We love this boy! The day starts something like this, "Good morning Collie!" "Want to eat cheeseburger, French fries, oranges, applesauce, bananas, gro-grurt, and bre-fast?"
Charlie Kate wants him to do all of the things she does. He is getting there! He is rolling to his side from his back, holding his head up... high! He laughs out loud when you tickle his belly and chin. He makes us all smile big when he smiles. Collins likes his bath now, Woo hoo! He does NOT like to get out of the bath...mad boy!
Life has been so busy this time around. I think I remember being at home with Charlie Kate for a long time, but now we are on the go alot! Big sister goes to pre - school two days a week, which she loves now! So, I get sweet alone time with Collins on those days. I'm so glad to get her from school each time, it's strange without her with us.
Charlie Kate is all about laying right next to Collins or cuddling on the couch. She loves to play outside with the dogs, and yells "don't dig, Marge!" And, "Kingsley poop stinky!". She can open the refrigerator now... so she puts everything in it, everything. I found her paci in there, a plate with two cheese-it crackers, a wooden hammer, and an open pack of gummies. She loves Greek yogurt. She calls it "frozen gro-grurt". I put fruity cheerios on top and it's like a trip to yogurt mountain up in here! Score 1 for mom! But... we are battling the terrible two's!!! She loves the word NO! Ugh! I have tons of strategies and have implemented all of my educated techniques that I have learned in college for classroom management. But this girl is persistant! Now we are having a contest to see who has the strongest will, mother or daughter. I think I have a few cards left to play, but I hear the three's are worse. So I'm saving some strength for that.
All joking aside, being a parent has given me new perspective of God, our Father. I see that it is so hard to stand firm as a parent, not to give in to the demands that are being screamed. It's so hard to stand firm in what you know is the HEALTHY decision for your child. Charlie Kate fights me with all her heart and I'm sure she will loudly question my love for her at some point. But like the Father, we see a broader picture for our children. I see that eating gummies right before bed could result in her wanting to eat them every night. (There is no,"just this once") Which will result in cavities. You won't enjoy them because you will have to scarf them down. So I say no to gummies in bed... horrible mommy, right?
In our eyes, we question God's answers to us. We question His timing, and His reason for waiting. He loves us so much that He decides to let us question, yell, scream, and even work ourselves into a fit. He puts up with it so that we can have the HEALTHY outcome. He says, have your gummies, but have them at the perfect time. Have them when you can share them with someone, or when you have worked for them, and will appreciate them, savor them. He doesn't give in to our foolish requests. He is a perfect God who loves us past our yelling and ignorance. He puts us in "timeout" when we are throwing our fits. We can't hear Him when we are yelling at Him! If we would just calm down, and listen, we would get results alot faster. I definitely have a much greater respect for His perfect patience.
I just have to remeber that my children's world is so small in their eyes, and that even gummies are huge in my two year old girl's eyes. I need to stand firm in order to show her that I love her more than I love a fit free day.
Kiddos,
Collins, you melt our hearts! Charlie Kate, you are hilarious and we adore you. We are so greatful for all that you help us to see. You are beautiful. We hope you both get to experience this kind of love.
Love, your imperfect mommy and daddy
