3 going on 13?!

Life with a toddler can at times be....well, challenging. I told my folks that whoever came up with the phrase 'terrible two's' only said that because their child didn't live to be three!! I consider myself someone with patience, and I thought lots of it but whew she sure can try that patience! Below are just SOME of the things I hear these days.

~First thing in the morning she calls out, "Daddy" then when I walk in her room because he is already gone to work I get told, "not YOU, Daddy." Aw, I feel the love.

~I try to always give her choices when it's feasible. Things like clothing, hair styles, etc...here is what I get these days.
Me, "do you want pig tails or a pony tail?" Her "Braids."
Me, "do you want to wear this red skirt or the green one?" Her "the purple one."
Me, "please go get some sandals on, it's hot outside." She walks in wearing Ugg type boots and glubs.

~Just another example of her 'teenage' ways. The only way (without a battle that is) she would potty for me this morning when she first woke up was with sunglasses on, a necklace, and her socks on her hands....

~And oh my, the arguing. I seriously believed I would have until the preteen years to get prepared for how to win arguments with Brooke....boy was I WRONG! She doesn't argue with anyone else....yet, but when it comes to me she will argue about anything. According to her (only when talking to me) her Daddy does NOT work at the hospital, it's NOT hot outside just warm, she does NOT need sandals, sunscreen, insert your fav thing here, oh and my favorite she is NOT arguing.....

I have been trying to figure out when to let the craziness slide and let her be herself, and when to fight her about things....this is what tries my patience probably more than anything. As a mom I of course want to do it all right, want her to be on her best behavior, etc....the not knowing and ME having to learn how to deal with this is entertainment for sure. She has started this little attitude of folding her arms, turning her head to the side with her lips all pooched out when she is told to do something she doesn't want to do. Yes, it is cute 95% of the time....the other 5% I am not laughing. I try to regularly blame Steven for this, because I just could NOT have ever been this bull-headed....hahaha, yes I cracked myself up with that one. Wishful blaming I know.

I have been doing a LOT of praying. I want to handle her the correct way, the most loving way, and the way that will show her the kind of person she needs to be.

Not to harp solely on the negative, ornery ways. She is still the most loving, caring child. She has yet to meet a child stranger. She will walk up to any other child and wrap her arms around them and introduce herself, then proceeds to introduce anyone around she knows. She is mastering her please, thanks you's, take a turn, excuse me....etc, which is a nice change. She can be so helpful in her new found independence. She will put things away without me asking her (most of the time). She also can tell when she HAS aggravated me, and she will walk up to me, ask me very sweetly what's wrong, then proceed to give me the biggest hug and kiss and tell me "it's okay Momma, I wuv you." That right there makes me forget any reason she might have aggravated me. It is amazing how someone so young can already know how to make me forget about EVERYthing else.

We hope everyone has a great, patience filled weekend! ;o)