Two

Rudy is two. And while I hate to use the phrase "terrible twos", it certainly seems that way sometimes, although it's more like "manic-depressive twos". One minute he is the happiest, most pleasant, fun boy and the next he is screaming about something. Then the next minute he is laughing again. For instance, yesterday we were driving home from hanging out with his cousins and other friends. In the car, he wanted to hear a certain song on a CD over and over again. I complied, it's a song I can tolerate and actually like somewhat. Then he said "no High Five". So I stopped the song and played the next song on the disc. He said no so I turned it off. Then he started asking for another CD, so I took the first one out and started to put another one in. At this point he starts asking for the first song again. I told him he said he was all done and that he could pick from the other CDs we had. He started screaming and crying "High Five". So I just let him cry and kept offering him the other choices. (Mind you throughout all this I was driving on the Turnpike.) As we entered the toll area, Rudy was still crying. On the road, are the rough patches to remind you to slow down that make a sound when you drive over them. Rudy stops crying and says in a completely calm voice "is it?" (meaning what is it). I explained what it was and he then went back to crying. At this point I knew it was only a matter of time before he fell asleep so I waited it out. Talk about a fun ride home!

Rudy's new phrases are "Rudy do it" and "Rudy walk". He no longer wants to be carried when we're out. And he wants to do everything from wiping his hands after he eats to carrying his food to the table. It seems to be a constant test of how much will Mommy and Poppy let me do! So we are muddling our way through this wonderful 'two' time. And I'm almost afraid to think of what might be coming next!