Totally Awesome, Incredible Two's!!

You can never under prepare or over prepare to become a parent. In fact, you really can't "prepare" until you've become one. There are so many parenting styles out and books to teach you to become the best parent, but in reality being the best parent is not about other parents excepting the way you raise your childern, but rather, your children seeing you as the best! And that's what matter's the most! What your child will remember you for. It took me a while to really understand what I just wrote and to be honest, I still have to put that in practice because of the person that I am. <<People Pleaser ALERT>>

This month of August we became 2! By we, I mean both Leland and I. We both are learning together and that's the fun part. I want Leland to remember me for letting him be him. So here are some things we have taught each other and continue to learn: 

Listening:  For Leland- he will listen and then do. In fact, we both are learning sign language together! Super Awesome Language! (post later). As for me, I'm learing to listen to his request more. Since he is speaking more, he is able to share with me what he wants to eat, drink and sometimes he can tell me stories about airplanes and cool trucks. 

Cleaning: Leland has this fasination with cleaning. Absolutely loves to sweep and wash dishes! however i might suspect he likes that part because he gets to stick his feet in the sink and "play with the water". For me, its teaching me to always clean. To show him, a clean house is how to live and please God. (btw, my house is not always clean, its a work in progress) 

With pop pop

Cars oh cars: I think cars is in a man's genes. I'm learning that playing with cars is pretty rad, especially when mommy makes bridges and even sometimes we go inside the trucks and listen to all the cool sounds the have. <<HONK HONK>>

Photography: A picture says a thousand words! I'm learning to really appreciate every memory and moment. I'm constantly snapping pictures.<<SNAP, SNAP, SNAP>> In fact, I think I've become a professional photographer. Leland has learned to take selfies lol and poses for me now. He understands mommy takes a lot of pictures, but if he's not willing to I will respect and understand that.

Swimming: My mother in law bought this awesome swimmy thing and little by little he is learning to swim on his own! PROUD MOMMY MOMENT!  No expensive classes, just on his own. You see when they explore and when their ready, they learn on their own. As for me, swimming has showed me it's a serious workout, even more when you add a toddler. But I also now have an excuse to play old school games. Marco... Polo...Marco or how about sharks and minows. 

Sharing: This is something we are learning as we go. At this very moment everything is "mine" and I'm trying to Found a balance of how to teach him to share and understand it's still his. Any suggestions please feel free to share. I will get back to this when we are better at it. 

Hands on: We are loving to touch everything and anything! Leland is so independent that he wants to do everything. And I'm kinda ok with it! As long as it's safe of course. Here's an example: wants to open the door or buckle his seat belt. By all means go ahead smart boy! 

What has it taught me? Patience. because I can open the door and buckle his seat belt in a jiffie, it will take him 10 mins. But again, that's ok for me because he's learning. 

Let them be, let them learn. You see when we see them getting into things it's just them wanting to see if the switch turns something on and see the toilet go down. The world to them is so innocent and huge! They have the right to know. and well that's my advice to you newbies, explore with them and you will see how much you thought you knew wasn't really a lot. Let them teach you a thing or TWO. 

Well, that's the lesson we have so far since we're TWO and all. Hehe.

See you next time. 

Momma and Leland.