Adios! Terrible Two's.

Dear Terrible Twos,

I don't like you. At all. If I never see you again, it will be too soon. How, may I ask, have you saved up all of your terrible two-ness of my three oldest children and squished it into Chach? Is that possible? Is that fair? I. Do. Not. Think. So.

You have been a year of much trial for me. I didn't know a child could cry so much. Throw so many fits. Sleep so poorly. Whine for hours. Or kick, scream and hit - like you do. Seriously. You are living up to your name: TERRIBLE!

And while I have enjoyed every minute of you. (not really) At last. I bid you a very fond farewell. And I beg and plead with you, that you will not show your ugly head one year and three months from now, when Gid reaches the ripe old age of two. Chach has been enough. He has been more fun than any of my others, but with good, comes bad - right? And he has been a doozy. So please. Save your energy for another mother. Darken someone else's doorway next time round - okay? Please??? Let's try for Terrific Two next time. Alright?

So, on this night when I remember the birth of my fourth child, two years ago today, I am thrilled to say goodbye to you. And HELLO three!!! Can't wait to get to know you. Please bring me some semblance of peace. Any semblance of peace will do.


Yours Truly

Mother of a No Longer Two year old

Today, Chach's third birthday started by him sleeping for 12 whole hours. He didn't walk in at 6:15, like usual, grab my hand and say, "It's nine firty, time to get up. Get up!" He did get in my bed at five a.m., saying, "I scared of my room." He climbed up and slept until seven! Hooray!

We skipped breakfast in bed, as to him, this may be seen as a punishment. When my walking buddy, TBW knocked at nine, he ran to the door - and when he found it was her, he said, "No. No! Where my birfday? Where my friends? No seeser Chaner!" Yes. That nearly broke my heart, as he actually doesn't have any 'friends.' He as a lot of siblings, and adult friends. But no little pals. It was sad. So there will be no party with friends this year.

Then all day he kept saying he wanted his 'birfday.' Like it was something he could hold, and unwrap. Seeser Chaner bought him a pack of candy and a 'pink milk' (strawberry milk) at the commissary for his birthday treat. At lunch time, when all the family was home, we opened gifts. He actually got some really fun things, and was very happy. But after he asked, "When we have cake and fire? Now?" I told him cake and fire later. Which, in the end, didn't happen tonight.

Another dear friend in the branch brought a present for him this afternoon. Really, your branch does become your family in a little place like this. I don't' know what I'd do without them. In between cheering, dancing, and jumping for joy - were rounds of fits, screaming at siblings, and lots of crying. Why do birthday's bring out the best? Is this just me, or do your kids do this to? It bothers me. Oh well.

At any rate, 5:30 p.m. my house was in total chaos. People coming and going, Sam to soccer, Roo to ballet, me for a short trip off camp, Giddy crying, Simon slamming Roo's finger in the door, Peter yelling, me yelling. It pretty much went south from there. So. Everyone was sent to bed. And after they were all asleep, I said to Peter, "Well. We did it. We officially had every single child in full blown, heart wrenching tears tonight." Not all by our doing, mind you. But each one had at least one major heart ache today, that caused a load of sorrowful tears.

I hope tomorrow will be better. I hope Chach awakes anew. With wings on. And a shiny halo.

Hey. One can dream.


Another shot of him asleep in time out. This is getting to be a habit. But he WONT sleep. So, often (and he is here often) in time out, he falls asleep while he's crying. Oh. He's so cute. I love him SO much. He is THE most beautiful child. Peter and I are constantly oogling over him. He is just dreamy. The best smile, sweet tear drop eyes, greatest personality. He really is so much fun. While he got all the terrible two's, he also got ALL the fun of a little boy compacted into that little body of his.

While he tries my patience, I am SO glad I was blessed with Sol. He brings so much light and fun into this life. He makes each of us smile every day. Right now, these are some of my favorite things he says:

"Mom. I yuv you".

"Mom. You wunna woman. I supa-heewo." (You Wonder Woman, I super hero.) "Who's dad? Backman?"

"Mom. I yuv Gee-yon" (Gideon)

"Naps bad"

We live in the sand. So, this makes sense: "Mom. You bad sand witch!" It makes me laugh every time. And he's MAD when he says it.

Me: "Chach, time for bed". Him, "Because I can't like bed!"

Oh Chachie. I love you. I can't wait to see what life has in store for you. But for now, you are ALL little boy. You are just what you should be. And I am SO thankful to be your mother.

Even if some days, you make me want to move to Australia.