Just the title, “The Terrible Two’s” had me considering motherhood at a time … I guess it’s the word, TERRIBLE that I’m taking issue with (this coming from the mother of an Ivan, wink!).

A lil’history lesson for you … Ivan the Terrible, Tsar of All the Russias, was known (in Russian) as Ivan Grozny. Vladimir Dal (one of the greatest Russian language lexicographers) defines grozny as an adjective for tsars: "courageous, magnificent, magisterial, and keeping enemies in fear, but people in obedience"

V. Dal’s translation of TERRIBLE I can agree with in describing my sweet 2 year old. COURAGEOUS: Yes! A two year old will try just about anything! MAGNIFICENT: Yes! Ivan might be the most “impressively beautiful” creature I’ve ever laid eyes on. MAGISTERIAL: Certainly! His authority reigns the roost. Re: FEARFUL ENEMIES/OBEDIENT FOLLOWERS (I’ll consider myself one in his kingdom): Defiantly! Ringing ears is the most common punishment of not interpreting the cave-man language.

The hardest part about being two (and dealing with a 2 year old) is communication! They are just learning words and know exactly what they want and how they want it, it just doesn't come out of their mouths that way. The challenge (and at times the frustration) is understanding the language I call, Cave-Man.

An amazing & loving mother I know refers to her two-year old daughter as being in her TERRIFIC TWO’S #TerrificTwos ... I just love that!

Terrific, Magnificent and Perfect in every way … And only 365 days to enjoy!

I’ve heard other Mother’s explain this feeling exactly the same way (and have been slightly annoyed at how cliché it sounds) … “each phase my child enters - every stage and age - just gets better and better”.

How can that be!?

I look at elementary school aged kids and think, my 22 month old is so much more fun than you are! Not long ago, I looked at my 6 month old and thought he was at such a better stage than that two year old across the room that was scaling the walls and screaming!

Or maybe it’s that every phase has its challenges so we welcome the next one with open arms! Change IS good! I’m so happy that the phase we are in, is the BEST one there is. It means there are sunnier days ahead, ALWAYS. And most importantly, LIFE IS GOOD.

Anything that goes "Brummm BRUMM" is of interest to Mr. Ivan!  This is the Jeep just past the giraffe exhibit in Africa at the Columbus Zoo — Anything that goes "Brummm BRUMM" is of interest to Mr. Ivan! This is the Jeep just past the giraffe exhibit in Africa at the Columbus Zoo