the two year old conundrum

People warn and advise you about many things when they find out you are entering the world of parenthood. One thing people forget to mention, or maybe they intentionally don't mention it so as not to scare new parents out of their minds, is the stage of the two year old. Yes, I've heard of the "terrible twos" and I've babysat two year olds that were mildly unruly at times, but I had NO IDEA what I was in for as a mother of a two year old. A strong willed two year old at that.

Let me start by saying how much I love Cory. He is such a joy in my life, and he makes me smile everyday. He's awesome. This is where the trouble really lies. If he were just to choose whether or not he wanted to be wonderful or terrible, parenting this stage might not be as rough. The problem is when he's snuggling, laughing and having fun one second, and throwing a complete fit and disobeying the next. Now, I'm a woman, and I was rather recently a teenage girl, so I know a thing or two about flighty, uncontrollable emotions, but I absolutely cannot keep up with this kid. I know that this stage goes away so quickly, and I know to cherish every moment and I try so hard. Sometimes I look at him and know that I'm going to miss how he looks right now and all the adorable things he says. However, he pushes my buttons so hard sometimes that it's hard not to wish this stage away. Cory's a smart kid. He understands almost everything I say, but somehow he goes deaf when I say the word "no". It's like we aren't even on the same planet. 

I know every mom is completely with me on this. For the ones who are here with me right now going through the same thing, I'm sure you're chiming in with Amens across the board. For those of you who have just recently pass this stage, I bet you're breathing a sigh of relief to have made it through with some sanity left. But for the moms who have grown children, I know this is where you laugh and say sentimental things like "it goes so fast" and "don't ever wish it away" because I think there is a bit of romanticizing going on in your minds that help you forget the hard stuff and focus on the good, which is exactly what we should all do. When I lay Cory down at night, I want to sit on the couch with my bowl of ice cream and think over all the fun we had that day. I want to think about every hug, every kiss, every laugh and every hilarious conversation we had. I want my mind to immediately forget any disobedience and discipline that was given through the day. Wouldn't it be great for young moms to have that perspective now instead of having to wait until their kids are grown and living through it themselves as parents? I'm not saying I'm there yet at all, but I'm hoping that I can get there soon and be able to use the same thoughts when it comes to the sweet newborn boy that will be joining our family in a few months. 

I want to remember the good in each day and free my mind of the bad.