Believe it or not, this is my Sam

dark spiky hair and LOTS of it

We have hit a rough patch with Sam lately and I'm dreading his fast approaching birthday. He's no longer the little baby with head full of black hair, nor is he the inquisitive toddler who was happier to play with a box than a bin full of toys. His second year is coming to an end and we're praying that the battles we've been fighting over getting dressed, not picking on his sister, and pickiness over food will dim a bit. He's two so I know these things come with the territory, but everyone expects the "terrible twos". It feels, at least to me, that society cuts moms of two year olds some slack. But what about moms of three year olds? I know I shouldn't worry about what others think, but who doesn't at least some of the time? I do strive to teach Sam solid Christian values and be a good role model for him, but when the kid won't put a shirt on with out a knock-down-drag out despite a thermostat reading of 61 degrees, I have a tough time holding it together. It doesn't help that the boy is up at the crack of dawn just about every day. Before six is WAY too early! I can't give him books anymore because he rips them, I can't just let him talk in bed because it inevitably turns into yelling and that'll wake his sister. So instead, I carry the guilt that my almost three year old has watched 2 hours of tv before some kids are even awake for the day.

I treasure the good days like today (except for the 5:45 wake up time), where he plays well by himself and the other kids, isn't constantly asking for "something else to eat", and was actually dressed for part of the day.