During a lunch date with my mom today, I told her that I now officially feel like I know what it's like to raise a toddler. These past few weeks, there have been some changes in Camden that, collectively, have made the transition from Baby to Toddler pretty complete.
Now, I am 110% thankful that I get to stay at home with Camden. I wouldn't change it for the world. But lately, I've come to see the value in the structure & activities that daycare can provide for a toddler. Camden has reached an age where he wants to be engaged in an activity during every waking moment. Gone are the days when he'd play contently with his race track on the family room floor. Now, from the moment he wakes in the morning it's: GO-GO-GO! I plan our days so we spend very little time in the house. If you can't find us strolling around the neighborhood pond feeding the ducks, you might find us at the playground climbing up & down the stairs. If you don't find us outside, we're probably at storytime, or on a lunch date, or running errands around town. As long as we're busy, Camden is happy.
Another major change I've noticed lately is Camden's increased frustration when he's unable to communicate his needs (or, more accurately, his WANTS) to us. He has officially graduated from babbling to speaking gibberish-- he speaks entire sentences in another language. Of course, he thinks he's making his point very clearly, talking animatedly with exaggerated pointing, and so if we don't "get it", he makes his favorite new sound: a combination of a grunt/whine that is so high pitched that it's like fingernails on a blackboard. And he turns bright red with frustration. (And yes, I know we could teach him to sign. But unless I can teach him to sign things like, "Mom, lift me up to that light switch so I can flip it and turn the fan on", then it's kind of pointless in these situations).
And the tantrums. Oh, the tantrums. Of course, I know that they're a given when parenting a toddler. But it's still an adjustment to watch my child go from a sweet, smiley baby who I could tote anywhere with nary a complaint to an extremely opinioned toddler who can not be interrupted from his busy whirlwind of activities for something as boring as a diaper change!
Is it exhausting? Yes. Annoying? Sometimes. Yet, call me crazy, but I still love this age. Sure, I occasionally miss the cooperative lump of sleeping newborn that he used to be, but I enjoy this age so much more-- tantrums & all. He might be strong-willed and opinionated, but he's also completely loving, totally fun, & enormously sweet.
(Happy 16 months, Camden. I love you to bits & pieces.)
Monday, March 21, 2011
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6 comments:
My son has been throwing tantrums and doing the grunt/whine and being very opinionated about what he wants to be doing since he was about 8 months old. He's now 12 months.
I think I'm really in for it.
It's funny that I hadn't seen him for almost a week and I noticed the difference. My favorite is when you've been playing the same game over and over and when you stop he gets so mad. But he's so cute you can't help but smile. And I love being around him.
Sounds like we are in the same boat & as frustrating as it can be at times...it only gets better!! Happy Toddlerhood :)
It is amazing how quickly kids grow up. (I remember how quickly my sister grew up--eleven years between us.) Glad that you are enjoying toddlerhood as much as you loved babyhood. Can't wait to hear more stories of your little boy in action!
Thanks for the fair warning. :)
I bet life's never dull around your family now, huh?
I saw your blog on Top Mommy Blogs and just had to comment. As an almost first-time mommy, I really enjoyed this post. Toddlerhood sounds like an adventure indeed!
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