A few days ago, Gatito was in his room and we heard some general grumbling and complaining. A called up to ask what was going on and he replied, “I’m! Cleaning! Up!” A turned to me and said, “Jeez, these terrible twos are really awful, aren’t they?”
I realize he’s only just two and there’s plenty of time for all hell to break loose, but man, I really think we have an awesome kid. No tantrums yet to date. Doesn’t mean he doesn’t get frustrated and kick and scream sometimes, but it never lasts more than a minute and I definitely haven’t seen any of that lying down on the floor kicking and screaming stuff, which is lucky, since I don’t have the slightest idea how I’d deal with that.
He recognizes all of his letters and is starting to get the concept that they spell words. For a while he’d been saying “G-A-T-I-T-O spells… taxi!” I found this highly amusing, but he’s already figured out that it actually spells his name. The grow up so fast, man!
He insisted on carrying around the box of Chanukah candles a couple of weeks ago, and then started begging, “the red one! the red one! the red one!” So we took it out and gave it to him, and he promptly took a bite. (Candles, candy, I get the confusion.) He wasn’t that quick on the draw, though: after the red candle was a failure, he begged, “the blue one! the blue one! the blue one!”
Ever since his birthday, he and my younger nephew, who is 4.5, have been getting along great. At his birthday party, Thanksgiving, and our family Chanukah celebration, the two of them went off and played together, sometimes loud games and sometimes quiet. My nephew taught Gatito to run around singing, “I am a monster– with a horn!” before throwing himself onto the couch. Gatito followed my nephew around and by the end of Thanksgiving, my nephew realized gleefully, “I can make him do whatever I want!” (We’re totally in trouble now, aren’t we?) Even still, t’s a complete joy to see them together.
Life is good.
I’m reading a book called “Your Two Year Old: Terrible or Tender.” Right up front the authors basically say that Two is delightful, so they will skim over that part and give you advice on dealing with Two and a Half, because you’ll need it. This has been our experience exactly, so enjoy it now! Although it sounds like Gatito has always been pretty easygoing, so maybe you will skip the tantrum-y stage we’re in the middle of right now.
The first half of Two was a breeze for us as well. May you have as nice a time with Two and A Half as you are right now — he sounds delightful!
Chiming in to say that two was awesome for us. Two and 8-months bites! My son is now just a month and a half away from his 3rd birthday, and the last three months have been so unbelievably challenging for us. It isn’t tantrums, it is just defiance.
Good luck, but it sounds like you definitely have many good months to come.
P.S. My son totally loved picking up at that age. He would clean the playroom and his room every night. Now he looks at us with such disdain when asked to help pick up.
So glad to hear that all is going well! We haven’t had any terrible tantrums here yet either, but the twins aren’t quite yet two so we still have plenty of time.
I can’t believe he can spell his name…that seems pretty advanced to me!
Piper is moving into the terribles – screaming fits when changing clothes, in the car, shopping etc. oh the joys!
I can’t believe the monster that used to be my sweet, lovable, helpful 2 year old. I hate 2 1/2…I miss my son.
PS Congrats on the new job!