Wednesday, June 6, 2007

What must the neighbors think?


I often find myself wondering what the neighbors think of me -- or better yet, my "skills" as a mother. My child really does have a mind of her own, and most days it is better for me just to "go with the flow" than make waves. I have grown to be alright with the theory 'if she isn't hurting herself or others...don't fight it'...

So, many days you will see her parading through the neighborhood in nothin' but a diaper or better yet, her ballerina costume. She has come out of her shell A LOT in the past year, and will often scream "Hewow" and give her best princess wave to all of the neighbors who happen to be outside (fully and normally clothed) doing their yardwork and trying not to stare at her display. She is a trip, to say the least. And as I had mentioned before, her listening skills are going down the crapper fast. I often find that I am talking to myself -- a very frustrating habit. Last week I had such an exasperating day with her! We went to the store and she immediately ran off, leaving me to chase her and call out her name repeatedly with NO response. I had to pretend that I wasn't losing my mind in front of the other shoppers...Lily was lucky we had an audience. When we got home it was more of the same for the remainder of the day. She didn't take a nap, so I gave her a bath early and wanted to get her in her PJs for an early bedtime -- I was kidding myself. After her bath she proceeded to run around the house naked and screeching like a crazy person. Here I am feebly calling "Lily, please come here like a good girl...Lily come here please...Lily I need you to be a good listener for mommy..." (all things she had heard me say numerous times throughout the day). After several minutes of no reply I sighed VERY loudly and put my head in my hands. I was DONE. Right on cue, Lily crept up to me and put her hands on my cheeks, cupping my face, and got right on my level and very sweetly and softly said "I pwomise to be a good wistener momma" and then laid down for me to put on her diaper and jammies.
Never a dull moment around here, folks. This child is part sugar/ part spice! Gotta love her. I sure do!

30 comments:

Polar Bear said...

How sweet! I hope she is a better 'wistner' today. :)

4D said...

A mind of her own! She is a free spirit.

Keep smilin!

Gee Gee said...

Who cares what the neighbors think about your free spirit daughter? However, her running off in a store does give me quite a scare :(

Beckyb said...

Consistency - you got it!! You are a good mama!! But deep down, I don't want you to win too soon or our fun Lily stories will be over!!! :) Love that girl!

LaLa said...

They probably think ~ What a lucky Mama!! Yeah, we play chase a lot at home and Annslee has a hard time remembering we don't "chase" in public. Now we play the freeze game and she loves it. I just yell FREEZE and she stops in her tracks. We practice at home and I do it too : )

Daniella said...

I like her free spirit -

Emmie said...

How could the neighbors that anything bad of such a cute little thing? We needed mind her playing naked in the little pool! Lol

redmaryjanes said...

She's too cute! I'm sure that's exactly what they think.

dawn said...

I wish I was your neighbour I would love it!

Spill the beans about the ducks woman!!!!

Diana said...

This is what the neighbours think: "Gosh, that girl is such a cutie, I wish she was ours!".
She has quite the sensitive side, how precious, your heart musta melted.

Tracey and Mike said...

I would love to see a ballerina flitting around our neighbourhood!

Lynn said...

I'm sure the neighbors don't think anything! She is right on target for being NORMAL!

Beth and Shayna said...

I love your motto in the beginning. So much so, I just showed your blog to Julio and I think we are going to agree to not make waves and if she is not hurting anyone, why fight it. Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. At this point, I really needed that one!

She is a cutie in her ballerina outfit or a diaper. Sugar and Spice that is for sure!

crazylady said...

What colour is YOUR tootoo?
Now that would be something to talk about. Mine is purple.

kitchu said...

The beauty of childhood to me is how closely they live to their spirits- what happens to that as we age? Love her bright personality and her need to be FREE!

Anonymous said...

don't ya just love those days when their spicy side takes over. emily is perfecting her whiny voice lately and i simply tell i can't hear her and she gets the message. you are one super mama in my book !!!

Elizabeth said...

Well it's good to read I'm not the only one with a nudist! My older neighbours can be heard saying over the fence to my boy "Where are your pants?".
As for the listening, ya, I do the 1,2,3 rule. Works like a charm, but that could just be some fluke of the universe.

Anne Marie said...

The neighbors are wishing they could be 2 again and run around in their diapers!

I know it's tough, but I think you are handling the not listening beautifully -- it really helps to read this because that is a part of parenting I am worried about. You did good!

aimeeg said...

I hope our daughter is also one that makes me wonder what the neighbors think! Gotta love that free spirit!

Praise and Coffee said...

How funny!
Lauren wouldn't even keep the diaper on today! Good thing we live in the country!

Holly said...

Hi! I'm Holly and I recently came across your blog. Your daughter us gorgeous. Feel free to visit my blog as well.

hollysmeimei.blogspot.com

Holly said...

Sorry. On my comment I meant to put is gorgeous. Not us gorgeous!

Jody said...

Love the ballerina picture!

Deb said...

What a cutie! Just being her bubbly self!

Mommy Spice said...

Oh I know the feeling. You sound a bit more patient than me. By the looks of Lily, dressed or not, she sure does look and sound happy. You're a great Momma!

Tracy said...

Boy, a lot of what you said described Hannah!! They are SO much alike. Btw, yesterday, Hannah kept saying "group hug ... like Lily"!

JMCS said...

There is no sweeter little girl than Lily. I love the adventure-seeker in her. What a joy.

Hugs,
Jonni

insanemommy said...

Oh, so it's ok I talk to myself?! Here I thought I might have a problem... so they're not going to lock me up. ha ha...My kids love running around outside in their diapers. My neighbors must think we're a bunch of hillbillies. We could give a flip. Rony

Liz and Ava said...

A mind of her own! Mine has a mind of her own also...and she just turned 2...was hoping by 3 things would change...I guess I better get used to it!
Love the pics...she is too cute!

C's Mom said...

I think they must see one happy little girl who does her thing.

I'd be a happy neighbor.