These ages.
Posted on | February 27, 2013 | 5 Comments
I used to think having a newborn and a twenty-month-old was really hard. And in some ways, it was, I guess. But in others, it was a breeze. I could feed the tiniest on demand, carry him everywhere with ease, and the biggest didn’t have the temper tantrum and craziness that comes with an older toddler. Yes, there were sleepness nights and a couple bouts with mastitis that made me want to die..then, there was that move with a three-month-old and a two-year-old. So yeah, I guess there are hardships with every age.
But these ages? These ages are kind of my favorite. And also? Kind of the hardest so far.
Sully is three years, three months.
Arlo is one year, seven months.
They are best friends. And also, they are worst enemies. They spend the entire day fighting and then playing and then knocking each other down and then defending each other from playground bullies. It’s exhausting. It’s hilarious. It’s amazing. When I held Arlo as a brand new babe, and Sully looked at him and said, “That’s my Beebab,” I imagined these days. I imagined the two of them driving around in toy jeeps and splashing in the tub. I imagined them holding hands, and yes, I even imagined the fights. They wear me out, but they remind me every day as to why I was so intent on giving my children siblings. The bond between them is beautiful and unbreakable.
When they wake in the morning, the first person they ask for is the other. When it’s time for bed, the last person they want to kiss is the other. When Arlo cries, Sully is worried and asks me what is wrong. Or, he tells me exactly what is wrong and how to fix it. When Sully cries, Arlo brings him Monkey Man and a paci, and then puts his head towards Sully’s head in an attempt at an awkward hug.
Even though, at the end of the day, there is nothing I am more ready for than baby bed time, I am thoroughly enjoying watching their little friendship bloom. I know there will be ups and downs, but I feel damn lucky that I get the chance to witness all of this first hand and to be the mama that helps cultivate their relationship.
Tags: Pictures of the babes > Raising boys > Sully and Arlo
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5 Responses to “These ages.”
"I'm a twenty-five-year old mama to two little boys and married to the love of my life. I have a serious Diet Coke addiction and a tendency to overshare. My biggest dream is to write a book. A good book that tons of people buy and relate to and love. In the mean time, this is the story of us as we flounder through raising our wild, little boys, moving a million times, and buying and renovating our 1968 Ranch home."
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February 27th, 2013 @ 11:18 pm
What do you do when they fight? Do you break it up? My boys are the same ages and they are constantly fighting. I feel like all I do all day is police fights and who had what toy first. It is exhausting. I am tempted to just let them duke it out on their own but I am not sure if that’s a good idea…
February 28th, 2013 @ 1:05 am
I love this post!! My oldest boy is 3 years 4 months and my twin boys are almost 18 months, so I can soooo relate. Some days I maintain that these are my absolute least favorite stages, but they have so many redeeming qualities at this point. I love all of the bonding that goes on in between the death matches
Beautiful words, mama!
February 28th, 2013 @ 7:51 am
Nothing better than your babies loving each other!! Mine fight like crazy, but it sure makes me savor the loving moments!
February 28th, 2013 @ 1:41 pm
I only have one child, a little boy who is the same age as Sully. But he has a cousin who is Arlo’s age, and we live quite close together. What you describe is their relationship…they love each other so hard, but they fight so hard too! I am so thankful that R has his cousin in his life. I missed having cousins (or a sibling close in age), and there is something magical about the friendship that is developing between those two!
Thanks for your beautiful writing that really connected with me today!
March 3rd, 2013 @ 12:04 pm
Such a sweet post. I can’t wait to watch Isabella’s relationship with her new brother/sister. She’ll be almost 4 by then which is a bigger age gap than I initially wanted, but life doesn’t always work out how you think. But my sister and I are 5 years apart and were always super close growing up. It should be one hell of a ride.