He will pee on you, himself, pets, walls, etc. Prepare for it.