Its all about the Focus

It was bound to happen. In fact, its been a long time coming. Drew started his terrible twos at about 14 months and has kept up a steady string of, "No!" ever since. He's beautiful, he's brilliant, he's athletic and he's mine which means he also has a smart mouth. Honestly, there are days that I find it difficult not to laugh at the things he says, that other boys his age can only think. Like recently when I told him it was time to do something and he very flippantly said, "Ummm, no...I don't tink so" and then went about his business. Or there was yesterday when I was trying to impose the rules of naptime. He looked up at me and growled, "You go back in dat oder woom and watch a movie wif Daddy...just weave me awone!" It comes as a shock and I never know whether to reprimand or shake my head at his verbal tenacity. Of course, I know that ultimately, discipline is in order and so after a long day of my brilliant child's smart mouthed rebuttals and a long list of time outs and discussions I find myself exhausted.

On days like today, when my precocious little man's verbal gymnastics are the least of my concern, I have to take a second and regroup. Which is what I'm doing now, taking a step back and re-focusing. It is all about what I chose to focus on. Yes, Drew threw a screaming fit in the floor today, wearing absolutely nothing from the waist down because he didn't want to put his underwear on. When a take a step back though, I remind myself that he helped put laundry away for the first time today too. Isn't that what I want to remember about today? I've also been awake (aside from a power nap this morning) since roughly 3 am when Drew had a bad dream and then couldn't go back to sleep in his bed...he had to take over Mommy's. Then again, exactly how long will that last? He's growing up so fast that it seems like I could wake up tomorrow and he'll be too old and big to come get in bed with us. And even though I get frustrated at the 5000th request to find a football (or hockey, or basketball, or baseball) game on TV for him to watch when there is absolutely none to be found (and the subsequent fit that often follows), I have to remind myself that maybe this insane 2 year old passion he has for sports is an integral part of his future. Which reminds me of that picture and then I can't help but laugh. So, I laugh and I thank God for my beautiful, brilliant, hilarious, athletic...and yes, smart mouthed little boy.