Growing Up

My kids are growing up. Of course they are, you say, but don't act like that realization is so obvious. Don't be that lady in the grocery store who longingly looks at your kids and says, "Enjoy this stage. They grow up so fast". This is, of course, happening while you are in the check out line, trying to pay for your groceries while one kid is crying because you won't buy her a candy bar and the other is seconds from breaking his arm as he tries to climb out of the cart. 

Because although I can appreciate the message this woman is trying convey, I have to say that most days I don't believe her. Most days, after I've picked up countless toys, cleaned up a plethora of messes, and changed innumerable diapers, I can promise you that it feels like they will never. grow. up. Really.

And then they surprise me. Like the first time Teddy slept through the night. After over a year of sleepless nights rocking him, nursing him, burping him, singing to him, I felt a light penetrate the darkness of my life. I would sleep through the night again. Of course, we go through phases, but his sleeping through the night gave me hope for the future.

Then this week I was getting lunch ready and Nayeli told me she didn't want to drink milk from a sippy anymore. She wanted it in a cup. Just like that. Is that how it happens?

Not to mention that we had to move Teddy to a toddler bed a few weeks ago. His fantastic climbing skills extended to the crib where he fell out multiple times (without serious injury). We finally bit the bullet and jimmy-rigged his crib, which is not made to convert into a toddler bed, into a toddler bed. Ta-da!

He's actually done surprisingly well with sleeping in an open bed. Yes, there are many nights that he falls asleep by the door to his room and I have to move him, but overall he has managed to control himself enough to fall asleep in the confines of the bed.

He's also become interested in Nayeli's underwear and the toilet as of late. I finally broke down and bought him car underwear after a few days of him wearing Nayeli's Minnie underwear all over the house. At his own insistence he has gone pee in the toilet twice and insists on being put on multiple times a day. He's only 20 months so I won't be pushing him to potty train until he's ready, but it is promising that he's already showing interest.

 Putting it on himself

Speaking of Teddy wearing Nayeli's things, he's definitely taken a liking to her Elsa dress.

When he puts it on we call him King Elso.

As for Nayeli, she is also spreading her wings and becoming more independent, especially when it comes to fashion. She's very into the monochromatic look, or she goes for the "everything must be Minnie" look that you see below (note the socks).

I think it's fun to see her creativity come out in her clothes and I let her dress herself however she wants unless we're going to church. Then I have to make sure she looks at least half decent.

So maybe the lady in the grocery is right, it does go fast. They will grow up and I'll look back on these days and not remember the messes, tantrums, and diapers. I'll remember the good more than the bad. I'll be that woman in the grocery store that counsels the young mother in line. With that realization in mind, my resolution this year is to enjoy each phase more and wish that they were older less. Because as they grow, there are few things I'm certain of, except for one thing: they have both stolen my heart and I am happy everyday to be their mother.

Teddy climbing me as I was working on my computer one day