Today’s post is a copy of one from May 22, 2008. The LGBB was just 22 months old. And I marvel now, looking back, at the character that she had already developed. If that’s what one can call it. Nobody commented back then, when I had waaaay less readers than now. So I thought I’d do the whole repost shebang. I’m rewinding with the Fibro this weekend. The topic is ‘Waiting’…. And as tenuous a link as this is, I was deep in the throes of waiting for our child to walk. Yes. At 22 months. (she did eventually get there just 3 weeks shy of her second birthday, but when you’re putting this much effort into speaking – see below – I guess it’s no wonder walking comes a pissy second in your importance)
We’re still waiting for the walking to happen. But in the meantime, boy, has this kid got assertiveness all sewn up…
Last night, Steve was walking the LGBB to the bathroom. She was trailing behind taking her baby for a walk in the pusher.
S: C’mon, it’s time for a bath.
L: *stops, busies herself* Wait a minute.
With this, the LGBB got to her knees and ‘walked’* to the rug, where she had left her “pretty” (her headband is called pretty for some reason), shoved it on her head, smooshed it around a bit so it wasn’t doing any of its intended purpose – ie. keeping hair out of ones eyes – and stood back up at the pram saying “Okay” and walked on.
And last night, standing at her table, the all too familiar smell wafted to me as I was starting tea in the kitchen. Yeah. I know. One of those ones if you can smell it from ten paces while you’re preparing food. So I call out to her
Me: Hey, Lolly.
LGBB: Yeah? *turns to look at me happily*
Me: Do we need to change your nappy?
LGBB: *pausing, cogs visibly whirring in brain* No?
Me: Are you suuuuuure?
LGBB: *adamantly* NO!
Me: That means you’re not sure. So we need to, I think (God I’m mean, catching her out on a slip-up of double negatives)
LGBB: NO! NOOOO!
(now, this is where she would normally just accede and allow me to change her, but I dunno, the combination of little biscuits, her dolls house, The Jackson Five – did I mention? She’s a psycho for a high-singin’ bit o’ young Michael – just about presented her heaven on Earth, apparently)
LGBB: Mummeh! *holds hand out in Stop sign* You go….. Bye Mummy, bye. *I paused* Go-orn, Mummy. In. You go. In kitchen. Go-orn!
(and then she actually pointed to the kitchen and motioned for me to get back in there like she was telling Jazz to get outside)
Steve walked in the door then. What timing! He bundled the LGBB up and I said “We were just going to change Lolly because she’s finished her last biscuit now.” And before Steve could answer, the LGBB pipes up, “No, Mummy. Kitchen.” She stared me down. From the arms of her tall father, my daughter actually stared me down. So I pushed it, didn’t I?
Me: But…. your nappy *ok so I was really teasing now*
LGBB: *slight frown, staring at me as if warning me not to explain to Daddy and give her game away – er, as if the stench didn’t do that for me* KITCH-EN.
I guess I get the ‘tude I deserve. To be perfectly frank, she scares me a little. Absolutely gorgeous and lovely and compassionate and funny. But…. just a spoonful of scary.
So there you have it. A day in the life of Lolly and me at the moment. She’s running the rings and I’m in the kitchen.
* Oh, did I mention? “We” are still not walking. First steps is all I could have called what she did a few weeks ago, judging by the knee-’walking’ still going on here. Eughhhhhh *sigh*
I'm seeing genius at work here. Why walk when you can just order your minions to do as you bid? Still, you'd have thought the knee walking would demand more effort than walking walking…
We all need a little 'tude' in our lives, hope she keeps it for when she is all grown up … forging ahead with confidence and that smile. xxx
Does that give you a little view into the future – when she's a teen? LOL! Ah bless her cotton socks
Hello Being me
Thanks so much for your kind words on my post for the rewind.
Aren't children precious
Your rewind made me smile.
SSG xxx
Sydney Shop Girl blog
My little boy Tom used to be so like this – we'd get the "stop hand" and the "you go 'way now" voice. Plainly very possessive about his nappy. Now we've finally got him potty trained he's content with leaping up and shouting "ta da!" whenever he produces anything.
We had somewhat the same situation..precocious with the talking, left behind with the walking. The "tude" never left. You have an interesting few years ahead of you. Enjoy!!
Goodness me. I can't wait to read the Adventures of Lolly when she's 16. She's going to be unstoppable!
Thanks for Rewinding at the Fibro.
Ha Ha. Attitude with a capital A.
My youngest was a bit behind with walking. Not that he didn't know how, he just had 3 older siblings happy to carry him everywhere. When they went back to school he had to walk, because I certainly wasn't carrying him about all day!
Tinsenpup: Genius indeed, you'd better believe it. Little swindler had us all wrapped up in a bow
Kakka: I hope so too, actually. Confidence – with decency and compassion. I think that'll be her.
Judi: lalalala I can't hear yooooooou!
SSG: Glad you smiled. Your blog is my newest find, I look fwd to reading you more!
Steve: Well, what's life without a little flair hey? As long as he doesn't start expecting applause…. then again, I do believe any toddler worth their salt would demand such high praise (for anything) sooooo…
mybabyjohn: I am intrigued. My head is also in my hands. I shall approach those years somewhat nervously, I can tell you.
LIAPF: God, I can only imagine. The mind games are going to make Parker Bros look like pussycats.
River: Ahh ha ha, a smart boy! What a cute image, though. I got so sick of Lolly's "layabout" ways, even though I had mums around me thinking I was being too hard on her… Errrr, she was 20 months and still expecting to be picked up FGS! Not too harsh, in my books *grrrr just remembering, those were the days!*