Being mommy to a toddler is HARD. Looking back through my blog posts, I remember how hard it seemed when she was little, too, and I don't know if it's easier or harder now, but the struggles are different. She's a whole human being - a little person, who isn't always very good at communicating what she really wants or needs, or the things that are flying through her brain (possibly because she doesn't really know herself). I want to give her confidence, independence, and a feeling of worth. I want her to feel that I hear her and understand her. I would also like for her to listen. Not even all the time, but some of the time would be nice. Lucy attends a Montessori style preschool now, less than a mile from our house, five days a week because Mom and Dad are both working full-time. She loves her school, and I can tell that it's the right kind of stimulating and challenging for her growing mind, but I feel guilty all the time that I can't be at home with her more. I think that often her behavior problems stem from stress that we get so little time together. She often insists that she wants "Mommy, Daddy, and Lucy TOGETHER." In the midst of exasperation, guilt, and frustration, I am overflowing with pride that she is capable of articulating so clearly what she wants. She is stubborn, independent, creative, sensitive, considerate and caring of others. She is a bright spot in the world. She is my daily lesson in patience and temper management, but I wouldn't change her for anything in the world.
Just for fun, here she is at 18 months old, last September:
And here she is at her 2nd birthday party, six month ago in March:
And here she is being the light of my life at 2 1/2, just recently:
She drives me completely batty, and makes me so proud, and so completely full of love. :)
