Kid Conversations

After a full day of playing and togetherness I needed a break. The kids reluctantly accepted that it was quiet time. They didn't really have to be silent, they just needed to give me some space. They could choose to play by themselves or together. Lil Sis started a conversation with Big Bro: remember the Na-na-Na? That grown-up singing to Elmo in bed and Elmo can't sleep and the grownup sings na-na-na!? 

Yeah! He replied, and they both started saying "Na-na-na" as loud as they could.

It then morphed into them singing different songs. Big Bro started singing the letter S song from our ABC Mouse app. Lil Sis started singing the letter I song.

Quickly the conversation deteriorated into potty talk. Big Bro said "looks like we better move this to the bathroom." And they went into the bathroom to giggle and laugh some more.

I heard them flushing the toilet repeatedly so went to go check what was going on. Luckily it wasn't anything serious... The toilet wasn't overflowing nor was it full of toilet paper or some random toy. I shooed them upstairs into the toy room so they could play up there.

They agreed to go upstairs. But before following her Brother upstairs, Lil Sis stopped and asked me with a gleam in her eye "Mommy, since you're not upstairs we can talk potty talk, right?"

I wasn't sure what to say. Should I take the hard line position or should I let them have some secret sibling fun? I can hear the potty talk and endless giggles floating down the stairs. I still think quality sibling time is worth a little benign mischief.

Pete and Re-Pete

"Look at her doing everything Big Bro does," our pediatrician marveled. "You could call them Pete and Re-Pete."

It's true that Lil Sis idolizes her big brother. They are so much alike. She has adopted many of his frequent sayings and behaviors for better or worse. Four-year-old sass just sounds funny coming out of a two-year-old's mouth. Some of the Big Bro-isms that Lil Sis has adopted are:

1. "You be the mommy doggie, I be the baby doggie and Big Bro is big kid doggie." I still don't really know how to play this game other than declaring that we are playing it and maybe woofing a couple times.

2. "Mommy...something to eat and something to drink, watch a show!" Straight from Big Bro's play book where he wakes up early each morning and makes these demands. 

3. "Wrestle?" and then try to jump on Dada.

4. "Noooo!" In a loud screechy tone followed by a curt "I don't!" when unhappy with what they are expected to do.

5. "Wellll...." another stalling tactic used before making up a long line of excuses why not to do something. Big Bro says "Wellll, actually...." We shall see if Lil Sis adds the 'actually' part.

I'm sure there are others but it's late and I can't think anymore. More will come to me tomorrow.

Like Nails on a Chalkboard

Image from: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/1072390

           *     *     *     *      *     *     *

The sound of my kids fighting and it's not even 7am.

Competitive screams. Longer. Louder. Higher and higher pitch.

"Noooo! I wouldn't!" is how my 3 year old protests.

"Mommy you carry ME!" said while clawing at my clothes or clasping my ankle while lying dead weight on the floor as I carry Lil Sis and a bag of groceries.

Endless tantrums over a missing trinket.

3 year old wanting to be a baby. 1 year old wanting to be a big kid.

In some ways parenting gets easier...in other ways it gets WAY harder.

But they're so angelic when they're sleeping...

Update on our New Sleeping Arrangement

Last week I wrote about co-sleeping, and how we had to end it because of all the kicks and bumps. We were excited to move little sister into big brother's room. She was less impressed. Even so, the first two nights went rather well. I just had to go in once a night to help her resettle herself after waking up around midnight or 1:00am (as is typical for her).

On the third night she revolted and woke up several times. Each time I laid with her in her toddler bed to get her back to sleep. It worked at first, but she failed to stay asleep. After a few tries I was too tired to keep it up and brought her into bed. The fourth night was the same.

This morning, after observing his sister sleeping soundly in our bed, I overheard my son sweetly tell his father, "I know why she doesn't sleep in her own bed. It's because her name isn't on the door." And it's true. My son's name is on the door. His great-grandma made him a sign over a year ago and it has been hanging there ever since. So today we made a sign for his sister too.

I have never had any luck finding all the right wooden letters at craft stores, so we used some cardboard from our recycling bin. In the morning when the paint dries we will hang it on the door with his, and maybe that will do the trick. I hope so, because as I write this she is sleeping snugly on my side of the bed.

Like what you read?  Visit and 'Like' Mama of Ma'at on Facebook