The Mini Toddler Empress 2

This is a NaBloPoMo entry for November 2008

When The Little Empress was just born, I — like most new mothers, I would imagine — thought I couldn’t wait for her to grow. All the possibilities that this newborn little one held were yet to be revealed and I was impatient for her to show me what she could do.

Like most parents with newborns, every little thing she did — from the rise and fall of her chest, to the wiggle of her tiny toes — was new, magical and awesome. Could you believe she did that?! And as time went on, we began to live for the milestones, her first social smile, holding her head up, rolling over, things like that. Before our eyes she grew and developed from a cranky, basically immobile little creature to a happy, gurgling little baby. It was awesome.

And then… she began to sit.

Sitting, I’ve come to realize, is probably the last “safe” mobility milestone though arguably the ability to roll over should also make vigilant parents nervous. I remember fretting around The Little Empress’ 6 month birthday when she still didn’t show any ability to hold herself in a sitting position; she always pancaked flat onto her face. Don’t worry, other moms and the doctor told me. She would sit on her own soon enough.

And they were right. While she still can’t put herself in a sitting position, she can hold one for an indefinite amount of time. I’m so proud of her!

But with sitting has come another development: a surge in her curiousity. I guess the new point of view on the world has opened up a new world of possibilities. But it is like a demon has taken control of my already demanding Little Empress — she’s obsessed with seeing, touching, tasting new things. And while I want to do all I can to encourage this, I have to admit: she’s driving me crazy.

The Little Empress has decreed that she must see and touch EVERYTHING POSSIBLE. Meaning that if she wants a certain toy, she wants THAT TOY and nothing else will do. She tires easily of her scenery and has quickly learned that throwing tantrums will more often than not at least get her the attention she wants to get her moved.

Meanwhile, I’m trying to figure out how my infant turned into a mini, non-walking toddler without my knowing it and finding myself wishing for that mostly immobile, (relatively) easy to care for newborn. And I’m also trying to figure out how I’ll survive when she begins to walk. YIKES!!