Fabulous Four!!

(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!!!