2.20.2010

Survival Guide: When Your Best Friend is Two Years Old...

1. Be aware that you will probably have to carry her around a lot of the time...but don't panic, this often leads to great muscle tone in your upper body.

2. You will also probably end up bossing her around a lot, so try not to let it go to your head...remember, she's a person too.

3. When you're not together, you'll want to stick to your vegetables and your simple carbohydrates...as when you are together, you will most likely be eating a lot of pizza, chicken nuggets and quesadillas.

4. Wear sensible shoes, be ready for anything. Stretch to avoid injuries. Be sure to hydrate.

5. Be patient when it comes to digestive matters...remember, it never helped anybody to be rushed.

6. You'll want to seek other outlets for venting about your romantic life...chances are she won't understand most of the words you use, and will probably just end up being confused.

7. When planning an evening out, you'll want to remember that less is more...bedtime comes at 7:30.

8. Get lots of rest, because the day starts early. If you don't drink coffee, this relationship just might not be right for you. And that's okay.

9. Work on making her laugh when she really doesn't want to...a silly face never hurt anybody. It may make the situation worse at first, but that just means that you aren't trying hard enough.

10. Don't take it personally if she screams at you when you ask her a simple question...it's not like her day has been any easier than yours.

I challenge all of you to ask yourself today...am I ready to be a 2 year old's best friend? The answer may surprise you...

2.10.2010

T is for Terrible

We are officially within reach of Mia turning 3.
Just one more month to go of the two's...terrible or otherwise.

I have this image of Mia after her third birthday; a dream, really.

Mia wakes up (in a big girl bed, of course) yawns and stretches her little arms over her head, with the sunlight streaming through her pretty curly hair.

There are birds singing sweetly outside as Mia walks into the bathroom and climbs up on her own, does her business politely and quietly with no tantrum in site, remembers to flush the toilet (remembers to put the toilet paper in the toilet first) and then washes her hands without getting suds and water all over the floor(that I will not later slip and fall on.)

After carefully and slowly walking downstairs, she greets her mom and dad with a sweet hug and kiss on the cheek. She then gives Lucy a very gentle hug, not poking her in the eyes or choking her at all.

After a lovely morning of playing with her toys, and putting them all back where she found them, she greets me by running to the door with a smile on her face.

"Brooksie!" she says, "I'm so glad to see you! I'm so happy that you're here to take care of me, and while I am a bit sad that Mommy has to leave now, I'm going to be brave and happy and help you take care of Lucy. NO, I won't say I need your help on the potty every single time you have to do something with Baby Lucy, don't be silly!"

After eating her dinner, (and all of her vegetables, of course, loving every bite) she puts all of her dishes in the sink, and then helps me give Lucy a bath.

After Lucy is asleep, Mia goes to the bathroom, and without screaming bloody murder for 20 minutes, finishes and puts on her pajamas.

Again, with no screaming, she tucks herself into her big girl bed, gives me a kiss, says her prayers and falls asleep like the sweet angel that she is.

Ah, the magical third birthday...

To be fair, this scenario isn't completely unrealistic, Mia really does like vegetables.