No one told me...

- That an almost 3-year old almost NEVER sits still (at least mine doesn't).  Even when he's watching TV, he's usually jumping up and down in front of it or jumping on his trampoline.  He will sit an play iPad, but that's about it.
- That a child will fight you over the stupidest stuff.
- That they learn fake crying REALLY early to try to get their way.
- That I'm tougher than I thought I'd be.  I don't give in often. 
- That a hair cut could just about be viewed as child abuse to my child.
- That even bribing with the coolest toy combo (monster truck/tow truck and motorcycle) wouldn't be convincing enough to let me take a few snips off his bangs... even while watching Umizoomi.
- That I would even know what Umizoomi was or that I frequently sing the theme song at bedtime, on request.
- That I would also be asked to sing the "Cars song" and the excavator song (super cheesy song that goes with one of his favorite You Tube videos.  If you've got boys that like construction vehicles, search "excavator videos for kids" on You Tube... you'll be singing that stupid song too.
- That adding "Hey!" after "The wheels on the bus go round and round" would suddenly make the song the funniest thing in the world.
- That I was able to tell Carson that "Mommy is delicate" so that he would generally only wrestle with Daddy.  I love to wrestle with him too but he can be rough!  I don't need any accidental kicks to the stomach! When he wants to wrestle, he tells me "Only Daddy.  Mommy is delicate."
- That every time I tell him "Patience", he quickly says back {quite strongly I might add}, "No patience!"  A lady over heard this conversation at HEB and started cracking up and said "Good luck with that."  I don't blame her.  2 year olds are about as opposite from patient as you can get!
- That sticks and puddles of water really are the best entertainment.
- That sitting up high on top of our wine armoire in the kitchen and being able to touch the ceiling when Mommy and Daddy can't reach it was the coolest thing ever.
- That a kid could be SO hooked on one show at a time.  First, it was Yo Gabba, then it was Thomas for a long time.  Then it was Cars for an even longer time.  Now, it's Umi Zoomi.  He LOVES it and will not watch anything else.  At least it is purely educational, and I can certainly tell he's learned from it. 
- That I would have a kid that loves chicken or steak and broccoli but won't eat mac & cheese or spaghetti.
- That Lucy would become Carson's buddy way more than Shooter is.  He LOVES playing fetch with her!
- How much little kids LOVE to be helpers.  One of Carson's favorite ways to help...pointing out where all the doggy poop is for me to pick up (I'm ready to reverse roles on this one!).
- How well Carson compares things... he was having string cheese for the first time (or at least the first time in a long time) and I was showing him how to peel it.  He told me, with a slight questioning in his voice, "Like a banana?"  Speaking of string cheese, he just devoured two and is telling me "Hey, I want some more."  (Generally he's got better manners than that, especially if I tell him to use is manners.)
- How precious it is that he wants to say prayers for every snack, not just meals.  M&Ms on the go... gotta say our prayers!
- That he really is a little copy cat.  I must ask him if he's okay a lot because recently if I sneeze or say ouch, he quickly says in a very concerning voice, "You okay, Mommy? You okay?"  I also tried pulling something out of the door shelf in the fridge and managed to pull the whole shelf out, which included a bottle of champagne and an old bottle of wine Andrew used to cook with.  The glass bottles when crashing to the floor (and thankfully didn't break), but I found myself saying "SHH...NIKES!"  I caught myself, but he was standing right there and kept saying "shnikes" over and over again.
- That I would be the consoler, snuggler, primary discipliner and Andrew would hands down be the entertainer.  He's awesome at it.  The belly laughs he can get out of that kid are the best sound in the world and could turn any frown upside down!  Of course, a lot of the time it's when I'm wanting Carson to settle down, but it's worth it to hear those laughs and giggles... from BOTH of them!
- That even on the most frustrating of days, that precious face or a "Mommy rock me" makes everything better.