You know what I don’t miss? The Pain in the Ass Years. Anyone who’s a parent of a child that is over the age of four knows exactly what I’m talking about. And that would be the 1 year – 4 year age range. Old enough to express independence and get into stuff, but not old enough to understand why they shouldn’t do certain things or what the consequences will be (at least, not initially). It’s funny, when Alyssa and Ryan were adorable, precious tiny newborns and adorable, squishy one, two, three, four, five and six months old, I rejoiced. I loved those ages. Sure, I didn’t get a full night’s sleep for several months, but at least little babies don’t get into things. And they stay where you put them. Older babies and toddlers? Forget it. They’re like little Energizer bunnies, constantly moving and exploring and doing.
It took my uterus several years to get into its head the fact that there will be no more babies. And now that my babies are four and six, I am looking forward to the continued increase of independence, along with the amazingness that is a child learning new things every single day.
I’m also REALLY looking forward to both kids being at the SAME school during the SAME hours. Since September it’s been three schools and three different school schedules. Mondays, Wednesday and Fridays are a pain because I’m pinballing back and forth between the house and schools and school bus stops every three hours. And Tuesdays and Thursdays are a pain because I no sooner get one kid off then I’m tending to the other; then I no sooner pick up one kid when I have to dash back to the house to wait for the other’s school bus.
Oy.
Next year it’ll be same school, same bus (unless Ryan can’t handle riding a regular school bus full of kids; in that case he’ll ride a “‘tard cart”, as the older kids in the school district so unkindly call it), same hours. Also? Instead of a mere two and a half hours to myself, I will have SEVEN ENTIRE HOURS TO MYSELF. Excuse me, I need to go change my panties.
Oh man I hear ya! I’m looking forward to that school schedule too next year! 7 hours alone — bliss!
Im not quite ready for all of that independence yet. I’d still like to have one more child within the next year or two. It sounds like the school schedules are quite hectic, i can understand you being happy about having the schedule.
Also, I’ve never heard of the term “tard cart” before. That’s sad.
I guess we were nicer, we called it the special kid bus or the short bus. Jeez, Tard Cart is just mean.
I think I’m on the opposite side of the fence. Partly due to PPD most likely, I didn’t really “connect” with Gracie until she was about 8 months old or so. Since then, I’ve loved every minute. She’s now 17 months and I think she’s at such a fun age. She’s so hilarious and entertaining. I know it may change when she gets into temper tantrums and such but right now I’m enjoying her stage. It might also be because she’s very independent in her behavior as well.
We never called it a tard cart btw, it was the short bus.
JSL is 3 now and is having speech therapy. Before he started, he would frequently drop letter sounds leading to us not knowing what he was saying. Now that we can understand what he’s saying…. WOW can he be rude! He’ll boss around his 7 year old brother, tell off B & I, and complains about how long things are taking. e.g. “It taking for-E-ver!” Yes, he emphasises the word “forever” to clearly indicate to us that he is displeased that his dinner needs to take 30 more seconds to heat up in the microwave while I’m making food for all four of us.
Of course, then his little internal switch flips from rude to sweet and I’d like nothing more than to spend the entire day cuddling and playing with him. I suppose it wouldn’t be fair to only send him to school when he’s rude, right?
YAY for soon to be semi freedom!!!!!
I’d not heard of a “tard bus” before… thanks for the new word!!!!
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That must be so relieving having the same schedule for both kids. I remember my mother was so happy when my sister and I were both on the same bus. We are 2 years apart so for a while it was a nightmare, too. I’m excited for you.
Claire is hitting this stage. She’s highly inquisitive, independent and demanding, but still not able to really do things for herself. Which seems to frustrate her more than us.
Hey Jenn! I see you got a macbook. I hope you do a review on it. I am interested in getting one, but the price is pulling me away. Would love to know how you like it so far.