Sassy Pants

Lately, we've become enthralled with how quickly Addison is picking up on things - Dan and I were amazed a couple months ago when we could ask her to throw something in the garbage and she would run over to the cupboard, open it up and drop whatever it was into the garbage. Sure, sometimes she had to stop and see what was in the garbage and maybe even threaten to dig something out, but she usually got it right. So, for the last couple months she has been picking up more and more and I KNOW she understands things like "Come with mom, please", "Please don't take off your diaper", "We are all done with the pacifier", "Do NOT take off your diaper", "No, we are not going outside right now" and "Sit on your bottom" Lately, however, the challenge has become being able to differentiate between what she does not understand and what she does understand but decides she doesn't want to do. For instance, we've begun to count for Addison when she is not listening to us... it goes something like this: "Addison, please sit on your bottom" (no response), "You need to sit down on your bottom, please" (just a little smirk) and at this point I begin counting to 3 (this is something they do at daycare, so I know she is familiar with it) However, lately, if I've asked Addison something twice, she'll look at me and say "doo" - which is her way of saying "TWO" Soooo SASSY! It's like her 18 month old version of: "what are you going to do about it?"

Of course, there is also the run tactic. Yesterday, I took her and Ruby out for a "walk" - we went 1 1/2 blocks then attempted to turn around and head back home. Addison, however, was not having it. She wanted to keep walking, so first she ran away, then (after being caught) she proceeded to sit down and have a little fit. At this point, she was picked up and carried a little way. When we were about home I put her down to walk again and she walked nicely for a little bit, then she wanted to walk without holding my hand and the next thing I know, she's falling back a little, then a little more. Finally, I turned around to see the mischevious little grin and, with a naughty giggle, she does a 180 and is off...in spite of my "Please come to mommy" request. I'm trying to take it in stride and tell myself that every child has these moments.

The final "sassy" story is also from yesterday. Addison had her 18 month check up yesterday, she was the ultimate little trouper - no crying or tears with her shot :) However, after the doctor we had to run a few errands and Addison just wanted to go outside to play... so she was having her own little protest in her carseat. I tried to be the good mommy and be somewhat entertaining while driving, so I began singing along with the radio and not only did I get a big "NO" from the back seat, but I turned to see Addison with both index fingers firmly planted in her ears. I couldn't help but to laugh which only encouraged the behaviour. I managed to get a shot of it while we were at a stop light...what a riot ;)