Monday, July 18th - 8:30am until 9:00am -
“Astrid you either need to ride in the stroller with your blanket or walk without your blanket. You cannot walk in the dirt and drag your blanket.”
Astrid stiffens up in the stroller “out mama out” – I take her out so she can walk – “no walk me stroller no walk” – Astrid throws herself onto the ground crying.
I sit down on the grass near the sidewalk finding the shadiest spot for my own comfort. I watch Astrid scream about being in the stroller or not being in the stroller – having her blanket or not having her blanket – walking or not walking – and then crying “home home me want to go home now mama.”
And me replying ” I am not the one keeping us from home. Figure out what you want and I will make home happen.”
More thrashing and crying ensues.
When I can no longer listen and witness the scene, and perhaps the neighbors are annoyed, I forcibly pick her up, put her in the stroller, and hold her down in the stroller as I strap her safely in and start the long three block walk home.
She screams for one block and settles in perhaps happy to realize we are going home.
Monday, July 18th – 9:00 until 10:00 am
“Do you want to help me vacuum, Astrid? We need to vacuum, mop and dust while your sisters are at camp this morning.”
Astrid replies that she wants her toy vacuum to “do like mama” -so I get hers out and start mine up.
Astrid throws her vacuum to the ground shouting “no like vacuum, me like mama!!” I ask her if she would like to hold my vacuum and help me. Astrid walks over and grabs on and starts to help – then drops it suddenly and shouts “no, me no like vacuum!’
“Astrid, you don’t have to vacuum – why don’t you pick out some books to read for when I am done.”
Astrid spends time going between my vacuum and her vacuum yelling at them both and making circle tracks in the carpet with her rantings and back and forth.
I finish vacuuming and get the mop out. Astrid asks for her mop. The same mop tantrum mirrors the vacuum tantrum. I wish the mop was at loud as the vacuum so I didn’t have to hear it.
I finish mopping and get the duster out. Astrid asks for her duster. The same duster tantrum mirrors the vacuum and mop tantrum.
I hum to myself which seems to infuriate her more.
Monday, July 18 – 10:00am until 10:15am
“Astrid do you want a snack?”
Astrid replies “yes mama, juice and cereal and milk and fruit snacks!” She smiles and I take a deep breath and think that we are going to move beyond the last one and half hours of getting it all wrong.
She sets up her little snack table and helps carry the snacks. She sits down and frowns. “Me no like cereal, me no like juice, me no like fruit snacks!” She starts to cry, gets down from her chair and throws herself onto the family room carpet.
“But Astrid this is what you requested for snack.”
“BUT OH ME NO LIKE SNACK!!” She wails.
I go to her table and take the snacks away. Astrid runs after me yelling “my snack, my snack, no touch my snack.” She holds onto my leg as I take her snack and throw it all into the garbage.
Monday, July 18 – 10:15 until 10:30
I decide that today nap time comes early. I grab her blankies and her and we go up to her bedroom. We rock for five minutes. She sobs. I tell her that I love her more than anything else in the world and that I am very sorry she had a hard morning. I wish her a pleasant sleep and say a silent prayer that her afternoon will be better.
I close her door softly behind me. I shake my head in disbelief at the last two hours of my life.
And I think to myself – I can tell my daughter is turning two this week.
*********
More wordless/wordful Wednesday and beautiful pictures at Project Alicia, SevenClownCircus and Parenting for Dummies
Tracy, you just described most of my mornings! Just earlier, the toddler was mad at me about his shoes. Off, on, this pair, no that pair, off then on and repeat for 10 minutes. He’s now wearing one shoe.
Love the photos, she’s beautiful. And Happy Birthday Astrid.
Alison@Mama Wants This recently posted..VlogTalk: Homemade
I know – you just want to say “dude that is crazy” but all we can do it shake our heads.
Oh, I know this so well! Only mine just started, at three years old. I have often wondered these past three weeks where my sweet, easygoing little girl went.
Stephanie recently posted..The day my child played with Vaseline
My eldest two were must worse at three than two – so this worries me…
Yeah, but she’s SO dang cute! (and also, I hear you, mine will be 2 soon too and this sounds pretty familiar…)
Elaine recently posted..So Much to See
Oh, dear. That resonates with me so well. My daughter tested out her twos a couple months early. *wince* LOL! The good moments far outshine everything though
Mrs. Cox recently posted..W/W Kaleidoscope
So true – after her nap she wrapped her arms around my neck and said “I love you” and planted a big kiss on my lips.
I can relate…I think my kids are riding some mental rollercoaster some days, and I can’t keep up!
Runnermom-jen recently posted..The Fourth Child
She’s beautiful. I love that last shot! What great captures! I feel for you, Emma is right there with her. Never knowing what she wants and always throwing fits. It’s a phase… right?… reasurance, that’s what i need LOL!
I think it’s only a phase until they turn 18.
oh, i can relate. my son turns two in august. he can so no, nah, and my favorite picked up from his older sisters i don’t think so.
Anna ~ Random Handprints recently posted..Sorta Wordless Wednesday – Our Bethany Beach Vacation
But it is kind of adorable when they say “I don’t think so” right? lol
You just described my life. I want to rip my hair out by 10:00 each morning! I’ll send wine, we’re going to need it!
Kimberly recently posted..When it Rains, it Pours…
Yes – I have non-stop coffee or wine flowing.
I don’t have children but does a 2 year old know what the word “requested” means? I just learned what it meant last year!!
Suzy recently posted..I’m Trying Not To Throw Myself Off The Balcony
I am one of those weird moms that doesn’t use baby-talk with their kids and tries to expand their vocabulary early. It worked with my older two…hhmmm..perhaps I do need to revert back to caveman talk with this one.
Also – I am excited to meet you in SD! xo
Learning to express them selves, testing boundaries, asserting themselves. All very important skill to learn. But as I live through this with my son, as an adult all I can think is : we have such a good life and all you ever do is complain. Enjoy this, it will only get harder, there will only be more to complain. Please just be, live, smile. SMILE!! And be thankful.
And I swear he looks at me and comes up with three different things to pick a fight with instanteniouslly. Yep, childhood can be so hard. Mostly on us.
Stasha recently posted..Wordless Wednesday
I use the “you have such a great life and all you do is complain” to my 8 yo a lot. ugh.
This is my life! Except the answer to all of my questions is “NO”. And when I obviously don’t listen he proceeds to just yell louder “NO MAMA NOOOOOO!!”. When does it end?
Barbara recently posted..Vlog: Italy
It never ends. Never. Okay maybe at 22.
HA! My oldest, Caroline, didn’t get wonky until she turned 3, so I wasn’t prepared for the 2′s thing……..I swear, the DAY Sydney turned 2, that switch went off. We’re right in the trenches with you right now
I’m just hoping that this means at 3, she’ll have been through all of the “wonkyness” (I can hope, right?! lol) I keep telling myself that this shows what a strong young lady she’ll grow up to be 
Yes 3 is usually much worse – Astrid and Sydney must be overachievers.
Wow… I do not miss those days. You’re way more patient than I was! I remember that starting and thinking I could deal with anything for a year…and it turned out to be 3 years’ worth. Now so happy that she is 6 and mostly past tantrums!
Gigi recently posted..Oh, There I Am: When Mommy Blogging Isn’t Just Mommy Blogging
I know – I didn’t miss these days either. My older kids are very amused by this crazy behavior.
I can’t believe she’s going to be 2 already! Where did your baby go?!? I *so* don’t miss the terrible 2s/3s/sometimes into 4s stage. Although my kindergartener gave me a run for “worst year ever” when he started school last fall. I think it was nightly tantrums until at least winter break.
Don’t make me cry TWO _ TWO – ugh.
Ah yes…with my daughter it was turning 3. I think my son’s attitutide is coming early though.
Hang in there
Jaime recently posted..The Same, Yet Different
Yes, this. Two is so- just two.
Gorgeous photos and words, Mama!
XO
Galit Breen recently posted..My Kids Are the Messiest!
This is such a fabulous age, isn’t.
Oh what a rough day. My little Dylan is 18 months and starting the frustrated tantrum thing. No fun, since Abbey (3 1/2) still has her moments. When they happen at the same time…
As always, your pictures are absolutely gorgeous. Obviously, such a sweet looking little girl would NEVER yell at her mom like that. You must have imagined it all.
angela recently posted..It’s Never Too Early to Christmas Shop
Isn’t that the truth – no way someone so sweet could be a monster some days.
Astrid is a beautiful and very unique name…love! And wow is she ever a cutie pie with that beautiful blond hair and blue eyes!
how cute is she?
yep. sounds like two. My twins turned two in April and every day at some point my jaw drops at how unreasonable and emotionally unstable they are!
I do agree with you– my oldest was (is?) worse at 3 than at 2. Four isn’t looking that promising at the moment either.
wendy recently posted..Parenting Moment: The Picnic
Four gets better. Five is wonderful. So far I’d say that six has been my favorite. Independent yet still sweet.
My youngest turned 2 in May and it was like a switched flipped. She suddenly decided that she had opinions…lots of them…and like Astrid girlfriend is fond of changing her mind.
I really enjoyed your vlog yesterday, too, my ability to comment is spotty at best so you’re just now hearing about it!
Hope today is better for you guys! xoxo
ML@My3LittleBirds recently posted..The Rhythm of What’s Next
Thank you – my commenting is less than stellar lately. xoxo
You’re such a patient mom. I hope I’m that patient when the time comes.
Mrs. Jen B recently posted..Mr. B’s Secret Sauce
HA! I wish. Ask my eldest who I pulled out my hair with…
I have just learned it’s better not to react to it all and eventually it works itself out. Or I drink wine.
You’re the best. I think when she turns three you should take her love of imaginary cleaning and use it to your advantage. Buy her a real vacuum.
Ali recently posted..WTF Wednesday – The "Seacrest Sea World" Edition
Seriously when my older girls could use the real vacuum, my life changed.
Ah, the difference between a first-time mom and a third-time mom. My post today talks about the same maddening toddler behavior. But whereas you sound cool, calm, and collected in a been-there-done-that sort of way, I sound desperate and frazzled and like I’m trying to talk myself off a ledge.
I like the way you sound better.
Kristin @ What She Said recently posted..Happy. Healthy. Loved.
Your post was perfect..and all of those things you said – well I think them a lot..but now I just ignore my voices and pretty much just walk away until the tide flows back to normal. Eventually it will happen. Love you.
Are you kidding? You should know that 3 is the new 2 (says the woman whose 2 year old is turning 3 in 2 days).
liz recently posted..Because Clutter is Taking Over my House
Three sucks.
The twos are hard. I like to think of them as character building. She is doll though!
Kristy Life n Reflection Photography recently posted..Welcome Party
She’s so adorable! Seriously… hard to believe that all that fuss came from her!
My son will be 18 months at the end of the month and doesn’t have the vocab that your daughter does but he has the yelling MOM thing down well. 2 is not looking good for us and I’m wondering if we can skip it.
Jackie recently posted..Amazed
After reading this, I feel like *I* may be turning 2 this week. Shame.
Ryan (The Woven Moments) recently posted..Why Lady Gaga is Dangerous
HA! Wouldn’t that be cool if we could do this to our children just for one day. I would love to mess with them and act like a toddler.
sometimes I read things I need to read, right when I should.
This was one of those times.
My boys at 3 are “more” than they were at 2. More Whiny, More Demanding, More Unnerving. Jacob especially has been so much “More” lately, that John and I are thinking of running away from home. Everything we do is wrong or right or not enough….his mood swings like a hyperactive batter.
I’m saying all this because I needed to see you deal with it, to give me the strenght to first, not strangle my child and second, to know I wasn’t alone in the days of NO GOOD THINGS.
so thank you, for writing this.
She is so beautiful Tracy, wow, just looking at her makes me happy. HAPPY *almost* birthday pretty girl!
Kir recently posted..Pour My Heart Out: They’ll Never Break Us
Oh those hard days. Just wait – when they are eight – you will do every wrong again and pretty much ruin their life. It’s awesome.
Oh no! Hopefully the rest of the week is going better!
Marta recently posted..Listography: Top 5 Bands I Want to See Live
She is gorgeous! Loving her dress too
Gina recently posted..A Cool Treat for Wednesday
The Twos are nothing.
It’s the Threes that suck.
And then the Tweens.
Dear God, not the Teens! AAAAAAAAAAAHHH!
Always Home and Uncool recently posted..BlogHer for Hims, Too
Oh I know – three is awesome. Eight sucks right now too. I love six. Can everyone just be six?
The first year was so easy. Now I’m scared.
Julie @ mamamash recently posted..Wordless Wednesday: I can haz BPA?
And you want me to have a 3rd?!??! HELL NO!!!
Rachel {at} Mommy Needs a Vacation recently posted..I am a FREE WOMAN
Oh come on – they only do this for a couple of years…
Welcome to my world every day. My 2 year old is never happy it seems. Unless she is playing in her sister’s room and then she is totally happy. Go figure.
Jessica recently posted..Online Friends
Gosh, while reading this post I felt like I was reading my life currently. My daughter is almost 3 and some days it seems nothing I do makes her happy. She tells me she wants a PB&J, I fix it, then she tells me she doesn’t want PB&J, I put it in a ziploc bag (I’m not going to throw away those 2 min I just spent making that sandwich that I know she’ll want later) and put the sandwich in the fridge, then she cries that she DOES want the sandwich, I pull it out and give it to her and she proceeds to slide out of her chair crying saying she doesn’t want her sandwich. This goes on until either I pull all my hair out or lock myself in the bathroom. Eventually she eats the darn sandwich.
Happy birthday, Astrid! She is adorable.
Rachelle recently posted..How Does Your Garden Grow?
I have no idea how I missed this post. Yegads. Happy birthday to your baby girl!
Anyway, I thought your kids never acted out? I am SHOCKED.
Also, she’s got a lot of words!
It’s tough to be two. And great to be two. And horrible to be two. And fantastic to be two. And on and on. But this is the LAST twos we’ll ever have to live through. Sniffle. YAY! Sniffle. YAY!
xo
Cheryl @ Mommypants recently posted..The chirping of crickets
Had similar days when I was having my 1st child. Even you’re still very tired from lack of sleep, their morning faces are really cute and pulls you out of bed.