You know how I said how Brooke was so sweet…well…I take it all BACK! Don’t ask me what happened, but this past month – she’s been a bold batch of SWEET N SASSY!
One second, she’s as happy as can be.
Then, in the blink of an eye, a look of complete and total despair wipes across her face:
There’s lots of causes, but mostly cause she can’t do something herself. And it frustrates her!!!
But she knows how to turn up the drama as she puckers those lil lips and turns ON the wine!
But she has all sorts of tricks. Like I say her name, and she takes off running. She’s faster than this 8 month preggo mom, and she knows it!
Her sweet “cuddles” have evolved into using my belly as a jumping bag. If this baby doesn’t come early, it will be nothing short of a miracle.
She’ll let out the loudest, saddest cry, the kind where you think you’ll have to rush her to the hospital cause she just about killed herself. Only to find out she’s upset cause she can’t get on her own shoes by herself.
She has a slight shoe fetish, that only seems to be growing stronger over time. And she LOVES Tanner’s boots, cause she can get those on all.by.herself.
And heaven forbid I leave her alone to go to the bathroom. On one occasion, she found the mascara in my drawer, unscrewed it, and then pretended to “beautify herself.”
But she had one thing right. Her eyelashes don’t need it. They’re the longest, thickest, prettiest ones I’ve ever seen.
And one week, the word “MINE!” was replaced by the word “Please.” Except in the car. While driving, she’ll use the nicest, sweetest voice, and then insists, “Up, please!” Any other time, of course I’d say yes to that!
Trying to tell her “NO!” is a joke. Brooke, stop climbing up the kitchen stool onto the counter, you’re going to hurt yourself. She doesn’t even bat an eye or pause to acknowledge your concern or turnaround to give us the look of defiance. Instead – she just keeps on going – only faster!
But she’s still as sweet as can be, but only when she wants.
When Scarlett is around, the two can be so silly.
Brooke was doing a ‘fake’ laugh on the way home from the store, and I’ve never heard Scarlett giggle so much! There’s no sweeter sound, just hear for yourself!
OBESSIONS
Brooke has two new obsessions.
PURSES! She LOVES to carry her purse around. Anything with a handle, she’ll tote around all day long. She tries to carry my purse, or the diaper bag, but I’m pretty sure they weigh as much as her. When Tanner gets his backpack for school, she’s not content until she has her purse. And somedays, it follows us everywhere! Even outside playing, strapped into her swing, she was holding onto her purse!
And going to Tanner’s soccer practice, she had to carry share all.by.herself. There was no “helping” allowed.
The other obsession – my car!!! We finally got real and figured with three kids, it was time to inevitable – time to get a new minivan. And these kids would have thought it was just for them!! Brooke LOVES the new car – and would easily sit and play for hours if I let her. Instead of letting me get her out of her car seat, she’d make a mad dash for the back row, landing herself in the extra booster seat. And one day, instead of fighting her, I caved in. I moved her car seat in the back row next to Tanners – and she couldn’t be happier. I love that she can climb in and out herself, and she can have a stash of fun toys/gadgets within an arms reach, and if she needs help, Tanner is right there. And most days, those two are back there singing silly songs and giggling together.
Tanner shares the same obsession, but in different ways. He insists on always being the one to push the button to open/close the doors, wants to the “movie” every time the backup camera comes on, and loves that he can talk to dad on the phone over the car speakers. He also loves there’s a light, a/c controls, and other buttons right above his head. Now if there was only a way to NEVER let them turn on the light, I’d be ecstatic too.
She still loves music, shaking it whenever she can. She LOVES to listening to songs, especially those with hand motions. I usually can distract her when she’s mad by simply starting to sing, “If you’re happy and you know it” and pretty soon she’s busting out all her moves and hand motions. It’s adorable when she smiles, points to her lips when the words, “then your face will surely show it!”
She’s also learned a few new “dance” moves - pivoting on one foot, twirling in circles, and walking backwards. It’s so entertaining to watch!!
SMART COOKIE
And she also thinks she’s a big girl. I’m always SHOCKED by the things she has learned to do:
Like counting to 3. I’ll start by saying one – and she’ll follow by saying, TWO, and then THREE with the biggest smile. At the pool, we’d count to 3 to have her jump into the water – and she didn’t forget – and surprised us one day when she started doing it completely on her own. And sometimes, she’ll keep going to FIVE. Seriously, what 16 month old knows how to count, let alone even by able to correctly say each numbers name? This makes her borderline genius, right? At least in the accounting world!
Or swinging herself in a big girl swing. Now she wants to sit in a big kid swing. she holds on tight, leans back, and begins to pump her legs to SWING by herself. And she’s totally enthralled for 10-15 minutes swinging all by herself. But we still have to be careful. She’ll see someone, and let go so she can wave hello and say hi. Luckily, no disasters yet.
But despite her new found defiance, some other little miracle has come about in our home.
Tanner and Brooke LOVE playing together. Anything, anywhere.
And yes, even Tanner’s coveted LEGOS! Tanner will share his Legos with Brooke, and she’s never been more ecstatic.
And occasionally, it use to be anytime there was an outburst or loud cry heard, it would quickly spiral out of control until both were screaming and crying at the top of the lungs.
Then one day, something magical happened. One began to scream, and the other begins to hug the other. They’re both smiling, giving more hugs, and soon, they’re rolling on the floor, laughing and squealing with delight.
Now anytime one gets their feelings hurt or upset, the other insists on a hug. And then, things are magically okay in the universe and they move to playing just as they were.
Tanner has been so patient and kind to her. Maybe it’s because he’s in school—and misses her during the day – or maybe she’s finally grown up and he enjoys playing alongside her now – but either way, it’s been wonderful.
This small little tender mercy from the Lord always makes be smile. I' LOVE both my kids, and LOVE that they love each other. I hope this “phase” lasts forever rather than “quickly passes by”!
