(This post was originally published on 7/8/13 on www.westvalleymomsblog.com)
They say that as your children get older, you appreciate each and
every stage in it’s own unique way. Obviously, the newborn stage is
glorious for the pure awe you have of that little creature that curls so
perfectly into your arms and the sheer pride you have in yourself for
producing such a perfect being. The infant months are spent hanging on
every “first” your little love has….first smile, first roll, first
crawl…..you get the picture. At one, you are celebrating the fact that
you have managed to keep your tiny human happy, healthy, and alive for
12 whole months – go you!! Although, chances are, you cannot imagine
your family without them.
And then, two comes along…..the dreaded “terrible twos.” You have
heard about them for as long as you can remember and as that 2nd
birthday approached, you cringed with each whimper, cry, or tantrum,
thinking, “Is this it? Have we arrived at the terrible two’s?” (Trust
me, my youngest turns two next month….I am on high alert for sure) Now, I
know I can’t speak for all mamas out there, but I can certainly speak
from my own experience when I say, that with my oldest, Sweet R, two was
definitely challenging….but mainly because this is the year she found
her voice. She not only learned how to tell me what she wanted, but also
learned to tell me, very loudly, what she didn’t want. And although it
had its moments, I think I spent more time rejoicing in her newly
acquired skills that year, than finding ways to deter them.
But then came three….oh three. No one warns you about this one, but
for us, it was a doozie. Not only was her voice loud and clear, but she
also discovered the elements of sass, whining, and total devastation at
the slightest change in plans. Yikes…. Sufficient to say, we honed our
discipline skills, our patience skills, and our
just-try-to-keep-sane-at-any-cost skills. We muddled through and took
more photos of her dress-up shenanigans, her silly faces, and her joyful
moments that we can count…but I will admit, it took a concentrated
effort to focus on the good some days.
But then, like magic, we turned a corner. She turned 4 on May 12th of
this year and it was as though a fog had lifted. Now, don’t get me
wrong, we still have “those days”, but I will scream from the rooftops,
that 4 is my new favorite age!!! Her interest and curiosity in
everything around her is inspiring to me (even despite the constant flow
of questions). The conversations we have about our day when I tuck her
into
bed
at night melt my heart. The care and affection she shows toward her
baby brother warms my soul on a daily basis. She is funny…and I mean
REALLY funny. Her personality and sense of humor has taken flight and I
feel as though I am getting a glimpse into the person she will be 20
years from now….and I like it. I am proud of it. Four, has made me feel
as though I have done a good job as a mama so far….at three, I had some
doubts.
So, yes, I LOVE Four!!! It is indeed fabulous!!! So hang in there
mamas who are muddling through the two’s and three’s….it get’s better
real soon. And when it does, it is Oh So Good!!!
2) "Well hellooooo Diney! Helloooo Diney....." Imagine it to the tune of Hello Dollie. Yep. That went on for about 20 minutes. (Oh, and Diney is his stuffed dinosaur....again, not that creative around here...)
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