6.08.2012

Our little lady

It's been awhile since I posted about this blessing:
Madeline wearing her White Bear.

Y'all, she's a hot mess! But in a really good way.

Madeline has turned into quite the mama copy-cat.  Her bears, specifically her White Bear and Brown Bear (her naming system, it's quite logical actually), have turned into her babies.  Multiple times during the day she'll proclaim that White Bear is crying and he needs milk.  He's upstairs and she needs to go get him.  She'll sit in her little chair, lift up her shirt and feed him, then burp him, then change his diaper.  He's always "pooped" and she needs to change him.

Her naps are all over the place.  Usually, she doesn't nap and sometimes does some very naughty things (like wake Gabe up by yelling in his face), but sometimes she plays happily in her room...until...well that is a post in and of itself.  Hopefully you'll find it entertaining.  When she doesn't nap, she falls asleep in about two minutes.  When she does nap, we can hear her singing at 11 PM.  She's definitely somewhere between napping and not napping.  If she would actually nap when I put her down, and then I wake her an hour or hour and a half later, then I think she would go to sleep at a decent time.

She makes me laugh.  Out loud.  The play-by-play in public bathrooms is hilarious and I only hope that the other women in the bathroom get a laugh out of her narrating her - and my - every move.  She will sometimes proclaim what the other women are doing, too.  I'm just waiting for the day when someone passes gas and she exclaims they're pooping.  She has only one volume in the bathroom and it isn't quiet.
Just a normal night...

She is starting to be more and more interested in Gabe in a good way.  She wants to hold him and interact with him.  Poor thing can't handle her "cooing" and he cries, but she's just trying to talk to him.  I let her have some freedom with him, but when he needs my security, I distract her with something.

This picture cracks me up.  Poor Gabe :-) I also think it makes him look giant.

She definitely sees that Gabe gets attention for some actions and she plays copy cat.  But then she also copies what is normal, like him laying on his bath ramp.  I give both kids a bath at the same time, wash 'em up, then let Madeline play in the water while I dress Gabe in our bathroom.  She immediately lays down on his ramp and pretends to be a baby.  She also climbs in his crib, his jumperoo and exercauser, bouncy and car seats.  All.  Day.  Long.  I will also find him in said infant entertainment places with random items, like Madeline's hair bows, dolls, play food, etc.  When I ask her about it, she immediately smiles and says "Gabe need it!"

I love this picture because she is just loving on Gabe and he is completely unaware.  She really wanted to hug him!

But aside from entertaining herself with Gabe's toys/items, she will also try to placate him.  Sometimes it works and I love it (like when I'm cutting veggies for dinner) and sometimes it really doesn't (when she spins him around in his exersaucer kind of vigorously), but she is trying to help.

Shirts, shoes and pants are all optional in our house right now.  And frankly, she's a kid.  I'm OK with it.
 
Madeline is my favorite little girl in the whole world and I tell her that often.  She's a great big sister and a passionate daughter.  I think her passion for things and in situations is going to be a strength.  For now, though, we are working on harnessing that passion a wee bit. Women are usually wired to be emotional, and Madeline is a true example of God's creation.  It's just that her emotions are misplaced.  She's 2.  I feel like it's my responsibility as her mama to show her how and when the emotions are appropriate.  When she demands a piece of cheese right as I sit down to feed Gabe and starts screaming: not appropriate and a perfect time to teach her patience.  When she misses daddy and acts out at me: somewhat more appropriate.  I'm so, so, so proud of her because we have been REALLY working on teaching her patience and to not scream/yell/produce giant tears when a toy gets lost, when she wants something, when she doesn't want to do what she's been told, etc.  I won't entertain her demands when they are filled with a bitter spirit, but when she comes to me with a thankful heart and says her pleases and thank yous, I will happily oblige the extra piece of cheese. With a little prompting (a look from me usually works), I've seen her turn her emotional demands around into a complete, respectful sentence, "I need a piece of white cheese, please." Believe me, it wasn't pretty at first.  Lots of bruises (she'd throw herself on the ground/into a door), screaming fits, being sent to her room and learning that she does not get what she wants when she acts ugly.  Follow through, I've learned, is so much harder as the parent. It's been a rough few weeks, but a more patient little girls is emerging.  I want her to be passionate in life and I want to show her how to harness that passion positively.  Here is the kicker though - she is actually OK sharing to a certain extent.  Again, she's 2.  It's a daily process.  But I honestly think she is upset when I've asked her to share something she's playing with and attached to. Maybe she thinks she will never get the item back or that I'm asking her to give it away permanently.  But her little heart just can't handle some of these situations.  It reminds me of the playground scenario when she will watch the kids happily play, but can't get up the nerve to go down the slide as long as other children are around. She'll proclaim that it's their turn over and over again, and wants soooo badly to go down the slide, but gets upset if we encourage her to go. The toy she's playing with is almost her security blanket and giving it away hurts.  She will usually play with one or two toys at a friend's house, and of course their toddler then wants that toy.  All in due time.  For now, I'm rejoicing in her ability to control her explosive emotions and turn them into a respectful, happy little girl.


1 comment:

Freddie Taylor said...

Love her little Motherhood imitating self to pieces!!!! You are doing such a good job as a mother. But, then, I always knew you would.