Well I don't have any pictures to post at the moment because I'm not at home, but I wanted to write a little about the newest developments we are experiencing...
Do you all remember the sweet, even tempered child that once was? Well she is still sweet. But rather than even tempered, I would lean more towards mild-to-moderate tempered!
Libby has always known what she wants, and has always been determined to get it. Even if that means climbing up doggy steps to get cell phone or crawling on top of a tiny baby or underneath a bouncing baby in an exersaucer - she is going to get it! And I love that about her - She has no fear...which I know is because she has no understanding of the concept of danger or consequences...but I still love it - she is not a timid child. So these days are consistantly filled with constantly watching over her. No more leaving her in the living room while I go down to do laundry or anything more than 12 steps away because trust me, she will find SOMETHING to get into!!
As far as her temperament goes, well let's just say she found her voice. She can scream - we all know that - but now it's not just screaming for fun, it's screaming to twist mama and daddy's heart into giving in to her every want and need. But mostly want, because she always has what she needs :) If you walk by her and don't pick her up when she wants picked up she puts her face on the ground and yells. If you tie her down in the high chair and she doesn't want to be tied down she screams at you. If you take something important away from her, she screams at you. If you try to get her dressed/undressed and she wants to play, she screams at you. Are you getting this?? Do you see what's happening here?? She is getting too big and too smart! She is learning about manipulation (and I hate that word because it sounds negative, but that's what babies do). She is searching for what makes us give in to her.
She is going to have to keep trying....screaming doesn't bother me....maybe if there are real tears and a pouty lip, but not just plain old screaming!! I've got too much patience for that :)
She is really still a very sweet girl, though, even amongst all the screaming. She is learning to cuddle (when she's not too busy) and she is happy to see us when she wakes up and when I pick her up from daycare and when she spots us around the corner in the kitchen or bathroom or wherever - always full of sweet sweet smiles. She gives slobbery open-mouth licky kisses on the cheek and laughs when the dogs run around her. She loves the breeze on her face and the sun when it shines. She loves bathtime and rubber duckies and splashing around. Olivia loves life and she is just trying to figure out how to get the best of the world into her hands...and I love her for that!
