The "Toddler" Years

Being a parent of more than one child the toddler years never seem to end. Once one grows out of it the next one is in it. I have been known to say that I "hate" this stage and I wish I could skip it all together. I don't like the potty training, the tantrums, falling/bruises/cuts, the fighting, the picky eating, time outs, what sometimes seems like constant sickness...need I go on? Ironically, this is when Eric starts to really enjoy our kids. He says they are "finally fun to play with!" I guess it's no surprise Daddy is the favorite around here. I also have not been shy in the fact that from the womb Hailey has been a more challenging child. When she was a baby I wondered what the toddler years had in store for us. Surprisingly...The Toddler Years are also very much The Wonder Years. I've been trying to make a greater effort in recognizing the things I love about this age and how cute and fun it can all be. The wonderment and excitement is like nothing else! I know that even though there are days I am literally pulling out my hair and want to put myself in time-out that my kids will be grown before I know it and then I will be sad! At 3 1/2 years old Hailey seems to be in the "prime" toddler years. Oddly, I think she's only gotten easier to handle. I've learned she needs different parenting techniques and attention and her ability to reason and understand is getting better. Not to say she isn't still difficult. We have tears daily...if not more. But I have started to try and make notes of the funny things she says and does. I honestly don't know where she comes up with most of it. She is hilarious! (Probably more to her parents than anyone else!) I want to keep track of these things so when she is a teenager and slamming doors and telling me life's not fair I'll have something to look back on and smile!

Hailyisms

*I'm a superhero princess!

*The baby in my tummy is crying

*When asked to brush her teeth she simply replied,

"but my tongue can clean my teeth!"

*Hailey has started taking gymnastics. She loves it! Most of all she loves to wear her leotards and does so several days out of the week. However, when she says it, it comes out "reatard"!

*I don't like that because I'm a girl

*Micah's going to punch my eyeballs!

(The best part of this one was Micah's mischievous smile!)

*It had been a few days since Eric had shaved. Hailey reached over, touched his face and said,

"Daddy you have porcupines on your chin!"

*Mom, my head and eyes are trying to go to sleep!

*When Cinderella and Prince Charming kiss that means they are married

(Yes, and just keep thinking that!)

And what post would be complete without a picture (albeit a fuzzy one)? I asked them to stop Olivia from going down the stairs and they threw themselves down as a barricade! I guess I should also mention there are only 2 stairs in the particular spot!