Adaline could not be more independent and enjoy pressing boundaries than any other two-year old. Most days all she wants is to do stuff on her own. Below are a few examples:
1. "Stay" - She is constantly telling me that ... while proceeding to walk off. This continues to be an issue when that word is being repeated to me at places such as the zoo or a museum. I am more than happy to not follow her around our apartment, but exploring the zoo by herself is just a boundary that we are not ready to cross
2. Ballet and Music & Movement classes - Turning two was a huge milestone because it meant that she could start taking a lot more classes (along with having to pay for her to fly). She is currently enrolled in Ballet and a Music & Movement class, which are to be taken with a parent or caregiver. Let me try and paint a picture of what these two classes look like: Imagine children standing with their caregivers and dancing and interacting while occasionally running off and dancing to their own grooves. There are a few children that are shy and almost cling to their adult and others who are more independent and really posses the ability to follow the instructor. The difference with Adaline is that most of the time she won't even stand near me. I am left to stand in the circle doing "Head, Shoulders, Knees, and Toes", "Five Little Monkeys", and all the other songs by myself, while Adaline wont stand near me -- or even acknowledge me.
3. "No, no, no" - The word no has been long part of her vocabulary, but she keeps finding new ways and opportunities to use it. "No, no, no" when either me or Mr. Bluth attempt to help her put her shoes or jacket on. She can do it even if that means she puts her shoes on the wrong feet. Can't try to help with her socks either.
I don't know if the phrase "this too shall pass" is applicable to this situation, because we may just have a very independent and determined child. I just pray that we can find the best ways to help her grow and flourish using her personality and traits.
While she definitely has her moments when she doesn't need us, we occasionally get the most tender moments of her wanting to be like us. Below are two examples:
1. Mr. Bluth usually plays basketball on Wednesday nights at our church building and one night he was getting ready and somehow Adaline realized what was going on or she heard the word "basketball" because she instantly started saying "papi, ball" over and over while running to put on her tennis shoes and digging through the closet to look for a ball. She wanted to play ball with her papi. I'll let you imagine the distraught two-year old when she could not go with him because it was her bed time.
2. I was getting ready for ballet and had a similar experience of her wanting to go to ballet and both of us feeling broken as I left her crying to go to class.
While I hope she will always want to do stuff with us like play basketball or dance, I am grateful that she is strong and independent. Even though some days I want to pull my hair out because of it.
