awaiting the proper time

It's a challenge for me to wait. I'm not a particularly patient person, especially when it comes to my kids' milestones it seems.

Currently, I am impatiently awaiting Squirt's first words. Preferably "mama;" however "dada" or some variation of his brother's name will suit me fine. Standing on his own will be coming soon, too, as this first birthday approaches.

I think that given Moose's age, I was ready for him to start potty training. It's difficult when your MIL has been not-so-subtly hinting that you should be potty training for two years (yes, folks, that's right). Or when it seems every other child you know has potty trained closer to 2 than 3. So despite his zero interest in the potty or getting out of diapers, we started to potty train. Despite the fact that he cannot tell us at this point whether or not he needs to go potty, we started to potty train.

And although I fear he may be slightly disappointed that he won't be wearing his "big boy underwear" for awhile, I somehow also doubt that he will notice when I put a diaper on his butt in the morning. We'll see.

For now, Big A & I feel like he needs to communicate better in order for this to work. I have no idea whether he understands that he's supposed to put his #1 and #2 in the potty. Some days I have no idea if he understands any words that come out of my mouth (or he ignores me, one of the two). I'm ready to fully understand my son. I hate when he tries to tell me something and I have to say "honey, I don't understand. Can you show me?" or "what? Say it again" as I desperately try to understand some part of what he's saying. I can tell he gets frustrated too.

The talking/speech is probably a bigger obstacle for me than his not potty training. I think with one will come the other. I do have a hard time when many of my friends' (younger than Moose) children speak with perfect (or mostly perfect) diction. I know kids develop at their own levels and blah blah blah but it doesn't make it any easier to know that. Because then you are left with the whys that can't be answered.

I don't know why Moose doesn't speak better and other kids do. I don't know why he cares nothing about where his #1 and #2 go and other kids learn so easily.

But. I do know that I love him and I need to follow by his lead. I do know that he's not ready to talk better or potty train. I know his time will come. I know that he's got so many other talents that maybe there's just not room in his life for this right now. I know he's a great kid and a really terrific son.

I do want to thank everyone for the comments I got here and over at the MOB Society Blog Frog Community discussion board. Tonight made me remember why I love this blog so much - you. It's such a support group, especially when I'm clueless about parenting or life in general. I appreciate you taking the time to answer my questions and help me become a better mama.