It was a particularly rough morning. Chase was in rare form. In the midst of Derek getting him dressed for school he decided that he didn’t want to take off his undershirt. He wanted to keep on the undershirt he’d slept in last night to wear under his school clothes. We tried to reason with him, explaining that this undershirt was dirty and we had a fresh, clean one that he would put on with his clean outfit. However, he started bucking and kicking and hysterically shrieking “No!!!!” Bryce was nearly kicked in the face and, though we eventually got him dressed, he didn’t go down without a good fight.
A few minutes later I was in the bathroom brushing my teeth, shaking my head, and wondering if this was any indication of how the rest of the day would be. I already had my daycare speech in mind – see, I like to warn his teachers when he wakes up on the wrong side of the bed, so they know to be more sensitive with him and understanding of any extreme behaviors he might engage in.
After washing my face I took my hair down out of the bun I sleep in. Chase casually sauntered into the bathroom as I was removing hair pins. He had already refused to brush his teeth this morning, which is why I was doing our normal bathroom routine alone. He eyed me coldly as I combed my hair down around my face. Then he smiled.
“Mommy, beautiful!”
I started. Beautiful? I didn’t even know that word was in his vocabulary. I beamed with happiness, his early morning antics becoming a distant memory. ”Thank you Chase!” I gushed.
He cocked his head to the side and studied me thoughtfully. ”Mommy, you look like a ballerina,” he stated in a serious tone.
“Aww, Chase – that is nice!” And it really was. That’s the highest form of a compliment, coming from Chase. Ever since Kiki from the Fresh Beat Band dressed as a ballerina in the holiday episode, he’s taken a special interest in ballerinas – he refers to any beautiful lady who is dressed up as a ballerina. He had never called me a ballerina before.
Then he said, “No, no! You look like a princess, mommy! You’re a princess!”
I didn’t know he knew what a princess was! Awww! Now my heart was melting – I’m a sucker for a compliment. So sweet! To be called beautiful, a ballerina, and a princess in one morning by my toddler was just so lovely. I always knew he liked to see my hair down. It’s rare, as I usually have it pinned up into a bun. So he enjoys it very much.
I called out to Derek that Chase had called me a princess, and a ballerina… he was still a tad annoyed from Chase’s earlier behavior, but was duly impressed. He knows that Chase takes such compliments very seriously.
I was still thinking about it later at work. I smiled every time I replayed the bathroom scene in my head. Honestly, it got me to thinking about how nice it just might be to have boys after all. I remember being pregnant and telling folks I was having boys – I heard over and over the same statement: “Boys – they love their mothers!” I think I’m just now realizing what that means. I joked with Derek on the phone, “Hmmm, this being the only girl in the house thing may not be so bad. Having all my boys adore me and dote on me and call me a princess and a ballerina? I’ll take it!”
It also got me thinking about just how sweet and kind Chase can be when he isn’t being obnoxious (yes, I said it). It’s these fleeting moments of sweetness that get me so excited about the days when the Terrible Twos (and Terrifying Threes) are over – when his need to assert his independence isn’t so forceful, and calm, pleasant behavior is the norm. This morning it felt like I got a little sneak peak into the personality that lies beneath the mad man. Sure, Derek and I get our share of suppressed giggles when he’s screaming out “No!” and doing his toddler thing. But it can be emotionally (and physically) draining, and I do look forward to the day when everything isn’t met with opposition.
Yeah, I could get used to this all boys thing. *smile*
A ballerina and a princess! Oh yes, girl – he’s got me and his dad wrapped around his finger!
I am right > HERE < with you on this one. It's like when Aiden does something and I'm like, "Ugh… I need a nanny for times like these," then he goes and does something absolutely sweet and terrific and I'm all like, "I have the best son ever!"
And you know what? I DO have the best son ever. It's just this age. This age is tough. But this too shall pass.
PS: Aiden called me a princess once and often says, "Mommy, you look so pretty." LOVE!
I love those compliments from the little ones – since they haven’t yet learned “deception” you know it’s coming from a sweet and genuine place!
And yes, the age is challenging!!! lol
Awww, I’m totally punked!! I grinned through the entire post, even when he refused to take off his undershirt!! LOL! I love how Chase has his own mind! I know you were mush after he called you every beautiful name he could think of…What woman or girl wouldn’t love being a ballerina and a princess all in one day!!
LOL!!!! I know, Michelle. I so melted after that. Chase is going to do well with the ladies if he keeps that up in life.
Awww this is why I say, there is something so special about having a son!
Fatimah, you are so right! It really is very special!
That is the cutest story. I hope to have a boy someday so he can say the same to me. It’s so easy to get wrapped up in their tantrums and it’s great to have a moment when you can really “see” them.
Oh my gosh, that is so true about getting wrapped up in the their tantrums. It’s definitely a breath of fresh air when the “other” side of their personality gets a chance to come out!
I love this post!!! Chase is too funny! It was as if he was apologizing in his own little way. Calling you all of those beautiful names. Isn’t it amazing how your early morning routine can be so unpredictable?
I know, Meka!!! His sweet words totally made up for his earlier behavior (lol), and I got over it right away. Those little ones know what they are doing! (J/k).
So sweet! If I have another child I’m hoping for a boy so I can have one of each. My daughter is very much a mamas girl and showers me with kisses and hugs daily but, i’d love a son. They do so love their mothers
That would be such a perfect balance, Krissy! I sure hope you get your boy!!!!!!
That’s is so adorable! Maybe he wanted to get back on the good side of his beautiful ballerina princess mommy
Hahaha – he is a smart boy, then!
I’m a sucker for sweet compliments!
Your boys are so cute! And your hair looks amazing!! (I might add!)
Thank you Lindsey!!! Awww, you are so sweet!
You son is quite the charmer! thanks for that glimpse into my future. i’m the only lady in my house as well. you have a beautiful family!
Oh yes, girl – he’s got me and his dad wrapped around his finger!
This is THEE ABSOLUTE CUTEST! I can only imagine the seriousness with which he gave you that compliment
My little one is just starting to use the word “pretty” and he’s even referred to me while using it a few times which was so cute…
I keep telling people that we hope number two is a girl, whenever I get pregnant again, but you totally made the “only girl in the family” argument something to look forward to as well
It’s really more fun than I ever thought it would be, Jasmine. Like, seriously!
I’m feeling more and more like there’s only room for one “baby girl” in the family, and I don’t mind being it!
I definitely know the feeling, although sometimes I get the itch for wanting a little princess of my own, I don’t know what I’d do without my two little princes.
Ditto & ditto. I fall in love with the idea of having 2 boys more and more each day…. but all it takes is a trip to the infant girls section of a department store, and seeing all that pink and ruffles…. and I’m second-guessing my resolve. My feelings about what I want change with the wind! LOL
Yaaay Chase, for showing his charming side. I love his expansive vocab!
I know, me too! Each day he amazes me and Derek with what he knows.
Great post! That is the #1 reason I would want to have all boys…you’ll never stop feeling adored and taken care of by your men! That was so sweet of chase, he’s going to be such a gentleman when he’s older!
Exactly!!!!!!! I tell you, this all boys thing is growing on me! Like, seriously. LOL!!!!
Haha! Love this post! Whenever I wear a dress to work, Isaiah gets a big smile on his face and tells me – “Mommy-poos (I call him Isaiah-poo sometimes), you look soooo pretty.” It is great having boys; I realize it more and more every day
. By the way, Isaiah will be 4 in August and I can tell you – he still has his days of defiance and pure insanity BUT there is a light at the end of the tunnel, he is finally getting to the point where he can articulate why he is acting crazy and be reasoned with on most days (as long as he has a fully belly and is well rested – otherwise all bets are off). The other day he threw a horrible tantrum then not only apologized to the hubby (who was in the most direct path of the tantrum) BUT told us he was sleepy! An apology and an explanation… go figure. It made my year! I almost cried lol. By the way, you are too cute with your infant carrier and he looks so comfy!
Omg! I am cracking up at Isaiah having a meltdown…. and then being mature and insightful enough afterward to state that he was sleepy, hence his behavior. Now THAT is what I am looking forward to with Chase!
Also good to know there is light at the end of the tunnel…. so I will expect between 3-4 to start seeing some changes. LOL!!!
*sniffle* How adorable is that? That is just so sweet. A ballerina? Wow, that’s a HUGE compliment. Boys are indeed sweet to their moms. I think that’s probably more of a sign of how awesome a mother you are, though.
LOL, Denise, I am dying laughing at your “recent post” that my CommentLuv captured- hahahaha , of course, I know what the post is about having already read it, but it looks so funny within the context of this blog post and your comment.
And thanks girl!!!
What a charmer! A ballerina and a princess! Who wouldn’t smile from ear to ear with all of those compliments. LOL!
I know, right!!! LOL!!! Aren’t i the luckiest gal!?!!?
WOW Kini that is so cool. He is a big boy i must say. He adores his mommy. Wow i am impressed at his vocabulary too.
It’s like, everyday he amazes me with something else new that he has picked up. So funny!
aww, what a sweet story!!! It warmed my heart, it’s clear Chase loves his mommy, I think this is just the beginning of him showing how special you are to him. BTW your beautiful sons are giving me baby hunger, lol
Girl, go ahead and satisfy that hunger – LOL!!!
And yes, I think we’re in for a lifetime of sweet & special moments like these! Im a lucky gal!
Oh yes, little boys are devils 90% of the time and pure sweetness 10. And they sure love their mommies! We had a rough weekend but I almost forget when Sebastian kisses and hugs me. MELT!
Hahahah!!! @ 90% and 10% sweetness. You got that right.
I know – i’m such a sucker for hugs & kisses. Gosh, I’m so easy!!!!
Yakini, you stole my blog post! I had the almost identical thing happen except instead of an undershirt it was socks. In the end I was told that “Mommy is a princess!”. How funny is that? I think that boys have this little testosterone built up that some days they just lose their minds and they snap out of it. These boys are a trip
Omg!!!! LOL!!! That is too funny – our boys are reading from the same manual! I can’t wait to read your recount!!!
Awww…I love how little boys fall in love with their mothers in a way that girls just don’t. Yes..you being the only lady in the house may be a good thing. They’ll def learn that compliments go a long way and how to treat a lady with respect.
“They’ll def learn that compliments go a long way and how to treat a lady with respect.”
Yessss!!!!! They are learning how ladies like to be treated thru their mom, and I’m excited about that!
Wow!!! That was such a nice, heartfelt incident. Can you believe these little ones. It just makes you fall back in love with them over and over and over again. Even when they are grown, in their 30s, and have children of their own, you still find yourself falling in love with them still–over and over again:) I love you, my big baby princess-ballerina-girl:) That Chase is “something else”, looking all cute dressed like his father’s twin on the sofa:)
p.s. And, just think: you get to go through this all over again with his little bro’, Brycee!!!
I know – can’t believe we’re gonna be doing it all over again with Bryce…. and SOON! LOL