Terribly Fabulous Twos!

First off I have to say that I have done a terrible job at blogging especially in the last...almost 6 months!! Can you believe it? My number two is almost 6 months! Ya, I can't believe it either. I have missed documenting a lot of things in the last little while but something that has occupied my mind lately is getting this post - and it's not a 'last-five-month-update'. Maybe that will come another time?

I'm redefining the 'terrible twos' to be the 'terribly fabulous twos'!

So- I was one of those pre-mom mommy's that thought "there is no such thing as terrible two's-if you deal with your child's meltdowns in the right ways they won't go through that stage!" Now here I am with a just-turned-two-last-wednesday daughter who has such meltdowns because: I picked up a dropped cheerio, put a dvd back on the shelf, asked her if she wanted to play dolls, took her plate to the sink - come on people, she wasn't even at the table! So here I am saying-I do believe that there is a period when a child is going through some growing pains, learning how to communicate, not-sure-what they-even-want stage and it can sometimes be....TERRIBLE!

I totally accepted this. I was prepared to endure it and was trying the best I could (all you pre-mommy's like me out there-when you see a crying baby in aisle 9 at the grocery store-don't judge!) but I wasn't prepared for the comments. You know the ones that are like, 'oh she's so defiant, it must be her age' or 'I can tell she is in her terrible twos'.

I felt like every time she said 'NO' I had to apologize, or every time she kept running when I said 'STOP' I had to make excuses and I'm kind of tired of that...so thus the 'terribly fabulous twos' were born!

Indie, being terribly fabulous!

No-I can't stop her from crying over random things or not listening to me 100% of the time, but I can change how I respond and I'm starting now by recognizing all the things I love about going through this stage with her.

I happen to like LOVE, the fact that she says NO! With the world the way it is-and it's getting scarier, I don't want a child that is a complete pushover. I admire her defiance and I only wish I was more like her. Why do we have such a hard time saying no to things that won't make us happy? She doesn't care what anyone thinks and if it isn't what she wants then she'll tell you! And I love the cuddles she'll give me after she has a meltdown, while we'll CALMLY talk about how to appropriately express our feelings.... well we try!

I enjoy watching her discover. So if you don't see me flip out when she doesn't come when I tell her to-it's because I'm learning to slow down and appreciate her inquisitive nature! Clearly we are working on it because I don't want her running into the road or whatever but I am confident that we are headed in the right direction (towards me....getting her to come to me)! She loves flowers-to smell, rip off the stem and occasionally eat; she wants to talk with every human being she sees-sometimes that's scary-but she isn't judgemental and that's FABULOUS!

She doesn't hit all the 'baby milestones' like your baby might and I am grateful for it! She will NEVER perform-so don't ask her to repeat words you say and then don't ask me if she has a disability because she won't respond to you in a language you understand! Every new word that she says is exciting to her and I love watching her make a new little discovery and clap at her self afterwards.

She overly loves her brother and it is FABULOUS! All you loving people out there that tell her to stop touching the baby-you don't have to but thanks! I happen to adore the fact that she wants to cover his head in stickers, climb into the excersaucer with him, or kneel next to his bouncy seat and bouncy him right out of existence. I love that she climbs into the crib or pack n' play and rubs his head till he wakes up....sometimes I love it less than others but as soon as his little eyes are open she tells me 'owa away' (Owen's awake!) Why yes Indie, Owen is indeed awake. (instert loving semi grin here)

I love that she discovered that she can create beautiful creations with sharpee markers on her little motorized princess car and.....her body. Thankfully I reminded myself that it's a photo op and her car is just a 'thing' that really doesn't matter. Don't worry we learned a lesson but her excitement over her masterpiece was too cute to squish! I'm also grateful that she decided she wanted to potty train herself after a poopy mishap in the tub. (Like I said...Don't ask her to perform, she'll be the one to decide when she is ready....however awful the experience has to be to get there)

Don't mistake this for me trying to sound like a mom who accepts everything she does and thinks it's wonderful. In fact, don't be surprised if you pop over for an early afternoon visit and I'm in sweats and an oversized tshirt looking completely dishevelled...along with my house! Clearly there is a learning curve for both of us but I know that we are both happier when I don't get impatient, but find the joy in her terribly fabulous stage!