The Real Joys of the Toddler Years

One of the most endearing traits of toddlers is the Jekyll/ Hyde phenomenon that occurs, oh, every 10 seconds. Just when you think the morning is going great, the switch flips and you have two hellions on your hands. And then, just when you think you have to turn around and go home, the switch flips again and your angels have returned. What the hell? It’s like being on a rollercoaster.

Personally, I survive this crazy ride because of the moments of sweetness. There is a sweetness to young toddlers that cannot be duplicated (duplicated, duplicated, duplicated… ), nor can it be bottled. From an evolutionary point of view, this is very handy. Without this sweetness, they would not survive to adulthood. At least mine wouldn’t.

I began reading a friend’s blog recently (http://www.pamaramadingdong.com/). She has inspired me in many ways. I find her blog to be hilarious, insightful, and so dead on for my life. I highly suggest you read her blog too.

In one of her entries, she talks about kid speak and how she refrained from correcting many of the errors her children made because she found them to be evidence of their childhood, and she didn’t want to hurry that childhood away. I thought it was genius. And she got me thinking… what do I love about my children at this age?

1-      I love that most “ouchies” (boo boo’s for most people) can be fixed with a kiss from Mommy, Daddy or another trusted adult. I’m not sure what the medical profession would have to say about this, but I have observational evidence and I’m sticking to my theory.

2-      I love the way their little toes wiggle when they get really excited about something, and I love that those toes are still so pudgy. There’s time to slim down. Right now, pudgy toes are totally delicious.

3-      I love that they adore the sound of my coffee maker’s grinder in the morning and insist upon helping me count the scoops of beans that go in. Woo hoo, entertainment for free! How long will that one last?

4-      I love that they both have a precious pooh bear that must go up to the crib with them every night and come down every morning. Luckily, they were bought from two different stores so their colors are slightly different, so telling them apart is effortless. I also love that they are constantly bringing the other their bear, so that they can play with them together.

5-      I love that they demand control over the smallest of daily choices. Blanket on or off at bedtime? Milk or water with lunch? This book or that book?  And I love that most of the time I can limit the choices to both being acceptable to me. 2 points for mom!

6-      I love the way their tiny faces collapse when tragedy strikes (i.e. they can’t have the toy they want right now, or something of the like). The mouth opens and for a moment no sound escapes. Then, a low moan of sadness erupts, accompanied by a foot stomping and hand clenching. The face goes tomato red and huge crocodile tears start to fall. I shouldn’t laugh, and most of the time I keep a straight face, but the severity of reaction is beyond funny to me. Really? Oh kid… wait a year or two. You’ll get a new perspective. Trust me.

7-      I love their mischief smiles when they are about to do something they are not supposed to do, know they are not supposed to do it, and I have just spotted them preparing  to do it anyways. It’s that “oh hi mom. What? Wait… you think I was going to climb on the lego table to get to the top of the shelf and pull all the puzzles down? No way… come on… why would I do that?” look. It’s often followed by a dramatic run into my arms for an “I love you” hug, with the sincere hopes that a blessed embrace will suddenly erase my short term memory. Go, manipulation, go… you’re starting early! (Don’t professionals say that this is evidence of intelligent and creative thinking in later life?  )

8-      I love their funky pronunciation of words like helicopter.  “opper opper” is sort of what you hear. The fact that they both love helicopters so much, so they practically shout this word with glee makes it even more glorious. Banana is equally adorable. Despite the fact that they can say 3 syllable words and can say the “ba” sound, they cannot say banana. They have always said “nana” instead. I think it’s because they couldn’t say it properly when they began their love affair with the golden fruit and it has kept its original name for sentimental reasons.

9-      And finally, I love that each of my children has a ticklish spot that makes them laugh so hard you might think they would explode with laughter. It’s a belly laugh that, when I hear it, I can’t help but laugh also. I lose all control. Sometimes, when we are having the beginnings of an off morning, I tickle them just to get them to laugh that way. It bring my mood straight back up and gives me the patience to handle my lovely and temperamental children with grace and maturity.

What do you love most about your kids, right now?