It's been hard to find time for the blog as of late. I drastically lack time and as a result, am somewhat uninspired to sit down and churn out words and upload pictures.

Ruby has also hit, I think, a slightly more challenging phase. As far as I can tell it's called the "being two and a half" phase. I really like this explanation (you have to scroll down--although the whole post applies to Ruby right now, but it's the equilibrium/disequilibrium part that is what I am referring to): kids, for some reason, get out of whack at their half year marks, when learning new skills (both physical and social) just screw them up.

I started reading the Ames & Ilg book for two year olds and it's quite the eye-opener. This describes Ruby perfectly right now: "This is how he finds out about the world--by exploring both of any two opposite extremes in quick succession. Annoying as this kind of behavior may be to the adult, it is a very important part of growing up. Soon will come the time when he can make a choice and stick with it." It seems like she just got stuck in this no/yes rut last week, just a few days shy of her two and a half year mark.

We haven't noticed the other typical characteristic yet, the one Ames/Ilg describe as the obsessive need for sameness and routine (something has to be done this way or else). But I am sure it is lurking.

I've never questioned Ruby's behavior too much, as I generally just assume that everything she does is more or less age-appropriate and has to do with learning how to be in the world. Reading more about why she's doing what she's doing definitely helps reinforce this attitude.

My biggest challenge is with myself. Mostly I find myself trying to dredge up that last little bit of patience so that I don't get sucked into the emotionally charged situation by over-reacting or taking her behavior personally.

Finding the patience and calmness to be present for Ruby is all the more difficult when I'm trying hard to balance both work/activism and home life. I've already written about how tough that balance issue is for me on this blog. As I expected then, it's a recurring theme.

I don't have the space to put a good spin on my parenting challenges right now. Spring (the non-snowing kind please) and chirping birds will help. The vacation helped a little, but not enough. Watching the finale of Battlestar Galactica tomorrow night with friends will be a welcome (and exciting--don't give it away, those of you who are watching it live tonight!) break. And maybe that's as far as I want to look ahead.