Hayden turned three and the Earth did not cease rotation. I was the only one surprised by this I think. He's taken to three will quite a bit of gusto. I feel like he's a teenager already and not a day passes that I don't threaten to beat him, strangle him, or lock him in his room forever. Severe? Sure. Would I ever really do it? No. We seem to be like most other families I know where the "terrible twos" weren't really that terrible, but the threes are more than making up for it.
He is so independent it's frustrating. You go through those first few years complaining about how you can't wait until they can do (insert dreaded child-rearing activity here) for themselves. That day has come and, because they don't do it just as you want them too or as well as you would have done it, you don't want them to do for themselves. Hayden is potty trained, but due to a medical issue we've avoided teaching him to stand and pee until recently. His first solo attempt resulted in his peeing all over the bathroom wall. Gross, right? It was also rather funny, but it makes my point. He can also wash his hands on his own, but he doesn't get that you only have to do it once and not repeatedly for 30 minutes; the same goes for brushing his teeth.
The twins are stampeding into their toddler-personalities. Lucas is a yeller and screams over everything. He really may end up on the side of the road with a note reading "free to a good home" taped to him. (KIDDING... kind of) He is the most needy little drama King I've ever laid eyes on and he throws tantrums that would put a diva to shame. Cooper is more laid back and carefree; he is such a clown! I sometimes feel like I spend more time playing and laughing with Cooper than Lucas, but it's honestly because Lucas is so sensitive, it's hard to play with him because he hates not getting his way. He hates if we give attention to his brothers and if he has to wait his turn. I've said it a million times, but the child honestly thinks he should be an only child. If I sit in the floor, he instantly crawls in my lap and gets so mad if Cooper wants to be held too. Thankfully this last part is getting better. Twice in the last couple of weeks they've fallen asleep in my lap together.
The twins are really started to interact with one another. They give each other love and play peek-a-boo together. When one cries, the other comforts. When one has a really awesome toy, they fight over it. Their fights are terrifying and comical all at the same time. They hit, pinch, push, pull, and knock each other down all while screaming and crying. We've taken the stance to not interfere in these arguments unless someone is getting hurt. They have a lifetime to live together and we feel that now is the perfect time for them to learn how to work things out for themselves.
Right now, my nephews are visiting from Indiana. The dynamic has certainly changed while having five boys in the house as opposed to three. The older boys are a lot of help with the little ones, but they're still children and still disobey and talk back. I love having them here, but it's made me rethink just how many kids I really want. Michael and I have been arguing over my "insane" want of five kids. I think he may be right. Three is good. Three is great. Hayden, Cooper, and Lucas are incredible children and they really do complete our family. Maybe one day we'll have the itch and decide to add another child to our family, but right now, we couldn't be more perfect :)
