This morning as Dan was leaving for work, he looked back at the kids sitting at the table and said "We have three kids. We don't have a baby anymore- she's just another kid." And (sob, sob) he's right. She's only 19 months old, but as a third child she is so eager to keep up with the big kids that she is just flying through stages.
A few weeks back she was sick and fussy during a meal, so in an effort to get her to eat, I let her sit in a big chair next to Austin instead of her highchair. Ever since, she has refused to sit back in her high chair and will only eat at the table like everyone else. Thankfully, I can strap her into a booster seat for meals, but to color or have a snack she only wants to "Sit. Chair!" She looks like a real little kid in that chair.
I haven't written much about Juliet (because I haven't written, period), but that kid is one smart cookie. She is also VERY verbal.** I remember Abby talking a lot, but Abby was one to sit back and observe before jumping in. Juliet just wants to be a part of everything and will insert herself into whatever is happening. If the kids are laughing, she laughs. If the kids are screaming, she screams. She is always right there, following along.
A few weeks ago Abby told us that whenever things got too loud at school, her teacher would put a hand in the air and a finger over her lips to indicate it was time for quiet. Everyone then had to copy the motion until all were quiet. Dan and I thought it sounded like a plan, so we said "let's do that at home too!" It really has just become a game. Usually, it's played at the table because my kids take forever to eat breakfast and lunch. Mealtime = Crazy time. Singing, yelling, games...basically anything but eating. Abby or Austin would start it and we'd all follow along and then we'd laugh at the loser and move on. Juliet also picked up on it pretty quickly and when someone else would do it, so would she.
Fast forward to today. Abby and Austin were yelling at each other (no idea what about) and I said "Guys! That's enough! Quiet!" Then I look over at Juliet, who has decided Mom wants quiet, I know what to do. She's got a finger over her mouth and a hand in the air. She waited until everyone followed along and yelled "Meeee!" with a huge smile on her face. Tonight a dinner, she took it a step further by starting the game, watching Abby and Austin. Abby raised her hand and Austin followed shortly after, but was still last. Juliet pointed to him and yelled "Bud!" Not only does she get the game, she plays it correctly and now calls out the loser.
She's a smart one.
I thought Abby was going to be my trouble maker, but she's all talk. Juliet seems to have a mischievous glint in her eye. It's the little one we're going to have to watch out for!
*In all fairness, I don't think the fix is the right plan for me. As a vegetarian, it is just simply not enough calories to sustain me. Especially with all the running I've been doing. When I finally threw in the towel, Dan asked me to not ever do it again because I became a "shell of a person" on it. Apparently my brain stopped functioning and I was a bit angry. I'm following my fitness pal now and doing MUCH better. I feel stronger, happier, and I don't have a major headache after a big workout.
** And she has crazy fine motor skills. Not only does she hold a pencil perfectly, the kid can draw circles. On purpose. This morning she was trying to draw a star, and it kinda looked like one. I'm used to two kids you had to force to color...this is foreign territory for me.
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