On Toddlers, Transitions, and the Bittersweet Beauty of Growing Up
The seasons are changing, and so is my boy.
He’s always had a gentle and calm demeanor, but lately? He’s getting sassier, feistier, and absolutely more stubborn.
He’s kind of a toddler now, so I guess it comes with the territory.
He crawls like a madman ever since he learned how, and rarely grants us the opportunity to cuddle anymore. He’s got too much to do! Too much to see! He’s a busy guy.
Last weekend, he had his very first hotel stay. We went with my mom and my brother’s family to a hotel with an indoor water park. He hated the pool but loved relaxing in the hot tub, while my wild-man nephew frolicked in the water and zipped down slides.
See? He still has that gentle way about him… but the changes are coming. We can already see them.
💤 Sleep? What’s That?
Sleep has been atrocious for the last few months.
We’ve become accidental co-sleepers — something I always said we’d never be — and honestly? It’s not fun at all for us.
I used to smile smugly when other parents complained about their kids not sleeping. From 6 weeks to 11 months, my child slept through the night. Seven to seven. In his crib.
Oh, how the mighty have fallen.
Now? He hates the crib. Hates sleep, honestly. We’ve moved a Pack and Play into our room, and while he spends some of the night in there, he usually ends up in our bed. We proceed to get kicked in the face all night long while he sleeps like a dream. You know — the one who doesn’t have to wake up for work?
We’ve been too exhausted to fight him about the crib, but the reckoning is coming. He’s gotta get back in there.
He’s also become difficult about falling asleep, kicking and screaming his way into slumber. FOMO, ya know? Isn’t he a little young for that?
😬 The Personality Is Coming In Hot
At least three molars are coming in now too, so crabbiness has made its return.
And remember that stubborn streak I mentioned?
Yeah. Last night, while trying to give him Ibuprofen, he smacked the cup right out of my hand — sticky medicine everywhere. I could only laugh, because that stubbornness? That’s straight from me. A little karmic payback, I guess.
He’s funny and sweet.
Defiant and difficult.
He slaps things away when he’s done.
He’s learning to stand.
He’s finally eating more real foods (and feeding himself!).
He screams when the ice cream’s gone.
He laughs loudly.
He’s the welcome wagon of his music class, according to his teacher.
He pets his dog gently.
He puts everything in his mouth (gross).
He brushes his hair with toys, remote controls, and anything vaguely oblong.
And speaking of hair… he’s getting his second haircut this weekend.
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