Winds of Change?

I hesitate to write about this for fear of jinxing myself, but...

I'm suddenly feeling like life with two small children is not just manageable, but getting easier and more enjoyable. There, i said it.

Today was Keegen's 12 month well-baby visit, so off we went to the doctor's office. In the past, i swear, going anywhere with Bode was a challenge due to his reserved nature and sensory issues (causing him to be overwhelmed by public places/people; etc.). Also in the past, Bode would act out a lot during doctor's visits (i.e. "mommy, i want to go home...mommy, i want to go home...") and other maybe typical 3-year old stuff. Today he was great, he hung out, looked out the window, played with a truck, ate a little snack. He got obnoxious towards the end when it came to that snack (wanting a different one), but no big deal. Keegen was great--i hope his days of going with the flow are long. He let the doctor dig out ear wax and all sorts of things without a fight ("he doesn't even show any anxiety! he has such an easy personality" says the pediatrician)...(we'll see what happens at 18-months when separation anxiety kicks in?!).

Then off we went to the library, just to check out some books and videos. They were just well-behaved, lovely children. And they were MINE. No crying, no demanding to leave, no head-bonking from eldest to youngest. The librarians were cooing over them and Keegen escaped into a little nook under the computer checkout station (much like our entertainment center cubby). I wonder sometimes if it's annoying to Bode to have people fawning over Keegen so much. I know they do it because he's a cute baby and preschoolers don't get nearly the same attention. Watching his reaction, I tend to think he's OK with it (he laughs and smiles at Keegen too while people carry-on about him) and he doesn't like the attention when people try to give it to him, too. But still i wonder.

Then I decided to brave a late-breakfast/early-lunch out with them at Panera, skipping the usual Maggie Moo's for real food instead. Eating out is especially hard and not fun with them. Other than Maggie Moo's (which doesn't count) I avoid it at all costs. But this time they both ate/gnawed at their bagels and Bode asked me a few times when we could go home (as he was excited about a Thomas the Tank video i let him get at the library). But he never got whiny or anything. He actually waited fairly patiently for me to finish and be ready to go. It was a pleasant, non-rushed, non-bribed, non-threatened morning out.

Not only today's events, but the fact that Bode hasn't had a problem with new babysitters, preschool and is in general just a lot more pleasant to be with. Small things maybe, but a big deal to me!