Two

So, right now two is a number that is hard for me to swallow sometimes.

I have a two year old who is amazing and fun loving and crazy, but he's two and with that comes the all to0 realistic stereotypes of a two year old: 1.)testing every boundary, 2.)getting into anything he can get his hands on, 3.)saying "no" to every question that mommy asks even questions where "no" isn't relevant, 4.)refusing to take naps and then falling asleep in the car, on the couch, in the shopping cart, etc

...and then there's also the two of having two kids. My boys are such a blessing, but two is a hard hurtle to get over. I've heard from veteran moms that two is a jump, but once you get past that, you're good to go for as many as you want. Not sure we're going to have any more, but I feel the hurtle...

so, as in training for a hurtle event, you have to stretch, and be disciplined, and practice, practice, practice... get your timing right. I am learning there is similar training in motherhood... i am being stretched in my capacity to handle stressful situations with grace, i am learning to be disciplined that when i say "no" or that punishment will come with another testing that I have to stick to what i say-kids are too smart and learn really quickly that mommy will give me more chances than one. I am learning to practice what i preach and practice disciplining... and that timing is everything with kids-sometimes if you wait too long to discipline they don't know what it is for, or if you push too early for something they have a breakdown. Sometimes it's just that they're tired, or not awake yet, or just need some one-on-one mommy time that they see happening with their younger sibling... and there are times when you have to choose your battles, not to compromise your discipline, but to give yourself a moment of sanity or because the fact that your child doesn't want to eat the toast you made isn't the end of the world, and the fat stores he has in his cheeks could last him a week! :)

so in the end, two really isn't a bad number, it's just one that takes practice and training. And, I can learn to love two.