I have to laugh that in my last "Lucy" post at 18 months, I said we were getting to a "sweet spot" where things were getting better. Just being completely honest, I think I must have been optimistic or hopeful that the few weeks we had of more good days than bad were a sign of good things to come. Man, was I wrong! Lucy has given us a run for our money and tested my patience in more ways that I can count lately. Our "good days" seem to be far and few between as we're in that lovely (and long-lasting) phase of screaming and crying most days because Lucy is very opinionated and strong-willed, yet doesn't have the words to communicate what she wants or needs. And that leads to lots of frustration for everyone. Plus the fact that she cut her four canines in the last few months resulted in some rough days and lots of tears (and not just from Lucy!). She is Miss Independent and always wants to do everything by herself.
She will often yell "nooo mama! nooo mama!" when she wants to be left
alone and not have me interfere. We certainly don't want to break her strong will as we know it will be a valuable quality when she's older, it's just challenging now!
And then there's the climbing - oh the climbing!! I've said she's a climber before, but I literally can't turn my back for a second, or go to the bathroom solo as I walk out to find her sitting (or often teetering on the edge) of the table, kitchen island, or counter. She has figured out how to climb on all the chairs (even on our tall barstools that used to be Ella's "escape" where Lu couldn't reach her) to get up on anything. If there's a cup of milk, a binky, any food, a marker, or anything she wants that's just out of reach, why not just climb up and get it yourself!? Our tall chairs are currently off limits for her as she recently tipped back in one and fell backwards to the ground. Luckily I was standing by her and caught her before she hit her head, but it scared us both!
She is still attached to me like crazy. We have tried numerous times to leave her in the church nursery or baby child care at Ella's preschool to get her used to being with other care givers (and to give me a break!). Every time, we get a text (usually about 10 minutes after I've dropped her off) to come pick up Lucy as she is screaming and won't calm down, and often upsetting the other kids. The care givers are all so sweet and have been so great at being willing to work with her to increase the time she spends with them, but so far, we haven't reached any break throughs. We were the only couple at our ten year college reunion in October that had our kids with us because she had to be picked up from the in house child care ;). But then it's funny how she's doing awesome in her Little Gym class and is one of the few kids that the teacher constantly uses as her "demonstrator" because she'll go to Teacher Linda with no problems and do whatever skill they're working on. I think she's gotten comfortable with her seeing her on a regular basis and knows that she can keep an eye on me.
I keep telling myself it's all a phase and that this too will pass, but it's hard when you're in the midst of it all. Not to be a total downer as she definitely is such a sweet, funny, little girl and she does have a beautiful, hilarious, and spunky personality. It's a good thing she's so darn cute because it's impossible to stay upset or remember how frustrated you just were with her when she melts you with her silly smile and big hugs. She's a great cuddler and loves being rocked in her chair at night or at naptime before going into her crib. Cody looks forward to putting her down as he often gets in a little cat nap when she falls asleep on his chest. She entertains us and any audience she's given with her funny little games and loves attention from those she loves. She makes the best facial expressions and communicates pretty clearly what she's thinking with her scowls, surprise faces, smiles, and furrowed eyebrows.
Have I mentioned she's cute!?
Pardon the randomness and abundance of pictures - combination of off loading my phone pics and recently taking a photography class so I've been practicing by taking lots of pictures :).
She drags this chair in from the play room every day to climb up and wash her hands/play in the water...
I have a love/hate with these ginormous car carts - love that they keep the girls (especially Lucy) happy and entertained while at the store, hate how big they are and how hard they are to steer!
Determined to get what she wants - even if that means climbing up on a table...
Dinners out with Lucy are for and few between these days because this is her usual behavior when we're out...
Loves climbing in the bath tub...
Bundling up for some cold walks...
Lu got to join Ella for a Frozen night at Ella's preschool - great excuse to let them wear their Halloween costumes again!
There's that cute smile!
These girls LOVE dancing...
And climbing in the doll crib with her...
Such helpers these days...
She's very clear about when she wants her diaper changed ;)...
Our little blue-eyed blondie...
At Little Gym...
We moved some furniture around when we got our Christmas tree - Lucy used it as her climbing gym...
It's crazy to me that my next Lucy post will be about our 2-year-old! How do the months fly by so fast!? Love you to pieces Lucy!!
