A Bug's World

New Tricks

So, this whole toddler thing...not the joy it could be. All my excitement that she was learning new words and expressions and being able to communicate with us..remember that? Sort of getting dashed in the dirt. Now, truly, if sh just said "NO!" all the time like all the books and other parents warned about, I think i could handle that. But crossing her arms, and defiantly telling me "I don't want to...go away..I Jessica..I mean it!" is just a bit more than i can handle. And really, if it was only occassionally or even on ly once a day, I could probably see my way through it. However, she drops these phrases (usually all at once on me) just about every flipping time i try to get her to do anything. Getting up in the morning, getting dressed, going to daycare, getting in the car, anything at all. Oh, except seeing the fishes. No matter how obstinate the mmod, mention going to see fish and she is right on board.

Yeah, I got to right up the "things no one told me about toddlers" list. She's going on three, how much longer does demonic possesion last and can I get a "Get rid of demon" free card?

(Good) Mommy Validation

We went to see "Over the Hedge" today. A nice quiet retreat from all the noisy bikes in town. Except for the screaming child in the back seat who doesn't want to sit in any type of car seat. Oh yeah, bloody murder all the way to the theater. Now, some would say that if she is behaving that badly we shouldn't take her to the movies. Good advice, if you really like the idea of being locked up in the house all weekend with said 2 year old. So off to the movie.

She did great during the movie. She sat on the edge of her seat, drank my water, ate Daddy's popcorn and snarffed up all the Twizlers. SO very nice well behaved child for a solid 84 minutes.

After the movie we went to the indoor little play area at the mall. She loves running and playing and jumping in there. Lots of bigger kids, but she manages. But, I had the audacity to suggest and act on taking her to the restroom to change a poopy diaper. HOW DARE I???? She was very unhappy and angry.

But for once I was very good. I didn't yell, or get frustrated or any other hair pulling that usually i have when she gets in these moods. I spoke calmly to her and got the diaper changed with a minimum amount of mess and time.

Now here is the good part..the validation so to speak. An older woman came up to me and thanked me for not yelling or slapping my child even though she was behaving poorly. She told me it would pay off in the long run.

Maybe it's just me, but when complete strangers actually say nice things about a persons parenting or child management, I think that is a huge compliment. Reminds me that I should do the same when I see good examples myself.

Talking

Tonight's conversation :

Jessica to stuffed alligator:

"Bad alligator. Time out alligator....no bite Jessica. Oh nooooo."

I'm just glad that she is now telling stories that she makes up on her own without Disney or Pixar providing the outline.

Letter Meme (Copied)

One of the first blogs i ever started reading was Milkbreath and Me, written by Rachel, mother of Byron. (GO take a look...he is a cut up cutie pie). She had this posted on her blog and it is contagious so I'm putting it out there as well.

The idea is that you are given a letter of the alphabet randomly, and then you think of 10 things beginning with that letter and write why you chose them. Leave a comment, I assign a letter, and then you post Your items. I was given the letter "B".

1. Baby / My Bug -- Because I just can't believe how much my life has changed since having her.

2. Bedtime -- One of the times i look the most forward to every day. I look forward to both hers and mine starting at about 7 pm.

3. Boobs -- This time of year living at the beach, they are simply everywhere. I can't quit comparing my pale alabaster mommy boobs to all these perky little 19 yr. olds roasted to a perfect brown.

4. Beach - That wonderful place where sea meets sand and all one's troubles can be washed away. Truly the place where my best thinking is done and where i can solve all the troubles of my world. ( Including alabaster boobs.)

5. Booze -- I really don't think this needs much explanation. Bring on the foo foo drinks!

6. Boys -- A little bit boy crazy still at 31. But honestly it's no longer for the 25 yr. old hunks. Noooo,,, it's the little cute two - five year olds that steal my heart. Plus, now I worry more about boys in my daughter's future.

7. Books -- Because they were my first love. I like them long, short, serious, funny and every way in between. I always have a book on me, and I am often reading two or three at a time. Currently I have one on my night table, one in my car and one in my gym bag. And because I'm pretty sure Rachel would flip if I couldn't mention books.

8. Bubble Baths -- One of the few free joys that can be indulged in rather easily and spur of the moment. I recommend at least one a week.

9. Banana Milkshakes - An all time favorite.

10. Belly Buttons -- These too seem to appear everywhere this time of year. Bare or jeweled, I just don't see how they became such a fashion statement. Personally, I like the ticklish little one my baby Bug most of all.

I'm going to add "Blessed" as that is something I truly am to have my family, my life, and my health.

Working It Already

Sometime our child will be a skilled negotiator, just like her father. But for now, she simply relies on cuteness, manipulation and parental non- attention. We were all headed to the gym saturday morning. she was sitting in the back seat, nominally paying atention and just off in her own baby world. David and I were talking and we too were only sort of paying attention to what she was saying unless she directed a comment to us. When the following conversation ooccured:

Bug: Daddy?
David: Yes, baby?
Bug: When I say okay, you say okay..okay?
David: Okay.
Bug: Garbled garbly gar blue car, okay?
David: Okay. ( distractedly)
Bug: Mommy, Daddy arble warble gart, okay?
David: Okay ( just playing along)
Bug: Daddy take Jessica to see the fishies, okay?
David: Okay,,,hey.

Yep..she just tried to sneak it on by.

And so, Saturday, we went to the gym, strolled thru the "Art in the Park", ate lunch with a cranky 2 year old and then, finally went to the Aquarium and saw all the fish.

But no...the fun does not stop there. For you see, Saturday seemd to be field trip day so there were lots of buses and kids. Which meant that the Aquarium's mascot was out as well. Now, Jessica loves to act scared when we go through the shark tunnel, or when it's dark outside. But you can tell she is playing it up more often than not. Well, apparently a six foot plush shark in a hawiian shirt really does scare the crap out of her. All he did was turn in her direction and she took off screaming and pulling us away. she didn't stop to look at the "Nemo" fish or the "Jello Fish" and barely even paused to look at the manta rays. she went running up the ramp and turned the corner quickly. Apparently too quickly. She came face to face with the Iguana tank. Usually not a problem and ot big deal. But on this day, one of the lizadrs was right up against the front window with one scaly claw pressed against the glass. She screamed and ran over against another view of the manta ray tank. She wasn't even looking in the tank and David pointed out to her that there was one sliding down the glass right behind her. More shrieking. She was crying and carrying on now. David picked her up to carry her out and said her little heart was just thumping away and her eyes were so big.

At least this time there was no struggle about leaving or getting in the car. She couldn't find or get in the car fast enough.