My oldest turned three this past weekend. I still can't believe it. I swear he just turned two a couple of months ago, right before his baby sister was born. The 11 months that followed were a complete blur that flashed by in the blink of an eye. Minus the sleep deprivation, this past year has gone by so fast because my now three-year-old seems to be learning or achieving something new every single day. He's learned to say "Excuse me" in crowds when he wants to get by, knows his ABC's, and is reciting a new song on a weekly basis. He even mastered some neat soccer trick his dad taught him. The toddler years aren't ones I was really prepared for if I'm being honest. During my first year as a mom, I was so excited for them. I couldn't wait for the walking and talking my baby would soon be doing. I knew that basics of what to expect and even studied childhood development in college -- HA if only there was a college course that could prepare us for motherhood. No book, blog, or class could really prepare me for the extreme proudness, heart-melting, or tear-jerking frustrations that accompany the toddler years. It is a time that requires learning to reason with the unreasonable, turn literally everything into a negotiation or game, and mind-reading, just to name a few. It is also a time to hear the most amazing sentences like "I love you so much," "Sissy is my best friend," or "Pizza is my favorite." It's making memories and starting traditions. It's seeing the world through the eyes of a person who is a little over three-feet tall and realizing how much we're just "used to." It's learning to be amazed at the plow and get excited every time the "shovel truck" comes down the road in winter. In three short years, the tiny baby that could fit on my forearm is running around, kicking soccer balls, and speaking full sentences. He asks so, so many questions and is constantly curious and learning. He sees the world full of wonder and pushes me to be a better person, a more patient person, a more forgiving person every single day. So here's to three! I can't wait to see what this age holds for my little man! I haven't been alone on this parenting journey, not for a second. Not only did my son grow from a tiny baby into a little boy, my husband has grown into the most amazing father.
He was the one who got thrown into the deep end when it came to parenting. As I healed from an emergency C-section, he learned diaper changing and swaddling. He's the hands-on dad. He's the guy behind the scenes putting together all of the big toys for holidays and birthdays. He's whipped together strollers and installed carseats. He's packed the mini-van with gusto and hauled diaper bags and kids whenever needed. I'm not giving him a gold star for being a dad. That's his role, his responsibility. But I am proud of the dad he has grown to be, the hands-on, in the trenches partner that is raising our children with me. I am thankful to have a partner who pulls his own weight and is respectful and appreciative because I know not everyone is so lucky. Also while I'm bragging, he decorated this adorable fire badge cake for our toddler! He also prevented my tears a dozen times this weekend while I cooked and baked for this party. Sometimes I'm Chicken Little, and he always reminds me that the sky is indeed not falling. It's a pretty great balance we have there! You see, our son, he's watching us both. We are determined to raise a good man, a good person. He's watching his daddy. He's watching how Daddy treats Mommy. I'm sure what he observes with those big brown eyes of his that are always watching will influence his future attitude, demeanor, and relationships. I want him to be kind, respectful, appreciative, and so much more. Those things start at home. They are found in the everyday interactions we have and how we behave even when we don't know he's looking.
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Megan is a stay-at-home mom to a stubborn and charming toddler and adorable baby girl. She is a freelance writer who hasn't slept in way too long.. She survives off of the pot of coffee her wonderful husband makes her FRESH each morning and any snack she can grab while keeping up with her little ones. Archives
October 2019
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