Maybe Matilda: A Sweet Stage

Friday, February 21, 2014

A Sweet Stage

More than ever before (of course, because that’s how time works), I’m looking at Forrest and seeing a big boy. Not a baby anymore, or even a toddler, but a real big boy, the kind who has playdates without me and ends the day with stinky socks and wears pajamas without the feet attached.

www.maybematilda.com

His baby phase felt like it would last forever. Between the endless colicky days and nights that I thought would never pass, and the frustrating toddler stage when he wanted desperately to talk but couldn’t, and the exasperating terrible twos when he’d throw mind-blowing tantrums in public, I figured we’d always be barely inching along at a snail’s pace from one difficult stage to another without things ever getting much easier or more enjoyable. And I hate to admit it, because I guess as a mom I’m supposed to pretend everything’s fantastic all the time and he’s a perfect little angel nugget, but a pretty good portion of his infancy and toddler stages really were kind of unpleasant. I always loved him—always and so much—but I didn’t always like him, or want to spend my every moment with him, if that means anything. I feel awful admitting that, but it’s the truth. In a lot of ways, he’s been a tough kid to raise. He’s so stubborn. So dramatic. So emotional.

www.maybematilda.com

I don’t know what’s changed over the past months—probably just getting older and mellowing out and getting better and better at communicating with me—but he has grown and matured and changed so much. Toss me a life preserver in case I go too far overboard here . . . he definitely still has plenty of butthead moments (like absolutely refusing to touch any food he hasn’t tried before, no matter how we bribe or threaten or promise to reward him), he can still throw an impressive tantrum (not nearly as frequently as he used to, thank goodness), and is more argumentative than ever before (“Five mo minutes before bed, Mama. FIVE MO!”). But he’s also never been so snuggly and affectionate, so hilarious and adorable, so playful and fun. He cracks us up every day with the ridiculous things he says (like insisting Jesus is in his tummy and, by the way, is quite the wiggly baby and “will come out soon, probawy after we eat wunch”), he always wants to be snuggled when he’s watching TV or looking at books, and he tells me almost every day that I’m his “favowite hewo” (hero, for those who don’t speak Forrest). And yes, I eat that up, thank you very much.

Heaven forbid I not make every post about me me me with a side of me. I’m loving this stage he’s in now. I still get frustrated with him and lose my temper sometimes, but I’m also a little more appreciative now of the fleetingness of each stage he passes through. And I’m trying to enjoy this current sweet stage without pining too much for the good parts of stages he’s outgrown or longing for stages I think will be easier in the future. Some of the best, truest advice on parenting that I ever received was from a friend who told me to remember that everything kids go through is just a phase—thinking of the hard parts as ‘just a phase’ makes them a little easier to bear, and thinking of the sweet moments as ‘just a phase’ makes you appreciate them more. I can honestly say I enjoy being his mom right now . . . and it means a lot to me to feel that way, since this hasn’t always been an easy ride.

green pants +dotted black blouse + white bubble necklace

All things considered, motherhood has been hard for me far more often than it’s been easy. It wasn’t as natural of a transition as I expected. It’s been a struggle—sometimes a daily, an hourly struggle—to adjust to sharing my time and my life and myself so completely with these little midgets. But I’m so glad they’re here with us, and even—dare I say it?—the teeniest, tiniest bit grateful that Forrest went through all those horribly difficult stages along the way (with many more difficult moments in our future, I’m sure), because they’ve made me appreciate these sweet stages even more.

And since kids are nothing if not experts at making their parents eat their words, I’m sure I’ll be right here typing up a completely opposite post about how he’s making me tear my hair out next week.

Top: Old Navy
Pants: Ross
Boots: gift, not sure where from
Boot cuffs (and Forrest’s hat): Maybe Matilda on Etsy
Necklace: Ebay

11 comments :

  1. Even though I know that what I go through with my Charliebabe on a daily basis (unhappy unless she's sleeping or eating) is a phase way deep down inside it's nice to hear it vocalized by others. Thanks for that! You look amazing by the way!!!

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    1. Yep, that was Forrest as a baby, through and through. It's so hard to spend 9 months dreaming of your perfect sweet little smiling cherub, and then find that they're not quite as smiley and easy and cherubic as you expected. It'll pass, I promise, and just get better and better. There will always be hard points to struggle through, but in my experience with Forrest, the grumpy newborn stage has by far been the hardest! It all gets better from there. Good luck, friend--virtual hugs to you (and that beautiful little girl!) :-)

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  2. I could right this exact post! I love how are boys are so close in age (just days apart if I remember correctly) I'm loving this stage too! Although we do have moments here where I'm ready to runaway (just for the afternoon of course) and he tries to push every button I have but the sweet and silly moment out weigh those, most of the time hehe. I love that first picture of y'all! Your outfit is too cute too!

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  3. First of all, another lovely and simply chic outfit! Second, a well written and entertaining post which I think we all look forward to :-) Third, I don't know your height but do you realize Forrest is fully 2/3 of it?!? Finally, can you rent him out to come mow OUR snow?

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    1. Thank you, Pam! Yes, he is huge . . . and I wondered if anyone would notice the lawnmower (snowmower?)! I know, I'm very lucky to have such a helpful son, willing to mow my snow for me ;-)

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  4. This is one of my favorite posts of yours. Just wonderfully honest (don't feel bad!!) and funny. Yep, kids are pros at making us eat our words. ;) So happy you're loving this stage and wish our boys meet!

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  5. Won't it be so interesting to see how raising a girl will be! By the way love the top paired with that bright pop of green!

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  6. You look awesome! And Forrest looks so big! Cute kid. :-)

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  7. You have such a way with words. Beautifully written, and I'm glad you get to enjoy this phase. As Elliott gets older, I'm realizing that a four year old (almost five!) is way more my speed than an infant/toddler. The communication, the self- sufficiency, the ease of taking her places... It's just enjoyable. They're far more logical as they age and I love that.

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  8. Aw, I'm so happy that you get to snuggle with him. That's one of the best parts of having a kid, right? Love reading this update.

    And you look amazing as always.

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  9. it is the best when little boys are showing their sweet side because boys really are the sweetest and snuggliest!

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Thanks for commenting!

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