For about five spectacular days right after we moved to Tennessee, the moons aligned and both of my children were at the perfect age, the sweet spot, where I could spend more time enjoying them than redirecting or reining in their personalities. Ella’s teething and Carson’s tantrums were forgotten and giggles and glee took over. I don’t know if it was their insecurities at living in yet another new place or if they could feel my tension and knew that they needed to be good. Typically they rotate days, sometimes minutes, when one is on their best behavior, with all of their most wonderful toddlerness shining through, while the other one reminds me that intertwined with sweetness is powerful and sometimes earsplitting emotion.
Sure there have been moments where each one is being sweet in their own right, but in the time I’ve been BOTH of their parents, there has never been a string of consecutive days of toddler adoration.
I didn’t write about these days while they were happening, even though I was aware that they’d reached that sweet spot in their ages. I knew that if I wrote about it, the time would surely come to an end simply for the fact of having shared it. Instead, I folded up the experience and put it in my pocket and kept the little, warm secret all to myself. It is so rare for me to feel complete contentment in parenthood that I took those few days and absorbed their wonder.
At 18 months old, Ella is finally walking and charming me at every turn. Her tiny curls that rest on her neck and pink, sparkly shoes are a stark contrast to her love of being as messy as possible and making car noises. Of course, she can also be the quintessential toddler girl, choosing her outfits and playing dress-up with mama’s red shoes. Then there’s her sweet voice, constantly calling, “Maaaaama! Maaaaama!” as she toddles around, wearing one red shoe and her hands full carrying a Thomas train and a dish towel she’s found in the laundry.
Carson is a full-on three years old, but for those precious days he could not have been more lovable. The way he loves his sister and spontaneously tells her how much he loves her while looking in her eyes with much seriousness and conviction, it gives me hope that I’m doing something right. “I wuv you, Mommy,” he’d say sweetly while asking to help wipe off the counters in the kitchen. At bedtime, I could hear him singing himself to sleep, “Hit the road, Jack. And don’t ya come back, no more, no more, no more, no more…” or “Ba-ba-ba Ba-barbara Ann, Ba-ba-ba, Ba-Ba-Barbara A-an, ta-ake my ha-a-and…”
People often ask, or rather seem shocked, when I explain that my children are 18 months apart. I always find myself assuring people that we purposely had our children close together. I’m met with reactions of both relief (thank goodness it wasn’t an accident) and further shock that ON PURPOSE I’d put myself through the agony. I’m certain that whether they were nine months apart or four years, or any difference in age, there would always be difficult times.
Oh, these two toddlers of mine, I’m so thankful for those precious, perfect days. The sweet spot. Especially now that they’re back to their regularly scheduled teething and other sanity-draining behaviors.
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Today’s reader appreciation giveaway is graciously being offered by Olive Kids!
Olive Kids is a great online store that sells darling Kid’s bedding and bedding accessories, as well as, personalized goodies for kids!
For today’s giveaway, one lucky winner will receive 5 personalized placemats!!! (A $50 value!!!!)
To enter, just leave a comment on this post!
Comments will close on this post at 7 AM, EST on November 15, 2008.
Good luck!
Comments closed. Thanks for playing.
Oh, I’ve so been looking forward to this sweet spot. I can already smell it coming. Mine are also 18 months apart but my youngest just turned one. Sweet spot here we come!
rockzee´s lastest post..First poop
Awwwwww… so sweet.
I too had my 1st two 19 months apart on purpose.
You just wait until they can have a conversation w/one another. So fun. And so much to blog about.
OHmommy´s lastest post..Missed Connections
Awesome! You got 5 good days – that’s amazing. Sometimes I get a chunk of a few hours – which is fun as well and recharges my energy for the next chunk of hours!
Great picture too!
Cathy´s lastest post..Am I Four Now?
My youngest two are 18 mo apart. They have always been close. Now at ages 17 and 18 they are still close and soooo much fun to be around.. there is constant laughing and teasing.
You will get more of the sweet spots as they get older:)
Sandi´s lastest post..Love Thursday…
Aw, to be able to bottle up the sweet spot to take a dab here and there during the rougher spots.
Shelly´s lastest post..Update + 2 Confessions
Awwww…the Sweet Spot.
My kids are 11 months apart. Yes, I know what causes this. No, we didn’t plan it this way but I love it! Most of the time it feels like having twins and most of the time, they get along.
God can continue to punish me with Children for as long as he would like!
Connie @ Young and Relentless´s lastest post..Sad, Mad, Glad…
I have kids 24, 16, 8 and 6. There are good and bad things about all the age spreads. Who cares what people think. One thing I have learned from my 2 that are close in age, they always have someone to do things with. Even if it’s not their first choice, even if it’s fighting, it’s still someone. They both do treasure that.
Mom24@4evermom´s lastest post..I’m just going to sit here and be said for a while…’kay?
ahhh, the sweet spot.
sometimes mine can be so sweet together. love that time.
kj @ Where my boys at?´s lastest post..Cut it off!
Wonderful! I would love to win! I only have a 2 year old, and I’m hoping that we can wait at least another year before we have another but we’ll see
crystal72206@yahoo.com
My boys are 22 months apart, and if I had it my way, they would have been closer together. Most days I’m pulling my hair out, but I know when they grow up they’ll be close like I am with my siblings.
FYI….one of my mom’s friend’s has two boys that are 9 months and 3 days apart…..now that is crazy…didn’t even know that was possible…GROSS!!
i have tried many a time to get me some olive placemats, I want to WIN
feener´s lastest post..Outside playing with my kids while wearing a tshirt and hubbies boxers
Consider me entered!
Awwww…I love those times when both are being so perfect it makes your heart swell. Mine are 19 months and although it was an accident now I wouldn’t have it any other way.
What a wonderful post. And the picture is absolutely perfect!
amy´s lastest post..Willpower, Starbucks, and Me
**Sniff sniff** That is so sweet. The photo just tops it off. Too bad it didn’t last for too long. Oh well, I guess it would have given you a toothache eventually.
Mommy Daisy´s lastest post..42 days!
Mine are 28 months apart, and sometimes it feels more like 28 years. I’m going to hold on hope for a sweet spot of my own, esp. after a day of a tantrum the whole way to preschool and down the hall, and a fever for the little one.
E…´s lastest post..Head and Shoulders, Cold Butts and Bees
Very sweet!
Sue @ My Party of 6´s lastest post..Take back the night
Thanks for the kind word about Olive Kids! And good luck to everyone that enters the give away. As for my sweet spot it was when my second child was born 13 years after my first
Didn’t think it was going to happen and best of all my sons are best of friends even with the difference in age oldest married 28 and youngest is 15. Now I am ready for my next sweet spot a grand daughter that is due on March 27, 2009 !
You made me cry! What a beautiful post. It’s those little moments as a mom that keeps us from throwing them in the garbage when they act like heathens!
Christy´s lastest post..Hannah Montana Naked
Mine are one minute apart! And 18/19/20 months old; what a sweet age. Yeah, they’re exhausting, but mine are laughing and playing together more and so entertaining. How fun to watch your children be buddies! Twins rock.
that picture is truly wonderful.
i love the color too…but in black/white with a vignette blown up on a canvas…
oh god. did i win that picnik giveaway?? or do i have to buy my own??
yeah yeah…i’ll take placemats too.
jen´s lastest post..hasay 4 – wednesday update
I’m shooting for that thing where my kids are so far apart in age, one can change the others diaper and maybe even drive him or her to Kindergarten. Or not. We’ll see.
Burgh Baby´s lastest post..My Brain Will Now Be Exploding One Cell at a Time
My girls are in a good place right now, one in 3rd grade, one in Kinder. They really enjoy each other, and they’ve discovered they can form a united front against me.
all things BD´s lastest post..M. Night Shyamalan? Call Me.
what a heartwarming post
the “sweet spot” moment’s usually far outweigh the run away screaming and pulling your hair out moment’s.
It’s just funnier to write about poop or how our toddler’s won’t eat anything but macaroni and cheese for 2 weeks straight.
I loved reading about your sweet spot…no matter how short lived. There will be plenty more I am sure
Ashley @ mrs007.com´s lastest post..Babywearing is the new black
I loved this post.
I wish I would’ve had kids closer together. Enjoy them. They are God’s gifts. 
Such a sweet post. Makes me miss those toddler days.
Heather, Queen of Shake Shake´s lastest post..Things I hate about the blogosphere
My mom had 3 kids all 17 months apart. For a month out out of the year (April) they will be 37, 38, and 39. Then, 12 1/2 years later I was born. I’m 24.
Those placemats rock!
Kathy´s lastest post..Family Scrapbook
such a sweet photo.
I love the days when the girls are getting along perfectly-altho they do make me wonder what’s going on the rest of the time.
Heather~Domestic Extraordinaire´s lastest post..Poor Oscar
What an awesome post – and a perfect title. Really beautifully written.
Teri´s lastest post..We’re not diffusing a bomb here….it’s only knitting*
It’s those sweet spot moments, hours, or days that can help get us through the rough days or weeks that seem to last forever….cherish them!!
abunslife´s lastest post..Tarnished
I consider an hour or two a sweet spot with my 16 month old. Hey, I’m not picky… I’ll take them where I can get them!
Such a great photo!
That was lovely and such a beautiful photo. What a nice gift you have given them – eachother…
Mine are 7 years apart. The sweet spot was the first 3 years of her life – before she learned to fight with her brother. Now that they are 5 and 12? They are driving me crazy.
Those placemats are adorable!
Gina´s lastest post..Friday Five
Your kids are so darn cute…
My second one is on the way – they will be 20 months apart. It’s good to hear that there will be moments of bliss.
Hope I win the placemats!
Hi, my first time to your blog complements of OHmommy. I have two boys that are 19 months apart, age 20 months and a little over 3 years old. I have finally noticed more moments where they interact so sweetly with each other. I, too, purposefully had my children pretty close together for various reasons, and am glad that they are finally becoming the best of friends. Love your picture by the way!
MamaWise´s lastest post..One day they’ll hate me for this…
So sweet!
LOVE the placemats, especially the holiday themed ones!
Jen L.´s lastest post..My birthday’s in 3 months, for those keeping count
Cute picture – they do look sweet together!
that picture is so lovely. You are becoming quite the photog, Jennifer! Love it.
Mama DB´s lastest post..rant.
Folks were all judgy about my kids being 20 months apart, and to be honest, for the first 12 months, I thought I was insane, too! But as we hit that sweet spot and beyond, my kids became the best of friends, co-conspirators, and comfort for one another. They elevate each other, and being close together in age is a huge part of that.
I’m still getting over that first year, though.
The Other Dawn´s lastest post..Hand Check!
How beautiful that you can appreciate the sweet spot when you’re in it! My kids are older than yours (4 and 7), but I find the sweet spots are moments in time, rather than hours and certainly not days (if only!). Here’s to enjoying the beauty where (and when) we find it.
ragtopday´s lastest post..Good News, Bad News
our 2 boys are 16.5 months apart – also planned that way. some days are really rough, but, the sweet spot…. the sweet spot is SOOOOOOO sweet…. wishing you many more days of sweetness & sibling adoration
Wow. What a beautiful pic. I love it.
Beautiful picture. I only have one three year old, but i find the sweet spot as well between the three of us.
Laura W´s lastest post..That feeling inside
mmmmmm….love the sweet spot. The moments of perfection from two kids at once are fleeting, but so fabulous!
pgoodness´s lastest post..OH my eye!!
My two youngest will be 18 months apart. I’m a little nervous, but I’m sure everything will work out…eventually.
Hillary – The Queen I Am Not´s lastest post..Psst!
The “sweet spot” is rare and precious, indeed.
I get lots of comments and eyebrow raises when I mention that Middle and Baby are a mere 12-1/2 months apart.
Love Olive Kids!
Trenches of Mommyhood´s lastest post..Those Last Minute Details
awww…so cute! I have a 18 month old as well but don’t know when we’ll have #2.
The placemats are adorable!
Don’t you love when they both behave at the same time ~ aww…perfection! My first two are 3 years apart – my second and third are 18 mths apart. And you’re right, I think there are good and bad times with both age spacings.