My sweet, adorable, wonderful, willing to please Leila has now become a stubborn, resistant, precocious, semi-defiant two year old. Somedays, as she's laying on the floor crying because there is no Mickey or because I didn't get to her snack fast enough, I look at her think, "Whatwhat? Where is my sweet baby girl, and who are you?"
It's amazing how fast the transformation came around. She was still her happy-go-lucky self as of two months ago, then BAM! Welcome to the not-so-pretty-side of toddlerhood.
Don't get me wrong - she's still a sweetie. She's incredibly gentle with her baby sister; she still gives out hugs and kisses like no one's business; she still likes to grab my hand to pull her down on the floor to play. But now, on top of those sweet things, we also have temper tantrums when I dare utter the word "nap"; instant tears when Mickey is over (like Mommy really controls Disney Junior?); the word "No!" screamed at a decibel only dogs can hear when I am ridiculous enough to suggest eating a vegetable (you'd think I'd learn quicker, huh?).
I get how some specific things set her off, I really do. For instance, I understand not wanting to nap when it's gorgeous outside and you'd rather be hitting bubbles with a stick....or not wanting to eat a vegetable because it looks like a tree and honestly, who wants to eat a tree?...or not wanting Mickey to end because he's your best friend and you've even learned to dance like him...I try to master these situations with patience and gentleness (who am I kidding here?) but sometimes, nothing works.
What I really don't get is the things that set her off that seem completely and incredibly ridiculous to me. Prime example:
Me: "Leila, smile for the camera!"
Her: "AAAAAAAAGGGGHHHH!!!!"
(For those of you without toddlers, that translates to: Help! Mommy's trying to suck my soul out with the demon box! Run for you life!! Daddy would never do this to me!! ENGAGE COMPLETE MELTDOWN MODE!!!)
I know this is a phase, and that "This too shall pass." Well, as much as people warn me not to wish my life away, I will admit sometimes I wish this phase of her life away...or at least, away for a day.
An encouraging thought for me during this Terrible Two's Toddlerhood Moment: God does not give you more than you can handle...which makes me happy because, according to Leila and her mood swings, God must think I'm a superstrong WonderWoman! :)
*In the spirit of the post, I thought I'd share one of Leila's "lovelier" moments... :) (Mean Mommy - I know)*
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| Protesting Mommy taking a picture...What could I have been thinking? |
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