Manners, Ruby Slippers, Baby Giggles & the Day My Toddler Learned to Say "No"

Toddlers are gross and have horrible manners. We all know this. They throw tantrums, hit, hoard toys, and have snot and spit and all sorts of grossness all over them. At the same time, they are also sponges, absorbing EVERYTHING from the world around them. Over the past few weeks, I've been absolutely amazed at what Annabelle is picking up. I can see it come through in her growing vocabulary, her expressions, how she plays, and her manners. She has suddenly become aware of things that are, shall we say, gross. Whereas before she wasn't fazed by poop or pee, she has now suddenly become disgusted with it, pointing to Eloise's diaper during a diaper change and saying, "Ewwwww" or "Aaaaack" (aka yuck). She knows when her diaper is full and looks at us with this utterly disgusted/worried look on her face and says "Ewwww, poop poop." It's freaking adorable, and yet gross at the same time. Oddly enough though, brownie batter doesn't seem to bother her...

As cold and flu season approaches (despite the HOT weather here), Annabelle is sneezing more and more often, and Eloise is consequently getting a cold as well. Since Annabelle's aware of the "ewwww"-ness of bodily fluids, she's starting to realize that sneezing falls in that gross category. Over the weekend, we've been trying to teach her to cover her mouth when she sneezes and coughs. How is it going? Let's just say it's a work in progress.

You will notice in this video, she's wearing some dazzling footwear. Yes, those are Ruby Red Slippers. Thanks to Grandma Martha's generosity (I think Annie comes home with a new outfit or article of clothing 3 out of the 4 Wednesdays of the month that she is at Grandma and Grandpa's house), she's got these fabulous new shoes. Every day when we get dressed and ready for the day, I let her go over to her closet to get her shoes. She wears the same shoes every day, but I think she likes thinking that she's choosing what to wear. Last week, for 3 days in a row, she kept trying to put her Ruby Red Slippers on to go to daycare. I would totally let her, except they are slightly big and as a result, not quite conducive to running around and playing with her friends. Enter weekend wear - the kid wore these ALL weekend. All day Saturday. Playing in her pajamas on Sunday. Cheering on the golfers on TV. Girlfriend is obsessed.

There are so many hilarious moments with Annabelle, I can't help but start out the blog with them, but don't worry, I haven't forgotten that we have another child that is loved so very much. She's got her own moments separate from her sister - hers are simply more subdued and lovely. She's at such a fun age - she's beginning to discover the world around her, and we are seeing her sweet little personality start to come through as well! While Annabelle runs through the house like a wild banshee, this sweet little one is all smiles and giggles (and spit-up and gas) while she plays in her Bounce-Around or with Mama.

How can you watch that video and NOT smile to yourself? I'm not saying having a baby is all sunshine and rainbows - far from it. We have some long (or is it short?) nights, several outfit changes, what seems like a never-ending supply of bottles to wash and breastmilk to store and thaw. And let's not talk about the cost of diapers. So. Many. Diapers. With two kids still in diapers (we are just starting the potty-training process with Annie), I could probably start a diaper-changing assembly line. However, I digress... Moral of the story, babies are hard, but it's moments like this that make you forget all of that. I don't want to jinx it and have my children turn into terrors overnight, but Dan and I have been SO blessed to have really good-natured kids so far. Eloise's personality is incredibly chill. She's louder than her sister was when she wants something, and is still struggling with reflux, but she's overall an incredibly content baby.

Yesterday morning I was dressing Eloise (aka Weezy) and getting her ready for daycare, dreamily staring at her, marveling at her aforementioned content personality, how precious she is and how quickly she's changing. Then, from the corner of Weezy's room where she was paying, I heard Annie somewhat softly say the word I have been dreading hearing from her: "No." I didn't want to make a big deal about it, but my eyes quietly popped out of my head as I slowly turned my head around. She said it. My 18-month-old finally and VERY clearly said "No." I honestly don't even know why she said it - maybe it was directed at one of the dogs, I really don't remember. But after that initial "No," it's like she realized she could say it and said it a few more times immediately after. She's been such an agreeable little kid, and has a handful of words that she clearly says, but up until yesterday morning, NO was not one of them. Then overnight, it has seemingly become her favorite word. I think she says it just to hear it roll around in her mouth, because this morning she was sitting in her crib, babbling away, saying, "No no no no no!" The thing is, it sounded like she was saying it TO something or someone. She's got a handful of stuffed animals in her crib that she plays with every morning, so should could have been talking to one of them, but I really have no idea! What they could have done to cause her to tell them No is anyone's guess. I knew this day would come. I knew my sweet, loving Annabelle would learn to say No, and with sass no less. Both of her cousins already say it, so I'm actually shocked she took so long to add it to her vocabulary. I just hoped it wouldn't be for a little bit longer. I don't know why, but it feels like her saying No has just sealed the fact that she's no longer a baby. She's a full-fledged toddler. I'm sure "Mine" isn't too far off. But for now, I'll enjoy the fact that "No" is the only sassy word she uses so far, and I'll soak up every moment of her cheesiness.

At the end of the day, even if Annie does know how to say No, and even if Weezy continues to spit up all over the place, it's these faces that really make me smile. I certainly don't forget about how hard it is to be Mom (or any parent for that matter), because, you guys, it's HARD. I just try to keep it all in perspective. Because, at the end of the day, isn't that what it's all about anyways?

#toddler #babygiggles #manners #baby #parenting