Toodlerhood
This transition into “toddlerhood” has been very difficult for both Iliana and us. She is definitely in that terrible two stage and is letting us know she is not happy the best way she knows how, by screaming her head off. As a new parent I find it at times difficult to comprehend that she is only two years old and doesn’t really know how to communicate fully yet. I have to remind myself these things as there are moments she drives me up a wall. There are days she goes completely insane because Kerry would go to work, I am talking complete and utter meltdown, complete with bouts of screaming, kicking, and throwing things on the floor to let me know she is frustrated. For the past week it has been a scream fest about everything and anything.
We’ve entered the “I’m not wearing clothing or diapers, EVER” stage and its hard to go out with her, as she just strips her clothing off no mater where she is. She wont wear anything she doesn’t pick out, that includes underwear vs diaper and what shoes and hair bow. She eats very little and thinks all meat is disgusting, unless it comes in sausage form. She insists on napping way late in the day most days which throws off her sleep routing, or she wont nap at all, which just makes for a cranky baby around 6pm. For as much as I’ve tried to establish a bed routine she has way too much energy to even think about sleeping.
On the other end, she is learning and growing every day and I couldn’t be happier with my little June Bug. She speaks so much Spanish and it makes me so proud I have been able to pass another language on to her. She learns very fast and usually remembers both English and Spanish meanings of most things. Her latest word is chicken and every time we take her to Publix she smells the fried chicken from the deli and says “mmmm, chicken”. It’s the cutest thing ever. She’s also reciting ever third line from most movies she is watching. Right now it’s Shrek on heavy rotation and says every third line from Shrek’s script in the beginning of the film. All you hear is PRINCESS, TOWER, DRAGON, KISS! It totally cracks my husband and I up, but its so wonderful to see her learn and retain.
They often tell you how hard parenting is going to be when you are pregnant and how difficult things will be when the new baby comes, and how much your life is going to change, and how you are going to not be able to go out, etc., you know, the usual negative pregnancy speech people love to give to first times mom. What they don’t mention is that the difficult part of parenting occurs when they learn how to walk, run, and talk! Infancy was a breeze compared to her stage now!
But I wouldn’t trade it in for the world. I couldn’t love my nugget more. When she gets into her giggly, cuddly moods and she know she’s been nagging me all day, she grabs my arms and starts to dance with me and then drowns me in kisses and hugs. Then after a couple of minutes of intense cuddles she looks at me and tells me she loves me. When your child hugs you and kisses you and says I love you, the stress of the universe is melted and your insides are glowing rainbows! She just did that a few minutes ago which prompted me to write this post. It’s been a difficult ride, but the cuddles are worth it! At least at the end of the day you know your child loves you and they feel safe. That is all a mommy could ask for :)
Hope everyone is having a great week.
