+ Tantrums +
Dearest daughter, I have to tell you this is not my favorite part of parenting. I have many favorite parts: morning hugs as I get you out of bed, tickle-fests, sloppy kisses after you've climbed up on me on the couch, "mamamama" when you see me and want something, playing the Fetch Game where you bring me every.single.toy on the shelf one by one. These are all Good Things. Tantrums? Yeah, those are not good. Even Sylvia mentioned it yesterday. She said to me, when I picked you up from school, "I thought she'd hurt herself, she was screaming so hard. But then I realized she was throwing a tantrum. I didn't even know she did that!" Yes. Yes, you do. In fact, you threw a doozie of a tantrum yesterday that involved dog food and physical removal by Mommy from the tempting situation. What did you do? You arched your back, bonked your head (lightly) on the kitchen floor and screamed bloody murder. Over denied dog food. Fabulous. We even had a "kicking and screaming" tantrum over the snot sucker the other day. I actually laughed when you started kicking your feet and shaking your head. It was funny, I'm sorry. Especially since by that point, I was actually done with the snot sucker and you were just pitching a fit for the heck of it.

Each of these ends when I pick you up and hold you, so that's a plus. I know those days are numbered and you'll refuse to be held in lieu of screaming. I also know I'm walking a fine line each time I do it. I do let you get it out first, and don't give in to whatever it is you're trying to get. But I also do pick you up after it reaches its peak, so I can satisfy that mommy guilt that tells me I am supposed to remind you that I'm always here for you. Ah, mommy guilt. More powerful than gravity or super glue. Gotta love it.