Love and a 2-year-old
| Thursday, Apr 01 2010 04:17 PM
Last Updated Thursday, Apr 08 2010 11:52 AM
You never think you'll love anything as much as you love a 2-year-old.
I know you are wondering if I'm crazy. Or if my 2-year-old hit me on the head with his popcorn toy.
Let me clarify. I'm talking about kids just this side of the terrible twos. They've put their big toe in the water but not their whole foot.
They still have baby faces, rosy cheeks and hair that will go just about anywhere.
They're pocket-sized, often stumpy. What's more, you can still rub your hand on their head for good luck.
They're sturdy. Knock them down and they rebound like bowling pins.
Everything's new, but not as new as it was before. They are growing up. Soon they will be a factor in family dynamics. Already they smile through the prayer at dinner. Have you ever seen a 2-year-old swagger? And grin like a carved pumpkin? Heck, they'd wink if they knew how.
Do you get the drift? They're learning things. And guile may be one of them.
For example, a 2-year-old really knows how to spill his milk. He's spilled it all along but now he looks you straight in the eye and pours it over the chair, table and floor.
Then he palm paints in it.
Funny, isn't it? Before you fall on the floor laughing, remember how much you love him. Even if you have to grit your teeth a bit.
What saves a 2-year-old is that he has learned how to hug and wave goodbye. How to kiss, rub noses and do both at the same time.
A 2-year-old kisses with his eyes open and with an amused expression on his face as if to say, "Silly people, why are you slobbering on me?"
You can sense a growing independence.
A 2-year-old starts playing back with all the kids who have played with him as if were a doll. He wrestles, runs and falls down stairs. He wanders down the sidewalk when you're not looking.
He starts enjoying his bath. Gets out when you turn your head and runs naked through the house.
You spend half your time swearing you'll never have another baby. And the other half hoping you do. We have a 2-year-old. His name is Sam. He's a kick, as a lot of them are.
When I come home at night he is the first one to greet me. He puts his arms in the air to be hugged. His face is all ridges, folds and smiles.
He is like a little planet, suspended there, vibrating with happiness. His face is full of light. It is wonderful.
Having a 2-year-old is being real lucky once in your life.
