I recently realized that my toddler will not be a toddler much longer. Apparently, the age range during which a child is a toddler is from eighteen months until three years. Dylan will turn three on November 21. At that point, he will belong to the “preschoolers” age group regardless of whether or not he is actually enrolled in preschool at the time.
As with anything kid – related, it seems as though passing through the toddler stage did not take as long as I thought that it might. There sure have been a lot of things packed in to Dylan’s toddlerhood, including becoming a big brother. Watching Dylan grow and develop physically, mentally, and emotionally over the last year and a half has been amazing.
Of course, toddlers and their parents experience challenges along the way, especially in the realm of behavior. I would be a fool to think that the behavioral challenges of toddlerhood will magically evaporate on Dylan’s third birthday. I am sure that they will still be a part of our day to day life and learning.
Toddlers are amazing little people. Some of my favorite things about Dylan’s toddlerhood include our conversations, which have grown in leaps and bounds as his vocabulary has expanded, and our explorations of the outside world, which have grown to include hikes in the woods in addition to long walks with the stroller. Although the first couple of months after Dylan’s baby brother was born were immensely challenging, I am really enjoying watching Dylan grow in his role as a big brother. He seems to enjoy being a big brother now, and he is generous and caring towards Blake.
Did I mention that toddlers can be hilariously funny, too? Whether he is clowning around for Blake (who totally eggs him on by laughing hysterically), telling stories in a very dramatic fashion, or making me nearly split my sides laughing as he makes observations and asks questions about things in the innocent way that only a toddler can, Dylan is very entertaining. Seriously. Who wouldn’t laugh when a little boy looks up at them with a very concerned expression and asks in a very serious tone why cats lick their own bottoms.
What are your favorite things about toddlers?