text: A pregnant mother with a rare form of dwarfism has revealed the physical challenges of raising her three-year-old son - who is more than half her size - while preparing for the arrival of her second child. Tiffanie DiDonato, from Swansboro, North Carolina, was born with diastrophic dysplasia and underwent numerous limb-lengthening surgeries as a child so she would grow to be 4'10 tall, instead of her previous height of 3'8, which is how tall her son Titan currently is. But even with the additional inches, parenting a rambunctious toddler can be difficult for the 34-year-old mom who has certain physical limitations, and often has to use crutches, or sometimes a wheelchair, in addition to being three months pregnant. 'Titan is a typical kid – he wants to do what he wants to do,' she told People of her son. 'And chasing him outside or across the street is not an option for me.' Helping hand: Tiffanie DiDonato, who has diastrophic dysplasia, a rare form of dwarfism, can be seen grocery shopping with her three-year-old son Titan, who is more than half her size, but always willing to assist her . Making it work: The 34-year-old mom from Swansboro, North Carolina, is 4'10 tall and is constantly re-teaching herself to walk because of the stiff muscles and arthritis, which are side effects of her dwarfism . Tiffanie, who married to Eric Gabrielse, a 6’1, 29-year-old Marine who is 6'0, explained that she has to get creative when it comes to dealing with her son - especially when he throws himself on the floor and cries. When tantrums occurs she will walk way and say: 'Mommy can't help when you're yelling at me... No crying and Mommy can help.' Tiffanie noted that this trick, which she has developed over time, usually prompts her son to get up and give her a hug. 'I try my best to let him know throwing tantrums doesn't get you very far - a great lesson to learn, don't you think?' she said. Great news: Tiffanie and her husband Eric Gabrielse, a 29-year-old Marine, are expecting their second child in September . All smiles: Titan happily cuddled up to his dad for this snapshot . Full of life: The three-year-old had a laugh while his dad Eric enjoyed his breakfast . Tiffanie, who co-wrote the memoir Dwarf with Rennie Dyball, has difficulty lifting Titan now that is getting taller because her arms are significantly shorter than most moms. The stiff muscles and arthritis that are side effects of her condition mean that she has to constantly re-teach herself how to walk - which makes chasing after Titan impossible. Losing control of her son is one of her greatest fears, which is why she avoids leaving the house with Titan when she doesn’t her husband Eric or another family member by her side. 'I have even watched Eric struggle to catch him outside and he's a Marine!' she explained. ‘We named Titan correctly, because he's almost too speedy and too athletic.' Because she 'wouldn't stand a chance' against outracing her son, she makes sure she stays '10 steps ahead of the game' at all times. Overcoming obstacles: Tiffanie can be seen as a child wearing braces on her legs. She underwent numerous limb-lengthening surgeries when she was younger . Painful choice: Tiffanie was expected to be 3'8 tall, but her surgeries allowed her to grow to 4'10, enabling her to be more independent . Tiffanie recalled times in which Titan has climbed into the dryer or wedged himself behind the couch or plopped himself inside the sink. Without physically being able to get him out on her own, she has to rely on her own quick thinking, as well as game she made up to ensure his cooperation. She explained that when she sings: 'One, two, three, help me!' and reaches out for Titan, he will take her hands and pull himself up and out of whatever precarious situation he has gotten himself into. Titan's willingness to lend his mom a helping hand is one of the reasons she is confident that he will be a fantastic big brother. 'He really is - whether he is intentionally doing so or no - becoming my little helper,' she said. 'We conquer the day-to-day challenges together, and I hope we always do.' Sweet moment: Tiffanie and Titan snuggled up together on the couch before he fell asleep . Support system: Tiffanie wore a yellow halter dress while posing for this photo with a friend . Sports fans: Eric and Tiffanie smiled for the camera at a Red Sox game at Yankee Stadium in New York City .
target: Tiffanie DiDonato, from Swansboro, North Carolina, was born with diastrophic dysplasia and is only 4'10 tall .
  As a child she had numerous limb-lengthening surgeries to ensure that she would be taller than 3'8 - the current size of her three-year-old son Titan .
  The 34-year-old mom and her husband Eric Gabrielse, a 29-year-old Marine who is 6'0, are expecting their second child in September .