Zoo trip

I decided since the weather was so nice today that we should make a trip to the zoo. You've been doing a little better with your behavior but you still have more than your fair share of meltdowns and tantrums so I braced myself ahead of time so I wouldn't get so exasperated with you. You ended up doing better than I expected. We got there a little after 11 and left around 3--prime naptime for you so you of course got a little cranky midway through but nothing too outrageous. We let you run around some instead of riding in the stroller the whole way. You were sort of scared of the monkeys this time but you really enjoyed the fish, ducks, giraffes and the reptile house. We didn't get many pictures because you wouldn't sit still long enough but here are a few we managed to snap.......

My world

You and your brother are my world. Not one second goes by each day that one of you aren't in my thoughts. I don't remember what life was like before you and can't imagine life any other way--no matter how stressful, overwhelming and mundane it may be at times.

Night-night

I've noticed lately whenever I try to get Aiden to sleep (which usually consists of me patting his bottom), you'll pretend you're going night-night, too. You'll get your blanket, cover yourself up and pat your own bottom. When I went in to check on you a couple weeks ago, this is how I found you--guess you decided to cover yourself up with your entourage (which now consists of Yertle, Pops, Brown Bear and Bunny) instead of your blankets.......

Pretty pretty!

This is your face every time you get dressed for the day. You put both hands over your mouth in such an exasperated fashion, giggle and then say "pretty pretty".

Please tell me we're not the only ones...

"That's a no-no", "Please don't do that", "Go to time out", "Go to your room", "Stop whining", and "Come here" are all extremely common phrases around our house (and in the car) these days. Three months shy of your second birthday and you're already a pro at pushing our buttons and testing your limits. Some days I get so exasperated with you and your inability (or desire not to) listen/understand right from wrong. I know that all toddlers go through this phase but I honestly wonder if we're the only ones going through this rough patch right now. You're starting to act out more and more in public; which is quite embarrassing at times. Sometimes you won't listen to me when I tell you not to do something and other times you try to either run away from me or if I'm holding your hand you'll either try to get away from my grip or you'll do the whole sit down in the middle of the floor/ground and start screaming thing. Trust me, I can almost feel my blood boiling when you do this because more often than not Aiden (who has been sitting quietly in his car seat which I am carrying on my left arm) will begin screaming, too. The end result is a breathless mommy who just wants to disappear for a few minutes to get a grip on herself. I've honestly started planning errands for times that a) you'll be in daycare or b) when Daddy is home. Our library trips that were once so much fun have now become too stressful for me to handle alone with both you and Aiden and now I simply request books online and swing by and pick them up before getting you from daycare. I want to enroll you in gymnastics right now but I'm questioning if your behavior and attitude can handle it. I know that this too shall pass but I'm beginning to wonder when. Maybe it wouldn't seem as tough as it does if Aiden weren't so dependent on me. Punishment (being sent to time out or to your room) don't seem to work most days and you got sent to time out so many times Monday evening that I forgot what you were even in time out for the last time you were sent.

I did have a talk with your head teacher at daycare Wednesday morning. Basically Daddy & I had been noticing that you had gotten extremely clingy and wanted to be picked up or held constantly--this is all fine and good sometimes but you expected it 100% of the time and you would whine constantly if we didn't oblige. Then it finally clicked with me. I had been noticing when I picked you up in the afternoons from daycare that one of your afternoon teachers was constantly holding you or was carrying you around on her hip. Let me preface this by saying I completely understand that some teachers get attached to certain children more so than others, and vice versa, and that is completely fine with me. However, it negatively affects things at home when you're constantly whining to be picked up. So we discussed that and she agreed to have a talk with the teacher that was "babying" you all the time and we also discussed some other things that the children (as a group) were having trouble with, behavior-wise. I'm hoping things will get back to some level of normalcy because I hate having to exclude you from things--as simple as errands to library visits to playdates, etc.

Those special moments...

...they don't occur everyday but when they do, they stop me in my tracks. You'll do or say something that either brings tears to my eyes or makes me get a serious case of the "warm fuzzies" in the pit of my stomach. Our most recent "special moment" occurred yesterday morning. I was busy scurrying around your and your brother's room getting the sheets changed and dirty laundry gathered up--you're always right behind me (I call you my little shadow) trying to help. We were in Aiden's room, me putting new sheets on Aiden's bed and you playing in his toy basket. All of a sudden you walk to the glider, pat it and say "rock, rock". I turn around a little impatiently (I don't like to be interrupted when I'm doing something), look at you and immediately stop what I'm doing once I see your pleading eyes, scoop you up and rock you. You wanted to be covered with Aiden's blanket which I did. You laid your head on my chest and hugged me with both arms. We rocked for about 2 minutes when you declared "down! down!" but in those two minutes I was reminded that you're not as grown up as I sometimes treat you--you're still my little girl that needs me and that's totally fine by me. I love you sweetpea!!!

What's the deal, pickle?

For the last two mornings when it's time for me to drop you off at your classroom, you don't want me to go. You cling on to me and even start tearing up, although you haven't broken down to cry yet. It absolutely breaks my heart to see you this way--I'm not sure if it's because I've been letting you go with me to drop Aiden off at his classroom or what (Monday we dropped you off first) but this is so atypical of you. You seem to get a little more at ease when I explain I'll be back to pick both of you up but you're still not too happy with me...I hope this passes soon because I hate leaving you upset.

On a side note, I'm busy thinking of venues to have your birthday party. My plan is to invite your classmates and obviously our house is way too small for all the fun I hope your party will bring. I've looked at a couple of places (but not too seriously) just to get an idea on pricing (I'd rather spend a fortune on your presents than on the party). Any ideas from our readers?? I would appreciate any suggestions....