What A Personality....What A Temper!

Gracie, nearly two years old now, wakes up with a flash each morning between her father and I. She has joined us early in the morning somewhere between 6am and 7am. Those last few hours of toddler sleep can only be achieved, or so it seems, with one bony heel digging in to her fathers hip, and a hard and heavy noggin edging mommy out of the bed. What a happy toddler she is when she wakes up though; right where she wants to be, between the two people who adore her. Waking from naptime isn't quite as energetic though. If I am able to get her to sleep for an hour or so mid-day, she wakes up and needs to be cuddled for several minutes before the Princess Grace is ready to face the rest of the day. But, I don't mind. It seems that the more she grows, the less cuddling I get.

Gracie is an energetic toddler who wants to do everything herself. Most of the time she is so thrilled to learn new things and accomplish those tasks that plague her. Her beaming smile can be seen a mile away, her laugh is surely heard in the apartment two floors down. Gracie's favorite times are usually "pretend" times. She will adorn herself early in the day with several layers of faux jewelry and the book bucket from the bathroom adorns her head. The pediatrician said to encourage her to potty, we should have a supply of books for her in the bathroom. Little did we know that the "book bucket," could have multiple uses. Gracie is now "Gracie Queen of The Potty." All that is missing is her scepter. I am sure in time, she will find something suitable. She bounces around this house in her own special way. Almost always with a smile on her face, and something fun to do. Gracie is very creative and often plays "work." This is a game she made up with Grandma where she closes a door behind her and you have to tell her to have a good day at work. Seconds later, she can't stand the excitement and she bounds from behind the door shouting "home!" She is now home from work, and is too excited and must return to "work" a few moments later.

Throughout the day, Gracie will read many, many stories. Sometimes she "reads" what the book says, other times she makes up her own fun adventure with the characters. When she isn't reading or doing puzzles (her favorite thing these days), she has her pretend food out and we are on a picnic, or shopping in the store. What an amazing little girl she is.

Her vocabulary is expanding exponentially these days. She is so polite, and her personality comes shining through. Yesterday, I asked her if she wanted an apple, she replied "um... no thanks." We have taught her to say "no thank you," or "no thanks" instead of just no. When she can't get something that she is trying, I will ask "do you need help?" She replies "momma, I do it." She is a strong wonderful little person, and I am so proud to have a hand in what she has become.

Now, while the Princess Grace usually bestows good and generosity on her kingdom; hell hath no fury like a toddler temper. She honestly gets her temper from her daddy, and her Uncle Brian. I watch as my beautiful girl turns red in the face and shakes her head and arms when she doesn't get something she wants, or if the puzzle piece won't fit. We are working on the temper, and teaching her how to control it. We also don't let her get away with it--we don't want it to become more than frustration.

Nothing can turn my little darling in to a beast better than naptime. The energetic one year old wanting to explore and do and play can not squeeze in an hour or so into her busy day to rest. This is also true when it comes time for a clean diaper or training pants. I can not fully describe Gracie's temper to you, you would have to see it up close and personal. And while, it can be difficult to deal with, it only adds to her very complex personality.

What a little person we have raised. It is a true blessing to watch her grow, and become the person that she is going to be....and the world is going to love her!

****Gracie's new thing is saying "cheese" and making that face when you take her picture! I have no idea where she learned this, but it is very cute!****

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