I've always told friends that the Terrible 2s for you began when you were 14-15 months old. I remember that you rather liked screeching in protest when we stopped you from taking or doing something. And how could Mama forget the flying paw that liked to hit out at me at the same time?
Anyway, looking back, THAT was mild.
It's month #26 now and 2 weeks into playschool, you started to metamorphose into a monster. The sort with a perennial ON button for temper and tantrums. You'd get off the school-bus with a smile for Mama. But once we got into the lift to our unit, you'd be (1) squirming and trying to dive off my arms because "Mama don't carry!" (2) raging because Mama's looking at you (3) pushing or kicking when I let you down inside the house because "No-o-o, I want Mama to carry me!"
Fickle? Yes. Unreasonable? For sure. Crazy? Sometimes I actually thought you were going nuts on me. Here's the clincher. Report from school? Teacher: Oh Aidan is adapting well. He's very obedient and quiet.
Right.
I've been on the receiving end of your general disdain for life for 2 weeks now. And I must say that it's been back-breaking! Suddenly, nothing is fun. And nothing Mama says is worth listening to. It's No to diaper changes, No to baths, No to naps, No to dinner, and No to teeth-brushing. But on the flipside, it's Yes to all the stuff you know you shouldn't be doing. Yes to throwing your toys onto the floor. Yes to pouring water onto the floor Yes to drawing on the walls, tables and, yes, the floor. Defiance is the order of the day. And defiance ends the day, too.
I actually called Papa up one evening in tears because I felt that maybe you simply hated Mama. I mean, deep down I know it can't be true. But boy, does it feel that way! Mama's theory is that you're reacting to the changes in your life, most especially playschool. And as it happens, playschool's unfamiliar territory so you put yourself on your best behaviour there, and find release at home. After all, who's the safest person you can be your ugliest to? (Not that you'll ever be ugly to me, of course.)
It's also the month we explored letting you try slippers. They're not the safest things to do what you do best in - running around like a crazy lion. But they're comfortable in hot weather! So Mama got you a pair of lime-green-brown ones from Bata.
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| Hello, slips, trips and accidents! |
Ok, Bata's not exactly 5th Avenue. But I'll have you know that they're an institution when it comes to shoes. They've been around since Mama was 5 years old and maybe before that, too. In fact, there was one shop 2 doors away from Kung-Kung's typewriter repair shop when it was still in business a long, long time ago. He and Poh-Poh used to buy Uncle Khin's and Mama's school shoes from that branch.
Play-wise, you've really begun to take to the junior puzzles Mama got from Toys 'r' Us. They're 4-6 pieces and come in different varieties. Currently you're mastering the Elephant/Lion/Monkey and Ship/Airplane/Train Engine ones. You're more comfortable chatting in sentences now although you do omit conjunctions and adjectives. And some days, I'm surprised how much you try to say.
In terms of books, we've brought out another Thomas the Tank Engine one that Uncle Brian got you last Christmas. There's also My Dad by Anthony Brown. But for now, it looks like Thomas wins. Poor Papa.
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| Papa's reaction upon realising this book wasn't catching on |
