SoulePapa Blogs :: Two

As I type, she climbs on my back in an effort to regain my attention, that I so carelessly diverted, at 9:23p.m. on a Sunday evening.  The attack is relentless and, at times, dangerous.  The stools are stacked, carefully, in an effort to reach her intended target.  Teetering precariously on one foot, she waits until conditions are favorable and leaps.  She is not deterred by injury nor hampered by fear. 
She's two.   

She keeps a running dialogue of her day as it occurs and she demands that you listen intently and respond, thoughtfully.  If she senses a wane in your attention it is swiftly corrected with a two handed face grab into the forced eye to eye gaze. 

When we're on the town she insists on holding my pinkie finger when walking.  She isn't down with the whole hand hold.  Not her style.  Sometimes I'm supposed to be on the left.  Other times I go on the right.  Kinda like an accessory.  It's certainly easier to accommodate than to fight the wee force of nature that is Adelaide.

She's got magic in her heart and will teach you how to find yours if you pay attention to her lessons. 

Resistance is futile (and not very fun). 
Acceptance is divine.

Comments

[Meredith]

Happy Birthday dear Adelaide!

[SoulePapa]

thanks meredith! not a birthday though - just being two in general, i guess ;)

[Bex]

Yep, 'Two'. If ya don't love it, it'll finish ya off I tellz ya...

[bubbachic]

Beautiful - I can identify completely! My little lady, now working her way through being three, still is that little chatterbox giving a running commentary on her life...and its just precious.

Dee
x

[Eren]

He, he...I have to laugh Soulepapa. And you see, I am a Daddy's girl as well, even at age 33. Your description of her pinky hold as opposed to a hand hold sounds like she's got you right where she wants you, wrapped around her little finger. So sweet.

[Mama Urchin]

So as I'm reading my almost 2 year old son is trying to climb up on me (precariously balanced on a stool) with a truck and a book saying "bah-by bah-by bah-by" to little A's photo.

[Lora]

how sweeeeet!! My three year old isn't much for hand holding either...he'd rather me hold his wrist and let his hand dangle. :)

[melody]

My littlest guy is around 4 months behind Adelaide and I'm right there with you! Half the day is spent taking him off of tables or shelves, the *head* of the rocking horse or whatever he has constructed to reach whatever it was he wanted. Last night he was asking for something (to nurse actually) and I kept putting him off, until finally he pulled himself up to me, nose to nose and stroked my cheek and said "Mama, puweeeaaasssse?" Now who could say no to that?!?!?

[Jen]

What sweet post. Very true, especially with the third baby I've found. Thrill seekers and attention getters.

[ellen]

I have always heard people refer to the "terrible twos" but I find that one of my favorite ages. Brave souls taking on the world and finding new wonders in each day. Tiny chatter in voices that melt your heart....I think they are the terrific twos.
Enjoy them!!!

[jean]

beautiful, soulepapa. as is the girl. inside and out.

[Jodi Renshaw]

As a Momma of a "2", this post will go down as one of my all time faves. Thank you.

Love,
Jodi

[mandi]

I don't comment often, but Soulepapa the " Borg " reference to a two year is classic, and so true. Although It might just refer to girls and daddy's period, " Resistence is futile "!! Great Post! Enjoy!

[Pam]

Beautiful.

[kimberly]

I just have to hug my kids after that post..the are lovely beings...

[Jude]

I love your prose. I am going to show this to my husband and command him to start talking the same way.

[Badger]

I have to unlurk to say that when I first stumbled upon Amanda's blog, I was struck by how much Adelaide resembled my own daughter when she was that same age (physically, I mean). Now it sounds as if they have the same personality as well! My girl will be ten years old next month and is still a fearless, curious chatterbox who has her daddy wrapped around her little pinky. Life is never boring!

[Stefani]

There's something so truly special about the relationship between a little girl and her Papa. Thanks for sharing it :-)

[Jessica Keith]

What a special Papa you must be. Your post brought tears to my eyes. :)

[Libby]

It all sounds very familiar...perhaps "2" begins at 18 months and lasts until 4! And don't let her fool you daddy- you are so much more than an accessory!

[julie]

What a beautiful post about a beautiful 2 year old! My 3 year old son loves to just hold my finger too!

[Anne]

Oh, so sweet...and those little red shoes.

[julie]

They go from two to teens in a flash. Thanks for the delightful walk down memory lane. Enjoy her every minute. Sounds like you are!

[Sarah]

Astrid is a pinkie holder too. Her method for regaining lost attention is slightly different though. First there's the insistent food stomp. Then comes a stern "Turn your head!" to whomever has dared focus their attention elsewhere. Heaven help us if she discovers Adelaide's face grab technique. ;)

[Stefanie]

As a momma to a 16 month old. That entry is the story of my life. Thanks for writing it down so beautifully.

[kristin]

as i read this i found myself nodding in unison as a parent of a independant little 4 year old mama but also cheering for that little "third child" of yours (as the third and youngest child of our family)... you go adelaide, keep those parents (and older siblings) of yours on their toes. ;)

[Grace]

oh, dads and daughters are the best.

my kids are 4 years apart so i think i've purged most of TWO from my memory. well, to be revisited in 5 months, i guess. eek.

[Christelle]

So precious...

[camerashymomma]

ah, the world of two-ness! i love the view of yourself as an accessory. perfect words capturing the love and give and take and independence that is her world. we are deep in it ourselves. (i'm totally diggin' those red shoes too!)

[Livia]

Loving daddy is a treasure for a daughter.

[Jessamyn]

I SO get this post...and you described it all in a very real, tangible way...sending my thoughts into all the very definite ways my little Asher knows and loves himself so confidently! beautiful!

[sarah]

oh man. that's so our experience with Ruby too! Ever hear that song by Sting? Something about "all 4 seasons in one day" that describes a two year old perfectly. Loved your post!

[heather]

"She's got magic in her heart and will teach you how to find yours if you pay attention to her lessons."

i'm speechless.

[Sabina]

my yougest daughter is 5 now and still holds just my pinkie finger. lovely blog.

[Rietje]

Funny, this morning I was talking to a friend of mine about the subject; father & a daughter of 2 (they don't seem to understand each other...).

In Dutch we say 'ik ben 2, dus ik zeg 'nee', which means I'm two, so I say no.

But when I read your blog, Adelaide and you understand each other quite well :-)

[andrea]

how wonderful, so beautifully written. thank you.

[Beth H]

That is wonderful. To be of understanding with her vibe is priceless. Life is so much easier when you can be in sync. We're quickly approaching two and already see in my little guy all of what you see in Little Miss A. PRECIOUS and AMAZING to me all in the same thought. Wee personalities are so awesome.

[suzie sews]

Beautiful
Suzie Sews

[Leslie]

Oh wow. I'm blown away. You and Amanda make an amazing pair for your little brood. =D

[Lin]

This post captures exactly how I feel about my daughter. So much easier (and more fun) to capitulate than to resist. Some day I may regret giving in so often, but not now. Acceptance is divine

[shukr]

Resistance is futile (and not very fun).
Acceptance is divine.

sigh. so true!

[Lesley]

Yup _ I've got one of those - different name same outcome :o)

[mammacomic]

Ok, I know you have many comments and most of the ones from me are just gushing but I have to tell you both, mamma and pappa, that your blog is a true inspiration for me. You recent posts about fall have helped me pull through this time, that, well, is not really a religion for me, more of a sacrilege...

I enjoy this blog so much, with all your stories. I completely relate to the submission to a two your old syndrome. I just finished a ten day trip to England with one...submission was totally required for survival!

Thanks so much and keep doing what you are doing! Just by living your lives you are transforming the world! wow, power to da people!

[tamara]

So sweet, so true! As a mum with a 4 and a 1, I've been and am going there too.

Love your words, Soulepapa.

[Veronica TM]

i have an almost 2 year old little girl, this post touched me and made me cry {in a good way}. thank you, soulepapa.

[Helen]

A truly great post. My 17th month old and I just got back in the groove after a period of finding it hard to co-exist. Your's and Amanda's posts really help me to remember that it is so much cooler sometimes to sit back and go with the flow of my little explorer. She just learnt two new words 'Sit down' and yes, they are uttered with absolute authority. Thank you.

[jen b]

one of my favorite posts you have written to date soulepapa!

[Kylie]

I always enjoy mama amanda's posts, but i'm finding myself really digging a papa's perspective at the moment, too! Enjoy (i know we all are)

[robin]

Oh, what strings of fellowship you have tied with this little Angel!! (With all your babes, actually). It is most beautiful to see true love between Papa and child- you have won her heart (and apparently, she yours) forever. Sweet- thank you:) <3
P.S. Enjoying reading your posts again. :)

[RighteousBiche]

She Knows

She dawdles
sits in the dirt
refuses to budge
cries to walk
shouts "carry"
wants to climb the stairs
but wait for the man
to return her balloon
must use the keys --
"baby do it,"
to open the door
because she knows
I have to pee!