Almost everywhere we go Charlotte is the center of attention.  Her big blue eyes,  quirky giggles and sweet smiles make her the belle of the ball.  I say “almost” because tonight Charlotte got her first glimpse of unkind people.

We had a pizza night.  We sat on the patio of our favorite local joint.   As always, it was busy.  We ordered Charlotte her meal right away.  Other customers sitting around us chuckled as she smeared some sauce on her face and squealed.

She waved and said “Hi!” to the table next to us.  Two of the three 20-somethings enjoying beer and pie smiled at Charlotte.  Greyson and I smiled back politely with an obligatory chuckle and a comment like, “Are you saying hello?!”  A third man didn’t look her way.  She looked a little confused, dropped her gaze and took a bite of crust.  She glanced up and repeated a quiet “Hi!” complete with a smile and a wave.  The man looked annoyed, then scowled and ignored my little girl.  Charlotte’s confusion turned to hurt as her face dropped.  She looked at me with eyes that said, “Why isn’t he waving at me, mama?”

I wanted to jump up and scream, “MY ADORABLE BABY WAVED ‘HELLO’ TO YOU JACKASS!!!!”  Of course I didn’t.  I distracted her with another bite of dinner and gave her the smile that guy didn’t.  I know not everyone loves kids.  I know not everyone thinks babies covered in pizza sauce is cute.  I know, because before I was a parent I thought it was kind of gross, but I always politely smiled at a waving child.

It was then I realized that one day I will have to tell her that some people are not nice and not all who do smile at her are her friend.  It pains me to think that someone won’t like her or accept her for who she is.  I already hate the future schoolyard bullies and jealous middle school “frenemies”.  God help the high school cliques who may someday make my daughter feel inadequate.  I can protect her from rude people now, but not forever.

I took a deep breath, vowing to do my best to teach her self respect, manners, and love.  That’s all we can do.

I wish smashing the faces of d-bags who are rude to toddlers was the right way show that.  ::sigh::

I had no idea this was going to be such a momentous weekend when  Greyson stole me away for a night to celebrate our anniversary.  We stayed at our local 5 star hotel and had the chef’s selection menu at the restaurant.  The fact that we dined sans high chair was momentous enough, never mind the foie gras.

In the past few weeks I have really tired of fighting with Charlotte over her “sprout”.  She keeps pulling it out, leaving her hair all down in her eyes.

I resigned myself to the fact that it was time for “Baby’s 1st Haircut.”

Uncle Bryce made it way more fun!  Greyson said this “Snip Its” place was “like Chuck E Cheese but you get your hair cut.”

Poor thing.  She looks like she’s about to be sacrificed.  I’m sparing you the video I took.  The crying was ridiculous as you hear my reassurances, “It’s okay, Baby!  It doesn’t hurt!”   The sweet woman who had this daunting task kept feeding her animal crackers between snips.

Her first haircut led to her first lollipop.  She has not mastered saliva swallowing.  This occasion was topped off with a toy prize and certificate complete with photo.  “Baby’s First Curl” was saved for Mama.

AND NOW…FOR ONE OF THE BIGGEST MOMENTS IN TODDLER ACHIEVEMENTS…MAY I PRESENT….

THE POTTY!

Charlotte picked out a Sesame Street potty at the store today.  After she carefully “read” the instructions we gave it a shot.  No dice.  After her nap we tried again.

MY CHILD PEE PEED IN THE POTTY!

I know it’s silly, but we were so freakin’ proud of those few tiny little dribbles.  She’s getting so big and learning so much!  I just burst with pride when I see her experience new things and accomplish new things.  If you think about it, learning grooming like haircuts and hygiene like bathroom use are pretty big life skills.

I’m sure we’re in for some bumps along the grooming and hygiene highway and first we have to move out of Diapertown.  She will be 18 months this week.  I have no time to be sad about it.  Let’s go!

As parents we become enamored with our little babies.  Raising a baby is full of snuggles, feedings, rocking, and swaddling.  I look back on the days of Charlotte’s infancy and I get all squishy inside.  Yes there is poop and sleepless nights but it’s a perfect, sweet little one!  Right?!

Today I realized I’m raising a person.

Don’t get me wrong I was fully aware that it was a human baby I birthed 17  months ago, but something she did today made me realize she’s a PERSON.  A flawed human being.

I went to pick her up from the Waddler class today and she didn’t greet me with her usual enthusiasm.  Well, I thought, “That’s okay.  My mama-ego isn’t THAT fragile.”  (Yes it is.)  I sat on the floor at her level.  Some of her classmates toddled up to me, enthralled with my beaded necklace.  Charlotte’s good friend gave me sweet smiles, sat in my lap and cooed at every bead.  Charlotte did not like this.  It happened very fast.  She marched over to that little girl and gave her a swipe before turning on me with a swat.

::GASP::

I blurted, “CHARLOTTE!  No ma’m!  That is not nice!”  I looked at the teacher who seemed equally shocked.  (Good, it seems that’s not common.)  I turned to check out the other little girl and she was smiling and obviously not phased.  Her swipe didn’t hurt me either.  I  said, “Charlotte we do not hit our friends and you do not hit Mama!  It’s okay for another kid to sit with your Mama.”

She felt jealousy and anger like a real person.  Suddenly it became a daunting task to be the person raising and molding this little human.  I went on to stress how she should say she was sorry to her friend, but the toddler mind moves quickly and she started playing with my necklace.  I guess we’ll get to shame and empathy when she has another “human moment”.  When can we start Time-Out?  I have no idea.

::SIGH::

Raising a toddler is full of  messy dinners, squrimy baths, repeat book readings, and Elmo snuggles.  Tonight I got all squishy inside thinking about my girl.  Yes there are tantrums and food throwing, but she’s my perfect, sweet little one.  Right!?

Today we took Charlotte to a park in Raleigh called Pullen Park.  Anyone from this area has tons of fond childhood memories of this special place.  She “petted her pony” on the carousel and squealed at the ducks waddling near the train tracks.  My heart was complete.

“There are many little ways to enlarge your child’s world. Love of books is the best of all.” — Jacqueline Kennedy

Oh Little One!  How you love books!  This afternoon you were perusing some of your favorites before we took a wagon ride to walk the dog.  You like wagon rides, but especially when bring along the book you were clinging to.  Often times you turn away from your toys to turn the pages of your favorite story.  I think one of the best gifts you’ve gotten is the “Book a Month” from your Aunt Alison.  You have gotten to open a new book each month since you were born.  We unwrap them on the 2nd, your birthday.

When I was pregnant I dreamed of the books we would share together.

There are times when Daddy and I each will read Chicka Chicka Boom Boom five times in a day.  I practically have it memorized.  Sometimes I end up reciting lines in my head during the day at work.  That just makes me want to hurry home to you to read again.

I hope you love books when books aren’t cool.