Friday, November 4, 2011

T is for "Terrific" Toddlers and Time

Happy November everyone! This month we are doing something kind of fun here on the blog. I will be featuring a "Thankful" post submitted by readers like you all month. The fun part? Each post will focus on one letter to spell out "THANKFUL". The posts are all about what readers are thankful for in regards to pregnancy, birth, parenting, cloth diapering, breastfeeding, etc.

So, without further ado, I present you with a couple "T" posts. Happy reading!

~Evie

Terrific Toddlers

Hello Everyone!

As part of the Elegant Mommy T-h-a-n-k-f-u-l Blog Series, I would like to present you with "T is for Terrible Toddlers."

I have a beautiful amazing smart toddler. I've heard the saying (I think you'd have to be under a rock not to of) "Terrible Twos" or "Terrible Toddlers." Sure, my daughter now knows the power of a good temper tantrum. She's an avid climber (specializing in the stairs and the dining room table) and an amazing escape artist. She's a conquistador of our dogs and an explorer of unknown drawers and cabinets. She is a professional organizer. (I mean, she's so thoughtful for putting a screwdriver in my purse. You never know when I'll be needing one on the go) She's already dressing herself. And by that, I mean undressing herself. In public. Thirstie diaper and all.

As moms, we all have days when we might not lose our temper, but we sure give a heavy sigh. Mine came the other day when our daughter learned how to open the door to the bathroom and as anyone who has discovered a bathroom for the first time would do, she immediately started placing items in our toilet. A roll of pennies, a spoon, and washcloth took a toilet bath before I picked her up, washed her hands and promptly placed one of those childproofing knob covers on the door (which means that when my husband and I have to really go, we will not be able to turn that knob if our life depends on it...or drawers at least).
If you haven't experienced the Houdini-esq maneuvers of a toddler yet, you could chalk this up to my daughter not being supervised properly. However, if you've had kids, you'll know that no matter how many baby gates you put up, outlet covers you place or hours spent staring at your child, they are the perfect opportunists. Someone at the door? Phone ring? Changing the wash? Your child will find a way to surprise you no matter how hawk-like your supervision is.

Soon-to-be or new mothers, are you scared yet? Don't be. After all, this post is about being "Thankful." I'm beyond thankful for my toddler. You know what I did when I saw the pennies in the toilet. Laughed. When in my life have I ever seen such a silly sight? What would possess someone to put pennies in a toilet? It was like a wishing well in my bathroom. Ha!

Toddlers are amazing. They are learning things at an extraordinary pace. One day they know maybe one word, then one weekend they have five and then next they are saying sentences. They learn to potty train (eventually). They learn names. They point to things. They play games. They understand things you never ever explain. How did my daughter learn that her doll was a "baby"? How she learn that the baby needs to be burped or rocked when there is no baby at home to reference?

They also start to reciprocate love like never before. They start to give you hugs, blow you kisses and will even say I love you. The first time they give you a kiss, you're world might actually stop. You will want to stay in that moment for the rest of your life. You will probably call or text or message everyone you know letting them know your child just kissed you. They may not understand, but to you, you're life has completely changed yet again. And as parenthood goes, it will continue to change for the rest of your life.

So, be thankful for your toddler and their new expressive selves. They are learning so much, and if you're open to it, you'll get an education as well.

By Krista

Time

I am thankful for the "Time" I have been given with my children as a stay at home mom.  When I first became a Mommy, staying at home with my (now 5 year old) daughter wasn't an option for us.  Then came along our son (nearing 3 years old) and the tug still pulled at my heart.  I knew in the depths of my heart that I was meant to be a stay at home mom, it was just a matter of figuring out a way to make it a possibility.  This was really hard for some of my friends and family to believe, as I was a determined business woman.  But soon they realized I was more of a determined mother!
 
Long story short, a year and half ago I was blessed with the opportunity to stay at home with my children.  Although my time at home with my daughter was short-lived, as she is now in kindergarten, I have learned to be thankful for the time I was given with her, rather than fill my mind and heart with guilt. 
 
This time at home with my children has flown by faster than I could have ever imagined.  When I start to feel sad that we missed a fun play group or a storytime, or we didn't accomplish as much work on our ABC's as we had hoped for or I take a look around at my messy house I remind myself to smile because I was blessed with one of the greatest gifts I could ever imagine.  We fill our time with hugs and kisses, Mommy storytimes, giggling, chatting about superheros and dolls.  Who could ask for anything more? What great times we will have to remember always!

By Anna

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