If I could have just one more day

 I went to a women's meeting with a variety of classes, and I went to one about parenting throughout the developmental stages. I walked in late and they were talking about toddlers.

The presenter, who was a pediatrician, validated the difficulties of the toddler stage by describing them as busy and active. I nodded, and thought about how busy my kids are, and how physically exhausted I am chasing them or making sure my toddler is not doing something she shouldn't. I gained an appreciation for my toddler's tantrums. She was becoming her own person, and she is doing it well. Today, she was showing lots of interest in my candles. She wanted to eat the candle wax and play with the lighters. Obviously, I was on top of it by taking away the candles and putting the lighter up high. But, I understood that she was curious about her world and learning about boundaries. It is such an important part of development, but one that I don't always or mostly enjoy as a parent. 

The phrase though that made me double think my desire to double speed on the toddler stage was when the presenter said, "If I could go back to one stage of my kids, I would want them to be two again". 

I was curious, why two? I am there, and it is much better the second time around. However, I am looking forward to when I can relax a little more with my toddler at the park. The no fear and the love of climbing combination is a physically exhausting spot to be in. I often think, "why can't I have the toddler who loves to just play in one spot who is scared to leave me?". 

She talked about the continuous learning and amazing milestones they make when they are two. She talked about how rewarding it is be watching and helping them learn. 

I rethought about my two year old. She learns new words each day and is so excited when we react positively to her. She is growing physically, and loves to challenge her body. She loves to learn how to use it to reach her goals. She is a determined girl with places to go in a tiny body. 

So, tonight I read books with her. She repeated words to me, and memorized where the eggs were hidden in the book. Before I lifted up the flap, she remembered that there was a duck and would start quacking after reading the book only one time. 

I looked at her with awe. She is amazing. She is learning, and I get to be a the forefront. 

Maybe, this time the two year old stage will be filled with more wonder than frustration compared to my first one. Yes, I am still expecting to be physically exhausted and to have 24/7 eyes on her. But, she is an amazing human learning about her world.