Two Years Already? Time to Reminisce.
Two years ago today it was a Sunday, and I was probably sitting at home planning lessons for the upcoming week. I was uncomfortable, but excited about what was coming. I wasn't sure of the date then, but I knew within 2 months I would have my baby girl in my arms. Of course I was terrified and all the while pretending to be in control when nothing really was under my control.
Many of you already know the story. A month and a half before my due date I was put on bed rest due to early contractions. After 2 weeks of bed rest I was given permission by my doctor to start resuming life, but slowly. I took that to mean driving 2 1/2 hours away from my home to go on a Costco run. We joke around and say that she wanted to see Costco, too. I was driving, and Jack was sleeping when my water broke. We traded spots and drove like crazy to reach the hospital. She was born via c-section at 4:46 pm, and after 4 days in the hospital we finally got to go home.
That first year was a blur. They always are, right? We spent that year fighting her jaundice, dealing with allergy induced ear infections, breastfeeding, and me going back to work. I can honestly say, looking back, that it was best for me to go back to work. I needed it then as much as I do now. The time away from her allows me the interaction with adults and older students that I need, and helps me to be a better mother. As she gets older and better at communicating it is harder to be away from her, but I know now, like I did then, that my job is an important part of making me the best mother for her.
Her first birthday was a blast. She hadn't met all of the milestones that some babies reach by one year. She wasn't walking on her own yet, but she managed to scoot pretty quickly. The thing about Phoenix is that once she learns something she dominates it. Her current favorite activities include playing with my tablet, playing with her bears, being outside, and pushing all the buttons in the car. She is still considered "behind" in her language since she doesn't have a high enough word count, and she is still very small for her age weighing only 20 pounds. However, I have decided not to let either of those bother me. She has always been small for her age. She didn't graduate from the 3 month clothes size until she was 6 months old, and she is still wearing 12 month clothes. I look at this as a blessing, her clothes last a really, really long time. Her language issues have been harder for me to come to terms with. I was able to accept it when I accepted that she is her own person and will progress at her own rate. I already know that trying to force her to do something she doesn't want to do will cause great resistance. I also take comfort in the fact that she uses sign language, and her word count is increasing daily. This morning she learned how to say "Yoo Hoo" and repeated it for most of the morning.
I guess in many ways I am still in the same place as I was 2 years ago. I am excited about what is coming, I am often terrified and occasionally feel as if I am only pretending to be in control. Yet, I am able to look back on the last 2 years and realize that we are not the same people as we were then. We already know how to deal with temper tantrums, and picky eating, and health issues. We have established a productive Time-Out system. We have a working communication system, and plans to improve in the coming year.My confidence as a mother has grown, we have learned how to better balance our lives, and I have an absolute knowledge that my little family will handle whatever comes.
In a month I will be able to say without fear "I have a two year old, and I am ready for year three."
