At 21 months, I am fairly certain we are knee-deep in the pre-terrible two phase. While hugely rewarding, parenting is proving to be the most humbling responsibility I have had yet. I can only speak for my pre-child self, when I say that I, very naively, felt sure that I would be in control of my future kiddos. I never took into consideration that God granted each of us free will, including my not-quite-two-year-old child. Being someone who feels intense discomfort being the center of attention, let alone negative attention, God has been throwing test after test my way lately. I refuse to wish any time away, because I know how very precious it is; but I will be very grateful when Emmy has a better handle on communicating her feelings and has a tad more impulse control, so that kicking, screaming, throwing and "unassisted trust falls" aren't her go-tos for voicing her every frustration. (Not being allowed to eat only pickles for dinner, protesting riding in her stroller for the last mile to the car, or instigating a game of chase through an office building--and it's individual office spaces--as we wait for an unavoidable appointment are just a couple of our most recent battles.) Little does Emmy know, that she got her strong-willed personality trait from somewhere, and she's got nothing on her mama.
The throwing bit has been especially interesting. It's been a challenge to teach her that it's ok to throw soft items in a playful game of catch, but not to throw baseballs at her weary mother's head in an unfortunate drowsy moment or to hurl toys in my direction in an attempt to derail my treadmill workout. She has been successful in luring me off the treadmill (several times each session), but it hardly works out well for her, as it's only long enough to plunk her in timeout. Luckily, I now have her figured out, and recently rescued Nick from being awoken by a close-range golfball to the temple. Who knew that raising a toddler could be so hazardous to one's physical well-being? She's more than worth all of the pain and suffering, though, and I am sure that in due time we will laugh mightily retelling her 21 month antics.
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We are actively weaning Emmy from her pacifier, "Bobby." Bobby now lives full time in her crib; which she understands, but has trouble accepting on occasion. Lately, she has been fishing Bobby out of her crib with her go-go-gadget arms under the guise that she is offering it to Baby. Of course, she's not shy about taking a couple of hits of her own before Bobby is returned to it's rightful home.
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Our nudie-patoodie, enjoying her nightly pre-bathtime streak!
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Emmy loves playing with the new hiking pack that I scored at a local consignment sale.
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Nick and I got to spend a rare morning together last week while Emmy was at Mom's Day Out. What else would we spend our time doing but shopping for a potty chair for our Emmy girl? We found her teddy bear sitting in the bowl shortly after we introduced her to it.
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Then we found her sitting in the base (she removed the seat and the collection hat.) We have a long way to go, I think. So glad she's acquainting herself with it!
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| Dada's cutest dinner companion. I couldn't help but smile to myself as I witnessed their shared giggle while clearing the table. |
Right there with you!!!! Someone told me about the 'half-year' theory in which kids develop their "classic" behaviors closer to the half-year than the actual birthday; which could describe why we are so surprised that our sweet toddlers could act so strong! I'd like to think we're just that much closer to passing the phase ;-) (although I hear three is worse...) At least she is cute!!!! hahaha
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