One place that she readily "voices her opinions" is at the dinner table. Jennie just LOVES that she is in control of what goes in her mouth, and more notably, what doesn't. I know that all parents go through this with their kids (at least most do), but it doesn't make it any easier when she throws her food on the floor, or pitches a fit because she can't have a cheese stick at every meal. While a 1 1/2 year old cannot understand logic or reasoning, I think I will share (for the future record, when she might understand, hehe) some reasons why she should not worry so much about the foods she's getting for dinner. She has a lot of other, more important reasons to be mad at me coming up real soon - and none of these involve the fact that I try giving her deli turkey before blueberries at lunch.
Reasons why Jennie is going to be "mad":
1. Her best-buddy Owen's last day is today! His mommy is out of school for the summer, and we'll only see him for play dates for a while. 2. Although Owen's departure from our daily routine seemingly frees up lots of personal, one-on-one Mommy time, Jennie is going to be FURIOUS when she finds out that Owen is being replaced by baby Isabelle. I will be watching the 3 month old darling for the summer because good friends of ours need help until their day care can take them in September. Should be interesting to see how Jennie reacts to this. She, of course, won't really be mad. She will probably be confused and a little jealous. However, I think it will be good for her to have a little babe around. Its not always going to be just Jennie around...
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| Having fun at Auntie Lauren and Auntie Michele's baby shower |
3. Jennie is no longer going to be the only grand-baby in the family! She is getting two new cousins at the end of July. While Grammie Mosca assures her that she will always be the queen of the castle (and I have no doubt, judging by her personalilty, that Jennie will the boss and queen of the cousins...), I still think that Jennie will have some serious adjusting to do on that front. She has been numero-uno with all relatives for her whole life so far.
4. As if Jennie's prima-ballerina status was not going to be messed with enough, she is going to have to cope with the wonderful gift of a sibling in the beginning of January! Yes, that's right, the Mosca Family is expanding. Three months along, and feeling great.
I do feel a little guilty though - how do you possibly have enough time to take care of a new baby and keep up with all the attention that your toddler needs and loves? I know that it's possible - and that people do it ALL the time, but it doesn't make me worry less. I suppose caring deeply about those kinds of issues is what makes you a better parent. I also know that almost all kids end up with siblings and that it is a great life experience to have brothers and sisters - but, I think that Jennie is very likely to be jealous at first, and I imagine that will be hard to cope with. Maybe I'll get lucky, and she'll take the new brother or sister in stride, however I am sure there will be some drama involved. This is Jennie we are talking about after all - and she has never in her short 18 1/2 months fallen short in the drama department.
There are so many changes coming up in Jennie's life, and I am hopeful that with love and support (and a few kisses, hugs, and tickles) she will do just fine. She'll realize quickly that being sad, mad, or jealous are temporary - and that love and family are forever. Maybe it's me I should worry about - with a 2 year old and a newborn in January.... hehe.
