toddler VS. mom

To be perfectly honest, Yonah and I are in the middle of (and have been for what feels like a very long time) a serious rough patch, and I'm not exactly sure how we got here; worse, I'm not sure how to get out.  I expect him to prefer Kim when he's home, because most kids do.  But I'm at a loss as to why, when he's gone, the toddler attitude continues to roar its head worse than ever before.  It's not for lack of discipline, or one-on-one time, or routine, or anything that I can put my finger on.  I'm very careful with the fights I pick (I don't even insist on him wearing a coat unless it's really cold and/or there's snow or rain, though I always bring it with me for just in case), and I don't freak out about anything he does unless it's really big (like buttering the majority of the kitchen floor), or going to hurt himself or Arabelle.

Just a stage, I guess.  But I had thought the terrible two's were long gone.  It's wearing to constantly be faced with this irritating toddler face all the time - especially when I remember the sweet little boy he used to be all the time.  Every time I see him interacting with Kim, still that sweet boy, I feel vulnerable and not a little rejected.  Kim worries for the years ahead between us.