I made it through the school year and now I'm on vacation again. We just had a playdate with A, which went rather well. I was hoping Cordelia could get more practice sharing as she can be very possessive lately. She was very friendly and cheerful almost the whole time. There was one time when she picked up a toy that A had played with and then discarded and tried to take it away, "No, that's mine, that's not for you!" and stalked out of the room muttering darkly to herself. I pointed out to A's mom that this is what I had been warning her about. Fortunately, it didn't last and C was even able to ask to take turns with certain toys and was generally happy to have A there. But when she does get possessive, it is very feisty and a little mean. Still typical for a two year old, but especially with her words she sounds like an older child (maybe from spending time around her cousins?). And part of it is her temperament and also being an only child at home, unlike her cousins, who have to actually deal with each other all the time. When she gets mad, she is mad. She is also trying to feel powerful and control things. She is also into refusing things just to say No. Yesterday she said "No, I don't like grapes" and proceeded to eat all the grapes and ask for more. A walking contradiction, with lots of two year old attitude.
Over the last 2 months we have had more regular melt downs as she wrestles with these big emotions. She has been having a hard time sharing, cleaning up, and taking naps at Meme's house. She will also some times reject Dada, and also gets jealous if we hug or hold hands, saying "No, that's MY mama.". She doesn't like me to hold the cats (or Meme's dogs), but I have been working to foster more positive interactions, such as giving the cats treats or playing with cat toys. With a little help and redirecting, at home I can usually convince her to get through things. In between all of this, I still see the happy, exuberant, adorable little girl that I know and love. That is her core personality, even if she is not that happy sweet baby all the time anymore. She is moving out of being a toddler and developmentally wanting to be a bigger kid.
Judy's husband compared Cordelia to a "pet hug pack animal", basically, a therapy pet, making everyone she visits just feel better to be around her because she's so sweet and cheerful. I know this defiance is just a phase and eventually she will grow out of it as she gains more experience and more confidence. Fortunately, they are only moments here and there and don't dominate our days. (Though sometimes Meme has reported to me "there was no pleasing her today!" She had a cold and was so cranky we even had her checked for an ear infection. It may also be her molars, which are mostly in, but she still seems to want to chew on everything all of a sudden).
She has pooped on the potty a few times! Other times she will sit and read books for ages and then come out squealing "Mama! Dada! Look what I made!" and there is nothing there. Ha ha. A little bit of pee, but never a lot.
We have done some fun outings, like going to see Alyssa's horses. That was really exciting for Cordelia. I hope to go back soon! It would be nice to have C comfortable around horses and also (when older) it teaches great responsibility. However, she was excited, but also wary. She has been scared by things more easily now. We went to the Little Farm this weekend and she wouldn't feed the animals their celery this time. One time she and Jason played in a card board box and he closed it up around her. Immediately, she was scared!
She is going to start school when we get back from break. I have had some frustrations with that not going quite how I think it should be handled (administratively), but I hope the environment will be worth it. And I think going to school will be good to socialize her. I hope it will be worth it, because it is going to be very expensive.
I am most nervous about the first two weeks because Meme and Papa are going on a vacation and we are planning to have our friend who also has a baby watch Cordelia. We have watched the baby a couple times, but C has never been at their house for full days or at school for full days. I am very anxious that it will be so many changes for her all at once and it will be so hard for her. Jason thinks she will be fine, but of course, I'm a worrier.
Also, I agreed to a writing project and have a dead line and no ideas. It's kinda cramping my vacation relaxation. Arrg.
