Terrible Two's!

There seems to be a recurring theme around my house lately and it heavily involves the word "no" and the phrase, "Layla Raine, you're driving me crazy!" Yes, the terrible twos are in full swing and I can't say that I'm thrilled. What happened to my sweet girl?! You know, the one who didn't run around wreaking havoc? (Immobility, I'm sure, being the only reason.) But even the year leading up to this one, I feel like she at least headed my warnings. (I think.) Alas, she is long gone. She was trampled by this new kid who climbs and jumps from high places, gets a kick out of electrical sockets, draws on the walls, throws things only to exclaim, "Oh no!", refuses naps and sleep like never before, takes the top off of her sippy cup, plays bath time with the dog's bowl, shrieks in public because it's funny and, conveniently for her, has selective hearing. 

They said this would happen. I didn't listen. Not my baby. Oh, yes, my baby indeed.

The face of innocence. Not.

For some unknown reason, she seems to listen more to her father than me. That I don't understand. He's the softy! I've unintentionally taken the roll of disciplinarian in the house. I administer the time-outs (that she now puts herself in). I've taken methods from "Super Nanny" and have tried to apply them to my everyday life. I've Pinterested supposedly effective discipline methods. Yet when she hears the bellow of daddy's, "No!" or "Layla Raine!" She immediately stops whatever dastardly deed she's in the middle of. However, when she hears my voice, which mind you carries just as much weight as daddy's, she either continues to do whatever she's doing, or runs in the other direction. Thanks, Pinterest! Womp, womp.  

"I solemnly swear I am up to no good."

Lately, I feel like every day is just another day in which I must keep my child from killing herself. I know, I know.

Surely there are plenty of mommy's that feel the same though, right? Anyone? ...Hello? Okay, just me?

Regardless of her current dare devil status, I love every reckless piece of her. She has a personality! Something I'm really beginning to see now that I didn't when she was a "baby". It's pretty cool to watch. In addition to being mommy's little sadist, here are 5 personality traits I have seen her develop.

1. Humor: This kid loves to laugh and make you laugh.
2. Compassion: More recently she's been willingly "giving love" to those she's close with and sometimes to new friends! Hugs, kisses, pats on the back. They're all wonderful.

3. Determination: If she wants something, she'll find a way to get it by any means necessary.
4. Independence: Whatever it is, she wants to do it herself. Let her figure it out and eventually she will.
5. Skillfulness: I've noticed she's quick to learn. She's an observer. She will watch and repeat. At the ripe old age of 2 and 2 months she can count to 12, brush her hair and teeth, and repeat all the dialogue from every "Yo Gabba Gabba" episode in existence. Of course her language skills are still a work in progress. I can understand her but to someone who doesn't know her, she might as well be speaking Japanese. ...Well, I mean except to a Japanese person... then she's speaking Crazy. 

She is both my terrible toddler and my sweet pumpkin pie and I know she won't always be this way. I'm sure when she's able to communicate more effectively we'll have a mutual respect and understanding for each other... Stop laughing.

Here's to new adventures!