it takes a village

there are lots of parenting "guides" that have been written to assist parents in raising toddlers, but they pale in comparison to the Real Deal, in the flesh, ocassional knock-down, drag-out...umm...EVENT...that it is to raise a 2 yr old. my dear PC, bless her lil heart, just turned 2 and she is quite the little personality. goofball mixed with spice mixed with fierce independence, with a hint of "mommy, don't you go too far away!", you can imagine that we have a lot of fun....and a lot of challenges as well.

hanging out at a friend's house last night, PC threw a tantrum when she was told that she couldn't run through the house. she was extra-excited over Tay-Tay the Pug and alternated between giggle-fits and shrieks as she ran circles around a little puppy, who with the look of boredom on his face, could've cared less that this HumanChild was trying to play with him. in fact, if pugs could talk, i'm sure he would've said "and WHEN are you going home again?"

after being told for the 10,000 time to stop running/screaming/acting a fool, i threw up my hands in frustration. TeeTee intervened and consequently Ms. PC had a 15 minute sit-down-on-the-bed-and-chill-out crying fit, after which she emerged quiet, walking slowly, and with smiles, kisses, and hugs (gentle ones) for Tay-Tay and for her TeeTee.

that incident got me to thinking how thankful i am for my village and for the moms who have gone before me. these Mommyfriends help me along the way with suggestions, advice, an ear, a shoulder to cry on, and the most-coveted ocassional BREAK from Mommyhood. they've been there/done that/got the T-shirt with many of the issues that i struggle with everyday. from my friend whose son has food allergies and helped me to understand and find the right allergist when it turned out my PC had food allergies as well.....to my friend who was a single mom for many years before recently getting married--and hasn't forgotten where she came from....my friend whose son is almost on the brink of high school and she ain't THINKIN BOUT birthin' no more babies, but offered to do potty-training "Booty Camp" for PC....to my friend who recently told me that she struggled with (and overcame) Post-Partum depression and begged/commanded me to get my butt in counseling (no, i'm not depressed, but we ALL could use a little therapy)....

and everyone in between, including those of my friends who are not yet "moms" but have acted in that surrogate role and cared for PC like their own (shout out to my homies in StL and DC, among others).

i don't have any blood relatives here, but i do have many, many "chosen" family members who have embraced PC and i like a sister/niece and who i have no doubt love us like blood. they've been integral parts of this journey thus far, and i feel extremely blessed for their friendship and for their assistance along the way.

it truly does indeed take a village, and we are surrounded by some of the BEST that IL/DC/TX/FL/OH/MO/GA have to offer!!