Although she’s finally settled into the new house, Maddi has a whole new set of issues. Toddler issues. Now that she has discovered how to walk and run, Maddi is all about setting her own agenda. And when bothersome adults try to interfere with that agenda, they are rewarded, Zsa-Zsa style, with slapping and screaming.
Yes, Maddi has hit the terrible twos early, it would seem. Simple mealtime slights such as giving her the food she pointed at (rather than the one she meant to point at) result in sippy-cup hurling and a very rapid and angry tray-clearing ritual that results in the total destruction of our dining area in five seconds flat. Heaven forbid that we should exit the car to run a quick errand and then re-enter the car too early for our princess’ liking. Or that we should not take her outside to play ball at 3 a.m. If such offenses occur, Maddi will make her feelings known by slapping our chest, flinging herself backward and wailing. If she happens to be on the floor, the display is of even more melodramatic proportions.
So far, her tantrums last approximately 20 seconds if she’s fed and well-rested, but if we don’t nip it in the bud, it could turn ugly. After all, this is a child who is capable of keeping herself awake from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. sans nap when she’s so inclined.
In other news, I can occasionally get her still long enough to put really poorly constructed ponytails in her hair.