Two or Three?

Shortly before Jane hit the 2-year mark, when Elliot was around 5 months, Jane began the Terrible Two's.

Constantly, people would come up to me, offer me a conciliatory glance and say, "Three is so much worse."

I hated these comments. Hated. Why would you tell a mother with two small children 15 months apart in age who was dealing with a mega fit in the middle of a grocery store that it was only going to get worse? Were they offering to take her for me because she was seemingly so easy at that time? I didn't understand.

Now I have a 3-year-old and I have to tell you something: I still don't understand.

Having two children very close in age, who are very similar to each other, I have the distinct advantage, as it were, of observing the joys of a 2-year-old and 3-year-old side-by-side.

I say it's 6 eggs/half dozen with which age is worse. Honestly.

Two is the constant hum of a low whine/fit waiting to happen. Lots of miscarriages of justice happen throughout Elliot's day (largely brought at the hands of his sister). Ten minutes ago, he was in tears over the sharp injustice of the DVD cupboard being child-proofed. Thirty minutes before that, it was that Jane was playing with Elmo when he wanted Elmo.

But it quickly ends and he's sweet and cuddly -- always with that mischievous glint in his eye.

I like to characterize 3 in my home as Jekyll and Hyde.

Jane has been more sweet and loving and kind and helpful than ever (which is saying a lot). She's so attentive and so willing to help and so eager to please. She is my little love. And she loves to help in trying to make Elliot happy.

But at the flip of a coin she can turn ugly. Fits on the floor with her hands flailing. Screams and threats that never end. Biting her brother because he was standing in front of the TV. Ugly, ugly, ugly behavior that last long enough to leave me in total shock with my nerves fried.

But she's three. And he's two. This is my mantra every morning from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Which would I choose?

Both. I choose both. Because while I want the fits and crying and bad behavior to stop, I don't want them to grow up.

I'd like my cake and to eat it too, please.