Right Smack in the Middle of Toddlerhood and Loving It

It's been a while since my last post. I guess life and work happened again. I am finally finding my groove--staying on top of work and also being able to do some things around the house, so I guess blog writing suffers in the process. I don't know how stay-at-home moms do it. Mind the kids. Mind the house. Create a blog. There are even the rare ones who find the time to workout (What??!?). All without the proverbial s**t hitting the fan.

But I am currently at a happy point of parenthood. I feel that twenty years from now, I would be looking back at this moment of my life fondly and say that today, I have officially become a full-fledged MOM. Not some sleep-deprived, coffee-filled zombie just trying to make it through the day.

I mean, I am still sleep deprived. I am writing this at 12 midnight and I am sure I am going to pay for this dearly next morning, but...YOLO. But today is more of an exception rather than the rule. On most days, I do get to sleep through the night. So working moms, it DOES get better eventually! On really tired days, I even fall asleep earlier than my son knowing that he'd just fall asleep beside me.

The "Expert" Toddler

Is there even such a thing? No, I haven't taken this from some scientific journal. I just feel like it's the right word to call the toddler that has finally gained some kind of mastery over basic skills that he can finally be treated like an actual human. I LOVE "expert toddlers." They are not as whiny and needy as when they were just starting out to explore the world and learn social protocols, but they are beginning to develop that boundless state of curiosity where everything is new and fascinating. This is the point where my son is currently at and I. AM. LOVING. IT. I can't say that enough.

I love that he is able to really say what he wants, putting together whatever words he has already mastered.

I love that he is able to tell me what he has seen or make-up stories about toys and objects around him.

I love that he is able to move about much more confidently, and I don't have to be constantly vigilant when he runs or climbs furniture. When he does look like he might be setting himself up for an accident, I can easily just give him a warning in my best MOM voice (which the expert toddler actually heeds rather than ignore).

I love that he insists on doing some things by himself--bathing, brushing his teeth, removing his shoes. I think some mothers get emotional seeing how their needy little spawns suddenly refuses their help, but I can only feel joy and satisfaction in those moments when he decides that he can do those things without my help.

I love the questions. It's just at the starting point, but he's been asking me questions about the names of things around him. I don't know why parents say this is annoying, but I like being able to satiate his curiosity. If I don't have the answers, I would also love to find the answers with him.

I love that he is already his own person, but at the end of the day, he clings to his mommy and still finds comfort in my hugs and kisses. Sometimes, when he sees that I am also sad and sick, he would also give me a hug and a kiss.

I love that his increased independence has allowed me to find myself again. I mourned when the "old" me died as I transitioned into motherhood, and now I think I'm learning to love the new me that I have become.