We celebrated C.’s 10th birthday with a big party at our house over the weekend. Lots of fun (along with lots of pizza, lots of cake, and lots of ice cream) was had by all. Even 2-year-old L. was at his best — greeting our guests, running around the yard with cousins, stealing sharing ice cream with his grandmother. He was endearing.
That is, until another 2-year-old — Quin, the son of some friends of ours — discovered the enormous stash of Matchbox cars in the basement. L., to put it mildly, lost it. Screaming, crying, yelling, flopping on the floor: full-fledged fits. It wasn’t that Quin was playing with a car that L. wanted. No, it was simply that sweet Quin had the nerve to like the cars and want to play with them.
It was not a good Mommy moment. Though I know the concept of sharing is one that many toddlers rebel against, I would have preferred that L. continue to be endearing, rather than make me want to stick him in bed and then hide in a closet.
Today, L. and I made a trip to the grocery store. As I was putting him in the shopping cart, he started screaming. He didn’t want to go grocery shopping. Oh great, I thought. Here we go again. I considered donning sunglasses and a baseball hat, perhaps a wig. Maybe a fake mustache. Some kind of disguise in case someone I knew was also picking up cereal and soup.
But, lo and behold, as soon as we were in the store, he turned on the charm. L. enthusiastically greeted all other babies and toddlers with, “HI! Mama — Baby there!! HI!” He graciously tolerated a loooong shopping excursion as I juggled lists and coupons. And he delighted the cashier with repeated “HI”s. Even the lady behind us in line engaged him in conversation, claiming that he was ‘adorable.’
Good Mommy moments.
Parenting a 2-year-old is full of ups and downs. One moment, I’m mortified by his behavior; the next, I’m practically giggling as he charms a grocery-bagger.
The other day, I’d had just about enough, and could not possibly take one more fit, one more yell, one more “NO!” And right then, he turned to me and said in his most adorable and precious voice, “Heeyyyy, Mama.” Then leaned his head against me. I melted.
Consistency is hard, but I know it pays off. The rough days are exhausting, but the sweet moments are priceless. And L. seems to know just when he needs to turn on the delightful…right before I go over the edge from the difficult.
I love that little boy, even on the days he wears me out.
Love his hair!
And having a little boy of my own that is full of his own highs and lows and strong personality makes this post highly relatable.
Sounds like a great party — lots of pizza, lots of cake and lots of ice cream? Too bad I live so far away.
Roller coaster is a great way to describe the ride. Thankfully God gives those precious moments of sweetness along with all the others. From what I hear, the ride is pretty short too. Can you even remember moments like that with C.?
I hear ya. Oh how I hear ya! Sounds like both our 2 yr old boys need to meet!
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Katrina, L. was a special treat Saturday. C. was a perfect host. And VIV was right–those moments are over too quickly. Love Mom
I love his shirt! My Girlie needs one – she's quite the two-year-old as well. They can be so sweet & charming one minute, and then turn right around and be pull-your-hair-out exasperating.
At the end of the day, the big hug, sloppy kiss, and "I ya you, Mama" make it all worthwhile.
Our son wasn’t too bad at two – he waited until he turned three to go through that terror age. Hang in there!
Cameron has that exact same tee shirt, Katrina. And I hate to tell you this, but he’s three and a half and the shirt is still totally true. LOL
I’m sure it helps a lot that your little guy is just so stinkin’ cute! Ah. The twos. You couldn’t PAY me to……
i hear ya! i think he and my 2-year-old are twins!
Two and Three year olds are equal amounts of bewildering frustration and complete awesomeness. It’s probably my favorite ages of childhood, but I AM a complete sucker.
The shirt tells it all!
How is it that they know how and when to pull the charming card out?
Love the story and the shirt! Hang in there!
Hi, I just found you and what a cutie you’ve got. I had to jump over when I saw the title of your blog. My 4 yr. old daughter was playing with play-doh yesterday and made her very own callapidder.
I too, think it is so cute because she really thinks that’s the way to say it.
Thanks for sharing.
Connie
That’s right! parenting a two year old is crazy exhausting! And sometimes I think a two year old boy is even double that, but I could be wrong. it’s been three years since my sweet girl was two.
Love the t-shirt. Wish we had that when our older two were 2, they left us exhausted. We are still recovering.
We can definitely empathize! Beloved and I love the t-shirt. We think we need 3!
Blessings!
Renee
From manic moments to melty mom. Love it.
Oh we so need that T-shirt.