embrace the camera

So this little toddler of mine?  She is a crazy nut.  One minute she is so nicely coloring by herself, telling me that the sky is blue and elephant starts with an E and other random captain obvious facts (which really means she is just learning and turning those little brain wheels, but you know, obvious facts for myself).  The next minute she is bouncing off the walls climbing on this or that and trying to get under my skin as much as possible.

Independent play isn't her strong point.  Ryann always wants one of us there with her.  Relatively engaged with her.  You can't just be in the room minding you own business while she goes about her stuff.  Nope you need to be sitting next to her, playing right along too.  And man she is demanding sometimes.  "Let's do this.  Here mommy, you put on Baby Abby's clothes.  Now give her a bottle.  It's bedtime, change her to pajamas.  Change her diaper..."  It goes on and on.  Same thing for coloring, or doing puzzles, or playing trains, "Color her hair, color the trees, put that piece here, make Thomas go down the hill..."  Any suggestion of her doing it herself is met with much resistance.

I do my best to try and step back and make her do it.  But if I act disinterested, or like I'm not paying attention (or heaven forbid I have to take a phone call, go pee, or make a meal) that is when she does anything and everything she knows she isn't supposed to do, just so that I almost have to engage with her.

So sometimes?  Sometimes you just do what you're told.  And wear the headlamp.

yes she looks a little drugged in that last one... I still love it

And I've heard the phrase that three is really just two with intent.  Well if that is the case, then my friends, I am screwed.  This kid already has more opinions than I ever thought possible from a toddler.  She is, to put it nicely, a handful.

Yep. That's my kiddo.  Crazy, exhausting, and the tiniest little person that has stolen my whole heart.  Love you Ryann :o).