Leaps and Bounds-Addie update

Nothing makes you realize your own mortality like parenthood-like, the days are flying, FLYING by. Even the months and years seem to be speeding up. Adelaide's development is on fastforward right now. Over the past month of so, it seems, she is relaying completely cooked thoughts. She is funny and charming. She likes to sing (but "baa-baa Babies" has given way to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Wheels on the bus, "If all the raindrops", etc.), and I completely understand what information she is trying to communicate to me. I also find her very silly. For example, she likes to say something like "Books, bottle, Num-Num (pacifier), NIGHT NIGHT!!!" (her bedtime routine) over and over again with various weird voices and cracks herself up. She still likes to play a monster and "attack" you with the "wah-wah-wah-wah!!!!" (I found an emasculated Disney Prince in his underwear with only boots and a monster mask on the bed just yesterday). She adores reading books at bedtime, and we average 8 per night (when we finally turn off the light, she will still demand "more BOOKS!"). She is very clever, and her rudimentary efforts to work it with Sean and I are sweet (but that can only grow in sophistication, so I am mentally preparing).

For example:
Addie, after dinner, finishing her Oreo, asked for "More chockett (chocolate) peees, Mama?!".
I answered: "No, Addie, all done with dessert, time for bath."
Addie gave me a dirty look, turned to Sean, and with a mischievous grin asked HIM:
"More, chockett, peees, Papa!?"
I thought this stuff started at a later age, like 8 or 10 or something. Not at not-yet-two.

She likes to challenge fate, like hanging on a bar over a 6 foot drop at the playground. When she does stuff like this, she'll say "Whoa, Mama! Look at me, Mama, Whoa!!!" (she is also fast, which is why I got disapproving, judgemental looks from other parents at the playground Saturday-but, 1) this is my second child and I find that I generally do not hover over my children every second; and 2) I was pushing Gillian on a swing 5 feet away, Jeez!!). Sean commented just yesterday that Addie will be our base-jumper (God help me). She really is fearless. She will go bounding up to any old massive dog giggling with delight when she gets doggy kisses all over her face. So, very brave, with very little sense of caution. Bad combination. Gillian, on the other hand, is exceedingly cautious.

Addie also endears me with things like "Oh, BOY mama!" if I give her something she really likes (food, a toy, crayons, etc.) and on her first bike ride with Sean yesterday (the initial whining at being strapped in the seat and having a helmet clicked on turned to "Oh BOYYYY PAPAAAA!" when they started to go). That initial sensation was her kind of adrenaline rush (kindof like when she wants you to push her on the swing REALLY high ("More, push!!!! MORE!!!") and then decides to see what happens if she stops holding on ("whoa Papa!")).

So, we are getting to know her more. I know that sounds weird, but Gillian's personality is so huge, there isn't much room to notice the more subtle mellowness that is Addie (who is happy to play by herself for hours while Gillian demands constant detailed attention and recognition for everything she says and does). I love how different they are-Gillian is my sensitive (albeit bossy) philosopher, Addie is my carefree daredevil (who rarely, if ever, does what she is told to do by her bossy sister!). Both types of personality are fascinating to watch develop.

All that said, Addie is no pushover. She loves to torment her dramatic, delicate flower of a big sister. Sean told me the other day, Gillian had made a monumental Lego castle. Addie cheekily came over, stealthy even, and took a big block from one of the walls. Commence Gillian's full on meltdown, crying fit (complete with tears) and Addie taking off down the hallway with the block, making sure to look back enough to enjoy the pain and suffering she was inflicting on her sister. Gillian ran after her and took the block back, and Addie slyly acted like she would play with something else, and did the entire thing over again. In fact, she and Addie have experienced an astronomical increase in bickering and fighting. But then we have these gilded moments where they snuggle and kiss and talk about how much they love each other. Yesterday I asked Gillian why she and Addie fight so much, and she simply said "well, I think it's because we always want the same things". I thought that was pretty insightful and gave me great relief, because it wasn't the usual "because I HATE her!" or "because she is MEAN!" I am happy to know she realizes it is circumstantial, and not some attribute of inherent awfulness in Addie's personality.

I have the nerve to believe that these girls will be very close one day, and be each other's support network through the trials and tribulations of life. As crazy and exhausting as they are, they don't seem like either of them will ever be anyone's doormat. I'll take that any day, and the difficulties we will inevitably face because of their willfull spiritedness, than docile girls crippled by crushing insecurity. It is probably the hardest dynamic I have had to balance as a parent-how to keep my girls in line while cultivating strength and independence (and not beating down that spirit).