While shopping for Adirondack chairs the other day, I was randomly stopped by an older woman. She looked like she was my mom’s age, somewhere in her mid sixties, with brightly shining silver hair, and wise eyes. She smiled a huge smile at me that made her eyes crinkle into tiny lines. She pointed at me, referring to the fact that I was wearing a newborn baby, and said “it only gets better as they get older. Just wait!”
“I know,” I replied. “I have a two year old at home, and he’s one of my best friends.”
Side note: is it more of an indictment on me or my social life that my son is my best friend? Food for thought…
Anyhow, whatever my social status may be, I will admit that while having a baby is delightful and beautiful for all it’s own reasons, having a toddler is just downright cool…
We have tons of adventures together: we play in the dirt, jump up and down on the trampoline, watch Little Einsteins on a daily basis, play hide and seek, and even listen to music together. Oh heck yeah, we jam out all the time together – in the car, on a walk, or even just sitting in our basement while he plays with some toys. Tall Dad and I have exposed our little lad to all kinds of music.
Right now his favorite jams are “
Dragon Racing” from the movie
How to Train Your Dragon 2, “Imagine The Fire” from
The Dark Knight Rises soundtrack,
and the classic, “
If You’re Happy and You Know It.” I can guarantee you that when you step foot in my house, regardless of the time, you will hear, “I want more dragon music!” or, “more batman music!” at one point or another. My goodness, wait til I play him “
The Force Theme” from Star Wars – it’ll be unbelievable.
He also loves animals, especially cows. Every time he sees them he yells out, “BIG COW, MAMA! BIG COW!” I swear to all that is holy that he’ll even introduce himself, “hi cow, it’s me, Rhys!”
Most and best of all, he is even a sweet caring brother to his baby sister. He protects her from strangers or people that get too close, he gives kisses, rests his head on her chest when they lay next to each other, and never, I mean, NEVER, goes to bed without making sure he says to her, “night, night City!” What the heck did I do to deserve such a warm and loving child? I have no idea.
From a mom’s perspective, it’s been a funny transition going from just having a toddler to now a toddler and a newborn. Packing a toddler’s diaper bag is very different than a newborn’s, and now I have to combine them both.
If my little lad is going on an adventure without me, I’ll just pack his own little backpack with a few Pamper’s Cruisers diapers, a snack, some travel wipes and a juice box.
I picked up my Pamper’s Cruisers at my local Target, and have been super happy with them. My little lad runs, jumps, and even gallops in them – and I haven’t had a leak yet!
- New! Extra Absorb Channels help distribute wetness evenly
- Stays Drier and doesn’t Sag like ordinary diapers* *based on size 4 vs. leading value brand
- Pampers’ best fit and protection
Target is having a pretty good deal right now –
- August 30 – September 5, Buy 2 Pampers Giant Packs Get $10 Gift Card
- Giant Packs include: Pampers Cruisers and Pampers Swaddlers diapers and both offers will be available in store and online
It all fits into a simple little bag – which he can carry – unlike my mammoth diaper bag for my newborn baby girl.
…..
I’m so excited for this upcoming fall season, especially because I’ll be spending it with my two kids at home.
I’m already making plans about which books to get from the library – filled with pictures of colorful leaves and pumpkins. There’s several apple recipes that I just can’t wait to create in the kitchen with my toddler, because he just LOVES cooking right now! We have also signed up for another season of Music Together music classes, which are my favorite music classes for babies and toddlers.
I’ll be doing all of these fall adventures, and more, because I’ll be home.
I wasn’t going to be making much money after having to pay for two kids in childcare, and I’d really like to spend time with my kids each day. They are only this young for such a little time.
I want to spend more moments playing outside, reading and singing silly songs —- and since my paycheck would essentially just be going straight from my hand to my nanny’s hand — it’s better for myself and my family that I stay home.
Plus, that wise woman at the store was right. It just gets better. And I’m excited to experience even more with my kids from home. I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear, “more Batman music!” on an every fifteen minute basis? It’s the best 🙂
What types of fall adventures do you like to do?
Talk soon friends,
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
