Growing Pains

What is it about two year olds?  

How quickly our sweet, cuddly, easy to please babies transform into demanding
and opinionated toddlers.  The two year old version of Brees knows what she wants and 
works really hard to communicate her needs to you, sometimes in a not so nice sort of 
way.    She often speaks of herself as though she is the supreme ruler of our household, 
saying things like, "No, Mama!  Brees go outside!  Brees no go night night!" or "No, no!  That 
is Brees' cup!  Sissy no touch Bree's cup!".  Then she gives you the look: the one that says 
"If you cross me, you will suffer!!".

We try really hard to just be patient with our little dictator, understanding that so much of
her frustration lies in the fact that she can not efficiently communicate her emotions and
so she lashes out instead.  We try to redirect her attention when she gets upset and
unruly, even when this means literally having to pick her up, limbs flailing everywhere,
and carrying her to another room.  I try to keep my voice calm, quiet, and soothing
even though I am usually drowned out by the sounds of her "NOOOOOOO!!".  I remind
myself to lock up the crayons for good every time I find new drawings on the wall courtesy
of my little Picaso.  Shawn builds new barricades weekly to keep her off the staircase,
but somehow our little MacGyver finds another way up.  She is determined and stubborn,
just like her parents, and she makes us both laugh and cry with her antics.

But, eventually, she always gives in, raising her little arms and reaching for me, "Hold
Brees, Mama!".  And I pick her up, hold her close, and hum "Twinkle Twinkle", her
favorite song, into her ear.  And she gives in, forgetting whatever it was she was
screaming about.  I have to hand it to her: though she can be a drama queen, she gets
over things really quickly.  Before we know it, she's up and about and playing again, the
tears and heartache gone and forgotten.  She's back to being her sweet and cuddly self,
sharing and being a kind and loving girl.  And I hold onto those moments and let them carry
me through the tantrums.  I remind myself that we all have bad days, bad hours, bad
minutes.  Life as a two year old can be tough as our little toddler attempts to navigate the
world and make her mark along the way.  But we love her so much, it makes all the
"terrible" times pass pretty quickly.