Oh how toddlerhood is in FULL EFFECT!

I remember the day... a couple of months ago when my baby was falling asleep in my arms and I realized he was not really a baby anymore. The first time I bought him clothing that said "12-18 months toddler" on the tag I remember feeling a bit sad. As much as I wanted Ryder to grow out of the baby stage quickly, I hated realizing the fact that Ryder was not a baby anymore. I remember when he was the youngest baby in the room. That was such a special feeling. And then one day you see babies younger than him and it is just~ weird. Well, one thing is for sure... he is not a baby anymore. He is a full blown toddler~ complete with temper and all!

I am so scared at this moment that my baby has some of Chad temper flowing through his blood. Chad is not a violent guy... not toward's people anyhow. He does get frustrated and break things on occasion though. Our kitchen door currently has a hold at the bottom in the shape of a foot. Wonder who did that? There have been a couple other things he has "accidentally" tore up, such as Ryder's Fisher Price bounce and spin zebra and a computer filing cabinet to name a few. Anyways, Ryder has never seen any of this go on. Which brings me to what is going on lately!

First let me brag a bit on him! This is the teacher in me! Always tell the positive first, especially during parent teacher conferences. Ryder can be the sweetest little boy you have ever seen. He has learned to blow kisses. It's precious! He loves giving hugs... especially to my mom and dad's dog Harley. Also, he is hilarious and such a little clown. He dances and giggles all the time. There is not an hour that goes by in the day that he doesn't smile a dozen times. He is such a happy baby. So much so that strangers even comment on how happy he is. Oh, and he loves balloons. Today at Barnes and Nobles Story Time he spotted a balloon on the ceiling and went nuts! He "oooed and ahhhhed" over and over so loud that the other kids couldnt' here the story so we had to leave and go to the train table. Do you think he stayed at the train table? Yeah right! He ran as fast as his little legs could carry him back over to the story time and made so much noise over the balloon I had to apologize and try to take him back to the trains. Well, as you can see I could talk all day about the cute and sweet things he is doing now. He loves his lovey blankey too. He carries it EVERYWHERE around the house. I don't let him take it anywhere else for fear he would lose it. But it is so sweet seeing him carry it.

So, back to what I was saying about his temper. I'm so embarrased to admit he has one, but he does. After Barnes and Noble today I took him to another store so I could do a return. He wanted the pen on the counter so flipping bad as I was returning my item. I would give it to him and he would throw it on the floor. I picked it up and put it away and told him he couldn't have it anymore. Next thing I know I feel a "WHACK!" across my face. Did my child hit me? Oh yes he did!!!!! Oh my word! So I say "No hit Ryder!" I'm sure I turned bright red as I was so embarrassed and furious at the same time. I called my pediatrician as soon as I got in the car to ask what I should do! (and my neighbor, husband, and emailed a couple of friends when I got home!) So we are definitely in the terrible toddler stage. With time I hope he learns that it is not nice to hit mommy!!!!!