Monday, May 4, 2009

Usually I wake up grumpy, but sometimes I let her sleep in

When I first heard this funny quote in the title of this post, I immediately thought of my little Milly. The day she turned three, she ceremoniously entered "the terrible threes". Oh, didn't you hear? Three is the new "terrible two".

In addition to waking up grumpy almost every day, she's begun fighting us on e v e r y t h i n g. The entire morning is filled with "no" from Milly. Milly, let's go have breakfast. No. Milly, can you show me how you can use the potty? No. We need to change your diaper then. No. Milly, we need to get dressed now. No. One night at dinner, she took a stand the moment she got to the table. "I don't like dis, and I'm not gonna eat it!" She pushed her chair away from the table, and crossed her arms in a huff. We told her that she would probably be hungry later if she didn't eat dinner, and then tried to ignore her. Milly would not be ignored. She kept repeating her mantra, "I DON'T like dis, and I'm NOT gonna eat it!" over and over to her dim parents who were clearly not getting it. After we had all finished our dinner - the rest of us who were actually eating it that is - Milly quietly pulled her chair back to the table, and ate her dinner. Every last bite.

Even her big sister Seesa rolls her eyes at us when Milly gets into one of her toddler tantrums. I usually just shake my head and tell my husband "now you know what it's like to live with you". Even he admits that if his own Mom was still alive, she'd no doubt have a million stories to tell about how he acted the exact same way when he was her age. It cracks us up most days. When we're not going insane trying to get her to believe that the thing we want her to do, was actually her idea to begin with.

Although it's a daily struggle lately to maintain my patience, I'm still incredibly happy that she's finding her voice and growing into herself. It helps that she's SO darn cute, even when she's acting out. And on a dime, she turns it around and just oozes sweetness.


Seesa and Milly in "time out".

Yeah, I really taught them a lesson here, as you can see...

12 comments:

Unknown said...

My girls have been having their moments lately too and I really think that no matter what age they are there are going to be "terrible" parts. YOu are very right she is now able to express herself and tell you what's on her mind. So does my daughter even when I am not interested in hearing it:) I love the last pic! She sure did learn her lesson. I'm with you my girls test my patient every day too.

Aliceson said...

3 is most definitely worse than 2! The strong will of a child!

Mary Freaking Poppins said...

Three....no one warns you! You think you're in the clear, that you for some reason missed the 'terrible twos' and then you're surprised by the hidden '3' secret! I get it!

Kate Coveny Hood said...

Three is REALLY hard. And that worries me since two is no picnic with the twins. I don't remember Oliver being so awful at two...but since he was three a month ago, I KNOW how bad that is. I just can't even think about it. There's always something. So like you, I just do the best I can and think about how cute they are and appreciate their moxie.

Sophie, Inzaburbs said...

The terrible threes are truly terrible, and take it from me, girls are worse! It is lucky they are so cute (yours look especially so!) and also know how to turn on the charm. Sigh. I guess it is just early preparation for being a teenager.

septembermom said...

I find 3 to be a tough age with my daughter too! She is a bit of a dictator at times. Sweet at other times. You never know how this "diva" will act from minute to minute. I enjoyed reading your post! Good luck with your cuties!

For Myself said...

They look like they're thinking deeply about their actions!!

Too, too darn cute!

Kirsten said...

Should be a fun year.

rachel... said...

I've got a 3 in my house, too. I'll agree that 3 has been harder for ALL of mine who've been there than 2 was!

Kind of defeating the purpose with that time-out there, eh, Mom? ;)

Kim said...

Yes it sure looks like you laid down the law in that picture and that they are pondering what they did:). I can imagine that cuteness could outweigh naughty behaviour. I'm seeing that already in Deaglan and he's not yet two.

Renee said...

I'm right there with you. I love my little Threeasaurus Rex but some days ...

anymommy said...

I think you know how I feel about age three. Thumbs down ;-)

But, I love your point about seeing them come into their own, develop their own opinions, it is fun.

 

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