Terrible Two's

I knew this post was coming--especially after the Christmas we had in Utah. Let me preface everything I am about to type by saying that I love my, little Seth so much. He is a wonderful son and is so important to our family. When he is sweet he is like sugar, but when he isn't (which is most of the time these days), he is a handful.

I keep trying to remember when the "terrible two's" started for Seth. Matt and I have decided it was back in August, about two months before his second birthday. I think the reason Seth's "terrible two" phase seems rougher then Wade's is because Seth was SO SWEET for so long. I never thought he would be mischievous, sassy, throw tantrums, hit and pinch or scream, which are the characteristics that describe most of his days right now. I could probably list 20 different stories that would define what I am talking about, that have all taken place the past few months, but I will stick to just a few.

One of the worst moments for me, as a parent, is when my child learns to climb out of the crib. Seth learned this while we were in Utah. He didn't want to go to bed and I can't blame him. He enjoys spending time chasing the kitty and playing with Ampa, but it was 9pm and if any of you know me well enough, you know that is WAY past my kids' usual bedtime of 7pm sharp.

I put him in his pack and play and he was screaming at the top of his lungs to get out. I left him and walked out of the room. While standing in the living room and talking with my family, I continued to hear Seth scream, when all of the sudden the screams started getting closer and closer followed by, a beaming, Seth opening the bedroom door.

It was one of those moments when you want to be serious and scold your child, but it is TOO FUNNY! He caught me off guard and it was REALLY hard not to laugh. Trying my best not to smile, I picked him up, carried him in the room and he went back in the play pen. To make a long story short, it took me sitting in the room for over an hour until he finally fell asleep. If you think Seth is hard normally try him on less sleep--not a fun time!

I thought once we got back home and to our routine, things would get back to normal, but that isn't the case. He was able to climb out of his crib as easy as the pack and play so we have had to take the front of the crib off and turned it into a toddler bed.
He, actually, does pretty well. He will open his door and peek his head out, sometimes run into my room and try to climb on the counter and often spends most of his sleeping time on the floor by his door, but he will stay in his room if we tell him too. I guess it isn't all bad!

Some of the other things Seth spends his time doing are: getting knives out of the drawers and the dishwasher and running around with them. I have had to resort to keeping all my knives in the upper cabinets and leaving them in the sink until I start the dishwasher where I immediately put them away when the wash is done.

He also scooped 80% of Matt's hair wax into his hair and it took about 20 washes, a special shampoo and a week's time until it was gone! He moved a chair to the counter and got a packet of "Carnation Instant Breakfast", took it into the living room, dumped it on the chair and was licking his finger and dipping it into the pile of chocolate powder (thank goodness for scotch guard--it all came out!)

Each day he tries a new trick and I try to stay ahead of him (or, at least, keep up) to prevent him from hurting himself or others. The best thing about all of this is that I know it will pass. Wade was just as "terrible" and he has grown out of it, so there is hope!

Although, he is a handful, I wouldn't trade it for anything. No one can hug and love me like Seth. It melts my heart when he talks to me with his little voice and says "I love you, mom", or when he folds his arms for a prayer and blesses Jack Sparrow (his FAVORITE pirate!), or when he reaches up and says "Hold ya me" and just wants to be held. All the "terrible two" behavior is worth it when we have those precious moments (no matter how far and few they may seem, right now :)!)