The Twisted Toddler Conversations

I've documented many of the adorable conversations we have with Monkey. It's hard not to be tickled by his musings and observations. He has such a fresh and funny perspective! But they aren't all cute, quippy little conversations. I think the latest mix of half-year development (which I hear is harder than year marks), winter cabin fever, family sicknesses and just plain ol' boredom, has made some of the conversations with Monkey a bit of...um...an exercise in Mommy's patience.

Either that, or he's a very fickle 14 year old girl in a 2 year old boy body. I haven't figured this one out yet.

Just so you don't think our lives with a toddler are all peaches and cream, here is a sampling of the "other" conversations that ensue in our household.

But before you read on, please at least consider the advice I try to take: Never judge a family by their two year old. Amen!

*****

MM: JK, do you want milk or apple juice?
JK: Apple juice.
MM: (starts pouring apple juice)
JK: (screeching as if his life is in danger) NOOOOO!!!! I want milk!

*****

JK: (yelling) Bubby, no take my toy!!!
MM: JK, use nice words please.
JK: (yelling louder) Bubby, no take my toy PLEASE!!!

*****

MM: JK, do you want a time out?
JK: (nods head vigorously)
MM: (picks up JK and takes him to his room)
JK: (wailing as if he's just lost his dog) No want time out! No want time out!

*****

MM: JK, we're about to leave. Please put on your shoes.
JK: (looks at me, but continues playing with stuffed monkey)
MM: JK, please put on your shoes.
JK: (stares at Mommy)
MM: JK, please put on your shoes.
JK: (walks towards the shoe box, but gets distracted with trying on Daddy's shoes)
MM: (more slowly and deliberately) JK, please put on your shoes.
JK: (ignores me completely, tripping on Daddy's shoes, falling and crying) I fall down!
MM: Okay, JK. Mommy's going bye-bye now. See you later. (walks out the front door)
JK: (great wailing ensues!) Mommy, I don't have my shoes on!

Really?!

*****

We are challenged daily with balancing love and discipline. It's hard. N and I come from very different disciplines in our childhood and we're trying to find a happy medium that works for our boys. With JK, we work hard to praise, praise, praise when he does something good. We do lots of high-fives and verbal encouragements, which generally works very well. But I have noticed that nothing quite stirs this little boy's soul like some good one-on-one quality time. Just a little bit of one-on-one time with him a day and he is truly the most agreeable little boy. We get lots of conversations like this:

MM: JK, let's go potty one more time before bedtime.
JK: Otay! (scampers undistracted to the bathroom)

"Otay!" Right up there with "I love you Momma", it's really one of my favorite words around here.

Fall Has Fallen

Saturdays are my favorite day of the week. The smell of N's famous French toast and hot coffee. The sounds of lawns being mowed in the neighborhood and clothes being fluffed in the dryer. And it's beautiful outside today! Blue skies, light breeze, cool temperature. Ahhh...fall in Texas is really my favorite time of year!

Monkey LOVES to be outside, so this morning we hung out together while I cleaned a little bit of the garage out. I realized about an hour into it, that it'd be much more fun to play in the fall leaves. So I got our rake and initiated Monkey in this fabulous autumn tradition. We didn't have enough leaves in our yard, so I "borrowed" some from our neighbor.

Hoping our neighbor won't be too upset at me raking up their front yard? Some of you know our neighbor. He's a bit...um..."particular"? So yes, there is a chance it's not going to make him happy. Me? If you wanna rake our yard, rake away! I'll even pay you.









I had him get his step stool out so he could get a little more air...










The Nestea plunge. Some of you are probably too young to remember that.

Easy There Big Fella!

The routine when Daddy comes home from work:

1. Hugs and kisses all around
2. A quick change into comfy clothes

Last night, JK went into the bedroom with Daddy while Daddy changed into some shorts. While standing there in his boxers, JK playfully tugs Daddy's skivvies.

With N skittishly protecting himself - LOL!

Then the following conversation ensues:

JK: Daddy a big boy.
US: (laughing)
ME: Yes, Daddy is a big boy.
JK: (touching N's boxers again and saying quizzically) Daddy no diaper.
US: (laughing again)
ME: No, Daddy doesn't wear a diaper because he's a big boy.
N: When you stop wearing a diaper, then you'll be a big boy.
ME: So right now, you're a little boy.
JK: (defiantly putting his fists beside his hips, saying loudly) MOMMA, I A BIG BOY!!!
US: (desperately trying not to laugh and doing a miserable job. I think I might have even snorted.)

Our Big Boy

Two years ago, this little man entered our lives...



...and things haven't been the same since. And we're so glad!

*******

Our sweet JK,

You have no idea how fast your life is flying before us. You are growing way too quickly! On the day we met you, I think more than anything, we were in awe. I was stunned. And I've never seen your Daddy so proud! Such a long hard road to have a baby and then to have one as beautiful and sweet as you. God was so good and showed us how wonderful He is by letting us have you. Another W male to continue the family name. It might sound silly, but the day you were born, I felt so honored to be a part of that. I still do!

We have watched you move from a tiny helpless baby, to an independent and opinionated toddler. While we miss your sweet baby-ness, we are constantly amazed at how much you've grown. You are adamant about your likes and dislikes and when you can't verbalize it, you are creative enough to find ways to communicate your wishes. Wishes that we try to honor, unless it's something harmful or teaching you something that God doesn't want for you. We pray all the time that He give us the wisdom to make good choices in raising you. You are so precious and we don't want to mess it up!

You are still officially a toddler, but lately we are noticing a new maturity about you. You just seem so big!



You are such a sweet big brother to little Baby EK. You are learning to share things, even though he's too little to understand what you're doing.



You don't even mind sharing Momma on occasion.



You are very strong in your verbal skills and you love chatting with people. You make friends quickly because you're funny and silly and people are attracted to your sweet demeanor. We see signs everywhere that you are becoming a big boy.

You love books. Even the boring ones.



You love to go for walks. You will often grab our hand and say, "Walk-a-ning? Momma go walk-a-ning?"



But you're a guys guy. 150 percent boy! You love trains and any other transportation toys.



You love any sports that involves a ball you can kick or throw.



You love contact sports.



It warms Momma's heart to see you have a creative streak. You love to use crayons and paint and know all of your colors so well. It makes Daddy so very proud when you hear a song and immediately stop whatever you're doing to dance and sing. You don't even care that you have an audience watching you. In fact, that makes it more fun!

You have your Momma's sweet tooth. You love all things "chockit"...



We are so very proud of your growth and accomplishments. We so look forward to watching you turn from a toddler into a big boy and then into an independent young man. Just remember that your Momma will forever look at you as her first baby...



...I can't help it. It's just what Momma's do.

Little Monkey, there is only one other being in this world that loves you more than Mommy and Daddy and that's Jesus. It's hard for me to imagine, but our love for you pales in comparison to His love for you.

HE IS THE REASON YOU ARE ALIVE AND HAVE A HOPE FOR YOUR FUTURE!!!

Please look to Him for the purest love one can receive. Mommy and Daddy will do their very best, but He will never ever fail you. You are a daily reminder that He has not failed us. We have no doubt that if we feel this proud and in love with you, that He feels that times a hundred. We can't wait for you to grow up and learn how He's shown that love to all of us.

The last two years have been the happiest two years of our lives and we attribute that to your presence! Happy Two Year Birthday Little Monkey! We love you so much.

Love,
Momma and Daddy