Things new for being 2

I didn’t think that it would be that big of a transition for Cole to go from being a 1 year old to a 2 year old. I was wrong. Granted, it isn’t as though these changes came overnight, but in the weeks leading up to turning 2, I have noticed that my baby is quickly turning into a little boy and there are plenty of changes (both good and bad) that go along with that.

1. The attitude. Of course I had heard of the terrible twos, but I didn’t know how it would be possible for my sweet, agreeable son to suddenly become “terrible” just because he was turning 2. But it has happened. For the most part, he is still a good kid. But he has learned how to talk back and he can get pretty feisty.  His favorite word is no, and he likes to throw hot dogs at me (among other things).
2. Mommy’s boy. Up until now, Cole has been somewhat of a Daddy’s boy. I don’t question his love or affection for me, but it was obvious who he favored. But for some reason in the past few weeks, it’s Mommy this and Mommy that, and I’ve been getting a lot more love. No complaints from me, of course. I figured it had something to do with his sense of the pregnancy. Found out from the doctor that 2 is the Oedipal age. No comment on that one.
3. Potty? This one started right after Christmas. Cole started asking to go to the potty. At first, I was really excited. I never thought that he would be ready to potty train this early. Then I realized that he was only asking after he had already gone in his diaper. Not so exciting. We are trying not to discourage him. So far, I am sticking to that. We’ll see how long it lasts.
4. Mr. Independent. Suddenly, Cole doesn’t want/need my help with anything. Time to put on his shoes. He says, “I do it.” Can Mommy carry you downstairs? No, I do it. Next thing I know, he’ll be getting his license and driving off to college. Where he’ll probably want to carry his own books to class.

Belly Love

For months, I was careful not to mention anything about being pregnant on Facebook or in any of my blogs, but now that the news is out, I am happy to finally talk about it.

As excited as I am to become a mom again, the thing that gets me even more excited is for Cole to be a big brother. People ask me if we’ve told him about the baby, and I laugh, because he knew before anyone else, including Kevin. It was Friday, October 21^st, and I just had that feeling that I might be pregnant, so I picked up Cole from daycare and went straight to the pharmacy. Within 15 minutes of being home, the results were in! I wish that I knew what Cole was thinking as I cried and shared the exciting news with him. He looked a little scared and worried, but I reassured him that Mommy was crying happy tears. I immediately racked my brain for the best way to tell Kevin, but I knew that I had to wait until he got home to do it in person. (He was with me when we found out we were pregnant the first time.) I sat Cole down, and told him that we were going to make a picture for Daddy. After guiding/forcing his hand to write the words, “I am going to be a big brother,” he seemed happy to scribble across the paper, not knowing how important his “drawing” was.

Then we waited. Kevin wouldn’t be home for a little while, and I was going crazy just sitting there. I must have called him three times on the way home, anxious for his arrival. When he walked in the door, he had a bottle of wine in his hand for us to have with dinner. (There’s irony for you.) I ushered Cole to the top of the steps with his picture held out for Daddy. Kevin’s face was priceless. It was pure shock and disbelief. Known for not being able to keep a secret, he said that we had to run right over to NJ to tell our parents. I hesitated for just a minute, and then off we went with Cole’s sign in hand. Needless to say, everyone was thrilled about our news.

I am not so naïve as to think that Cole really gets what is going on being not even 2 years old, but he acts as if he completely understands. He is happy to point out where Mommy’s baby is and gives kisses to my expanding belly. Of course, we have to be careful about where we are when he does this, because he doesn’t know that it’s not okay to lift my shirt in public. He says hi to the baby, tells him or her, “I love you” and even wished his little brother or sister a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. I’m sure when the baby gets here, that it will be more real for him, and I know that he will be a great big brother, but for now, I’m enjoying every moment of his belly talk and kisses.