Two is in the perfect middle between helpless baby and attitude-filled older children. Two-year-olds can feed themselves, and it is a beautiful thing to put a plate of food in front of them then turn to eat my own food while they cheerfully fork eggs or chicken or macaroni and cheese into their mouth. After two years of being the meal provider, it's a wonderful thing to just sit and eat my own food again. William can walk up and down stairs alone, get his own toys, and will go play outside when he gets bored of happenings in the house. I like having a child that isn't wholly dependent on me anymore.
I also like that two-year-olds are verbal enough to let you know what they want, but not verbal enough to give you sass. Their conversations are very straightforward, "Please, give it rawr [dinosaur]" without any extra whining or pleading. I love that they understand when you say no and (mostly) put things down when you tell them to. They've had enough experience with getting in trouble that they know what it means and don't want to get on your bad side.
Two-year-olds are young enough that a cuddle from mom is enough to make them feel better when they've been hurt, insulted, or denied something that they want. This past week William got shots and after he'd he howled indignantly for a few seconds, he was calmed down by saying, "Ow! That hurts!" and getting a cuddle from me. Half a minute later, he was happily sucking on a lollipop, all pokes forgotten. Sometimes I'm secretly happy when William gets a little hurt because I get to hold him as he curls up in my lap while sucking his fingers.
I also like that two-year-olds can be sent to bed when they're being obnoxious. Six-thirty or seven is still a completely reasonable bed time and two-hour naps are totally expected. We haven't moved William out of his crib yet, so he can got in baby jail when he's gotten out of hand. He understands that crib means bed, and although he might protest for a few minutes, he gives up pretty quickly.
Two is also the age when children start saying hilarious things. Yesterday at breakfast William was protesting having to eat crepes and Joseph accused him of being a communist (a very common insult in our house). Enraged in the completely hilarious way only a two-year-old can be, William screamed back, "Joseph, YOU commdudist!!!" We all dissolved into laugher while William sat huffing indignantly about not being taken seriously. It's hard to get mad at such little things with such outsize emotions.
Children this age are also very happy to go along with whatever their older siblings think up. And the older siblings are happy to have their own cheerfully compliant baby doll who loves their wild schemes. A few days ago I went outside just as Joseph zoomed past, pushing the little red car while William rode in it. Joseph pushed as fast as his wiry frame could go and William, bumping and lurching wildly, sat calmly enjoying his crazy ride. Kathleen likes to put William on her shoulders while he tells her various horseback riding commands that she has taught him in Russian. I love watching all of the children playing with William.
I know that my days of two-year-olds are numbered, and so I'm trying to enjoy them as much as possible. I understand how parents spoil their youngest children, as they know that those sweet innocent ones will be grown up all too soon. One day all my babies will be grown up and I'll never have the magical power of making everything right in the world again simply by pulling them up in my lap for a good cuddle. I won't be able to delight them with a good tickle and they won't prefer me above anyone else. I know that growing up is the only way we progress and become capable of more joy and able to do good things in the world. I look forward to seeing as my babies grow into someone amazing who have lives of their own. But I certainly don't want to rush it. I'll enjoy two for now.
