My son, my son, my son....you are 2 1/2 and you are everything everyone has ever told me about a two year old. You are exciting, trying, brilliant, filled to the brim with tantrums, constantly seeking new knowledge, emotional, so so so loving, everything I could have ever hoped for, and my worst nightmare. ;) I love you. I truly do. You look at me with those HUGE blue eyes and that "I'm about to cause a lot of trouble" look and you just light up my whole world. I don't know what I would do without you but there are days that a Mom can dream. (just kidding just kidding) You absolutely fill my soul up, my cup truly runeth over. But with running over there is ALWAYS a mess. With the bad always comes the good and the good is 100% worth every single second of the tantrums and frustrations. You are 2 1/2. You are the definition of chaos but the chaos is everything I dreamed of. Your Mom loves every single bit of you. Don't ever forget that.
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MY READERS!! I have so missed you. I, of course, need to apologize for my absence. I went back to working full time and things just got so crazy so fast and my readers were left in the dust. Well, I am back and better than ever! I have so very much planned for our future together! I'm talking book, wine, and movie reviews (with the help of my brilliant husband, of course), relationship and kiddo advice (giving and receiving!), and GIVEAWAYS!! That's right people! GIVEAWAYS!! Who doesn't love a contest, am I right?
So, let's start with a general update. Things in the Mom & Monster world are changing so quickly that it is quite difficult to keep track of everything. My little Monster is 2 1/2 now which is just mind-boggling. 2 1/2! When did this happen? I feel like I was dealing with acid reflux, oxygen tanks, surgeries, baby clothes, monitors, and baby life in general just yesterday! Now we are looking into preschools, learning shapes, colors, numbers, and animals, working our way into 2T clothes, trying out sentences, learning about affection, and starting to understand who Mommy and Daddy truly are in this world. Every day we are seeing, hearing, or saying something new. I am just in a complete panic about how quickly my tiny son is turning into a big kid. How to keep it all recorded? How to truly enjoy all of the little moments when you are so busy just trying to live through them? Well, that's one of the main reasons that I am crawling back on my hands and knees to my faithful readers. You guys always help me enjoy and appreciate the little moments and coming here, to my "blog home", is my favorite way to keep track of it all. Are you ready for my favorite picture so far? Here ya go guys!
This is just my absolute favorite. My little Monster is a complete crack up. He adores making people laugh and will do just about anything to get you to crack a smile. Even during his worst tantrums and most ridiculous moments if you even show a hint of a smile he will give you a sly little look and start laughing with you. I have always said that the most important thing that I look for when it comes to the people that I have in my life is that they can smile and laugh and find some small amount of humor through even the most difficult of times. If you can't laugh, if you can't find hope, if you can't push past the overwhelming negative, then life is gonna be pretty bleak. My son is already learning that laughing is easier than crying and everyone ends up better for the laughing. What an awesome tool he's got going, huh?
Speaking of laughing and trying to find some happiness through the bad times, today was Liam's Nanny's last day. I am going down to part time at work and she is starting school and the timing was just right for us both to take a little step sideways. She has become one of my very best friends so she will obviously still be a vital part of my son's life, she will just move from Miss Candy to Auntie Candy. he he he. But, honestly, it will be different. When she comes over it will be as a friend and Liam won't have entire days that are spent being crazy and learning weird things with Miss Candy. So, I ask you, how do you do this? How do you go from talking for hours with someone about a shared experience, bonding over "dryer time" and "car duty" to telling her about all of the updates, new discoveries, and crazy times. Our amazing Nanny has been with us since just after Liam came home from the hospital. For two years, every Monday and Wednesday, her little self showed up at our house and spent the entire day loving the hell out of our son. She has been there for every single tooth, every single roll and step, every new word, every haircut, every everything! There is not a single thing that she cannot tell you about my son. She could quote you hours upon hours of medicine doses and post-op concerns. She knows every new freckle or boo-boo. She's kissed away countless ouchies and hugged out tons of bad days. She's driven through snow storms, melted in her car on the way to my house during horrible heat waves, downed gallons of NyQuil and vitamin C so she could get over colds so she could spend time with my little son. Hardly ever called in sick. Took him for overnights. Didn't complain (too badly) when the schedule changed at the last minute. Accepted every new crazy thing or weird rule we had for every single new thing Liam was trying. When it comes right down to it, she has been a miracle. Sean and I have been so freaking blessed to have her. Letting us all move forward in different directions has been one of the hardest, most heart-wrenching decisions we've ever had to make. In the end, it is going to be good for everyone all around. But, man........there are just no words. Any help or advice is welcome here!
Alright, so, here is a big thank you to all of the amazing Nannies out there and a huge reminder to families that have those amazing Nannies as part of their clan. It is rare that someone can walk into your life and becomes truly part of the family. It is not always easy. There is always a learning curve. But if you find someone that fits, run with it! Enjoy them and welcome the new family member with open arms and a good paycheck ;)
To wrap it all up, how many of you guys have or are thinking about welcoming a Nanny into your fold? Concerns? Questions? Any and all are welcome. Be honest. Get it out. If you never ask, you'll never know!
*Cheers* To Candice, to my family, to my new and exciting future as a part-time stay at home Mommy, and to my astonishingly loyal readers. Thanks for the patience and the time off. See ya soon!
