Terrific Two’s

Lately, in the DeKoning household we have been waking up before dawn… Mr. Jack “I don’t want to sleep” has been waking up at 5:00 am. On top of it, Max still does not sleep through the night. I don’t know how I function on a daily basis… it’s probably the two coffees I down before noon! There hasn’t been a change in Jack’s routine, he still naps around the same time (I even tried to shorten his nap) and he still goes to bed at 7:30 – 8:00 pm. I have done a few trial and errors, and have came down to the ‘threatening to shut his door and take the binky away’ if he does not stay in bed… that method has been working and I buy another hour of sleep! Fingers crossed that this is just a short phase…

This boy really tests every boundary known to the parenting world… but he’s only two, so he must have a few more trick’s saved for later. This boy keeps me on my toes – if it isn’t sand from head to toe and all over my floors, stealing my lipstick, pooping on the floor, flooding the bathroom, trying to hit strangers, chanting lawn mowers LAWN MOWERS, tantrum after tantrum… there’s something – I guess all I can say is welcome to the world of a two year old!

I always say this, but I love every new stage Jack enters better than the last. Every age has their pro’s and con’s, but at this age I enjoy how much Jack communicates with us… he understand’s everything and he is starting pick up new words and adding them to his sentences, its mind blowing! He remembers funny details about the places he goes. He acts like a little monkey 95% of the time – he is pretty humorous. Jack is always helping me, whether I like it or not, he needs to be involved with everything. Right now potty training is a no-go! Jack knows exactly what to do but does not care to do so – another frustrating moment, but we are on ‘Jack time’ so he will let me know when he is ready.

When Jack isn’t trying to get his way through a tantrum or trying to destroy anything he can get his hands on, Jack is a little sweetheart! He always uses his manners, please and thank you, or his go-to line “thanks for coming to my house”. He lets me know when Max is crying, and he is the first one to comfort his little brother or get a band aid for your owey! When he has an owey a kiss makes it all better!

Sometimes we catch him looking at Max and in a soft voice Jack will say “awwww Maxy” and kisses Max’s head – heart melting!

Jack’s favourite thing is do to is drive, watch or play with tractors, lawn mowers, whipper snippers, gators or basically anything with a motor. If there was one occupation he fits, its that of a farmer! When we are traveling in the car, he typically tells us he wants to stop at every barn he see’s and feed the cows. He loves getting dirty and being naked, he will stand on top of Brent and say “Look Daddy, I’m peeeeeing… peeee ppeeee peeee” (not actually peeing but making those exact noises). Then Jack proceeds to tackle Brent and their rounds of play fighting begin. This boy loves to play rough!

The little character Jack has become, puts a permanent smile on my face! I remember how tiny and dependent he once was, it’s unbelievable how quick those years pass. Having a two year old has by far been the most challenging, frustrating and rewarding time for me as a mom. I often wonder if I am handling every situation the right way, or if there is something I need to improve on or change. There are days where I am completely overwhelmed and I have lost all patience… but then there are days where Jack will do and say the sweetest things, where I am reassured I am must be doing something right. Jack is a burst of energy and his little grin melts my heart. I look forward to seeing Jack grow more and more into his roll as a big brother and the special bond Jack and Max will have… Max already looks up to his big bro :)