I wouldn't say "terrible"... I can, however, think of some other accurate adjectives to describe this particular age- tiring, trying, troublesome, tantrums, tenacious. Don't get me wrong, I love my sweet boy. I love that little boy with all my heart. But my sweet boy has blossomed into a spirited, strong-willed, fearless, little pistol. I wouldn't trade his personality for any other because its what makes him so unique... I just wish God would have given me a user manual or guide book on how to be the best parent in raising him up in the way he should go. Every day is a new day. A fresh start. Another opportunity to "guide" him and facilitate activities that will foster his ever growing curiosity for pretty much everything.
We never had to baby proof much of anything with Jayme (aside from baby gates at the stairs), but Matthew... Matthew is a completely different child. He has a healthy curiosity for how everything works... I'm not alone in thinking he will do great things (engineer, surgeon, bomb squad, etc). He loves to watch his daddy work, and loves to tinker with anything he can get his hands on to see how he can take it apart, put it back together, and figure out how things work at the most basic level. Sometimes I swear if you are quiet enough and watch him close, you can almost hear his little hamster wheel spinning... that's also about the time there needs to be an intervention before he injures himself or completely breaks whatever it is he is into.
He is particular (unfortunately for him, he gets his OCD behaviors or need for a particular order, from his mommy, daddy, uncle Alex, and his great papa)... He is focused (on his terms- or when Mickey Mouse is on)... He is determined and stubborn (also a combo trait from both sides).
While he is all things "two" on a daily basis... he also has the biggest heart. He is compassionate. He is concerned. He is always smiling (unless he is having a tantrum). He is a clown (much like his Smith side).
Some of his loves:
He loves to laugh, loves to make others laugh, he loves to dance (and clap to the beat), he loves the dirt and all things outside- the messier, the better- until he wants to be cleaned up, he loves daddy shoulder rides, greeting his daddy and getting in the jeep or work truck the second he hears the garage door open after work, he loves holding his Sissy's hand, he loves following her and pestering her, he loves snacks (but not meals), he loves Mickey Mouse (and HGTV with daddy), he loves the swings, he loves 4:00 phone calls daily from his Bebba on her way home from work, he loves visiting family, and his baby cousins.
