Being a Mom of a Two Year Old

Top three words that come to mind:

1. Challenging
2. Rewarding
3. Fun

This is simply the toughest thing I have ever had to do.  Even when Gracie was a wee little 7 lb baby, it seemed natural.  Your motherly instinct comes into tune and you just do what your baby needs.  Now, when they come into the toddler years, it is a little person who has their own thoughts, reactions, and personality.   Gracie has learned how to push buttons…especially mine.  In the recent weeks I have had to come to terms with the fact that I am not the perfect mom and no matter how hard I try, I am not going to be the perfect mom…it’s just not possible.  However, I can be the very best mom that Gracie needs.

So are you wondering where this is coming from?  I am in new territory.  Being mom is something I always wanted.  I knew it would be hard, I knew it would be challenging, I knew it would be rewarding.  I did not know to what extent all those statements would be correct.  Nothing is more affirming then reality hitting you in the face.  My daughter is becoming a pro at making me so frustrated and in the same breath make me laugh so hard, discipline is worthless because the moment is gone.  However, the whole thing is getting better.  Time outs don’t work for Gracie yet, but quite time with a book to calm her down works.  I am hoping this isn’t just a thing that Gracie will figure out a way to get around it.  She is totally my child…I was always great about going around things to make sure I got the end result I wanted.

Well, now that I have had my “mommy moment” (it’s been awhile) I will leave you with a variety of pictures from the weekend.  It was a nice relaxing weekend for us here in El Paso.  I had some friends come over on Saturday and Matt took Gracie out for some daddy/daughter time.  They went swimming, to the Disney store, out to Chuckie Cheese, and even ice cream. (And all of you were thinking I was the one that spoiled this little girl.)  Sunday, we vegged.  We have been on the go constantly since Jan. 1st it seems like, and we all needed a down day. :) It was all too soon, Monday reared it’s ugly head again.

In this picture, you can almost hear the words “Harley did it.”  She was throwing a fit because Harley took her egg from her…yes, an egg left over from Easter.  Silly girl!

  

This is making her Grandpa Mike proud, she loves loves loves Cheetos!  I know they are patiently waiting to share a bag of cheese puffs together!

Planting grass seed…she really wants a nice backyard to play in this summer.  As you can see, we are not having  good luck.

These 3 pal around like they are of the same species…they even fight like sisters and compete for mom and dad’s attention!  But in the end, they love each other!

“Really mom? We are going to take a picture in the car?”

And just because she is cute! My lil’ model!

Gracie knows a good number of her animals.  She will look through a book and name them along with their sounds!

Right now we are all about cats.  I wonder if she is going to be able to talk her daddy into getting her a kitten? Time will tell!