Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice...

So since the last post we have had some interesting days. The biggest highlight for Aspen I think would be the AWANA Skate Night we went to Monday night. Aspen is 2 years and 5 months old. In most peoples eyes and thoughts there is no way she should be able to roller skate...don't feel bad I thought the same thing. But I figured with mommy's help she could get around the skate floor. After 2 times around with mommy though she kept pushing me away and fought taking my hand, I thought it meant she was done skating so I tried to lead her off the floor which resulted in "No mommy!!!" "Skate, Skate." Ok so she wasn't done, I tried to grab her hand and was met with more defiance about taking my hand. Then I looked up for a minute when another mom from church said my name to say hi. When I looked down Aspen was a good 20 feet in front of me on the skate floor, how did she move so fast??? That's when I realized it. Aspen wasn't done skating but was telling mommy, "I've got this! You can let go now!" Immediately upon this realization I started to tear up. Aspen is my baby well that's how I picture her most of the time and the days of "I need you mommy!" and "Hold my hand mommy!" are coming to an end. Yes there are still times when she wants my help and needs me(heck, how will she eat if mommy or daddy don't make it, lol) But I still wasn't ready for this moment...so I tried to hold her hand again, this time I was met with a very defiant face, and Aspen looked up at me with her big beautiful eyes and said, "Mommy, I do it!" And I teared up even more. I know there are many more days and times like this to come, but at this particular moment and hearing those words was just extremely unexpected and hard. I'm still trying to figure out when our baby got so big.
Now all of that was a very serious thought process of my heart and mind to show how much I really do love Aspen before I shared some of the dark side of her.
I am sure everyone has heard the phrase, "Sugar and spice and everything nice, that's what little girls are made of." Well if you haven't there it is. I have always heard that phrase and was thought it was a very sweet sentiment about little girls. But having a 2 year old girl there is one thing I can confidently say...the "SPICE" in that phrase is way to often overlooked. Don't get me wrong there are times that Aspen is so darn sweet and just melts your heart, but I can also say that she is one spicy/sassy little girl and is proving to be quite the challenge. My grandma use to always tell me, "Someday I hope you have a daughter who is just like you!" I always laughed and thought to myself, "that would be awesome!" I knew that having a daughter like me meant she would be outgoing, crazy, fun, outspoken. But of course who wants to think about the bad parts of themselves in their child which in my case is stubborn, strong-willed, defiant. So grandma, congratulations you won and Aspen well, in many ways is very much a mini-me. All of these traits can be considered good things even stubborn and strong-willed if in the right way but in a 2 year old these traits can wreak havoc on our day.
So here are some examples of some of Aspen's "spicier" moments:
Exhibit A-Me: "Aspen please make sure you put the lids back on your markers." Aspen: "NOOOOOOOO"

Exhibit B- Me: "Aspen, mommy asked you not to touch that, please don't touch, just look at it with your eyes." Aspen: Looking right at me...touches it again and then runs away laughing.

Exhibit C- Me: "Aspen we aren't suppose to play with Bridgette's binky, please leave it alone." Aspen: Looks at me, takes it, and runs off.

Those are just a few examples of my spicy Aspen and each of these examples are met with a time-out for not obeying mommy. And after time-out she always gets reminded that mommy loves her but she needs to obey. Did I mention that all 3 of these and more happen in the same day???
But there is my Aspen girl for you, she is a challenge and by the end of the day I am so tired. But above all I love her so much and know that these days shall pass. And then Bridgette will be in those days herself too, because my luck...all of our kids will be that way.