7.08.2008

Huh? Who are you, and what have you done with my crab cake??

I have been a bit whine WAH WAH WAH woe is me about the fact that my girl has been acting, well, ahem, like a 3 year old. The whole independent thing, mixed with a little 'hold me hold me HOLDME', sprinkled with some 'Why? Why? Why?'. Most evenings, when I put her to bed, I quickly tiptoe down the hallway towards my living room, and it is not until I settle on the couch that I realize I have been holding my breath. And it takes me a good 20 minutes to relax, to unwind from the non-stop chatter of 'Why are you doing it that way? Who bought that for me? Can I have a snack? No, I don't want water.'
Each time I think I am on the brink of losing it (it being what is left of my sanity), I remind myself to take a deep breath and count my blessings. I know that she is such a good little girl. I know that I want her to exert her own little independence. I know that I want her to be outspoken, strong, and opinionated.

But does it always have to be with me? (in a whiny, sniffling voice)
Over the past several days, my girl has been so accommodating, so obedient, so pleasant, so.....not a 3 year old. At the store today, she asked for some cookies, and I told her we still had cookies at home. Her response? 'Okay, next time we get cookies' and that was it.

When she asked for a little Polly Pockets thing with 4 bazillion little fricking plastic pieces, I said 'No, it's too close to your birthday for you to be asking for all this stuff'. Her response? 'Okay, I get it next time. Or I will ask my grandma for her to buy it for my birthday party, okay?'
WHAAAAA.....??????
Last night was bath time. Usually, this is a stressful time in our house. She does not like water in her ears or her eyes, yet she refuses to put her head back so I can run water on her hair without it getting in her ears or eyes. Since she was about 5 months old, bath time has been such a love/hate situation in our house. She loves to play in the water, splash the hell out of me, play with her little squirt toys, but hates having her hair washed. Most baths the past 2 and a half years have ended in tears (usually hers, but a handful of times, mine too).

Last night? My girl said 'I put my head like this' and proceeded to put her head back far enough that her hair was in the bath water. My mouth fell open. She closed her eyes and said 'Okay, momma. My eyes are closed. You can pour water now.' I just sat there, and after a few seconds, she cracked open one eye, looked at me and said 'Momma, are you gonna do it or not?' So I did it, and she actually laughed.
Would it be too good to be true that my girl is getting past the tantrum stage? Probably. I won't fool myself into thinking my crab cake is gone for good. But this? This is a wonderful time for me.

11 comments:

moo said...

aw, what a gorgeous photo!

I think it comes and goes ... 6 months of goodness followed by 6 months of CRABBINESS. And I hear that 4 is better than 3, by the by. Something for you to look forward to.

Anonymous said...

Treasure the non crabby times..

Kristie said...

Aww, that's so great she's being so good. Kids are great when they behave!

Anonymous said...

Excellent! She's got you right where she wants you...and then...she will want EVERYTHING!!! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHHHA!!!

P.S. THAT'S for calling my songs LAME! :-)

P.P.S. Your daughter is adorable...and they do get better!

jodifur said...

I just got back from dinner with my playgroup, and we all decided 3 is the worst!

Thanks for your comment on jodifur!

ya ya's mom said...

Ok, enter twilight zone....my 3 year old sounds a lot like yours...my dh and i have decided that she has just gone through a huge "emotional" growth spurt...doing the same things like you talked about...just acting all grown up!!! i keep thinking, where is MY child?!

Misty said...

This is a hard HARD age. It really is. I have a VERY... actually the MOST "high needs" 2 year old that I have EVER met in my entire life. She was like that from birth. I never thought I would be able to do it, but I have. It's exhausting, and it's still a struggle for me to summons up the patience, and treasure this time I have with her when she is so small. I know, undoubtedly, I will wish for it back.

Anonymous said...

Cutie! Uhm, may I suggest you don't hold your breath on this one? Lol. Three and four were the hardest ages....terrible twos is a myth. A horrible, nasty myth.
Glad you've got a reprieve and you didn't have to fight your way through the day with your girl :)

Danielle said...

So.envious.

Can you bottle some of that up and send it east....

Jenny H. said...

Toddlers...who knew?!

Biddy said...

gawd don't you LOVE it when they act like that?!

jake has been all "yes ma'am, no thank you ma'am, please, thank you, i love you"

and i'm all "what the crap??"

hehe my favorite? my sister got mad at him and said "do you need a spanking!?" and he responds in the sweetest voice ever "no thank you ma'am"

i nearly fell off my seat laughing