Two and a Half

Well, well, well, here I am again writing a post and it has been way too long. I must say, it has certainly been an interesting and difficult time period for us. Age TWO is no joke. I mean, some days are really hard! Some days I wonder how people have so many kids, and how do they manage? Some days I wonder if I have a "special" case of the terrible twos, or am I just a sucky parent that can't handle the ins and outs of Toddlerhood?

I hate sugar coating things, and I hate when people sugar coat them for me, so I just have to be straight forward. Ellie is a handful! She has gotten better, or maybe I am just learning to deal a little better with her. She is SO strong willed. She has her way of doing things, and if you step out of line, oh, she will let you know! For a while we were dealing with indecisiveness. It was very exhausting. I want milk, no I want water, no I want milk, no I want water!!! Make up your mind child!!! I have learned that I need to give her less choices, because choices, at this stage, are just too much for the both of us to handle. So lately, I have been just giving her whatever I think is best and she usually thanks me with a smile 8 times out of 10. I have also learned to barter, and I think I am starting to master the art of distraction. I catch myself saying "Ok, let's make a deal" quite a bit. It helps. Yes, I make deals with my two year old, whatever helps my sanity. Overall, we are both learning to figure out our differences, and I know this is just another "stage" that we have to go through. Some days are just more tough than others...

Ellie seems to be very excited for Brynn to arrive. She is very excited that she gets to be the first one to hold her baby sister. She often times will set aside things around the house and say "I'm saving this for baby sister" or "Baby sister likes these too". I am both elated and extremely scared to see what really happens when Brynn is here. I know it'll take some transition time, I just hope it's not too hard. I can't wait!!!

Ellie just started dance class two weeks ago. We were going to start gymnastics or "nastics" like Ellie calls it, but there were some waiting lists. I wanted to get her into something to burn off some energy, so I signed her up for ballet and tap. It is amazing. I am having so much fun taking her and watching her. She loves it. This is why I love being a mom to a little girl, it is so sweet. I seriously stand in the window and watch her, and smile and laugh for 45 minutes straight. I am glad she is enjoying it, because I sure am.

Paul and I are so blessed with Ellie, truly. She is amazing. She is so smart and so funny. She says some of the darnest things at times where Paul and I will look at each other and just laugh, both thinking in our minds, "where the heck did that come from?" She is a blast to be around (of course when her terrible two's aren't present). I am sure she will be a great big sister to Brynn. Hopefully I can write another post before Brynn actually arrives!