More Madeline.

So I know you have all been waiting with baited breath to hear more about our favorite resident toddler maniac. Because she almost never makes an appearance on this blog. Madeline has been undergoing some changes, and I'm not sure if they're natural toddler phases or a response to the big change coming up, but we're just trying not to get thrown for a loop every time she decides to mix things up. Currently, she's on a hair strike. Which means if I try and get near her head with a brush or comb, she screams bloody murder and runs away and hides. So we're doing a lot of headbands, because they're the only thing she'll let me put in. We're also on a nap strike. After a phase where she was waking up at 5 every morning for almost a week, we started putting her to bed earlier in hopes that she would cease and desist. It worked like a charm and she started sleeping in until seven. And promptly gave up napping. And I cried. But given the choice between getting up at five or giving up my nap in favor of an extra hour of peace and quiet in the evening, I am reluctantly giving up on napping.

Madeline has also been acting out more and more as she's realized the advantage she has over me in energy and tenacity. Somewhere along the line she realized that I can't physically make her do what I want because I am too fat and slow and tired. So certain activities have become a battle, and putting her on timeout has become almost impossible because she just refuses to stay there. The other day I tried and she slapped me in the face. We also experienced our first full-fledged store tantrum today. We've had minor tantrums before, but never on the floor, kicking and screaming fits. Those have generally been reserved for home viewing. But today, I was that mother trying desperately to ignore the looks as my daughter collapsed in the front of the grocery store and screamed and kicked and generally made a scene. And I promptly vowed to never judge anyone with unruly children again. If your child is a well-behaved angel in stores, at home, and in general, please refrain from giving me looks when mine is in full revolt. You have no idea how easily it could be you.

Anyway. That's the scoop on our little fireball. The maddening thing is that she's still as adorable as ever, and entirely too good at making me forget how terrible her tantrums can be. And her sweet moments are just as intense and more unforgettable than the bad ones. So crazy me, I'm looking forward to what I'm sure will be another little fireball with great anticipation. A true glutton for punishment.