Rockstar Status

1.17.2018


I often hear moms talking about how annoying it is that they can never go to the bathroom in peace. 

There’s always a child hanging out by your feet while you’re trying to do your business, and I agree that yes, sometimes it would be nice to have a moment’s quiet in the bathroom. However, one thing no one ever tells you, and an unexpected perk of both potty training and the aforementioned tiny bathroom stalkers, is that you have a loud and animated cheering section.

We somehow got away with potty training R without using bribes. No food, candy, or TV time was offered in exchange for a bowel movement. We did, however, try to make a Huge Deal out of any time she went, and as a result, now every time I go to the bathroom, R jumps up and down clapping and shouting, “YAY MAMA YAYYYYY! YOU GO PEE PEE."

This must be how Bon Jovi feels when they go out on stage.

(Sidenote: Is "they" appropriate? Or should I have said "he"? Is Bon Jovi the person or the band? I don't have time to look it up right now.)

Anyway. Sometimes I think if I have to be the parent of a toddler for ONE MORE MINUTE I am totally going to lose my mind.

Here is just one example.

She wants a cracker.
*gives her a cracker*
No, not that cracker. That cracker.
*gives her a different cracker*
No that cracker but with peanut butter on it.
*puts peanut butter on it*
That cracker with peanut butter on it but you put the peanut butter on the wrong side of the cracker.

What am I even supposed to do with that? I ask you. This is the type of crazy that drives people to lock themselves in the pantry shoveling dark chocolate into their mouths.

But then the other day I was trying to work on something and it wasn’t doing what I wanted it to do, and I said out loud, “I am so stressed out.” R ran right over and brushed the side of my face and said, “It okay, sweetheart."

I always see these toddler surveys on Facebook, where you ask your toddler a bunch of questions like how old is mommy and what is your favorite animal and see what they say. It’s amazing to have reached the stage where I can have an actual (if sometimes confusing) conversation with my own child.

Like, HI I MADE YOU and now you are standing in front of me with a ponytail in your hair and wearing underwear and talking to me in words I can understand. What even is life.

Before I had J, I was not at all worried about how R would transition into her role as a big sister. I know a lot of moms worry about having enough love for another child or how their older child will do, and those are normal things to worry about, but I just honestly didn’t. 

What I did worry about was since R and J are both in daycare in separate rooms during the work day, would they be able to form any kind of sibling bond or get to know each other at all?

I know I’m not very far at all into this parenting thing, and I don’t at all expect my kids to always get along or become each other’s best friends forever. But I am close with my siblings and want to be intentional about fostering a relationship between R and J and any other children we have as they grow up. It’s been so much fun to watch them together, and I’m so happy to say that not being together during the work week has not at all hindered their relationship!

R loves J so much, and he loves to watch her. She makes him laugh more than anyone else, and when he’s crying or fussy, she will dance and sing for him and come up and pat him and say, “It ok, buba, it ok."

There was a noticeable shift once J started sitting up. Before then, he just laid around or was carried or held, and he was more like a newborn. And newborns, although cuddly and adorable are, in fact, quite boring. 

Once he started sitting up, it seemed as though R was like, oh so you can play now! She gives him hugs and kisses (between the occasional bang on the head, as one does. She is two, after all). They told me that at daycare sometimes her class will pass his in the hall, and she wants to stop and give him hugs and she says, “Dat mine baby.”

Daycare dropoff and pickup feel a little crazy right now. J has to be carried but R insists on walking and usually refuses to hold my hand. We pass the bathroom on our way out (see: photo above), and half the time she says she needs to go potty, so we all go in there and I try to hoist her up onto the seat with one arm while trying not to drop J with the other. By the time we get out to the car my left arm is burning, and that is why I've been doing mostly cardio at the gym because lord knows I get my weight lifting in throughout the week.

These days I swing rapidly between HEY LOOK AT ME I'M DOING IT to I'M DYING SEND HELP, which I'm just going to assume means I'm doing it right.

There is no point to this post other than to confirm what you already knew: toddlers are awesome and sweet and also straight crazy and always on the verge of a total meltdown because you gave them a cracker with peanut butter spread on the wrong side.
Maureen @ Maureen Gets Real said...

I remember how particular kids are about food with that story. While a nanny over the summer it would be so hard to guess exactly what the kids wanted since they couldn't always say it themselves. Half the time the entire cabinet would be emptied to find the snack they wanted. But it's a fun age and I can only imagine it's even more fun when it's your own children.

Rach said...

I love this! It's so sweet to see how R is reflecting the things she has learned back to you guys. From cheering when you go potty to telling you that "it okay, sweetheart" (MELT ME NOW) when you are frustrated. Ah, so precious. And her love for J is adorable! Oh, and the peanut butter on the wrong side of the cracker - even that is adorable in a quirky way. Toddlers are one of my favorite stages of childhood just because they are so sweet and so fun! Of course I haven't raised my OWN toddler yet so there's no telling what I'll be saying then, but with nannying and my friends' kids I've always loved the toddler stage. :)

Michelle said...

Hahaha SO TRUE. Toddlerhood is both the best and worst thing ever.

Sarah said...

yes!! my son cheers for me after i sing to him. such a self-esteem booster (cause i'm not a singer hahaha).

The Girl who Loved to Write said...

I love this. You're the best. She's the best.

Amy @ A Desert Girl said...

Toddlers are amazing. R is so sweet and spunky. What a cool gal!

Amie said...

Bowen will usually kiss anything but me (bath tub faucet, a toy) until like two days ago and that right there just wipes away whatever craziness he was just doing to drive me nuts! haha

Audrey Louise said...

Every momma I know struggles a bit in that toddler phase. They're so lively and opinionated but they've got a limited vocabulary to get it out. I totally get it. You're doing a great job! R sounds as sweet as can be for her age!!

Kaity B. said...

So much truth 🙌

AnneMarie said...

Toddlers are so cute! I love to read about how your kids are developing their sibling bond :) Also, it's funny you write about bathroom visits, because I've been thinking about this a lot lately-my toddler is 1 1/2 years old and he loves getting as close to the toilet as possible and exclaiming "YUCKY BYE BYE!" It's pretty cute. Though in all honesty, as a full-time stay at home mom, it would be great to have some peace and quiet in the bathroom. Because when literally every single day, every single time during waking hours that I have to go to the bathroom a toddler accompanies me (even when my husband is home, he dashes to the toilet before I do!), getting to go to the bathroom alone is a heavenly dream!

Jared + Carly Reid said...

I am not a working mom but I follow you because you are SO DANG FUNNY. I have a 3 year old and 5 month old and feel like I can always relate to you. Love your posts!

Maria said...

Oh my goodness. Be still my heart. R is just giving you back the sweet reassurance you give her. I cannot handle it.

Haha. This statement couldn't be anymore perfect: "These days I swing rapidly between HEY LOOK AT ME I'M DOING IT to I'M DYING SEND HELP, which I'm just going to assume means I'm doing it right."

The Lady Okie said...

Thanks, girl! We are all in this together for sure :) Happy to have you following along!

The Lady Okie said...

I’m sure that does sound amazing! I admit that I get my alone bathroom time at work during the day. Maybe just once lock the door and get some peace. How much trouble can he really get into in 5 minutes??? Lol. Just kidding I know they can get into a ton in 1 minute ;) Toddlers are fun but they are crazy!

Jenny Evans said...

That bizarre feeling never goes away. I made you and now you are cooking dinner and discussing politics with me? Awesomely bizarre.

Unknown said...

You are such a rockstar. I'm impressed with only one bag from daycare, ha! Toddlers are hilarious. I hear ya on the fight on food and just anything. The first time is never right, but then again, nothing is.

Callie said...

Haha, this post made me laugh! I can totally relate to the peanut-butter-on-the-wrong side thing. We have similar meltdowns over here.

Katie @ Live Half Full said...

You're doing a great job and you're right- you are a rockstar! Maybe you need to do strength on the other arm though? lol

Jessica said...

I had THAT SAME CONVERSATION ABOUT THE CRACKER with my 26-month-old this weekend! Then he licked the peanut butter off the cracker, handed the cracker back to me, and went back to playing with his legos. Kiddo, I could have just given you a spoon with peanut butter...

Thanks for reminding me that no toddler mom is alone!

The Lady Okie said...

Yes, girl! We are all in this together! :)

Torrie said...

Ha ha, and all I can say to this is a resounding AMEN!

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