Opinionated

So, it's not shocking that I would end up with a daughter that has a very decided set of opinions - and is willing to share them with me at every turn.  She is such a pretty little miss sunshine -or thundercloud - depending on her mood.  She has a wild mane of light brown curls, big doe-like brown eyes and an opinionated mind of her own.  She is a chatter box - again not shocking given that I'm her Mama.  She is talking from the moment she wakes up to the moment she falls to sleep.  I've even walked in to check on her at night to find her talking in her sleep - just like her Daddy.

She knows what songs she wants to sing, what foods she wants to eat, what animal should come next in the song about Old MacDonald and whether she is ready for a bath or nap or bed time.  "Hannah, are you hungry?"  Is often answered with, "Yesssssh!  Eat Lunch!"  irrespective of the meal that is to be served.  You can bet that when asked if she is ready for bed the answer is a decided, "NO!"  And finding the right book to read is sometimes like finding a needle in a haystack. 

"Would you like to read Goodnight Moon?"

 "No!" 

"How about One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish?"

"No!"

"Grouchy Ladybug?"

"mmmmmm, No"

"Dora's Potty Book?"

"NO"

"Caps for Sale?"

"YEEEEESSSSSSH!"

She even has very strong opinions regarding music (daddy is feeling good about this).  She has a toy on which there is a large selection of musical numbers.  However there is one song that she likes almost to the exclusion of all others - and she will cycle throught the others just to get to it.  But once she gets it, she moves her hands almost in a drumming pantomime, spins and dances frenetically only to realize it's almost over so she grabs the toy to find it again.

She does not like the Backyardigans on Nick, Jr - loves Dora and Diego - and tolerates the Wonder Pets.  She likes Goldfish - "Fishhhh Mama, Fishhhhh!" and apples.  She hates greens and people getting too close to her without invitation.  She loves to run - often shouting - "RUN" while in the act.  She has an incredibly animated face - and furrows her brow, flashes a brilliant smile and juts out her lower lip all in a matter of seconds to see what is going to get the best reaction from her audience.  Dramatic and theatrical, indeed.  When she gets caught doing something she's not supposed to do (like touch the trash can or get into the desk drawer) - she draws a big wide grin across her face running toward me shouting "MOMMMMEEEEE!"

She is learning manners - saying please and thank you - at least with prompting.  The prompting is so much easier when she really, really wants something.  She loves mommy's jewelry - grabbing bracelets and prancing through the house.  I keep finding random bracelets under couches and car seats. 

She is getting quite territorial.  Any time Olivia touches a toy she either marches over and plucks it from her baby sister's little hands or shouts/whines - "MINE!!!!"  She loves her bath, but hates water that is too warm.  She loves leaving the bath but hates getting dressed - often arching her back and flailing to avoid getting diapered and clothed.  She knows her mind - our little Hannah.  And as I sit, spent on the floor at bed time, watching her spin and chatter and whine and squeal in delight and sift through books and fight the inevitable time when she will be laid down - I'm reminded of what my mom said to me years and years ago - "you'll end up with one just like you, kid."  Oy!