Mope

Around here, the twos are looking a little like the early teens lately. Today I had plans to take Harper to an open gym at the rec center. The play area is only open for a two hour window. About forty minutes before we needed to leave this morning I tried to get Harper ready to go. Well she was too busy playing, then she didn't want her diaper changed, then I put her in her crib because she was acting tired and cranky. I told her to let me know when she was ready to go. I finally thought to myself, "My day will be no less complete if we don't ride tricycles for half an hour, so why am I fighting this?"

Of course Harper eventually decided she wanted to go and it was too late by then. So she spent the rest of the day turning to me occasionally, putting on her best pout, and saying, "I want to go to de gym." After a while I just ignored the pout. If I encourage this her bottom lip will become so big she won't be able to hold her head up straight.

At one point in the dialog (before I'd decided to let it go) I was telling Harper again that we had to get ready to leave. She put her little hand over my mouth and said, "IknowIknowIknowIknowIknowIknowIknow." Message received.

The rapid-fire "I know" is a new one. Usually when you are saying something Harper doesn't want to hear, she'll tell you, "Shhhh. Be qui-et." An example:

Me: Harper it is time to get ready for be-

Harper: Shhhhh. Be qui-et Mommy!

I have to admit, it's a little difficult not to laugh at that one.

Harper is also adding to the list of stall tactics she employs at bedtime. One is to grab your arm after she's in bed and say, pitifully, "I neeeeed you!" The other is to say, "Way a minute. I haf a good idea for you. I hav a gwate idea!" Then you just stand there like a fool waiting to hear it. About ninety percent of the time there is no actual idea, but you've wasted a few more seconds.
Did I mention Harper didn't get to go to the gym?