Things I Want to Remember

I read some article this week about how mommy blogging tends to glorify parenting because we always write about the good stuff and never the bad stuff. That is probably true to a certain extent but isn't that just how most of our brains work? I have to work much harder to remember the mundane details of a past experiences than I do the fun, happy details. I think the majority of us try to put a positive spin on our lives. I mean, why not? What is the downside?

I think I may have jinxed us when I talked about how fun Milo has been lately. Don't get me wrong... We still had fun this weekend but we definitely did have some frustrations mixed in as well. Mark and I have had the luxury of a 2-nap baby until just recently. Now that our little one is taking just one nap we always hope it will be a nice long nap. Saturday was a good nap day. Today was not. He went down late and woke up early which meant that we had about 6 straight hours after his nap to keep him entertained and occupied. He was a little grouchy anyway because he has been fighting a cold so it was a really long 6 hours for all of us. That said, there are so many images from the day that I want to remember - both good and not-so-good.

Milo pouting with his lip out so far out it looked like it would fall off because I reprimanded him for hitting me. (I think he was mad at me for changing his diaper.)

Milo chasing after the dogs to try and get the tennis ball from them so he could throw it back, giggling the whole time.

Milo taking my hand and leading it to whatever he wants done (door opened, jar closed, toy retrieved, etc.)

Milo flinging himself to the ground every time my hand does not complete whatever it is that he was leading it to do.

After insisting that he wanted to hold the bubble wand, putting the wand in his mouth (with bubble juice) two times before deciding that it did not taste good. Milo spitting bubbles while trying to get the bubble juice out of his mouth.

Milo returning my best "No Sir!" stare after he has decided he wants to throw everything in front of him on the floor while out at a restaurant. Seriously, he narrowed those little eyes and stared right back at me... with his bottom lip poked out!

It was a long day - I won't lie. What I want to remember though is that my little boy is learning how to control his environment. He is learning how to have power over situations and is trying to figure out how he can can get what he wants while still being in that little body. The gears are starting to turn more quickly and he is showing us every day that he is no longer a baby. I want to remember these days because they are the first glimmers of his independence. It is not just "positive spin." For me, it is important as a reminder to have patience. This is a big world. Toddlers are entitled to their grouchy days too!

I am now going to soak in a long hot bath. With a big glass of wine.