The last few weeks I feel like I’ve been completely consumed by “all the feels” of parenting a two year old. One minute I’m on the phone with Jamie begging and pleading for him to please come home and save me before I sell our child to her grandparents, and the very next minute I’m on the floor laughing because of something she’s just done or said. All the feels, I’m telling you.
Watching a two year old learn to express her constantly-developing knowledge is honestly a beautiful thing to see. It’s almost like I can see inside her head that there’s so much in there she wants to express, and watching her slowly but surely figure out how to string thoughts and words together is rewarding and a riot all at the same time.
Here’s a glimpse of some real parenting moments we’ve had around here lately – some good, some bad, some embarrassing, some heart warming, and some that are just plain funny.
1.) Two weeks ago Hadley and I went with our friend Kelsey to Old Chicago, and in the middle of dinner Hadley flicked a chive from her pizza off of her finger that landed on the guy seated next to her (he looked to be around 22-ish and on a date). I immediately started apologizing once he started aggressively wiping himself off (???), but I also kind of assumed that the guy would laugh it off and let me know it wasn’t a big deal. If was a flipping chive after all. He actually didn’t laugh it off though and instead was a complete turd about it (RUN AWAY QUICKLY, GIRLFRIEND). He made several rude comments that had me all SURELY THIS GUY IS ABOUT TO SAY HE’S JOKING , but he sure wasn’t joking. Kelsey finally rolled her eyes and gave me a look like “just brush it off”, so I apologized one more time and we were done with it. It totally ruined my night though. I was equal parts totally caught off guard, embarrassed, and ticked. I’ve heard that I tossed a half and half creamer on someone at a breakfast restaurant when I was younger, so I’m guessing this is my payback.
2.) Hadley is in a stage where passing gas and burping are really funny to her. Every time she does it she gets the most guilty face, smiles big, and shouts “‘scuse me mama!”. And then I fall apart laughing. I am, in fact, five years old and not 28.
3.) It’s been grating on my nerves the last few weeks that every time Hadley wants a snack or something to drink she heavily whines/cries when asking for it the first time. A lightbulb went off after hanging with some friends and their children recently that not every two year old does this, so I’ve been determined to nip it. After a week or so of discipling her when she did this, I think we’ve quickly cut out this habit.
4.) Sooo now that she doesn’t cry every time she wants something from the kitchen, I’ve been a little slower to get my big ‘ol pregnant belly off the couch to get it for her. Her new, most-used phrase this week after asking for something a second time – “Mommy GET UP” as she pulls my hand and points to the kitchen. It’s a riot. She’s such a dictator.
5.) We had a rough morning before preschool last week, and I was so flustered after I dropped her off because I felt like I could’ve handled her behavior that morning better; I definitely raised my voice way more than I like to. When I picked her up three hours later she bolted across the room with the biggest smile and wrapped her arms tightly around my legs – more tightly than usual. I scooped her up and she squeezed my neck. I don’t think I’ve ever loved her more. She knew my heart needed that.
6.) Recently Hadley was laying on her back in the bathtub and I was crouched down next to the tub washing her. She was splashing around when all of a sudden she got still, pointed at my face, and said “Momma blue eyes!”. Blue eyes is a nickname Jamie has had for me since we were dating, so it really made my night that she said that. She’s mentioned my blue eyes randomly several times since that night, and it makes me smile every time.
7.) I can no longer be in the bathroom with her when she goes #2. If I happen to walk by or check on her, she quickly shouts “Noooo. OUT!”. Yes ma’am.
8.) Every single time we’ve gotten in the car this week to go somewhere, Hadley goes through a checklist asking me where we’re going. First she says “Jack & Meg?”, then “Krysha?” (one of her teachers), and finally “horses?” (referencing Sunday’s rodeo). The fact that she’s repeated this checklist 10 times in a week has me cracking up.
I’ll put all of this in a “quotables” book one day. Parenting is a trip. 🙂
Hi! I’m Erica, and I absolutely adore sharing my life on this website with you! I come here almost daily to blab about all of the things related to being a regular wife and mother in today’s ever-evolving society. I share about our new home, what’s on our kitchen table, what we’re hanging in our closets, where we’re traveling to next, my crazy 5 a.m. work outs, how I make time for girlfriends, our faith, and much more. We always have a lot of balls in the air and somewhat thrive on the chaos. I believe in the power of story-telling as a form of inspiration and entertainment, so I’m here to do both! I was born and raised in north Alabama and recently re-planted roots here again after my husband transitioned out of the Army (he is now in the Reserve and it’s going so well!) I’m a super proud mom to three little girls (ages 7, 4, and 1) who seem to be the stars of the show around here (for good reason – they’re pretty great!) I’m so glad you found me and are here reading! I hope we can get to know each other here on the blog as well as Facebook and/or Instagram. xoxo