It’s been kind of a rough transition around here this week, after our amazing Disney World vacation. The kids have been whiny and exhausted and we have been just as exhausted as Eddie prepares to take his PE exam (it’s a big deal test for engineers, kind of like the bar exam is for lawyers) and whiny as we lament all the great things we left behind in Florida, like the fact that it would never have been snowing in April for crying out loud.
Everybody, including popular country songs, tells us “you’re gonna miss this” stage of life. It’s true, I do miss the baby stage (although Eddie most definitely does not) but I’m pretty sure the toddler stage is my least favorite of all kid stages. There’s a reason I never bothered to get certified in early childhood education.
This morning that reason became abundantly clear as (too much information alert) I was sitting on the toilet with two kids and the dog in the bathroom with me, feeding my kids their breakfast while the dog scratched my legs trying to get some of their Poptart. Why?
a) They were in their church clothes and letting them feed themselves means I am going to have to change them again and make more laundry
b) I don’t like my kids to eat alone because I am quite positive if they are ever going to choke, it will be during the five minutes I’m in the bathroom.
c) Eddie is still asleep because he was suffering from a terrible migraine all night.
d) The dog has the pleasure of joining us because the kids know how to open the door and I am not in a position to do much about it at the moment.
“Don’t touch Mommy’s makeup.”
“If I tell you’re sister not to do something, it means you’re not allowed to do it either.”
“Share the potty (the little one that they are using as a step stool so they can see themselves make faces at the mirror) with your brother.”
“I don’t know where you’re Thomas the Train Legos are.”
“Don’t drink from that. That’s the cup we use to pour water on the dog for her bath.”
“Yes, if you go on the potty like a big kid, I will make you some Tom Selleck underwear.” (Tom Selleck has become our version of Superman. Don’t ask.)
I’m sure I will look back and miss a lot of things, but this morning will not be on the list. At least we will be able to look back and laugh.
*UPDATE: I wrote an essay about motherhood along with several other amazing mom bloggers that is part of this hilarious book! And, did I mention, it’s a NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! Check out my post about how I got this opportunity and where you can buy your own copy!
HAHAHA! My daughter knows how to open the door too and if I am ever “missing” in the bathroom for more than a second she lets her 1yr old brother in to find me! So I know exactly how the “juggling toddlers on the toilet” thing is 😉
And who knows, maybe in the future when our house is quiet we will miss someone bursting in on our alone time.
oh man, i can see where you are coming from! granted, I just have one toddler right now that is almost two… he keeps me busy! i think he knows he is almost two, so he is kicking up the tantrum-throwing into high gear! i’d have to say so far that my favorite stage was 6mo-12mo.
we shall persevere!