I love 2. 18 months to 36 months is by far my favorite stage. I know, some of you probably think I'm crazy... there's the tantrums and the potty training and the ability to run away from me and start back talking, but all the discovery and new skills is amazing.
My absolute favorite part of this stage is how they start to express their thoughts and emotions. Right around 2 is when you start to get the unsolicited 'I love you'... melts me every time. Jude and I have a nighttime routine that is the best part of my day. He climbs into bed, requests his 19 necessary stuffies and his 'geen banket' and then I sing him 'La La Lu' (lullaby from Lady and the Tramp). After the lullaby I bend over to kiss him goodnight and he grabs my neck tight with both is little arms and whispers in my ear 'I wuv you too mom'. BEST FEELING EVER.
Actually, the night time routine is when all my children are especially lovey dovey. Ava grabs me in the biggest, tightest squeeze ever as if she's pouring all her love and affection into that one hug. That's the time of day when she asks me the questions that have been on her mind all day long or have suddenly flitted into her brain as she's ready to drop into sleep. Random questions like where butterflies sleep or do I have tiny earings like hers. Chloe's night time rituals can be extremely time intensive if not nipped in the bud. There is the picking and choosing of who's sleeping in her bed, the preparing of her 'nest' as we like to call it (with dozens of blankets, pillows, and stuffies) and the requests for 'La La Lu' two times and 'Rock-a-bye-baby' once please. But, within minutes they're all usually fast asleep, deep into dream land and that's when we sneak back in to marvel over these precious little people and plant kisses on their sweet heads. No matter what the day held these are the moments that make it all worth while.
I LOVE YOUR WRITING!!!!!
Posted by: kyra | 10/05/2011 at 02:43 PM
You need to be a contributor to "chicken soup for the mothers soul"....and I agree totally!
Posted by: Shauna | 10/05/2011 at 08:57 AM