Toddler Life

Recently, L and I had a very interesting day.

Upon waking up in the morning she screamed "No" at me as I sweetly told her good morning. When I said I needed to get her changed for school she screamed, "No." We had to say goodbye to daddy, "No." Let's get in the car, "No." We chatted in the car about the friends she would see, "Maya," "Nalee," and "Lanie." We get to school and she screamed, "No" when I had to leave her.

The day goes on. I see her laughing, running, and playing with all her friends through the window. Awesome, I naively think, the day really turned around for her!

5:00, time to go home. "No!" Let's go home and see daddy, "No." Several minutes and screams later we are in the car singing Christmas songs.

Arrival at home and time to make dinner. "No," she screams as I try to cook a deliciously healthy meal. I try to put her down so I can chop some peppers, "No," as she clings for life to my leg. "Milk," she finally whines. I get her a cup of milk excitedly thinking this magic solution produced by cows will solve the problem. "No," she screams as she hits me in the face with the cup.

I did not know what to do at that point. Obviously we were just on different wavelengths for the day. So I finally said, "I'm sorry I got you out of bed, changed your diaper, and put these clean clothes on you. I'm sorry I took you to school to laugh and play with all your friends while I was with other children. I'm sorry I wanted to cook you a wonderful dinner, and I'm sorry I gave you the milk that you asked for." Her response, "Yeah," as she laid her head on my shoulder in a warm embrace.