We don't care about sleep.

Me: Good lord, he's possessed!

Husband: C'mon baby, let daddy help you.

Baby: NO!!!!

Baby then hurls his body to the ground (without any regard to his own personal safety,narrowly missing the change table), covers his eyes, and violently kicks the air.

Me: My,oh,my. Come here, little one. Mama can help you.

Baby lifts his head,and for a moment I think he might spit pea soup at me whilst his head begins to spin.

Me: Fine, you can put your own diaper on if it matters that much.

Hell hath no fury compared to a near 2 year old who wants nothing more than to do everything himself. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. While this whole independence thing is pretty cute at first, "Awww....look,he wants to put on his own sock," that sentiment quickly fades as baby won't wear said socks unless he puts them on himself-not so cute at all when the temperature outside is -22, it's 7am and you had to be in the car for daycare 5 minutes ago. Ya, not cute at all.

What's worse than these major outbursts is that even in all it's dramatic form, at the height of the screaming, and the crying, and the hysterics, baby can just as quickly stop at the whisper of "Elmo," or "Would you like a drink?" Just like that, baby says a sniffly, "Ya," and proceeds to head to the kitchen. Whoa. And the Oscar goes to......

Wilder than even that, is baby's nonsensical rambling as he is in full blown hysteria. Words, barely intelligibly said often include, "Soother, bunny, Mama, Nana, bath, water, Charlie, socks, TV, banana, yellow," and well, any number and combination of words that he knows. It's as if he is doing a verbal reminder of all the vocabulary he learned that week. That in and of itself is pretty damn funny. You know, except for the thrashing and kicking and stuff.

So what do we do to help ease the frustration of a tantrum? No really, what the eff do we do? So far, we have waited him out, or have sung a song or two. Often times, these moments are pretty ill-timed so we take hold of the socks, literally, and put those little feet in, much to a very pissed off little boy. I don't suppose there's much to do with a boy battling to grow up, and a mom who desperately still wants to help him with those little socks.

Sleep, sleep, sleep

Me: I love you.

Baby: Eyyeyuvyooo.

Me: Are you my baby?

Baby: Ya.

Me: Am I your favorite mommy?

Baby: Ya.

Me: You just want a cookie, don't you?

Baby: Ya.

Me: That's ok. I love you anyway.

With Valentine's Day approaching, I can't help but feel all mushy and gushy about all the things I absolutely (and sickeningly) love in my life. So if you are up for some serious sappiness, read ahead.

Having a baby is overwhelming (see the first 10 blog entries). But it is the best decision we have ever made as a couple. Baby fills all the tiny nooks and crannies, all the ups and downs, all the highs, the lows, the joys, the upsets, and everything else in between. He is my laughter after a shitty day at work, the squeals of delight when I pick him up from daycare, the foot tap to a Saturday morning dance-a-thon, and really, the most amazing little boy. When it's just the two of us reading a book at night, all cuddly, and jammies and softness, I literally can't hold him enough, or kiss him enough, or tell him I love him enough. It's pure goo.

I also would be totally and without a doubt, lost, broke, miserable, and without a weekly meal plan if not for my husband. He is the peanut butter to my jam, the bacon to my eggs, the guitar to my (air) drums, and my silly partner in crime (albeit, my very responsible, level-headed, organized partner in crime-Hey, someone has to book the get-away car, right? and make sure it has oil in it).

And finally, how would I even survive without my total and utter devotion, love, and overall unnatural addiction to my family and friends?? (I often have a flare for the dramatics when I get all sappy) God, I get teary just thinking of the amount of support I have and the amazing network I rely on that help me either directly or indirectly with Baby. If I could give you all a giant Hershey Kiss, I would. Instead, take this entry as a giant love you and thank you, even if I don't say it enough to your lovely faces.

So this Valentine's day, don't get caught up in complaining about this "entirely manufactured and commercialized" holiday (ya, ya, we get it). Instead, think of everyone in your life that fills your heart to the point that you think it might burst. And then give them a big smooch.