20 Months,..ahh the Wonders!

Why am I so surprised by the changes going on with my 20 month old? I have been so amazingly blessed to have the best baby in the world! Ok so I know that every mom probably says that but it’s true.

My baby girl has got to be the happiest baby on the planet. Everyone who knows her has commented on her constant smiling and laughing. What can I say she’s a lot like her Mommy. (ha, ok that was sarcasm)

Anyway imagine my surprise when my happy, sweet, loveable, huggable baby decided to get a mind of her own!!

I know this happens. Babies get older. They learn to walk, and then talk, and then say no. Oh how I wish I could delete that word from her vocabulary.

I love all her milestones, and have been amazed at how quickly she learns. She is growing into a little person, with words, and phrases, acrobats, and amazing feats. But every milestone means she is becoming more...well,... independent.

She is still adorable, and has the most cheerful demeanor ever, but there are moments,… well she is just stubborn, and knows what she wants and is not happy until she gets it. Hmm now that one might really be a gift from her Momma.

A lot of my time with her is spent re-directing her, soothing her sadness because she can’t have something, or picking up a mess she has made only to turn around and discover that she has made another one. It can be exhausting.

I hesitate to call the events tantrums, because from everything I have seen and read, even her “events” are mild and good compared to some babies. So we’ll go with “events”.


This week we’ve had events regarding the following things
- Mommy took the can of food away from me that I got out of the lazy susan
- Why can’t I have the tube of tooth paste from the bathroom?
- Let me play in the toilet water! I want to play in it and flush it and stir it with whatever object I can find to stir it with. What do you mean it’s nasty?
- I want a cookie! Not this cookie , that cookie, even though they look exactly the same.
- I want to play on your laptop. Why is it a big deal if I type while you are typing? What does that pop up box that just came up mean?
- The cup on the nightstand full of water is for me right? Oops I spilled on a book. Was that important?
- You’re brushing your teeth. I want to brush mine. NOW!
- I don’t want to sit in my high chair. Stop trying to make me or I won’t eat!
- Baby? Baby?! Baby! I want my baby doll!
- Bottle? Bottle?! Bottle?! No, not milk. Juice.
- Don’t make me leave the space right between your legs in front of the stove while you are cooking. I want to be right there.
- No diaper! I don’t want to wear it. Stop putting it on me.

And the list could go on….

Some of these events include her just letting out an unpleased holler or squeal. Others include flopping to the floor, making sure I am watching, and then pretending or not so much pretending to bonk her head on the floor.

Oh no you didn’t, little one! Yep, yep she did. SIGH

Most of the ‘events’ happen at home. But there have been a few times this week where we have been out and about and she has decided to show everyone her mad skills. Usually it is because she wants to run free without holding mommy’s hand, or because I can’t allow her to have something.

Regardless the reason, or what began the situation I always seem to get a few similar looks that speak volumes.

Oh my can’t she control that child?
Gosh, I am so sorry for you, but I’m glad it’s you and not me.
And then there is the smile and sometimes even the audible “Oh isn’t she cute.”

Uh no. Not right this second.

So,…I am thinking,…either this is the beginning of the terrible two’s, or just her defining herself and trying to become her own person.

Hopefully it’s the latter, because she hasn’t hit two yet, and I can’t imagine a whole year of it, or it getting even ‘better’.

How do people even think about getting pregnant again when their precious ones are in this phase of childhood?

WOW!

Dear Kids

Raising kids is part joy and part guerilla warfare.- Ed Asner


Dear Kids,

Don't be alarmed, the world isn't coming to an end.

I am simply taking a bath. It will take about thirty minutes and will involve soap and water.
Yes, I know how to swim. Even if I didn't, forcing myself to drown in a half-inch of lukewarm water is more work than I've got energy for.

(Which reminds me, I'm all for science projects, but the next time you want to see if Play-Doh floats, use cold water.)

Don't panic if I'm not out right on time.

I've heard that people don't dissolve in water and I'd like to test the theory.

While I'm in the tub, I'd like you to remember a few things.

The large slab of wood between us is called a door. Do not bang to hear my voice.

I promise that even though you can't see me, I am on the other side. I'm not digging an escape tunnel and running for the border, no matter what I said a while ago.

I didn't mean it. Honest.

There will be plenty of time later to tell me about your day. "Later" means at a time when I am no longer naked, wet, and contemplating bubble gum in the blow dryer.

I know you have important things to tell me. Please let one of them be that you have invented a new way to blow bubbles, not a new way to add gum to your hair.

Believe it or not, shouting "TELEPHONE!" through the closed bathroom door will not make the phone stop ringing. Answer it and take a message.

Since Amazing Mind-Reading Mom has the day off, you'll need to write that message down. Use paper and a pencil.

Do not use your brother and the laundry marker. We can't take him to town with telephone number tattoos.

Water makes me wet, not deaf.

I can still tell the difference between the sound of "nothing" and the sound of a child playing the piano with a basketball.

I can also hear you tattling at the top of your lungs. I'm choosing not to answer you.

Don't call your dad at work and tell him I am unconscious in the bathroom.

He didn't appreciate it last time. He won't appreciate it this time. Trust me.

No matter how much I would like it, water does not make me forgetful.

I remember who you are and why you are grounded.

No, you can't go to Shelby's house to play. No, you can't go to Shelby's house to use the bathroom.

If someone is in our other bathroom, you will just have to think dry thoughts and wait.
Unless you have four feet and a tail, do not think of going outside to "water" the lawn. I know the dog does it. The neighbors don't feel the need to call me when the dog does it.

Unless the house catches on fire, stay inside and keep the doors locked.

Do not go outside and throw rocks at the bathroom window to get my attention. I know it works in the movies.

This is reality, the place where people don't like to sit in a tub while rocks and broken glass rain in on them.

Do not set the house on fire. Call me if there is an emergency.

Emergencies are:
1. Dad has fallen off the roof.
2. Your brother and/or sister is bleeding.
3. There's a red fire truck in front of our house.
Emergencies are not:
1. Dad has fallen asleep.
2. Someone on TV is bleeding.
3. There's a red pickup truck in front of our house.

One other thing:
Being forced to use the last roll of toilet paper for a towel does not make me happy. It makes me sticky with little white polka dots.

In the future, when the tub overflows, use a mop to clean up the water instead of every towel in the house.

For my sanity's sake, let's pretend it was the tub, Okay?

No, I don't want to hear the real story. Ever. Especially not while I'm standing in the pool of water you missed.

By the way, all Play-Doh experiments are hereby cancelled.

Be good. Entertain yourselves.

Yes, you can do both at the same time. Try coloring, playing a game, or paying that stack of bills on the coffee table.

I'll be out soon. Maybe.

Love, Mom

~~ Author Unknown ~~