Transitions and The Twos

We are in the middle of the “Twos” in our house.  Notice, I didn’t say “Terrible,” nor did I say “Terrific.”  The “Twos” are filled with a lot of both.

Let’s start with the good stuff.

Words!  So many new words! They copy things we say.  They are starting to put words in sentences.  They have adorable baby accents.  Everyday it’s something new and amazing.

To go along with that, they are really starting to grasp so many new concepts.  They have started counting, learning their shapes, they absolutely LOVE colors, and they sing too.  My mom  and mother-in-law are convinced my little guy is a baby genius. Not to say my big guy isn’t, but I think we’ve all been holding our breath a little when it comes to reaching milestones for the little one.  It took him a lot longer to reach the physical milestones, so we weren’t sure what to expect when it came to development.  We should have known better, since he is such a little fighter.

Other good things…wanting to snuggle on mommy’s lap, reading stories together, and making each other laugh.  They were both giggling hysterically in their room the other day (when they were supposed to be napping, of course.)

They are really coming into their personalities and becoming little people more and more each day.

Now for some of the not so good stuff.

Frustration.  With me for not understanding what they are saying.  With each other for not sharing a toy.  With their brother because they don’t understand quite how to play with a big boy yet. With themselves for not being able to do everything they want to do right when they want to do it.

The way they show their frustration?  Also, not so good.  Screaming.  Crying.  Throwing tantrums.  Throwing objects.  Sometimes at each other.  Which leads to more crying and screaming.

Another thing for the “Terrible” column…Fear.  Or lack of fear is more accurate.  Let me explain.

When I went to get the twins from their nap on Monday, my little guy was standing in the middle of the room.  Why is this so crazy?  They sleep in cribs.  This had happened once before with my bigger guy, so we simply lowered his crib mattress to the floor.  We did the same thing Monday night, and all was once again right in the World.

Until I heard a huge thud, followed by some crying at nap time yesterday.  Little Houdini did it again.  With his crib mattress on the floor.

Which brings us to the transition to something I’ve been dreading for 2 years…TODDLER BEDS!!!

No more plopping them in their cribs, turning off the lights, and nighty, night.  Now they have the freedom to get out of their beds and wander their room.  All night.  I thought we would never all sleep again.

However, last night wasn’t as terrible as I thought.  After almost completely emptying their room, gating off and rearranging the furniture for safety, we turned off the light with them running around.  As soon as it was dark and the door was closed, my little guy got mad.  Really mad. So, I went back in, put him in his bed, covered him with a blanket, did the same with the other, and left again.  This time, a little crying, but no movement.

Success!!!!  Until 4 am this morning.  And nap time today, when they emptied the only drawers i didn’t baby proof.

Luckily, I ran to the store and got more baby locks to take care of that.  However, baby locks can’t solve everything.  Especially the fact that my babies are growing up really, really fast.  I don’t think I was really prepared for this transition to Toddlerhood.  We are always in such a hurry to get to the next milestone that we don’t really enjoy the ones we are at right now.

So, I guess I’m going to have to learn to embrace the Twos and everything that comes with them.  After all, Threes are right around the corner.