Grant is 21 months old...three months shy of turning 2 and the terrible twos has been showing its ugly face for the past 6 months. I knew that I would probably have a child that would definitely be a handful at times...especially given that my mom constantly reminds me of how I was at this age. I believe her words are "you definitely had a mind of your own." Well, for those of you who know me and know me well know that's an understatement, even today. To say that Grant's name fits him to a T pretty much sums it up. He has about as much patience as my dad does and he definitely has a temper like his momma. I said all of this to say...I HATE the terrible twos.
Don't get me wrong, Grant is the best thing that has ever happened to my life. He is my heart and the light of my life. He can be the absolute sweetest little boy one second but then he gets down right mad and so frustrated when something doesn't go his way the next it's ridiculous. Jeremiah and I are trying our best to deal with these awful temper tamtrums. Sometimes, all I can do after a long day is call my sister and cry because I feel like a terrible mom. He bites, he kicks, he screams, he bangs his head against the wall and within the next 5 seconds he could be giving you a kiss, the biggest hug, the softest back pat and just sitting in your lap showing you as much love as possible. I keep telling myself this is a phase and we will get through it. The biting is the worst of all. He "usually" does it when he's angry, mad or frustrated. I have tried all there is on the internet for suggestions and nothing works. I have talked to a many of moms out there who have gone through the same thing and all of them had said..."they will just grow out of it." Well...can someone tell me when exactly that will be? I would love for someone to say on December 6th of 2012 he will stop. I know that's still 4 months of dealing with the biting but I think I could make it through the next 4 months as long as I know there's an end to this madness. You gotta love the suggestions on the internet that say, I sit my daughter down and explain to her that our teeth are for chewing not for biting people. Ok lady, I can really see myself sitting my 21 month old down for a heart to heart conversation and he totally understanding what I'm saying. Next suggestion please!
I guess I had it coming considering he was the absolute best baby for the first year of his life. I've got to admit that I have had it very easy with him. He has slept through the night since he was 8 weeks old, I can count on one hand how many times I have lost sleep at night because he doesn't feel well, he's never been one to have problems with teething and he has always ate really well.
Being a parent has taught me so much. It has taught me unconditional love. No matter how mad I get at him or how upset he gets at me, he will still always love me at the end of the day. Most of the time after he has been disciplined he's coming at me with arms wide opened and crying and saying "momma". I've learned that I have to discipline him regardless of how much I hate it and it hurts my feelings. I've learned that it's okay to wake up the next morning knowing that it's a new day and I can strive to be a better mom. I've learned how to be more patient. I've learned that most of Grant's tamtrums are because he's not able to express all of his frustrations yet in words and sentences.
I've learned that being a mom is the best and most rewarding job in the world. I have the absolute most precious boy to prove that.
On the upside of things, he's growing so much. He's still a little thing in size but has a bottomless pit of a stomach and is always hungry. He loves his "tootkies" and knows where the snack cabinet is. He loves pulling out all my pots, pans and utensils. He has a system to this madness and has to start on the mess once we get home in the evenings. It's become part of his routine and I've learned to love it regardless if I about break my neck on the lid to the pot because it's all over my kitchen floor while I try to cook. He loves books and coloring and doesn't really want you to sing to him unless he is laying down to go to sleep for the night. He loves to sit with you in the chair and watch tv. He gives the sweetest kisses and will say thank you. Remember when I said earlier that he could be sweet?
Through all the bad moments there are ten good moments that far outweigh the one bad. The terrible twos will quickly vanish just as quickly as they came and then we will be on to the next phase. I'm trying to remind myself to enjoy everyday with him because it won't be like this for long. I'm not ready for my little boy to grow up. I want him to stay little forever and to always need his momma.
To my little boy who knows how to test my patience daily, your mommy loves you more than anyone or anything in the world. I will always be there to hold your hand, kiss your scrapes and bruises, play with you, give you hugs and kisses, and tell you I love you as much as possible everyday. You are my light and life and I love you very much...regardless of how many times you bite me. :)
