18 Month Old and Getting Him Dressed.....

So after Liam's bath yesterday evening I was attempting to get him dressed.  It made me do some comparisons since dressing an 18 month old in itself is a calorie burner (no need for a gym visit when you have a toddler).

First of all I had to chase my naked little boy around the house as he was trying to avoid being clothed.  He loves to be naked and while I am all for it outside, inside on the carpet is another story.  As I am chasing him around he decides to play hide and seek.  I play for a little while with him and then tell him it's time to wrap it up and get dressed in his pjs.  He tells me No, no, no, no, no all while shaking his head no too.  He has got this No thing down!

When I finally capture him it is a struggle just to keep a hold of him and get him to his changing table.  He is flinging his body all around trying to escape and during this time he seems to have the strength of a 150 lb boy.  Holy cow!!

I finally get his to his changing table and Lord have mercy can that boy do some strange yoga moves.  I am just trying to put a diaper on his naked self but he is flinging his legs around and flailing his arms all around to escape.  Doesn't he know that if he just settles down for a few minutes this would all be over and done and he could be on his way to play.  I swear getting his diaper on him took at least five minutes because every time I thought I had it on he would undo the Velcro strap.  This part left me in a sweat.

Now onto putting this toddler beast in his pajamas.  He used to like to help and put his arms in the pajamas and now it is a vigorous aerobic routine to put them on him.  I start with the pants because quite frankly they are just easier to get on.  He kicks and cries and I do become victorious with the pants.  Yeah ME!!  Now onto putting his head and two arms into his pajama top.  You would think this stuff would be easy but no, it's not, not even close to being easy anymore.  I get his head through the pjs even though he is crying and kicking still.  I just stay strong and ask for his help with the arms.  As I am putting his arm in he takes his head out of the pjs, so much for this going even remotely smooth for me.  At this point I am exhausted.  Yes, my toddler has brought me to the point of pure exhaustion just by putting his pajamas on.  I will totally admit defeat.  I attempt one more swift move of getting his head in the pajamas.  I just have one more arm hole to get done and he can get down.  By this point he is screaming down at me so I know that he wants the same thing I do.  Too bad he doesn't understand that laying still would get us there a lot faster.  I finally get his second arm in the pajamas and down he goes.  Granted his shirt is clear up to neck because he wouldn't let me adjust it but oh well.

I am an accomplished Mom at this point, exhausted, but accomplished! 

I guess getting a toddler dressed is the same as trying to dress a full grown lion, tiger or bear, OH MY!!