I Said...What?

It's a daily occurance now. Phrases leave my mouth and enter the ears of my 2 1/2-year-old (when he decides to listen, that is...ha!) constantly, phrases that I never thought I'd utter in my days of independence, in the days where I could shower in peace and could actually take a bite of my meal before the needs of one of my children had to be met before mine. I say these phrases without even thinking now. They have become a habit for me just as changing diapers and making breakfast are the first things we do when waking in the morning. Once my toddler has gone to bed and I sit back on the couch reflecting upon my day, I can't help but chuckle at the thought of some of what has transpired. Here are some of the phrases that tend to leave my mouth, echoing in the air throughout our days:

Sniff. "You stink...do you have a poop?"

"Please don't climb on Toby (our 80-pound dog)...he doesn't like it."

"Stop chasing Guin (our 20-pound dog)...she doesn't like it."

"Please get out of your brother's bouncer chair...it's not a toy."

"Stop jumping on the bed!"

"Get off the train table!"

"Please don't bang into the cabinets with your bus."

"You're being too rough!"

"You are not welcome to hit your friends!"

"So and So was using that toy...you are not welcome to take it away."

"I know you're excited, but So and So doesn't like it when you wrestle them to the ground."

"Please take your finger out of your nose."

"Don't jump in the puddle!" (I'm often too late on this one).

"Spitting is not okay."

"Food is for the table...not the floor."

"We don't play with our food."

"No!" (Here I run after him). "Toys do not go in the DVD player!"

"You are not welcome to play in the dog's water."

"I don't think your body will fit in the box...you're too big." (And then starts the whining when he gets stuck).

I smile even as I finish writing this. Having a 2 1/2-year-old is no easy task, that's for sure. Each day holds a new challenge, and along with those challenges come new phrases from me in an attempt to teach my son what is okay and what is not. But along with these challenges, each day also holds those moments when you wish time would stop it's ticking. No...I didn't find myself saying these words before having children, but I admit that it fills me with pleasure to have the chance to say them now.