Toddler Induced Mania: Confessions of an Otherwise Sane Woman

I have to admit, there are a few things that make me absolutely insane...

For instance, when Weston's love of nudity gets out of control. He can now remove pretty much any article of clothing on his own, after which he pushes his diaper down until eventually he can step out of it. For some reason this trick has become an obsession. The first time was kind of funny, but after the sixth time in the same morning, it gets to be a little annoying.Once Weston discovers something that he likes, it is almost impossible to deter him from it. He never forgets, and he is not easily distracted. I think this tenacity will be a great asset later in life, but for now I could do without it!

Like when we went to Chuck E. Cheese recently. He was so obsessed with riding the same two little rides that when we pulled him away, he screamed like he was being stabbed! What awful parents we are - yanking him away from a ride he had already gone on like 60 times to go be tortured with pizza, cake, and a bunch of other little kids having fun!He also has some other obsessions, like vacuuming, which aren't so bad. I know Weston is just testing his boundaries and acting like a typical 22 month old (I can't believe he is almost 2!!) BUT, I am truly tired of sounding like a broken record. Here are a few phrases that I never imagined would make up the bulk of my conversation in an afternoon:

*Boys who hit their mommies have to go to their room.

*Do not rub your dirty face on the couch again!

*Don't you dare even think about taking that diaper off again!

*Do not pee on me! Boys who do not use the "big boy pottie" must pee in their diaper!

*Only bad boys disobey their mommy.

*Do you want to go to the room?

*Okay, that's it, you're going to the room.

Alas, gone are the days of lecture halls, political debates, and frequent conversations of the intellectually stimulating variety. However, I must say that the joys do outweigh the frustrations.

Here are some things that bring me much happiness and satisfaction, especially as of late:

1. Reading with Weston.

2. Playing the piano. This is the piano I learned to play on... my mom had it since before I was born, but recently bought a new one. Which means this beauty is now in our house! I play every day, even if it's only for a few minutes here and there. Amazingly, I can already tell that my skill is improving!

3. A husband who does lots of lovely things for our family - you know, like bring home the bacon, do the yard work, and make delicious veggie juice for us. (He adds fruit in too for sweetness) Doesn't this pitcher full of juice look beautiful? I thought so, that's why I took a picture of it!4. My sweet boy (yes, he is still sweet most of the time), who does this pose a lot. I think he really wants to do a somersault, but instead he usually just falls over. Doesn't he look a lot like a stink bug in that position?4. The many natural waterfalls Las Vegas has to offer:Ha ha ha! I'm obviously kidding, but isn't this a gorgeous picture?