River Monster

the terrible two's have hit full throttle these past few weeks, and i thought i was ready, but i guess i have a lot more patience to gain. i need to write this down so i will remember that it's not all good times, but to see that we made it through the hard times, and that's what counts;) 

if you will only go outside with your coat on backwards, then yes! i'll take it. 

we didn't leave the house once yesterday, and if anyone knows me, that's literally like cutting off my leg. i need outside. need need it. you wouldn't put on your diaper... or clothes for that matter. after about an hour, i eventually ended up wrestling you (like full on wrestling a two year old) to get your diaper on. the day before, you had a full on melt down when papa made you put your coat on before we left the restaurant, because it was now dark and very cold outside. you didn't stop for 30 minutes and ended up bonking your head on the ground so hard it left a goose egg. the day befor that, i wiped your face before going into Costco and you acted as if you just broke your arm or something. it's kind of amazing how quickly this can all happen. but...if there are only a few things i have learned, is that me getting upset or frustrated does not help. at all. and, this too shall pass;) 

kids are so smart.

i try and help you through your frustrations. i acknowledge your feelings, and let you know i am here and that i love you, but we can't do anything until you've calmed down. at first, it sucked because it didn't seem like that was working. nothing seemed to be working. then i noticed you would try and take deep breaths to help you calm down. or whisper, "ok ok ok". i could see you were trying. and this is why you are so smart my love. a week later, i could already see your brain understanding. your tantrums are shorter. when you start to go into that whiney mode, i ask you to change your voice, and you immediately say, yes!, in a happy tone. which always makes me smile:) it's really cool for me to see these small changes. you are developing so quickly, and i know your emotions are hard to deal with at this age, but you are doing so so good. so good. i had to document this day, because it was kind of a first no tantrum throwing day, and that's always a day for celebrating:) 

hello Central Park. hello pretty leaves. 

thank you cool outdoor library. 

found my new favorite book about "eat the hunter" ;)))

because graveyards go well right next to parks;) running away. haha. 

Xo